X-Factors to watch in the 5A Great 8

<p>There are star players to watch on each team that has scored the basketball, rebounded well, and been the center of attention. But a part of that success is the players that go a bit unnoticed and have made a significant impact for their team that does not get talked about enough. Here are my X-factors for each team.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">Rangeview –</h3> <p>For the defending champions, everyone harps about the twins, [player_tooltip player_id="606383" first="Christopher" last="Speller"] and Christian Speller, and also, [player_tooltip player_id="915299" first="Obi" last="Agbim"] has stepped up as one of the most improved players in the state this season. Rangeview has reeled off 25-straight wins to remain undefeated on the year so it makes sense as to why those players are getting plenty of attention but one player that has not been mentioned as much as he should that plays with energy, heart and gives his all on every single possession is senior big man Jovaughn Wright. Wright was the player of the game in Rangeview’s win over Mountain Vista as he finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds in the playoffs. That does not happen by accident, that is a testament to all of the hard work that he put in this year, and he will continue being a player that Coach Palmer relies on to bring it off of the bench.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">                         Columbine –                            </h3> <p>Of course, when speaking on Columbine, the first player that comes to mind is senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="915287" first="Luke" last="O’Brien"] with those massive numbers, and he is a Division I athlete with high upside. But what the Rebels also have is players who star in their role that are just waiting for their chance. That player for Columbine is Garrett Rogers. Rogers is a junior point guard that once all of those seniors leave will get all of the attention his way. He is preparing for that now as he is also leading one of the remaining eight teams in all of 5A in assists with 3.3 dishes a game. Rogers can shoot the 3-ball, he puts the ball on the floor, and he also knows what spots to be in for spacing. He is a player that is going to be relied on against the defending champions, so it is imperative that he knocks down open looks and takes care of the ball.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">Regis –</h3> <p>Looking back at the season that Regis put together, it is difficult to not just sit back in awe. They had turned their whole season around when some were writing them off and are heading to the Coliseum for the Great 8. There are so many good players on that team that go a bit under the radar, but one that nobody is talking about that has helped in every single way but has not shown up on the scoreboard is 6’7 junior Clay Nanke. Nanke is a player to keep on radars as I do think he pops out this summer. He is a high motor, rim-protecting big man that dunks the ball with aggression and is also a multi-sport athlete that brings the team a bit of toughness. He didn’t get the minutes early in the season but is starting to get going as his length and athleticism adds the Raiders an element that they typically don’t have.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">Grandview –</h3> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="915288" first="Caleb" last="McGill"] and Lian Ramiro get most of the attention when it comes to Grandview and the successful season that they have had, understandably so. They have been remarkable this year and look to be on a mission to bring home the gold trophy. While those two players are surely what gets the Wolves going, a player that has also made Grandview go is shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="915323" first="Tanner" last="Holtman"]. Holtman will have to be one of the main players in the next game as Regis will do everything that they could to limit McGill and Ramiro’s looks and will play excellent help-side defense. That is where it is up to Holtman to find holes in the defense and let it fly, and on those Denver Coliseum rims, it will be difficult. If he can get his shot going, with McGill controlling the paint and Ramiro dissecting the defense, then Grandview will get an early lead, control the game and come away as victors. If not, Regis will be able to box Grandview in. Holtman is the X-factor in the game, and his jump-shot is the secret weapon.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">George Washington –</h3> <p>The Patriots are led by [player_tooltip player_id="916954" first="Kendale" last="Johnson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="770413" first="Jarmell" last="Johnson"], who appears to be on a mission this season and are doing everything in their power to keep the wins coming. While those two have played well lately, another young player has emerged and been one of the biggest standouts for the Patriots, and that’s 6’8 junior big [player_tooltip player_id="916990" first="Fred" last="Edmonds"]. Edmonds stands out on sheer size alone, but once you see how he moves, the shots that he alters and his ability to also put it on the floor a bit and run the floor, you understand that he is a piece that George Washington needed. He has played well all season long and is coming off of a playoff game where he put up 18 points and had seven rebounds. If Edmonds can move a couple of players around and also bang down low with Valor’s bigs, then the Patriots have a chance. This was a rematch from a couple of weeks ago when Valor Christian came away with the victory, so this is a revenge game for them.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">Valor Christian –</h3> <p>Valor Christian is one of the most balanced teams in the state with some excellent young talent and some tough-minded seniors that understand how to win. They wear teams down with size and physicality throughout the game, and that will be their strategy once again when they get a rematch with George Washington, who they beat just a few weeks ago. The player that I expect to stand out in the game is 6’6 wing Rocky Beers. Besides the cool name, Beers possesses the ability to take over in a game and chips away at teams quietly. He scored 14 points the last time the two players played one another and also grabbed 11 rebounds as well. That’s the type of game that Valor will need from him if they want to come away with another victory. It’s already known that he is going to hustle the entire game, but if he can score and board too, it will be the same result.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">Fairview –</h3> <p>Fairview is a balanced team that leans on Greysen Carter as well as [player_tooltip player_id="526680" first="Jalen" last="Page"] to stand out in the game and lead the way on both ends of the floor. The Knights play hard and do just enough things to win games, but at the Denver Coliseum, they will have to tighten up. That is when Mark O’Neill will have to be at his best. Chaparral is a team that knows how to win tight games, and I expect it to be a high scoring game that both sides are flowing. O’Neill will have to control the pace and be able to stay in front of either [player_tooltip player_id="796267" first="Kobe" last="Sanders"] or [player_tooltip player_id="918903" first="Jeremiah" last="Coleman"], which is no easy task. He has to be able to score on them, find open teammates, and also get Fairview into their offense and will be the most important player for Fairview as we already know what to expect from everyone else.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">Chaparral --</h3> <p>Chaparral is a focused team that is comfortable on the court as it appears that they have all been there before. The Wolverines leading scorer and best player [player_tooltip player_id="796267" first="Kobe" last="Sanders"] is the top guard remaining and calms the team down and will be the player that Chaparral leads on. Sanders scored 31 points in the game as point guard [player_tooltip player_id="918903" first="Jeremiah" last="Coleman"] helped lead the team to a win against Smoky Hill, but the player that has been playing well and helping Chapparal win games was Konner Ruth. Ruth is coming off of his two best games of his career, and it is the reason that the Wolverines keep winning. He has been going off from the 3-point line and hit the game-winning shot against Smoky Hill as well.</p>