Under the Radar: Top Returning Rebounders

<p>With the season approaching this week, we take a look at some of the top returning under the radar rebounders in the state.  These players vary from guards to post players, the one thing they all have in common is a sense for the ball and a will to go get it.  Some of these players have been on the scene before and others are newcomers from some of the smaller local smalls in the area.</p> <p><strong>Cayden Mazurek - Riverdale Ridge </strong></p> <p>As a sophomore last season he averaged 14.6 PPG and 11.1 RPG.  He recorded ten or more rebounds in eleven of the nineteen games he played in last season, he posted a career high twenty-one rebounds with nineteen points against Arvada last year.  Cayden will look to improve upon his shooting from the foul-line this year, he shot fifty-three percent on over one-hundred and fifty attempts last season.  He does the majority of his damage from inside the three point arc and from the charity strip.  Only being a junior, I look for Cayden to turn some heads these next two years.</p> <p><strong>Jeremiah Taylor - Hinkley </strong></p> <p>Jeremiah averaged 9.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG last season as a junior.  Late last year he had a stretch of nine games in a row with ten or more rebounds including a twenty rebound effort against Prairie View.  He was the leading rebounder last season for Hinkley and was also tied for second on the team in scoring.  Listed at 6'3, Taylor has a strong frame which he uses to his advantage in the paint where he does most of his damage.  Last year he shot a team high fifty-two percent from inside the arc.  He is relentless on both sides of the court in terms of rebounding, he recorded (98) offensive rebounds and (112) on the defensive side last season.  </p> <p><strong>Brennan Rigsby - De Beque </strong></p> <p>With two years of varsity experience under his belt already, Brennan averaged 21.5 PPG and 9.1 RPG last season as a sophomore for De Beque.  He increased his rebounding average by almost seven boards a game, compared to his freshman season where he only averaged 2.4 RPG.  Brennan is a very skilled player who can score from all three levels on the court as well, shooting thirty-nine percent from three point range on two-hundred and forty-nine attempts last season.  I look for Rigsby to have a big year while trying to defend the 1A state title.</p> <p><strong>Konor Lathrop - Highlands Ranch </strong></p> <p>Konor is a four-year varsity player for Highlands Ranch, last season as a junior he averaged, 7.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.7 APG.  Listed at 6'5, Lathrop does the bulk of his scoring from the paint and foul-line.  He shot fifty-nine percent from inside the three point arc last season.  He has great vision for a big man, he led his team last season at 3.7 APG.  With only one senior on the team last season and majority juniors, Highlands Ranch will be lead by a senior heavy class and players like Lathrop and Cisarik.</p> <p><strong>Dominic Bronk - Wheat Ridge</strong> </p> <p>Dominic is also a player who has seen varsity time for four-years now, and has improved each year.  Last season he averaged 11.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG playing in all twenty-four games for Wheat Ridge.  As a junior, he was third on the team in scoring behind senior's; Julian Claussen (15.1 PPG) and Blair McVicker (12.1 PPG).  He was first on the team in rebounding with his 8.4 RPG last year.  Bronk will step into more of a scoring role this year for Wheat Ridge, I would not be surprised if he ends up averaging double figures in points and rebounds this season. </p>