Games of the Week: Week 10

This week can be summed up as "rivalry week," well atleast that is what it seems. There are some very interesting games around the state but there are plenty of rivalry games and the best part is most of them are for conference championships which just add fuel to the fire. Here is what we deem as the games of the week. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Monday</h3> Fairview v. Boulder Want to talk about a rivalry game, this will be another huge game that comes down to whoever wins this game will be crowned champions of the 5A Front Range Conference. No matter where this was being played it would’ve been a neutral site as both schools are just right down the road but it only adds to the excitement that it will be played at the Coors Events Center. Fairview is led by surprise junior standout Greysen Carter who is averaging 17.5 points and also he also leads the team in rebounds at 7.8 a game. Carter is a versatile wing that can step out on the wing and shoot it, penetrate the defense or fight on the block and with <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-page/">Jalen Page</a> (12.5 ppg), Grant Page (9.2 ppg) both helping in the scoring department and a pass-first guard like Mark O’Neill (4.1 apg) leading the way they will compete hard against anybody that stands in their way as they are a bunch that gets after it. Boulder is also undefeated in the conference and is looking to take the conference title with them. Boulder is well-coached and is as deep as they come. They have three players averaging in double figures. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyler-turner/">Tyler Turner</a> (10.5 ppg), <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caleb-wehmuller/">Caleb Wehmuller</a> (10.4 ppg) and Pete Boyle (10.0 ppg) all feed off of each other and play well as a team. They make the right play and do not force much. There is also <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jimmy-starry/">Jimmy Starry</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/drake-arthur/">Drake Arthur</a> who are capable of turning the game around if they get off to a good start. This team plays with a chip on their shoulder and has played well all season, whoever wins this game finishes off the season with smooth sailing and will have momentum heading into the state tourney. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Tuesday</h3> Denver East v. Northfield There were some very good games to choose from on Tuesday but what it comes down to is a league championship game on the line. Shockingly, Northfield is already in the league championship and they are a new school. Northfield is 8-0 in the conference so this is for all of the marbles. They did however just get an eye-opening loss to DSST Byers which can be attributed to a good game by them and also overlooking their opponents but still are off to a stellar start to the season. The Nighthawks are led by <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nahsyah-bolar/">Nahsyah Bolar</a> who is a big man that crashes the boards, creates second chance opportunities for himself and teammates and also can score on the block. He is averaging 18.0 points and 11.0 rebounds a game and is the engine for this team. Marcus Rogers is the X-factor for this team and when his shot is falling, this becomes a very tough team to beat. He and senior forward Bally Diakite are averaging 11.4 points a game and also apply pressure on the defense all game with Diego Dominguez being one of the best underrated true point guards that the state has to offer, they will have to play a near-perfect game on Tuesday if they plan on winning this game and feeding their big man often should be the gameplan. East is 7-0 in the conference and has an underclass trio of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/langston-reynolds/">Langston Reynolds</a> (18.9 ppg), <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/boston-stanton/">Boston Stanton</a> III (22.0 ppg) and Quis Davis(6.3 apg) who just might be the best trio in the entire state. This group plays with a chip on their shoulder and have guys that buy-in on both sides of the ball and when they are clicking has a chance to beat any team they are up against. Senior point guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/patrick-steed/">Patrick Steed</a> and sharpshooter <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tom-connelly/">Tom Connelly</a> open things up for this team and are also both able to get going with all of the attention on the other players and when they are also in a rhythm -- watch out. I expect this game to be closer than expected but for East to show that they answer strongly when they are being tested. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Wednesday</h3> Cherry Creek v. Grandview The Centennial League title game comes down to this as Grandview controls their own destiny. If they win, they are survivors of the gauntlet that is the Centennial league and will be crowned champs of the conference. But it will be no easy task. While Grandview has <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caleb-mcgill/">Caleb McGill</a> (17.4 ppg) and Lian Ramiro (15.9 ppg) leading the way as a two-headed monster that has been getting solid contributions from both <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cj-thomas-2/">CJ Thomas</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tanner-holtman/">Tanner Holtman</a> whose impact goes beyond stats, they are up against a young and scrappy Cherry Creek team that refuses to quit. Cherry Creek is coming off of an overtime win against Eaglecrest where they rallied back late to win the game. It was a different type of game as their leading scorer <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/julian-hammond/">Julian Hammond</a> III did not have his usual type of game offensively and credit could be given to the Raptors for how they defended him but when it was crunch time, he delivered for his team to ensure a victory. The Bruins were led by <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/myles-purchase/">Myles Purchase</a> who has been coming into his own as he had 20 points and had some solid plays on the defensive end of the floor. Senior point guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sebastian-cole/">Sebastian Cole</a> has been playing some of his best ball as of late and his work as a playmaker has added to this Cherry Creek offense with solid contributions on defense as well. He finished with 14 points in the Bruins overtime win with Chance Hausman also being aggressive down low and changing the game with his rebounding. This is one of the deepest teams in the state and their guard play separates them from the pack. Last game Grandview pulled off the win in overtime, I expect it to be another very close game that comes down to the final minute of the game. <h3 style="text-align: center;">Thursday</h3> Pueblo East v. Pueblo West Pueblo East has already won the 4A South Central League, but that does not mean that this will not be a good game. Pueblo East’s Darnell Kindred is at 17.4 points a game with the bulk of his work coming at getting to the rim and finding holes in the defense for easy baskets as well as his work on the boards. Juniors Jaxson Herring (12.9 ppg) and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kyle-miller/">Kyle Miller</a> (11.2 ppg) are both hard workers that are full of energy and compete hard on both ends of the floor. They are on the boards, can finish down low and are assertive players that feed off of each other. They will continue to ride those three players to finish out the season and this should be another game that they do well in. Pueblo South relies on <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/taylor-harris/">Taylor Harris</a> (15.2 ppg) to lead the way scoring but he is also the team’s best passer and playmaker and best rebounder as well. He is a high IQ guard that defenses have a difficult time slowing down and he can score with ease as well as get others involved. Alongside him is senior guard Jimmy Wardle (12.7 ppg). Wardle can shoot the ball, get to the rim and also is great in the open court. Both of their guards will have to have a near-flawless game if they plan on hanging around in this game and will also need Nicolas Hanenberg and Xavier Hatch to also play the way they are capable of playing.