5A/4A Continental League Preview w/ predictions

<p>With the high school season just around the corner, it’s time for us to take a look at some of the top conferences across the state. First up is the Continental league which is one of the toughest to predict as these teams are very close and anybody can win the conference. Here is a look at the Continental league complete with a prediction of how things will possibly shake out.</p> <p><strong>Conference Commentary</strong></p> <p><strong>Favorite</strong>: <strong>Chaparral</strong></p> <p>This league is extremely difficult to predict as every team is so close to each other and it will be a battle night-in and night-out. One of the constants is Chaparral who has what is believed to be the top point guard in the state in <strong>Kobe Sanders</strong> leading the pack. The reason that I chose them is because while Sanders will assuredly lead the team in scoring and assists what he has that the other teams in this conference do not have is the size. He will be able to take shots and have <strong>Aaron Jacobs</strong> and<strong> Dalton Waldron</strong> both dominate teams inside and out. With having that kind of size with a player or two emerging with a likely high powered Nate Rohnert offense this could be the year that they win it.</p> <p><strong>Thunder Ridge</strong> is my other favorite and it is extremely difficult to not put them on the top. This is as wide open as this league has been as one or two games has separated the league winners the past couple of years. Last season it was Regis that won the conference and depending on if their out-of-state transfer comes in then I expect them to make a significant drop. The Grizzlies are still one of the most consistent teams in the state and they are complete. They have solid guard play in <strong>Garrett Arnold, Colton Sanders, Justin Smith</strong>, and <strong>Bennet Mather</strong> and will also be sound down low with big men<strong> Nolan Marold and Tommy Crawford</strong> making rapid progression. Not to mention for the second part of the year they will get transfer wing <strong>Jason Simental</strong> in and that addition will go a long way for them. This will be a solid year for them.</p> <p><strong>Should Compete: Mountain Vista, Regis, Legend, Rock Canyon, Highlands Ranch</strong></p> <p><strong>Dark-horse favorite: </strong></p> <p>It is a toss-up between<strong> Rock Canyon</strong> and <strong>Mountain Vista</strong> as both of these teams have the personnel to compete with every other team in the state and they are going to both have great seasons. For <strong>Mountain Vista,</strong> it comes down to guard play. While MV lost a big part of their offense last season they replaced that with the young players ready to step up.<strong> Ben Bowen</strong> and <strong>Rhys Pulling</strong> step up into lead guard spots and will assuredly have to do a ton more if they expect to have a season similar to last season when they finished as a top-10 team in the state. Both can score in multiple plays as well as get others involved and will have to be the go-to players that emerge.</p> <p>Rock Canyon is a team that has some stellar two-way players that will take teams by surprise. This has been a team that has been known for their defense for the past few years and this year will be no different but they also have some offensive firepower. I expect Jalen Ashley to have a great year offensively where he will average 15+ points a game. Also if they get <strong>Tommy Rau</strong> back to man the middle with players like <strong>Quint Geck, Jake Hassett</strong>, and <strong>Nick Fallin</strong> then they could really be the team to watch.</p> <p><strong>Conference Predictions</strong></p> <p>1) Thunderridge</p> <p>2) Chaparral</p> <p>3) Rock Canyon</p> <p>4) Mountain Vista</p> <p>5) Regis (transfer dependent)</p> <p>6) Highlands Ranch</p> <p>7) Legend</p> <p>8) Heritage</p> <p>9) Douglas County</p> <p>10) Castle View</p> <p>11) Ponderosa </p>