4A Games of the Week: Opening Week

<p>If you haven't gotten the opportunity to see the heavy-hitting matchups that are set up in 5A, make sure you get over to Prephoops.com and check out what we deemed as the top plays of the day. In 4A, much of the same as there are plenty of teams and players to check out. Here is our list for the days best games. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Monday</strong></em></p> <p><em>Sierra versus Thomas Jefferson</em></p> <p>This is a very good game to begin the season as the Spartans will begin the season in the 4A Top-10 as they return their leading scorer <strong>Darius Hornbuckle</strong> (14.3 ppg) from last season. Hornbuckle goes into a very important Senior season as one of the most difficult guards to defend in all of 4A as he can score from all three levels but will have to get others involved as well if he wants those numbers to translate to wins. He has a solid group returning in <strong>James</strong> <strong>Abbey Jr.</strong> (9.4 ppg) and junior standout <strong>Ryan Moe</strong> (8.0 ppg). Two other players that I feel will step up as well is ultra-athletic wing <strong>Keshaun Taylor</strong> (6.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and <strong>Deven Edwards</strong> as well. Taylor has the ability to play and defend multiple positions and will be tasked with defending the other team’s best wings/forwards. He brings tenacity to the team as Hornbuckle will be the go-to player offensively.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For Sierra, although they lost two big pieces from last year’s team still return <strong>Imani Grigsby</strong>. Grisby averaged 13.5 points and 6.4 rebounds a game and will be tasked with doing it all for the Stallions. He will get plenty of attention his way as he will be the top priority for opposing teams and that will only open things up for <strong>Dailen Terry</strong> (9.7 ppg) to emerge as a very good second option. This will be a solid 1-2 punch but will need others to step up if they plan on making any big moves this season. They have two very capable players to compete night in and night out but with another player also stepping up then they can put themselves in dark-horse territory. Expect a back and forth match in this one but the Spartans offense edging out Sierra for a close win.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Tuesday</em></strong></p> <p><em>Widefied versus Cheyenne Mountain</em></p> <p>Widefield knows that they have their hands full as the leading scorer in 4A and future Division I guard, <strong>Javonte Johnson</strong>, has his senior season debut. Johnson averaged 22.4 ppg and nine rebounds a game as well to go along with it. He just might be the most balanced player in the state and with his ability to shoot, dunk and defend at a high level there is no questions as to why Cheyenne Mountain is ranked so high in the preseason Top-10. Johnson will be accompanied by <strong>Jaedn Harrison</strong> (9.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and<strong> Brad Helton</strong> and if those other two can step up the sky is the limit for this bunch. I expect Johnson to be in the player of the year running so how he begins the season is crucial for not only his individual accolades but the type of season that CM has this year. This is a really good team.</p> <p>On the other side, Widefield will be in the running of a dark-horse team ready to make a push at it. This is a team that plays extremely hard and has two of their best players returning in <strong>Tim Newborn</strong> (11.2 ppg) and <strong>Randall Days</strong> (14.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg). This is a dynamic duo that will give teams fits every single time out. This team gets inside and is physical which makes teams have to adapt. They will look for younger players to step up and help them out but with those two on the other end, it is going to be a tough out every single time. I like Cheyenne Mountain to win this game but for it to be closer than expected.  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Wednesday</strong></em></p> <p><em>Conifer versus Denver South</em></p> <p>Whenever there is a chance to see Conifer this year, make sure you go check it oti as they are a very entertaining team with the state’s most willing passer in <strong>Landon Wallace</strong>. Wallace averaged a double-double last season  but his 10 assists a game is something that is not typically seen. He was a top-5 assist man in the nation and what makes it a bit more ironic is that is without a teammate averaging more than 11 points a game. This is an unselfish bunch with tons of chemistry and cohesion which makes it difficult for opposing teams to defend. Wallace with the help if <strong>Elijah Cook, Ocean Hageman and Connor Long</strong> all returning will be able to pick up right where they left off. Making the extra pass for the open shot. Have to love that.</p> <p>For Denver South, it will be a game about playing smart and trying to slow down the high-powered passing attack. It starts and ends with <strong>Deshon Carter</strong>(16.6 ppg) as he can score with the best of them but will he get some addition help around him to be able to make a move? <strong>Turumbil Zaki</strong> is a player that comes to ming that will have to step up and be a force on both ends of the floor. After seeing him this summer I am sure that he will help a bit. Wednesday’s game with be a great starting test for both teams to see what type of team that they have. Expect a high-paced game where players will get ample opportunity to showcase their offensive strengths. Big game between two evenly matched teams to see what they have. I have Conifer pulling this one off and passing circles around the Rebels.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Thursday</strong></em></p> <p><em>Cheyenne Mountain verus Fountain Fort Carson</em></p> <p>This will be the chess-match game to watch. Fountain Fort-Carson was a very good team last season that had a good year as they had a bunch that all bought in and knew their roles, plenty graduated but their best player remains in <strong>Keyshawn Maltbia</strong> (17.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg). Maltbia is one of the best scorers in the entire state and this matchup with Javonte Johnson will be one to make sure to get out and see. FFC will be definitely outmatched and I am sure that Cheyenne Mountain will throw plenty of different looks his way to see if anybody else steps up around him but a matchup of two of the Springs best scorers is most definitely one to watch. Expect Cheyenne Mountain to roll but for there to be plenty of highlight plays throughout this game.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Friday</strong></em></p> <p>Friday there is no particular game that you have to get out to. I would instead recommend gettoung out to a tournament and checking out multiple games in a day to get the best look at a good game for the day. Something will have to come about but with such a good week, maybe this is a night to take a look at another classes game of the day or prepare for the loaded weekend.</p>