All Junior 1st-Team

<p>Now that the season is over, it’s time to recognize those who stood out during this memorable campaign. Here we award our All-Junior Teams from Colorado. Choosing a total of 10 players to make up the first and second teams was no easy task. Our staff deliberated for a significant amount of time before finally coming up with the names below. Stay tuned for much more postseason coverage right here at Prep Hoops Colorado.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-family: impact, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><strong>FIRST TEAM</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>G – [player_tooltip player_id="608058" first="Julian" last="Hammond"] III – Cherry Creek </strong></p> <p>Hammond was the first player that was placed on the list and was a unanimous decision as the junior standout had unarguably the best season of any player in the class. Hammond was named the Centennial league player of the year as he led the Bruins to a league title finishing up 13-1 in the conference. Hammond led the conference in scoring and finishing in the top three in rebounds as well as he averaged 21.9 points and 7.0 boards a game. What stood out most was his willingness also to defend. Hammond made it a point to match up with the opposing team’s top player for a majority of the game. He hit big shots as a knockdown shooter and also used his strength and size to take advantage of smaller defenders as well. Hammond is starting to get Division I looks in his junior season on both the gridiron as well as the court. It will be a highly anticipated senior season as he will come in as a top 5 player in both sports. Its been a while since we have seen this type of athlete.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>G – [player_tooltip player_id="770414" first="Boston" last="Stanton"] – Denver East </strong></p> <p>Stanton is a player that we knew was a good prospect, but he has morphed into something more than expected in only a season. Stanton went from a player that did not have much of a role for the East Angels as a sophomore averaging 5.6 points a game to being their top player and leading scorer averaging 21.0 points a game with 5.6 rebounds to go along with it. Stanton checks off many of the things that you want in a player. He is a gym rat whose game has evolved from the hard work that he put in during the offseason, he has solid size and an excellent frame and also is a three-level scorer that causes headaches for opposing teams. Stanton leads by example on the court and is getting college looks with a Division I offer already on the table. Expect that number to grow as he will be one of the top seniors next season. He was an easy decision for the All Junior 1^st-Team. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>G – [player_tooltip player_id="608059" first="Jalen" last="Weaver"] – Smoky Hill </strong></p> <p>Weaver came into the season as the No.1 junior in the state and looked the part as he had a solid season for one of the most entertaining teams in the state. Weaver played in the toughest conference in the state, and despite opposing teams keying in on him was able to go off for 18.8 points and 5.0 rebounds a game. Weaver is a highlight waiting to happen as an elite athlete that is a quick leaper with no regard for defenders jumping with him. He had plenty of body-to-body dunks, finessed his way around the rim, and also showed that he could consistently knock down shots as well. Next year, it will be on Weaver to carry the load as the go-to player, and if there is one thing you know about Weaver, it is that he will be ready. Weaver is ranked nationally and will look to rack up on more Division I looks in his final season. Easy decision to be on the All-Junior 1^st team.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>F –[player_tooltip player_id="759196" first="Taeshaud" last="Jackson"] Jr. –Dakota Ridge  </strong></p> <p>The junior class is one of the more loaded classes when it comes to do-it-all prospects, and Jackson Jr. is at the top of that list. The 6’5 junior had an outstanding junior year after a short sophomore season in which he was not able to get the right footing. After turning many heads as the MVP of the summer, Jackson took that momentum into the season and did not disappoint. He put up 15.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists a game as a point-forward, and his ability to play and defend positions 1-5 makes him an exciting prospect moving forward. Jackson Jr. has catapulted up the rankings list in only summer and a season, but there are not many players as dangerous in the open court or half-court sets that have the scoring and passing abilities as he does. Also is an above-average defender with strength, and he plays each game with full effort. Jackson Jr. has an evolving jump shot, but once that comes together, he just might have the highest ceiling of any player in the class. A college will be getting one of the hardest workers the state has to offer.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>F – [player_tooltip player_id="916955" first="Donta" last="Dawson"] –Harrison  </strong></p> <p>Dawson is a three-year starter and has continued to put his team in positions to win. He became a member of the 1,000 points eclipsed mark in his junior season as Dawson led Harrison to a 19-5 overall record. Dawson was named the 4A Colorado Springs Metro League Player of the Year as he put up 18.1 points and 6.9 rebounds a game as the Panthers won the CSM title. Dawson can play and defend positions 1-4 and possesses the ability to score from all three levels. He uses his frame to overpower defenders down low and also is dangerous in the open court as a player that can dish it off to the free man or dunk it on the defender’s head. A lot was riding on Dawson this upcoming summer as a player ready to prove himself. Still, if not, I am sure that he will continue dominating during the season as he remains underrated in my honest opinion.</p>