5A stars who stood out in the Sweet 16

Duvalier Johnson

March 6, 2020 @ 12:23 PM

The Sweet 16 was everything that we hoped for. There were upsets, close games, and minimal blowouts, which set up for incredible matchups in the Great 8. Here are players who stood out in the Sweet 16 and gave their team a win.

Kyle Sandler – Regis

Regis pulled what some are calling the upset of the day as they got past Denver East 62-58, but if you know head coach Ken Shaw you understand that he is one of the state’s greatest basketball minds. Regis played great defense all night and went through a rough patch in the game offensively but did just enough to pull out the win. The player of the game was sophomore wing who does typically score a ton of points but occasionally erupts for big games as he can light up from deep. This was a game that he shot the ball exceptionally well in. Sandler finished with 17 points in the game as he five 3-pointers and snagged four rebounds. His length caused a couple of issues for East, and his willingness to continue letting it fly had him as the stand out in the game. Regis will need him to be able to take that shooting to the Coliseum floor in the Great 8.

Luke O’Brien Luke O’Brien 6'7" | SG Columbine | 2020 State #170 Nation CO – Columbine

Columbine pulled off the 53-52 win over Boulder in an instant classic. The stage was set for do-it-all senior Luke O’ Brien, and he finished the same way that he has been all season long – in astonishing fashion. O’Brien had 33 points in the game including a monster 4^th quarter where he closed Boulder out in the city he will be calling home for the next few seasons as a player at the University of Colorado. The 6’8 wing scored all 16 points for the Rebels in the fourth quarter to cap off a night where he hit four 3-pointers, went 5-7 from the FT line, and had nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks to lead all scorers with 33 points. O’Brien is headed to the Great 8, where he gets a chance to dethrone the state champs.

Kendale Johnson Kendale Johnson 6'5" | SF George Washington | 2021 State CO – George Washington

Kendale Johnson Kendale Johnson 6'5" | SF George Washington | 2021 State CO made a promise, and he is doing everything that he can to fulfill it as he helped lead the Patriots back to a place that they seem to be very familiar with, the Denver Coliseum. In the Sweet 16 62-52 win, he continued his stellar play that he has displayed in the last month or so as he put up 22 points in the game. Johnson hit two 3-pointers to open the defense up, but he has been making it a point to get to his hot spot at the high post and make teams pay and occasionally step down and bang with the big guys. It was an all-around game for Johnson as he also got involved in other ways. The Patriot wing recorded four rebounds and had three assists as well to round off a solid game.

Obi Agbim Obi Agbim 6'2" | CG Rangeview | 2020 State CO – Rangeview

The defending 5A champs continued trekking as they pulled off a 94-73 win over Mountain Vista in the Sweet 16 to remain undefeated on the season, and multiple players stood out in the game. While numerous players played well, the Raider’s leading scorer is who shined the brightest. Agbim has to be in the running for most improved player of the year. Agbim had another solid game as he finished with 25 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Agbim knocked down two 3-pointers to show off his range and prove that it is not all athleticism, he got out in the open court and had highlight finishes, and he also was aggressive and got to the FT line where he went 7-7 for the night. With Agbim playing how he is with such a talented group around him that shows off their defensive intensity, the champions are going to continue being the favorites.

Kobe Sanders Kobe Sanders 5'11" | CG Chaparral | 2020 State #427 Nation CO – Chaparral

Some exciting games in the Sweet 16 came down to the wire, but none that topped the Smoky Hill vs. Chaparral game. Chaparral pulled it off in double overtime, winning 85-82, and it was a game of resiliency as they trailed for most of the match but stepped up when they needed to. The best player in the game was Chaparral guard Kobe Sanders Kobe Sanders 5'11" | CG Chaparral | 2020 State #427 Nation CO . Sanders played with poise and control. He controlled the tempo, ran the offense, and was the emotional leader on the court. But when it was time for him to showcase what makes him unique, he did not disappoint. Sanders finished with a game-high 31 points and played at his own pace. He sliced the defense, read the double team and got rid of it, and punished the Buffaloes from the FT line where he finished with more FT’s taken then the entire Smoky Hill squad. He made game-winning plays down the stretch and put the state on notice as the top point guard.

Lian Ramiro – Grandview

Ramiro was quiet in the second-round game against Hinkley, but Grandview did not need him as they cruised through that one. The Sweet 16, however, was a bounce-back spot for the guard that will be playing at CSU-Pueblo next season as he led the way for the Wolves in another blowout win. Ramiro finished with a game-high 19 points as he hit two 3-pointers and got Grandview into an early flow. He also had six rebounds and matched his season-high 11 assists. Ramiro looks great and understands how to win, and Grandview will need him to stay in takeover mode, especially against a balanced Regis team that is this year’s Cinderella story.