Preseason 5A Top-10 Teams (Part 1)
With the holiday season just passing and a few teams even having exhibition games and scrimmages it is finally basketball season and the 2018-19 season is finally amongst us. With that comes new players emerging and with what was shown from grassroots season, this has the makings of a very special year. While it was rather difficult as there is a plethora of teams that made an argument to be on the list here is Prep Hoops Colorado’s top ten teams in the state.
1) Grandview
Grandview is the top team in the state and this was an easy answer. They are the defending champions and return a bulk of the team. Dayne Prim is heading into his senior season after a magical run in the tourney. Alongside him is big man Caleb McGill which makes up the best backcourt in the state. They also have strong guard play in Lian Romero, Davon Walker and Tyler Unger and look poised to not only defend –but repeat.
2) Smoky Hill
The Buffaloes move into the no. 2 seed as they have unarguably the best backcourt in the state. They will definitely be missing their big men from last season and a big man will have to emerge but they have Kenny Foster who will be a top player in the state, Quinten Rock who is an electric guard and also Jalen Weaver who will surely be a name to know this year. This is an interesting bunch and will be a highlight factory each game out.
3) Thunder Ridge
The Grizzlies have one of my favorite groups of big men in the state in Kevin Sax, Austin Holt and Bailey Verk. They also have one of the best coaches in Colorado history on their side so seeing how players like Garrett Arnold, Nolan Marold and Chris Franquemont will step up with increased minutes will be an interesting trend. They may start slow but will be ready come conference time.
4) Regis Jesuit
It was tough for me not to put Regis higher as they are as solid as can be on paper. This is a team that can spread you out and will light you up from deep as they have big men that can shoot it in Matt Wheelock and Daniel Carr who I believe will have huge seasons, but, they also have Payton Egloff and Jamal Safieddine at the guard positions and this appears to be a team that could lead the state in three-pointers made.
5) Range view
Range view snuck into my top five as they are the most balanced team in the entire state in my opinion. This will not be as big of a team as last year but they have the personnel to matchup with any teams in the state and will be a matchup nightmare. Christian and Christopher Speller will be the ones to get it done on both ends of the ball with more responsibility, their AAU seasons show both are ready to lead the charge. Isaiah Hayes is a swiss army knife and with consistency can be one of the most dangerous combo guards in the state. Cade Palmer can light it up from beyond the arc and will be used a bit more this year and Jodaun Dotson heads into the season with a chip on his shoulder as he might be one of the most underrated guards in the state. Expect the Raiders to run through their league once again and be ready come tournament time.