Monday night standouts: Week 4

<p>The season got back started for some games on Monday in 5A and there were some close ones around the state. Some of the top players emerged but also new names stepped up as top scorers on the day to ensure victories. Here are some players that truly stood out on Monday.</p> <p><strong>Tyler Mahle – Doherty</strong></p> <p>Mahle made the list because it wasn’t just the fact that Doherty started the new calendar year with their best win to date but it was in a blowout fashion against a pretty good team in Rock Canyon and he is not your usual suspect. This junior wing has stepped right into playing and found a rhythm and seems to be in a zone. He is who the Spartans ran the offense through on Monday as he finished with 17 points in the game and shocked Rock Canyon. What’s most impressive is how it was done. He has size at 6’4 but is a ready shooter that is not afraid to get them up. He hit five 3-pointers in the game and opened things up for Doherty.</p> <p><strong>Luke O’Brien – Columbine</strong></p> <p>Columbine is the No.5 team in 5A and has a very good team this season but that does not mean that they are not tested. Legend has them a really good battle and they took off in the 4^thquarter and the reason why was simple – feed O’Brien. O’Brien is one of the top scorers in the entire state and picked up exactly where he left off as he led the game in scoring with 28 points. He was very aggressive and that led to the victory. He dunked the ball, got out on the break and finished and knocked down a 3-pointer. When his shot was not falling he took advantage of smaller defenders and got inside. He either finished or went to the free-throw line where he went 13-15 from the charity stripe. With him locked in like this, it is going to be tough to slow the Rebels down.</p> <p><strong>Garrett Rodgers -- Columbine</strong></p> <p>Junior guard Garrett Rodgers is not a player that is known for his scoring but on some nights, he will go off and on Monday he went off. Rodgers finished with 24 points alongside O’Brien who had 28 and it was on 9-11 shooting from the field. Rodgers knocked down three of his four 3-pointers and showed that he is a scoring option with so much attention on his teammate. He stays shot ready and is not afraid to take shots and as long as he is able to consistently knock down shots the Rebels will be a tough team to beat as you never know who else will step up for them. Good game for him.</p> <p><strong>Jeremiah Taylor – Hinkley</strong></p> <p>Hinkley is a team that got off to a very hot start and slowed down but looks to be trying to find their rhythm again and in a blow out game win against Adams City there were multiple players that finished in double figures but none that had quite the game like Taylor. The senior forward was ultra-efficient from the field as he finished with 20 points on 10-12 shooting. He had his way inside and could not be slowed down. He also finished with 10 rebounds in the game as well. Big day for him and maybe it will get him started as they head into league play.</p> <p><strong>Caleb Rillos – Ralston Valley</strong></p> <p>Rillos continues to impress. He is already averaging close to a double-double on the season and in a top-10 matchup from two teams in their respective class the most consistent player for the Mustangs was right at his season average. He put up 17 points and also recorded seven rebounds as well. He is a player that goes after it down on the block using his strength, size and athleticism and Golden did not have many answers for him as Ralston Valley picked up the win on the back of their best scorer.</p>