Tuesday Night Standouts
While it wasn’t a big slate of important games that had supporters wanting to get out and attend, but that doesn’t mean that there weren’t plenty of buckets to go around. Here are some of the standout performers from Tuesday night.
Keyshawn Maltbia–Fountain Fort Carson
Fountain Fort Carson isn’t having the type of year that they’ve wanted as they currently sit at 6-10 in a season that they just haven’t found their rhythm or gotten things going consistently, but one thing you can’t say is they don’t get up for big games. Many thought it would be a cake-walk against rival school Doherty who is 13-3 on the season and this would be another easy route for the Spartans. Enter Keyshawn Maltbia. Maltbia had his best game of the year as he scored 26 points including dropping five 3-pointers in a 2OT loss. He was aggressive on the offensive end and drilled shot after shot against a tenacious Doherty unit. He’s an under the radar player that should be on more people’s radars and if he continues to have big games like this, that’ll soon change.
Ronnie DeGray III–Chaparral
Chaparral is a Top-5 team in the state and currently sits at 14-3 on the season and a huge part of that is Jr. Captain Ronnie DeGray III. DeGray’s averaging 18.4 points and 6.3 rebounds on the year and they were both on display on Tuesday evening as Chaparral won big against a pretty good Highlands Ranch unit. Ronnie was full of energy as he always is and too much too handle in the paint as he dropped a cool 25 points and was his usual self on the boards. As long as he’s having huge games like this, the Wolverines are going to remain a very tough team to beat.
Marcell Barbee–Pueblo South
This 13-2 Pueblo South squad is legit. In fact, they’re on a seven game winning streak and the consistent theme in those last seven games; Marcell Barbee. Barbee has scored double digits in all seven of those games as he’s averaging 18.7 points, 6.6 rebounds a game and Tuesday night, he helped that average on the year in a low scoring, yet Marcell controlled game. He finished the night with 18 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, a block and a steal which showcased just how versatile the 6’3 Senior truly is. The Colts go as he goes and on Tuesday, he got them there.
Sam Masten–Rock Canyon
The best team in the state is Rock Canyon and if you get out to a game you know why, Sam Masten. Sam has a smooth jump shot but he gets to the rim better than probably any guard in the state and can finish with either hand. He’s an aggressive offensive player with great playmaking abilities and high confidence and all were on display in their 66-31 blowout of Heritage. On most nights, its hard highlighting a player in such a lopsided victory, but this wasn’t an ordinary night. Heritage as a team finished with 31 points, Masten finished with 27 points as he went 12-of-19 from the field but it was the way that it was done. He doesn’t shoot many jump shots and if he does, they’re open looks. He scored most of his baskets in the paint and only went to the free-throw line once. Another big game from Sam has him in the chase for not only the gold ball at seasons end, but at the head of discussion for Mr. Basketball for the state of Colorado