Sweet 16: Kent Smith Region Preview

<p>The season is dwindling as we are already in the Sweet 16. There are some excellent matchups with some pretty balanced teams set to play on Wednesday. Let's take a look at the regions and a breakdown of each matchup. </p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">No.29 Regis Jesuit v. No. 13 Denver East</h3> <p>Regis is the Cinderalla team remaining in the playoffs. They are the highest-seeded team still fighting and are coming off of the biggest upset of the playoffs when they got by Cherry Creek 69-65. Hall-of-fame coaching, players stepping up, and big-time shots is what led the way as Regis won every single quarter against Creek and will look to do the same against East. Regis was led by Michael Wolf, who finished with 21 points in the game as he got inside of the defense and finished and found holes. He is a junior with upside that can shoot the ball if left open but also knows how to go to the FT line with his offensive aggression. Will Barbera stepped up and had 13 points as another option that the Raiders can throw at you, but having players like Alonzo Paul, Kyle Sandler, and Blakely Stoughton also having the ability to stand out and being the leading scorer or hitting game-changing shots makes this group dangerous.</p> <p>For East, this is a young team that has plenty of firepower. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/boston-stanton/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/boston-stanton/">Boston Stanton</a></a> has entered the conversation as one of the state's most complete players as he can shoot it, finish at or above the rim as well as play and defend multiple positions with his size. He is averaging 20.9 points and 5.9 rebounds a game but is willing to take a step back to let his teammates also take over. Top sophomore in the state <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/langston-reynolds/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/langston-reynolds/">Langston Reynolds</a></a> is averaging 18.3 points a game and is a train wreck. He gets to the rim so easily, and it finishes with either a finesse lay-in or dunk that pumps energy into the East team. But the player to watch is Quis Davis. Davis is a competitor that welcomes the challenge. He led the Angels in their win over Legend with 17 points and did not miss a shot. He went 6-6 from the field and hit both 3-pointers taken in the game. He had eight assists in the game and got teammates involved, and when all three are on, this is a dangerous team that is difficult to match up with. East is favored, and I think that they will pull this one out, but they are going to be tested, especially defensively, so they must be ready to counter anything that Regis throws at them.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">No.5 Grandview v. No. 21 Broomfield</h3> <p>Grandview has been a two-man show of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caleb-mcgill/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caleb-mcgill/">Caleb McGill</a></a> and Lian Ramiro all season long as the duo combines for 60% of the team's offense. McGill is a division I big man that is skilled inside, grabs boards, and also is an excellent defender that alters every single game in one way or another. No team has a big man that can match him, and he knows it. Ramiro is a crafty guard with a high IQ. He does not force much, controls the pace and offense, and is a leader that understands how to win. While limiting those two will be the game-plan, Grandview has shown that others are also stepping up at the right time for the Wolves. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tanner-holtman/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tanner-holtman/">Tanner Holtman</a></a> is coming off of a game where he erupted for 18-points in their second-round victory over Hinkley. He hit six 3-pointers in the game and opened things up from outside. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cj-thomas-2/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cj-thomas-2/">CJ Thomas</a></a> handled the middle grabbing eight boards, and senior combo-guard Jamel Hollins also played well, finishing with nine points and five boards. Having everyone contribute and not leaving it all up to McGill and Ramiro will go a long way if they plan to keep winning.</p> <p>Broomfield is resilient. The Eagles showed fight in their 56-55 upset win over Pine Creek, and their shot at the buzzer capped off another big night for senior wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/grant-swenson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/grant-swenson/">Grant Swenson</a></a>. Swenson had 20 points in the game as the only Broomfield player to finish in double figures. He went 4-5 from deep and had some momentum-changing plays down the stretch to ensure the victory. Swenson will need his big man to step up as Grandview has the best big man in the state on their side. This is a game where Ryan Collins can make a name for himself. Collins is averaging close to a double-double this season with 15.1 points and 9.7 boards a game. His work defensively determines the game. McGill will go at him every time down, and if he can slow him down, then Broomfield has a chance. The X-factors in the game are the other players, as whoever has their role players step up will win the game.   </p>