Standouts from 3A’s Sweet 16 Games

<p>The 3A Sweet 16 games were this past weekend, and with that came some big-time performances across the state. It was some of our usual suspects that headlined the top players on the day. Here is a look at their performances.</p> <h5 style="text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="770335" first="Reece" last="Johnson"] – Resurrection Christian</h5> <p>Colorado Mesa had themselves quite the offseason as they locked up some of the state’s best seniors. Johnson caps off a loaded 2020 class as a hidden gem with considerable upside. Johnson is a 1,000 points club member in only two and a half seasons and is putting up his best season yet with his team sitting at a perfect 24-0 record. In Resurrection Christian’s 59-40 win over DSST: Green Valley, the Cougars leaned on their seniors to lead the way. Johnson finished with 16 points in the game, and when his shot was not falling, he impacted the game in different ways. Johnson finished with six assists and played some stout defense to make up for the scoring, and the backcourt senior trio of Johnson, Jessup, and [player_tooltip player_id="915348" first="Jackson" last="Romero"] gives the Cougars the upper-hand most times out. Expect Johnson to continue to play well and be the player that Resurrection Christian rides until the finish line.</p> <h5 style="text-align: center;">Isaac Jessup – Resurrection Christian</h5> <p>Resurrection Christian is the No.1 team in 3A and kept trekking as they won by 19 points in the Sweet 16. The player of the game is one of the most underrated players in the entire state that has had himself an incredible senior season, which has led to countless wins, and that is senior combo-guard Isaac Jessup. Jessup is one of the state’s most versatile two-way players that approaches each game with the same focus and assertiveness that makes him a special player. Jessup is averaging 17.0 points, 4.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and also 5.0 steals a game, which makes up for one of the most complete stat lines of any player. Against DSST: Green Valley Ranch, he led the way with 19 points as the only Cougars player to hit a triple in the game finishing with three and also had eight rebounds six steals and six assists. Jessup gives Resurrection Christian an advantage each game out and remains one of the best-unsigned seniors still available.</p> <h5 style="text-align: center;">Joseph Padilla – Vanguard</h5> <p>Vanguard is on a six-game winning streak and won their Sweet 16 matchup by 20 points. Vanguard has one of the best players in the entire state on the roster, and he has played exceptionally well, but it was their senior guard Joseph Padilla that led the way and showed that he is the perfect complement and X-factor for the Coursers. Padilla is averaging 14.6 points a game this year and has scored in double figures in all but four games. He is a consistent source of scoring, rebounds, and also gets other players involved with his willingness to do all of the small things. Padilla shoots lights out and also uses his size and awareness to affect the game in various ways and is also a hard worker with high upside. He finished with 28 points in the game by hitting five 3-pointers and is who Vanguard went through as he had the hot-hand and teammates made sure that they found him. If Padilla can continue having a strong showing, the Coursers stand a chance.</p> <h5 style="text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="759274" first="Tayt" last="Chacon"] – University</h5> <p>One of the top sophomores in the state is a 6’5 wing out at University, and while his season came to an end at the hands of the No.1 team in 3A, it was another game that he showed that he is the real deal. The Bulldogs were limited to 44 points as a team by Resurrection Christian, but the sophomore still did his damage in the game. Chacon finished with 25 points as he hit three 3-pointers and used his speed to get around defenders and size to power through on a couple of finishes. Chacon is a plyer that I am intrigued by as a multi-sport athlete. This summer, he will be giving the club scene a look and is undoubtedly a player that I think pops onto many radars. Be on the look-out for the young star out of Greeley.</p> <h5 style="text-align: center;">Jaden Stoffel – Manual</h5> <p>The defending champions, Manual, will go as far as Jaden Stoffel allows them to, and although it was not the most efficient game for the senior sharpshooter, he still found a way to get it done as he finished with a game-high 29 points. With Stoffel, you know that you are going to get a player that does not turn down open looks, ignores double teams, and is a tough shot maker that creates for himself and others. Stoffel excels in the pick and roll and is an elite ball handler that excels in PnR situations. He can shoot, but also finishes well around the rim with either hand and also is an underrated passer that sees plays develop. He led Manual to another victory as the player that opposing teams are attempting to limit and will have another tough task upcoming that I am sure that he will be ready for. Another big game for the unsigned senior.</p> <h5 style="text-align: center;">Scott Grable – Eaton</h5> <p>Grable’s big game came in defeat to the defending 3A champs, but it cannot be overlooked as the junior guard gave the Reds a real chance at winning the game. Grable shot the ball well as he went 3-5 from beyond the arc, attacked and finished at the rim, and also got to the FT line where he went 5-5 from the charity stripe. Grable is who Eaton went through all season as they put the ball in his hands and trusted that he would make the right decision. He finished with 24 points in the game to lead Eaton, and now he sets up for a big summer where he continues to turn heads.</p>