Guards to watch in the Kent Smith Region
The 5A State playoffs get started this coming week and there are plenty of great matchups to get out and enjoy. The Kent Smith region was one of the most difficult regions as it is stacked with players that put…
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Continue ReadingThe 5A State playoffs get started this coming week and there are plenty of great matchups to get out and enjoy. The Kent Smith region was one of the most difficult regions as it is stacked with players that put up some big numbers. Here are a few areas to focus on. Here are my five guards to look out for in the region.
Hezekiah Swanson – Overland
Swanson went into the summer showcasing his improved work on both ends of the floor and has upped his game another level in his junior season. He has put in countless hours at perfecting his craft and it has him as one of the top guards in the state on one of the best teams in the state. He was known as only a defender that used pesky defense to get in the defender’s head and then steal it for open baskets. He still does that, but now it comes with baskets as well. He is up to 13 points a game and he runs the unit well. He is a great entry passer that gets everyone involved seen in his team high 5.2 assists a game and he also goes down and contributes in the rebounding department as well. (4.5 rpg). Swanson has shown that he could lead his team in tough situations as Overland has won slow paced, tough it out games and has also ran with others as well in a very tough Centennial league. He has shot the ball well, does not take bad shots and is a true point guard the tis a two-way player. Schools should be fighting over a guard like Swanson and I expect Overland to have a deep run as the state heeds the warnings.
Caden Gigstad – Ralston Valley
Junior guard Cade Gigstad has the unique ability to take over a game at a moment’s notice. He remains aggressive offensively and can score when he wants. Rather it is hitting a jump shot with a defender guarding him, getting by his guy and finishing at the rim or a smooth mid-range pull up he has the scoring gene. He is at 14.2 points a game and makes it difficult for defenders to stay in front of him. He is a willing passer that sees the floor well and has solid on ball defense as well. He helps in the rebounding department and gives Ralston Valley a little bit of everything. Gigstad can score in bunches and for him to put up these kinds of numbers on a team that has multiple guys scoring in or close to double digits is a credit to how well he has been running this team as a point guard. As long as he stays in the flow of the offense this Ralston valley team can make some noise and Gigstad has the ability to be the leading scorer on any given night which makes them a very dangerous team.
Malachi Owens – Aurora Central
Quick guard that has great ball handling skills which frees him up and lets him attack the defense. He excels in the open court and either goes and finishes or finds the open man. Is aked to score and he does just that as he is up to 15.7 points. He also helps on the rebounding at 4.6 rebounds and is everywhere on the court. What is different about him than other guards in the region is his willingness to defend. He is at almost three steals a game and also will go inside and time shots to block them, he is a guard that does it all and will have to get it going with his scoring if the Trojans want to advance.
RaShawn Wilson – Denver East
Wilson is a true point guard in every sense of the word. He sets guys up, he controls the pace, he runs the offense and communicates on the floor. Wilson is only a sophomore but plays well above his age. He has a mature game and a high IQ that is refreshing to see. While he is able to get his own and score at ease with speed and quickness as he averages 10.9 points a game, what really makes him so much different than other guards and where I think Denver East will be a Darkhorse favorite is their willingness to defend. Wilson is averaging 3.9 steals a game and is a guard that is a pesky defender that is all in your face for 90-feet and takes pride on that side of the ball. He does not back down to any guard in the state and is a player that I am sure will be unleashed in this playoff run. That Denver East press just got a bit scarier with the addition of Wilson.
Jack Fisher – Poudre
Fisher is a player that can shoot it off of the dribble no matter how close a defender and that type of confidence shows how hard of a worker he is. He is a player that can create for himself and others and he excels in the open court as he is a player that can finish at the rim or set up guys for open baskets. He is a zone buster that can really get going offensively that forces the defense to talk about where he is at all time because with any mistake he is going to make too pay. He is averaging 22.3 points a game and is one of the best guards in the state that nobody is talking about. He also helps in the rebounding department and does a bit of everything. Fisher has had a few 30-point explosions and can get it going whenever which is a tough cover every night out. He is having a sensational year as he is a confident score first point guard that brings it at you for the full game. How great would it be to see him drop a 30-pointer to begin the playoffs in his senior season? I am calling it now.