Predicting the 5A/4A Pikes Peak All-Star Team

<p>We took a break but we are back with a couple of more league to preview before the upcoming season. We have wanted to see what area of the state has had the best talent and by doing that we have taken a look at some of the best conferences.</p> <p>We have designed our “All-Area All-Star Teams” and have taken a look at a couple of leagues already, but one we have not looked at and will be filled with plenty of action is the 5A/4A Pikes Peak league that is filled with some under the radar standouts as well as a Top-5 player in the state. Let’s take a look.</p> <p><strong><u>First Team:</u></strong><strong><u> </u></strong></p> <p><strong>PG: Markus Ramirez – Sand Creek – Jr.</strong></p> <p>Sand Creek is a team that should be much improved as they had one of the youngest bunches in the entire state last season that is now a year wiser to make some moves. One of their players that stood out despite only being a junior was Ramirez. Ramirez put up 13.3 points a game as a sophomore and showed that he is able to find creases in the defense, compete no matter who it is they are playing and he is going to score the basketball. He shoots lights out from deep and has a smooth shooting stroke. His game translates to the next level and he is only getting better.</p> <p><strong>SG: Daryn Whisman – Discovery Canyon – Sr. </strong></p> <p>Whisman is another player in the league that can truly score the basketball. He’s a consistent scorer with range, attacks in iso situations as he makes defenders guess what he is going to do and can create for himself and others. Last season he led Discovery Canyon in scoring with 17 points a game as one of the standout guards in the conference and will most likely be in the same boat. He is a volume scorer that has to find his rhythm and is a player that does not get a ton of attention but can play at the next level. Big year ahead and a player that we also should be a bit higher on. </p> <p><strong>SF: Javonte Johnson – Cheyenne Mountain – Sr. </strong></p> <p>Let’s just get this out of the way, this is Johnson’s league. He averaged 22.4 points and 9.4 rebounds a game as a junior for crying out loud and I feel as if he upped his game a bit more this offseason and is coming in the season with a chip on his shoulder – what a scary sight for opposing teams. He has elite size and skill and the game slows down for him. He rebounds, scores, defends and shoots and is most definitely a Division I player that WILL help a big-time school. If he doesn’t have a few 40 point games and compete for Mr. Basketball this year, something is wrong. I don’t doubt that he will be one of the leading scorers in the state this season and sign to help a Division I school for the next few years. Excited to see him get started this season.</p> <p><strong>SF/PF: Jaedn Harrison – Cheyenne Mountain </strong></p> <p>Harrison was an underclassman for Cheyenne Mountain who did not get a ton of attention but was one of their most consistent players. He put up nine points and six rebounds a game and was a relief for Johnson on the boards and also another source of points. To conclude last season he seemed to have found a rhythm and now with being asked to do a ton more will have to up his game to help Cheyenne Mountain break out and be the team that others are expecting them to be. He uses his size and is a glue guy that makes the right plays and more often is in the right spot. He will be asked to score more and also set up teammates while staying active on boards as a guard/wing that flies in with intention. Big year ahead.</p> <p><strong>C: Gabe Brock – Sand Creek – Sr. </strong></p> <p>Brock is ultra-athletic and plays above the rim. He dunks, he blocks shots(2.2 blocks a game) rebounds (7.1 rpg) and can score as well (9.9 ppg). What Brock does really well is finding the mismatch and then attack it. He uses a blend of strength and quickness and runs the floor which he is rewarded. He is a selfless player that is all about me but for Sand Creek to take that next step he is going to have to be a player that takes over. Averaging a double-double this season should be a personal goal.</p> <p><strong><u>Bench</u></strong></p> <p><strong>Guard: Jaxon Smith – Discovery Canyon </strong></p> <p>I am a person who is always looking for the player who is willing to make the extra pass as I feel it translates most to winning basketball and a player that is under the radar that does that is Jaxon. He is a balanced guard that does a bit of everything. He can score 7.6 points and rebound from the guard spot but he is also a player that finds ways to get others involved while still staying in the flow of the offense. Keep an eye on him this season.</p> <p><strong>Guard: Tyler Edwards – Vista Ridge – Jr. </strong></p> <p>Edwards was one of the bright spots for Vista Ridge last season as an athlete that can affect the game on both sides of the ball but is a capable scorer that can explode at times. He is a creative finisher at the rim and has a bit of a tick in his shot but once he gets it off he is automatic. He has a solid mid-range pull-up and runs the break and this season it will be about putting the team in opportunities to win.</p> <p><strong>Wing: Tim Marshall – Air Academy –Sr. </strong></p> <p>Marshall is a bucket. He is going to have days that he’s efficient and days that he is not but no matter what you know that you're going to get an aggressive offensive player that is looking to get a basket no matter what. He shoots it, gets to the rim and scores over smaller defenders and mixes things up. He also is a defender that can guard multiple positions.  </p> <p><strong>Post:</strong><strong> Mason Black – Falcon – So.</strong></p> <p>Black is a volume scorer that is not afraid to shoot the ball. Falcon did not have the season they were hoping for but had a few underclassmen stand out and he was able to put up 12.5 points a game as a freshman. That should have him ready to step up in a bigger role and work on different parts of his game. He will have to get on the boards more and make himself more of a force on defense but he has the intangibles to be a pretty good player.</p> <p><strong>Post: Gage Clawson – Discovery Canyon – Sr. </strong></p> <p>Clawson is based on potential as I feel he has what it takes to take his game to the next level. He has good size and is a player that goes after every rebound. He keeps plays alive and hustles. I would like to see him score a bit more this year.</p>