Race for Mr. Basketball Update

We’re approximately 2/3 of the way through the basketball season and only about five weeks from the crowning of 2020 Mr. Basketball for Colorado. Kenny Foster from Smoky Hill won it last year after putting up some very big numbers and leading the Buffaloes to the Elite 8. This year, there is another wide open field but let’s take a look at some of the contenders. The Favorite <h4><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dominique-clifford/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dominique-clifford/">Dominique Clifford</a></a> – Vanguard</h4> Vanguard is the state runner-ups in 3A from last season and are off to redeem themselves type of season as they have started 13-1 on the year. A big reason that they are the No. 4 team in 3A is their senior do-it-all combo-guard and future University of Colorado basketball player <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dominique-clifford/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dominique-clifford/">Dominique Clifford</a></a>. Clifford is having a sensational year as he is putting up 26.6 points a game but what seperates him from the bunch is his ability to affect the game in other ways as well. The 6’5 guard is one of the top rebounders in the state with 13.8 a game, he possesses the abilitu to start the break after he grabs the board and he is also a team-first player that makes sure everyone else gets involved which goes a long way when thinking about how often he is double-teamed. He is averaging 5.6 assists a game, dominates inside and also can step out and shoot the 3-ball. He is the favorite in a very close race right now. The Second Favorite: <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/javonte-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/javonte-johnson/">Javonte Johnson</a></a> – Cheyenne Mountain – Statistically speaking, nobody in the state is having the same type of season that <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/javonte-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/javonte-johnson/">Javonte Johnson</a></a> is having. Johnson is leading Cheyenne Mountain to a 17-1 start in the season as they currently sit at the No. 2 spot in 4A and he is putting up a state-best 30.2 points a game while averaging a double-double of 10.2 rebounds as well. He has upped his game a level with his second-leading scorer going down with an injury and has seen his game elevate as he chases the 4A state championship. He is signed to play at the University of New Mexico next season and has remained consistent all season long while facing double teams and anything else to slow him down. It just hasn’t seemed to have worked. Johnson checks off all of the boxes off for any voter and is definitely in the top two spots. One argument against him has been competition but Johnson is a player that has proved himself as a top overall player and would be doing this no matter the classification in my honest opinion, the kid is good. The Third Favorite: <h4>Luke O’ Brien – Columbine</h4> The 6’8 wing over at Columbine is having a huge season as he is averaging a double-double of 24.9 points and also has 12.7 rebounds a game to go along with it. He is willing the Rebels to victory after victory as his team is still in the running at winning the 5A Jeffco League. Columbine is on the outside looking in of the 5A Top-10 but have put together some very big wins as of late. O’Brien is a player that has been committed to the University of Colorado but have finally signed and will be heading to Boulder next season. He is having to carry such a load for his team to win and playing in 5A where most nights in the Jeffco there is a dog fight. Having to do it all and against stronger competition might push him a big higher and could also be a reason that he wins it also. The Longshot: <h4><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevor-baskin/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevor-baskin/">Trevor Baskin</a></a> – Pomona</h4> His team is not great but there is no denying that Baskin is having quite the season and is the biggest reason that Pomona is winning some games. They have a couple of surprising upsets on the season behind Baskin and has seen their superstar senior put up 25.9 points and 11.9 rebounds a game. He began the season with 41-points and 13 rebounds and has also had 30 or more in five games this season. He is not likely to win based on the fact that his team is not winning as many games but Colorado Mesa got themselves a steal and player that they could surely build around. He’s a special player. The Vote Splitters: Both Jr. guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/julian-hammond/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/julian-hammond/">Julian Hammond</a></a> III (22.2 ppg) at Cherry Creek and Senior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobe-sanders/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobe-sanders/">Kobe Sanders</a></a>(19,9) at Chaparral are worthy of being nominated for the award and you could possibly even add in <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quinten-rock/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quinten-rock/">Quinten Rock</a></a> (19.6 ppg) at Smoky Hill for the switch that he has put on as of late. But, it is most realistic that all three will have a difficult time based on how good the surrounding players are around them. All three have a solid cast around and another player on the team that makes it a bit more difficult for them to take home the win but all are having a pretty good season.