Wings 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…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
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 some wings to look out for in the region.
Aaron Bokol – Eagle crest
Senior wing Aaron Bokol has seen it all come together while he is enjoying his best stretch of basketball in his career. He is up to 17.8 points and 6.2 rebounds a game and has the Raptors as the No. 13 seed in the playoffs. He has been scoring at will, plays well within himself and has stepped up as a leader as well. He shoots the ball well from deep, scores from within, can create off of the dribble and has been a consistent scorer that has brought in day ina dn out in the toughest league in the state. The Raptors have a unique team and are well balanced, they just have to pull it together and get everyone involved. What is for certain is that Bokol will be the player that the Raptors rely on and I expect him to elevate his game when it matters most. That second round game will be a solid must watch game.
Kwane Marble – Denver East
The University of Wyoming standout has been doing what he has done his whole career – scoring whenever it is he wants to. He can score from beyond the arc or get to the paint where he is an excellent finisher with either hand. He is up to 19 points a game and that is while being in cruise control for the year. He also has 4.6 rebounds a game as well to go along with it and has been excellent in his role as the go-to guy. He started out the season slow but then got into his own and has been running through the Denver Prep League yet again. While his scoring has slowed down a bit I expect him to put on a show in the state tourney and show that Denver East is still the powerhouse that we all remember. I expect a 30-point performance to begin the playoffs and for him to carry that into the next round. This East team is better than they have shown.
Sufyan Elkannan – Legend
Senior wing Sufyan Elkannan is one of the wings that has the unique ability of going down low and creating a mismatch with his strength and size. He has quick hands and feet and a set of go to moves that frees himself up for easy baskets. He is also able to finish above the rim and jump with almost any player in the state which gives him the upper-hand more often than not. He runs the floor well, is an above average slasher that operates well on the low post. He is also an excellent defender that uses his body to defend, goes straight up and can switch onto smaller defenders with his great footwork but also is strong enough down low. Legend will need Sufyan at their best as they make a run, I expect them to play well against Aurora Central with a big win and then that game against Eagle crest will be a must watch one to get out to.
Kywan Jones – Gateway
Kywan does a bit of everything for this Gateway team so it is difficult to classify him as a wing. He brings the ball up the court, facilitates and also is a slasher used down low. He has been a constant on a team that has overachieved this year and they are in the playoffs as they have played together as a unit and persevered. He is averaging 12.8 points and 5.3 rebounds a game to show Does a bit of everything so hard to classify as a wing, overachieved this year but he led them to the playoffs, 12.8 points, 5.3 rebounds not afraid to mix it up get up and down the court, can shoot but gets to the rim and has a good feel for the game. Solid year for him and a way to fight to put the state on notice that Gateway is here.