5A Playoffs: X-Factors in the Larry Farmer Region

The first round of the 5A state tournament is underway on Wednesday evening with 32 teams, all with the same goal in mind: to win. The is a top-heavy tournament with some upset-minded squads near the bottom that genuinely feel as if they have what it takes to bring home the gold trophy. All teams have their star players and prospects that we know will HAVE to step up if they want to advance, but what it will come down to is effort from the entire team. Playoffs are also the time that an X-factor steps up and gives their team an advantage, so here we break down an X-factor or two from each team in the first round. First up, the Larry Farmer Region. Teams with a bye: No.3 Ralston Valley, No.14 Horizon, No.6 Valor Christian, No.11 Eaglecrest Arapahoe v. Fort Collins Arapahoe – For Arapahoe, the attention will be on <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bryson-stevens/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bryson-stevens/">Bryson Stephens</a></a> and Korey Hess. I mean, how couldn't it be. Stephens is averaging 20.9 ppg, and Hess is at 14.7 points a game. The duo makes up for more than 50% of the offense and has the ball in their hands for the duration of the game, and with the game-plan being on slowing them down, another player will have to emerge. That player will have to be <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/derik-pranger/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/derik-pranger/">Derik Pranger</a></a>. Pranger is a 6'6 sophomore big man that provides the Warriors with the size that they will desperately need in the playoffs. He does not score a ton of points as he is averaging 5.5 points a game, but he is a source of energy that will have to show up on the boards and also alter shots. He is not being asked to go down and score on every option, but providing the Warriors with rebounding and protecting the paint while he is can go a long way. For Fort Collins, this is a pretty even matchup. Their seniors lead them, but they have a sophomore guard, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hugo-veloso/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hugo-veloso/">Hugo Veloso</a></a>, that is getting his first taste of postseason action that is averaging 11.2 points a game and is stepping into a dogfight. Hess and Stephens are going to attack him offensively as well as apply pressure as aggressive defenders, and it is his job to stay poised and offer some resistance. He will have to stick with the game plan and play under control. Not get away from what he has been all season long, and with him having some an important job becomes the X-factor and most important Fort Collins player in the game. It is a big day for him. George Washington v. Pomona George Washington v. Pomona is arguably the most entertaining game of the first round as it is two evenly matched teams, and there will surely be fireworks in this one. For Pomona, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevor-baskin/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevor-baskin/">Trevor Baskin</a></a> has put together one of the best individual seasons of the year as he is averaging 24.6 points and 12.7 rebounds a game while also dishing out 6.2 assists a game. There is nobody that is impacting the game in such a way with so much attention coming his way; others will have to step up. Two players come to mind, Isaiah Tshimanga, who is averaging 14.7 ppg and was a late addition to the season that stepped up and was pivotal in the Panthers making it to the playoffs as well as Cole Stevens (13.4 ppg). Pomona head coach Jon Baskin will put them in positions to score, and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevor-baskin/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevor-baskin/">Trevor Baskin</a></a> will make it so that they are also in positions to succeed, but now it is on those two to step up as the Patriots are going to give them all that they can handle all night long. The Patriots have great momentum as they finished up the regular season with a big-win over crosstown rivals Denver East and are looking to ride it into the first round. The Patriots feel as if they underachieved this season but have what it takes to still make it to the championship on the road less traveled. We all know about <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kendale-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kendale-johnson/">Kendale Johnson</a></a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jarmell-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jarmell-johnson/">Jarmell Johnson</a></a>, and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eddie-mcphee/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eddie-mcphee/">Eddie McPhee</a></a>, but two players open things up for them and allow them to be a different team, and that is Kingbed Agyemeng and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-edmonds/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-edmonds/">Fred Edmonds</a></a>. Agyemeng is a small guard that plays way above his size. He is one of the most athletic guards in the state with the ability to dunk and also rebounds amongst the trees as he is an aggressive player that has no quit in him. He played exceptionally well against East, and when you look back, in games that he has played well in – the Patriots have won. He and 6'7 junior forward Edmonds can alter the game with their activity. Edmonds is a strong rebounder that provides second-chance opportunity and toughness that opens things up for the Patriots. Both of those players will be asked to step up in the minutes that they give. Rock Canyon v. Rocky Mountain Rock Canyon is a battle-tested team that will be anxious to start the postseason. Senior wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-ashley/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-ashley/">Jalen Ashley</a></a> (15.7 ppg) is the guard to know as he is a versatile scorer and defender that matches up well with anybody in the state, but the question becomes, who else will help him ensure a victory? Junior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nick-fallin/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nick-fallin/">Nick Fallin</a></a> could help, but the player I am going with is 6'7 forward, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jake-hassett/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jake-hassett/">Jake Hassett</a></a>. Hassett is averaging a career-high 8.5 points a game while also grabbing 5.5 rebounds a game. He is a big body that can bang with others down low and also has a solid motor with great footwork to free himself down low. He will be asked to step up, and this is a chance for him to turn heads and build on a strong season. Rocky Mountain has <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aidan-kuhl/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aidan-kuhl/">Aidan Kuhl</a></a> (17.3 ppg) that garners all of the attention with the way that he is lighting teams up and allowing his team to win night in and night out. Still, they also have help around him that if they are both playing at a high level will have a chance to get by in their first-round matchup. Senior guard Joseph Naddy is an unranked gem for the Lobos as he put up 14.1 points a game but also helped out in other areas as well averaging 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists a game as well. He is an all-around guard that does what is asked of him and is willing to do the dirty work. He takes care of the ball and finds open spots in the defense where he attacks, and he will be the player that Rocky Mountain needs to have a good game if they want to have a chance at beating Rock Canyon. Overland v. Castleview If there was one team that coaches kept looking for as a team that they did not want to get the first crack at, it was Overland. Well, Castleview was the lucky team that gets the opportunity to try and slow down a team that, while they are not at full strength, still matches up with every team in the state and has the coaching to beat anybody. Overland survived the Centennial League without one of the best players in the entire state with an upset and some hard-fought battles and will continue that in the playoffs. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevon-deden/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevon-deden/">Trevon Deden</a></a> (11.8 ppg) is the team's leading scorer but is also an X-factor as well. He is an up and down scorer that when he is on, he is dealing, and when he isn't, he has to find other ways to affect the game. It is vital that he gets off to a hot start and gather some momentum in the playoffs as Overland will only go as far as he allows them. Castleview snuck into the playoffs, but now that they are here – it is time to party. They will have their hands full with a first-round matchup against Overland, but they do have senior wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-mckean/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-mckean/">David McKean</a></a> (12.2 ppg) that will have to be the best player, standout, and X-factor in the game as the Trailblazers will come out guns a blazing and ready to slow him down. McKean is a solid rebounder and player that looks for his shot but will have to get others involved if he wants to continue playing. He will have to provide energy and also be a high IQ guard that plays harder than the opposition. I expect McKean to play well.