2021 Rankings update: Deep Sleepers at PF/C

<p>We have discussed guards and wings from the 2020 and 2021 class as we have a very talented bunch. That still does not mean that we do not have a few players that fall through the cracks and are not getting the credit that they deserve. With those positions out of the way it is only right to focus on big men the are deep sleepers. Here is a list of players that have stood out as well as we take a look at the deep sleepers heading into their junior season. </p> <p><strong>(Number is their ranking)</strong></p> <p><strong>Deep Sleepers: </strong></p> <ol start="59"> <li><strong>Xavier Sterling – Harrison</strong></li> </ol> <p>Sterling is a wing that often times goes out on the post as he is one of the team’s best rebounders. He is a ballhawk that tracks down rebounds and does all of the intangibles such as boxing out, keeping plays alive as well as providing energy the entire time he is on the court.</p> <p>Last season he averaged 6.3 points and also helped on rebounds at 4.3 a game. Sterling is best used as a slasher but due to his size is able to find the mismatch down low on the block. He finishes well in traffic and drops his shoulder to create space and powers through contact. Sterling has good instincts and plays the ball well and this year he will have to be a bit more aggressive offensively as I expect Harrison to make some noise as he is paired with Donta Dawson, pretty dynamic duo.</p> <ol start="61"> <li><strong>Arden Walker – Cherry Creek</strong></li> </ol> <p>Every team should have an enforcer, that is Walker. He is 6’2 and 248 pounds and a force that strikes fear in opponents. Walker is a player that makes others around him better as he is a competitor that gives it his all every play that he is out on the court. He does not play much but his energy, tenaciousness and competitive nature is contagious. Walker is a high IQ athlete that is able to finish down low, make opponents fight for every possession and is as unselfish as they come. It is uncertain if he will be playing basketball this year as the three-star football recruit is picking up plenty of Division I interest. If he is there, the Bruins will have another big man to rely on with one of the better frontcourt tandems in the state.</p> <ol start="65"> <li><strong>Isaiah Thompson – Fountain Fort-Carson</strong></li> </ol> <p>The Trojans were a surprise team last season as they finished up the year with a 18-8 record. A few of their seniors from last season are gone which means others have to step up, one of those players is 6’5 forward Thompson. Thompson got his feet wet last season as he appeared in 20 games as a sophomore, but he added minutes that the team needed. He is full of energy, competes on the block, defends multiple positions and has an expanding offensive game. One thing that will certainly come this season is aggression. Thompson started out the season with a big game offensively then became a role player. This season he will be asked to do a bit more while starring in his role. The Trojans do not have many tweeners so will depend on his size and skill level. There will be more minutes for him and hopefully he worked on his game a bit more to step up and be ready for the challenge.</p> <ol start="78"> <li><strong>Kolben Barney – Palmer</strong></li> </ol> <p>This is going to be a trying year for Palmer as their heart and soul and two best players have graduated. With that, comes plenty of areas to grow as there is a new bunch that will be attempting to build and grow. Of those players is Barney who is coming off of a sophomore season in which he was able to play in every game and will be the returning leading scorer on the team with only 6.7 points a game. This team is young. Barney was also the second leading rebounder last season at 4,5 a game and will have to up those numbers as he becomes the focal point of the offense. He has to read double-teams, find open guys, perfect his craft on the block and step up as a leader despite only being a Junior next season. Barry has his work cut out for him but has tangibles as a scorer that understands the game and positioning. It will be up to him to carry the load and he should have a big jump in production.</p> <ol start="80"> <li><strong>Braiden Dishmen – Fossil Ridge</strong></li> </ol> <p>Fossil Ridge will head into this season as a young class with the bulk of their team being juniors, of those standouts is Dishmen who was able to put up 5.3 points and four rebounds as a sophomore. Dishmen is a solid framed big man that is traditional. He protects the rim, powers through contact and sets strong screens. His strength makes it difficult for opponents to slow him down or score on him as he defended well last season. He is a ball tracker that runs down rebounds, can start the break himself and does not force much. This season he will have to up those averages with a team that plays well together. I am sure that the big man has been working on his game and is ready to show off all of the things that he now has as I expect Fossil Ridge to shock a few teams.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>