2021 Rankings Update: Stock Risers

<p>With the 2019-20 high school basketball season officially over, we finally shift over our focus to our latest update. Prep Hoops has released its latest Colorado Class of 2021 rankings based on the 2019-20 season. This is one of our deepest classes in the state, so it took us a while to look at the full season and break it down. We had drastic movement and also added over 25 new players. Here, we focus on some of the classes’ biggest boosters and stock risers. </p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759261" first="Isaiah" last="Thompson"] – Fountain Fort-Carson</strong></h2> <p>Thompson was a player that I penciled in to check in on at the end of last season just to see how much he grew, and to my surprise, he was one of the most improved players in the class. Thompson had all of the intangibles at being a solid player but just had to see it come together. Well, it did as Thompson jumped from 2.7 points and 3.6 boards a game as a sophomore to averaging a double-double of 15.1 points and 12.2 rebounds a game as a junior and the most bizarre part is he is only getting started. Thompson is dunking the ball with ease, has an endless motor, and once he gets the defender on his right shoulder, he powers through for the easy finish. Thompson is a glass cleaner that refuses to get rebounded on and is only getting stronger and more confident. That is why he is a quick riser and moved from 42 to 30 in a year.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916987" first="Ben" last="Hageman"] – Windsor</strong></h2> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="916987" first="Ben" last="Hageman"] was one of our best stock risers as he had a remarkable junior campaign where he did everything in his power to give his team a chance to win games. The 6’1 combo-guard was the Wizards’ best player this season and showed that he could literally do it all. Hageman is a big and physical guard that can play on and off the ball. He scores in iso situations uses the PnR and also is a force down low when he grabs boards and goes back up. Hageman was an All-State Honorable Mention after he led Windsor to a 16-9 record as he put up 15.9 points and nine boards a game. He left it all out on the floor and got the best out of his teammates and was one of the most underrated players and passers in the state. He will walk into the Tri-Valley, where he made the All-Conference Team next year as one of the complete players, and he jumped on our rankings from No. 56 last time out to now No. 32. I like his game -- a lot.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916990" first="Fred" last="Edmonds"] – George Washington </strong></h2> <p>Edmonds did not play his sophomore season, but the 6’7 big man showed that he is a solid layer for the Patriots and was able to make an impact for George Washington in his junior season. Edmonds was an All-State honorable mention after putting up seven points and five boards. Edmonds started to come into his own at the end of the season when his confidence started growing, and the offense was centered around him. In the playoffs, Edmonds had back-to-back career highs of 17 and 18 points as he dunks the ball, moved defenders down low with his strong backdown presence, grabbed boards that came his way, and also patrolled the paint. Edmonds is a skilled big man that’s size makes a difference. If he can build on the season and do the things he did at the end of the season, he will continue rising. Edmonds is a definite stock booster and an important piece for the Patriots.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965967" first="Kobe" last="Roedel"] – Fort Lupton</strong></h2> <p>Roedel didn’t just make a jump, but he hopped onto our list and is a player to watch moving forward. Roedel is a shifty combo-guard that ran the offense, got their guys in their sets, and controlled the pace. He is a pass-first guard that looks to get others involved, and he did that from time to time this season as he passed in creative ways. Roedel had a season-high seven assists in a game against University and followed that up where he scored in double figures. He is a true point guard that will have to build on a solid season for the Blue Devils. Hopefully, he is up for the challenge. He comes in at a generous 84 with a group of players ready to pass him and keep rising. Let’s see how he does this season.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965766" first="AJ" last="Scheckenbach"] – Arapahoe</strong></h2> <p>Scheckenbach is a player you go to war with. He is an ultimate hustle player that is not going to back down from anyone and is going to go out there and give his all. The 6’1 guard struggled with consistency on the offensive end as he would pop out with some high scoring games and then nothing the next game but made up for it on the defensive end. He is playing hard at all times, and that leads to him making the right plays on offense as well. Scheckenbach proved to be a shooter from time to time, and with the majority of the Warriors offense leaving, he will be pushed into a scoring position. I know that Scheckenbach will be ready as he is a buy-in glue guy that does what is asked. He jumped onto our rankings this year and will be one of the players I know will rise by the next update.</p>