4A Playoffs: Stars certain to decide the Richard Tate region

<p>The 4A playoffs got started on Wednesday evening with some exciting matchups. Some games were blowouts, some were close, but they set up for some intriguing matchups in the second round. Here we take a look at some of the stars in the region that are surely going be on the game plan. Here’s a look at the Richard Tate Region.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><u>The Matchups</u></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: impact, sans-serif;">#4 Golden v. #36 Discovery Canyon</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: impact, sans-serif;">#13 Pueblo East  v. #20 Pueblo Central</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: impact, sans-serif;">#5 Northfield v. #37 Holy Family</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: impact, sans-serif;">#12 Erie v. # 21 Lewis-Palmer</span></p> <p><strong>Top Player: </strong></p> <h2><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nahsyah-bolar/">Nahsyah Bolar</a> – Northfield </strong></h2> <p>Bolar is the big man for the No. 5 team in the region, and he put up another sensational season. Bolar is a player that has been on our radars as he plays well in the summer but as a role player. During the season, however, things change as Northfield relies on their big man to be THE guy. Bolar is THE guy in the region after putting up 18.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks a game. He is a forward that you do not have to run plays for as he is a scrappy glass cleaner that puts a body on defenders or leaps right over them for boards and goes right up with the ball. He will be tested in the playoffs as many think that Northfield is too inexperienced to go on a run and might be eliminated early, but if Bolar can affect the game the way that he has all season long, then I expect them to be a Cinderella team that can continue to advance. I liked what I saw from Bolar this season, and I believe in this Nighthawks squad – they have to put it together, and it starts against a Holy Family team that has been there before.</p> <p><strong>Top floor general:</strong></p> <h2><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dominic-nellis/">Dominic Nellis</a> – Holy Family </strong></h2> <p>Nellis did not have the season that he is truly capable of having on the offensive end of the floor as a smaller guard that gets to the rim and around defenders with ease but does not go up with a ton of shots or left a few baskets out there. But, Nellis makes up for it with his high IQ and court-awareness. Nellis averaged 6.2 assists a game and ran the offense to perfection. Nobody in the region passes the ball as well as Nellis does, and he controls the pace for both teams. He is an up-tempo guard with a high motor, he does not force too much, and he is who I would feel comfortable giving the ball to down the stretch. If Holy Family is going to go streaking, it is on their leading guards back.</p> <p><strong>Top combo-guard:</strong></p> <h2><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/alan-acevedo/">Alan Acevedo</a> – Golden</strong></h2> <p>Golden has the highest seed in the quadrant and is a team that could honestly take it all home. They are a balanced and well-coached team that has guys that buy-in, and they get solid production from everyone on their team. One of the players that emerged this season is Freshman combo-guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/alan-acevedo/">Alan Acevedo</a>. Acevedo was a consistent source of points (11.1 ppg) as he has good size for a guard, and he also helps out on the boards(4.5 rpg) as well. Acevedo will be a player that the Demons rely on despite him being a freshman, and he has turned many heads this season. He is the player that can determine just how far Golden makes it. </p> <p><strong>Top Big:</strong></p> <h2><strong>Eddie Speller Jr. – Lewis-Palmer </strong></h2> <p>Speller Jr. is a quick leaper that is going to get his way down low and make his presence felt. He sticks with it offensively and enjoys matchups against big men as he knows he is too quick and skilled for bigger guys but too strong for smaller guys. He led his team in scoring this season with 14.1 points and also put up 7.2 boards a game as well. His play was pivotal in turning the season around and getting back on the right track. What I enjoy about Speller Jr. as he looks to score every time down and against a small Erie team, I expect him to get the ball often, which sets up for a big-opening game.</p> <p><strong>X-Factor:</strong></p> <h2><strong>Darnell Kindred – Pueblo East</strong></h2> <p>Kindred is the name to know on that Pueblo East squad, and when you are up against a Pueblo team in the playoffs, it is known that it is going to be a dog-fight.  Well, both of the Pueblo teams face-off against each other with Pueblo East taking the 54-50 win late in January. Since then, an 8-1 record for the Eagles and they have relied heavily on their 6’2 forward Darnell Kindred. Kindred plays well above his size as he is a fearless leader that steps up in big games. This will surely be a big game and one you have to get there early for. Kindred is putting up 17.6 points a game on the season and had 5.8 rebounds to go along with it. He understands that Pueblo Central is a tough team to go against as the Senior has gone up against them for four straight seasons, and he wants his season to keep going. Pueblo East’s season depends on Kindred.</p>