Games of the week: Week 6

<blockquote> <p>Week 6 has solid games but one league in particular that will standout from here on out is that almighty Centennial league. Every single game each team is capable of taking down whom we deem as "the top team" and there has already been some wild finishes to begin league play. We also have some big games from throughout the state for each day of teh week including one on MLK Day. Check it out. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Monday</strong></p> <p>In a bit of a shocker, there is a basketball game on Martin Luther King Jr. Day but a positive is it is an interesting game.</p> <p><em>Denver East goes up against Valor Christian.</em></p> <p>Valor Christian is one of those teams whose overall record does not really tell the story of how good they really are. They have three out of state losses and the two in-state came from a Top-5 team in Smoky Hill with one loss coming in overtime. This is a pretty good team. They are led by Division 1 football star Roger Rosengarten who is no slouch on the hardwood. He is a bruiser that is dominating inside and on the boards at 12.1 points and 7.3 rebounds a game. He is a glass cleaner that makes it difficult for opposing big men on the block. Junior combo guard Amondo Miller is leading the team in points at 12.7 ppg and is also rebounding well but Valor has some X-factors in Cole Bott, Talin Unruh, and AJ Kula who can flat out play and bring it on every single night. This is as balanced a team you will see and they match up well against Denver East.</p> <p>East is a balanced and young team that scores the most points in Colorado at 87.4 ppg. Sophomore guard Langston Reynolds (21.4 ppg) and junior wing Boston Stanton III (20.8 ppg) are leading the charge but that is not without help from Patrick Steed (12.8 ppg), sharp-shooter Tom Connelly (9.2 ppg) and sophomore true point-guard Quis Davis (6.6 apg) starring in their roles as well. This will be a battle of bigs versus guards that will come down to defense. Expect a close one.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Tuesday</strong></p> <p><em>Erie versus Mead</em></p> <p>Two teams that have gotten off to a great start is Erie and Mead. Mead has gotten all of the attention to begin the year which makes sense, they are a well-oiled machine that plays as a team and have it all. Sophomore sniper Elijah Knudsen leads the way for Mead at 14.1 points a game but they have athletic Senior wing Trey Ward (13.2 ppg), guard Will Maher (11.9 ppg), Nick Jacobs (11.8 ppg) and James Shiers (7.4 ppg &amp; 6.4 rpg) also ready to step up at any give moment. This is a balanced team that showcases their dominance every time out.</p> <p>Erie is a team that has found a groove but is coming off of a thrilling loss against Skyline. Junior guard Kevin Loy (12.4 ppg) has carried the scoring load but Ladorian Howard (10.1 ppg) and Kayan Hargrave (10.1 ppg) have also stepped up and scored when needed. This is a team that rebounds well and scores in bunches. This will be a high scoring affair.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Wednesday</strong></p> <p><em>Grandview versus Overland</em></p> <p>This is a Centennial league night where there are so many games that you could go to and they will all be deemed game of the night but the game that we are going with is Grandview and Overland. Grandview is coming off of a win against Eaglecrest where they turned it on in the second half to ensure the victory. Lian Ramiro went for 23 points in the game and showcased why he is one of top guards in the state. He has been in a rhythm and Grandview will look for him to be another big reason they get another win. Caleb McGill had 18 points in their win over Eaglecrest and what makes his play so different is the efficiency. He is going to demand attention, rebound well and also attack the paint and it leads to easy baskets. With Tanner Holtman also knocking down shots, this team is pretty good. Expect those three to have another big game.</p> <p>Overland is a team that you can never overlook, no matter if they have their best player playing or not. They just beat a Top-5 team in Smoky Hill without Ike Graham and it is because they are well coached and come in with a game plan. Kaleb Chaney stepped up in a big way with 15 points against Smoky Hill and showed he can be relied on. He is a speedy guard with a nice outside shot and uses his speed to beat defenders off of the dribble. Also, Vinny Veikalas added 15 points and showed that he is a two-way player that can lead the way. Hezekiah Swanson and Trevon Deden are both two guards that will lead the way and understand what it takes in these kinds of situations so this should be a low scoring close battle.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thursday</strong></p> <p><em>Harrison versus Thomas Jefferson</em></p> <p>Thomas Jefferson just dropped out of the Top-10 but are a big game from returning right back and there is no better opportunity than they get when they face off against newest No.5 ranked Harrison. Thomas Jefferson has Darius Hornbuckle 17.4 points a game and no other players averaging in double figures. They have role players such as Keshaun Taylor who capable of pulling off a game changing dunk at any moment, James Abbey Jr. who can create for himself and score in bunches and Ryan Moe who is a two-way scorer with high upside. This is a deep team that is capable of beating anyone.</p> <p>Harrison has Donta Dawson Jr. who is one of the very best in the entire class. He is a bigger guard who rebounds well, plays multiple positions and scores with ease. He is putting up 20.8 points and 8.0 rebounds a game while also getting over 2.5 steals a game. Senior guard CJ Harris and Tayzhean Archuleta are game changers whose impact go beyond stats although both are averaging in double figures. They are capable of starting runs by themselves and make sure to find the hot hand.</p> <p>This will be a big challenge for both teams that should be high scoring depending on if either team can slow down the leading scorer.</p> </blockquote>