Games of the week after the holiday break

<p>We're finally back. After a holiday break, we get to get back in the swing of things and it continues with some very good matchups for the week. As always, we take a look at some of the best games of the week and one that supporters should check out on the day. Here is who we are making sure to check out this week </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Monday </strong></p> <p><em>Ralston Valley v. Golden </em></p> <p>Ralston Valley versus Golden is a fun one to get the week back started. You have a Ralston Valley team that comes in ranked at No. 8 in 5A. on CHSAA’s top-10 list with a 7-1 record. They are led by Caden Gigstad (16.4 ppg) and Caleb Rillos (17.0 ppg &amp; 8.3 rpg). Both players have been great to start the season and with Walker Brickle and Luke Carlston as X-factors, they are a very dangerous team.</p> <p>Golden is No. 5 in 4A on CHSAA’s top-10 list and it is been senior Kevin Mulligan that has been their best player as he is up to 13 points, five rebounds and three and a half assists a game with assistance from standout freshman Alan Acevedo who is at 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds a game. They will need to have big games while also having Ben McLaughlin to also step up. This will be a back and forth game that I feel one team steps up in the fourth quarter to step away.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong> Tuesday </strong></p> <p><em>Northfield versus the Vanguard School </em></p> <p>Tuesday’s game is a huge test for both teams who have gotten off to a great start.</p> <p>For Vanguard, it is expected as they were just a quarter away from a state championship with the bulk of the team returning but for Northfield, this is a bit of a shocker. Vanguard has Dominique Clifford who is a top-23 player in the state no matter how you slice it as he is one of the most versatile and athletically gifted players there are. He is up to 28 points a game while also rebounding the ball exceptionally well and scores at will but has also gotten much-needed help from Senior guard Joseph Padilla. This is a game where their best players will have to step up to win the games.</p> <p>Northfield is led by Nahsyah Bolar and he has been terrific to start the season. He’s up to 18.0 points and 11.9 rebounds to lead the way while also bringing some attention to the Nighthawks. Diego Dominguez is a floor-general who controls the pace and is a two-way guard with high upside and RaShiek Gaddis and Bally Diakite have been pretty good as well.</p> <p>Look for Vanguard to try and control the pace and it'll be interesting to see how Northfield defends Clifford.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Wednesday </strong></p> <p><em>Overland versus Eagle crest </em></p> <p>There are some rumblings that Ike Graham is making a return soon. If that is true, how amazing would that be as he is one of the state’s top-5 players that gets it done on the court as well as the classroom. When he is playing, it’s just better. Trevon Deden has stepped up in his place as well as Vincas Veikalas.</p> <p>Eagle crest if off to an 8-1 start and are undefeated in the state and however you want it, they will give it to you. They can win in blowouts, they can win ugly games they grind it out and they are led by my pick for surprise standout to begin the season in Zion Ruckard. He’s up to 17 points a game and also has dished out 5.5 assists as well. He has a very quick first step and is attacking players each time out. Skylar Wilson and Ty Robinson are also two of the better juniors in the state and step up in big games like these. They are athletic wings with range and can defend multiple positions and when they are locked in there might not be a better trio. </p> <p><em>Expect a dog fight.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thursday </strong></p> <p><em>Canon City v. Classical Academy </em></p> <p>This isn’t a big standout name type of game but this will be a very entertaining game between two of the state’s surprise teams to begin the year. </p> <p>For Classical Academy, Micah Lamberth is the name to know. He’s putting up 14 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 steals and rebounds a game as well as a playmaking wing that can do it all. Kade Walker is also a scoring combo-guard with size that can alter the game with his size as well.</p> <p>Canon City is led by 6’3 guard Seth Newton who is up to 18.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and also five assists a game as one of the better stat lines that I have seen to begin the season. He is doing a bit of everything and getting the most out of his guys as teammate Josh Rall is putting up 19 points a game and there are other players around him stepping up.</p> <p>Expect this to be a high scoring affair that one team hangs around in the first half before one of the teams takes off in the second half. Who that is, unsure.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Friday </strong></p> <p><em>Arapahoe v. Grandview</em></p> <p>This is a game to see just how good this Arapahoe team truly is. They are off to an 8-1 start of the season but also have not played a team with players such as Caleb McGill (16.3 ppg &amp; 8.0 rpg) and Lian Ramiro (13.4 ppg). Both of those players bring championship pedigree and understand how to win these types of games. Korey Hess (18.7 ppg) and Bryson Stephens (17.7 ppg) will have to continue playing at a high level and will their teams to victory. They’ve been good but will have to be even better. Arapahoe has other players that can step up and will need them to have big games if they plan on taking down one of the state’s top teams. Who will be the X-factor.  </p> <p>Expect Arapahoe to hang around in this one and then Grandview to take control of the game late on the back of their two best players.</p>