Five guards to watch in the 5A Front Range League

<p>There have been changes to the world as we know it, and the Colorado high school basketball scene has taken its fair share of changes as well. Typically, we will have already started with some tournaments to get things kicked off at this time of the year, but there has to be a compromise on both ends. Not only will the season start late, but it will be a condensed season, so teams and players must get off to hot starts. Here we will focus on a league that should be much improved and balanced, the 5A Front Range League.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759288" first="Hugo" last="Veloso"] – Fort Collins</strong></h2> <p>Fort Collins had a middle-of-the-pack year where they finished with a 12-12 record, and looking ahead to this season will have to have a full buy-in to even duplicate that as the core left from last season. A player that will have to build on a strong season and step up to lead the way is point guard [player_tooltip player_id="759288" first="Hugo" last="Veloso"]. In Veloso’s sophomore season, he kept his composure and showed that he could score the ball. He put up 11.2 points a game as a guard that hit the 3-ball and got to the rim. Veloso also helped in the rebounding department at 2.5 a game and found teammates as well. Once he starts to run the offense and get others involved a bit more while also breaking down defenses for baskets is when the rest of his game will open, and I think it comes in his junior year.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="717063" first="Xavier" last="Harris"] – Horizon </strong></h2> <p>Harris is the best point guard in the conference, and it is not close. This is a year where he gets to prove himself, and I know that he is up to the challenge. Harris has proved since entering high school that he is one of the best pure point guards in the class and has progressed tremendously since last season. Harris is one of my picks as the best finishers in the state with his massive hands, He is a lockdown defender that takes his matchup personally, and he is also getting better as a shooter, which does not bode well for opposing teams. Harris averaged 10.3 points, and just under two steals a game on a team that made the playoffs in their second season. With some changes to the team and the need for him to step up, even more, I think that he progresses in every single category, and I will go out on a limb and even say be the best two-way player in the conference.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="618888" first="Tabor" last="Robison"] – Horizon </strong></h2> <p>Robison was one of my favorite players to watch this summer as he just gets it. He has a great understanding of the game and is willing to do whatever is asked of him. Robison played multiple positions for the Roughriders and was a part of every big play. When they were needed, he hit big shots, played hardnosed defense as he moves his feet and stays in front of his man, and he knows where his teammates are going to be. As a sophomore, he got in, ran the offense, scored off the ball, and knocked down the shot. In his junior season, however, he will be asked to do a lot more as Horizon will have a strong backcourt that needs their guards to step up. Robinson will have to score more but continue being a pest that affects the game by doing the small things. Robison is one of the better X-factors in the state and is a guard to watch in the conference.</p> <h2><strong>Kennan Rykovich – Loveland</strong></h2> <p>Speedy guard, Rykovich was Loveland’s best player as a junior as he put up 12.0 points a game. Rykovich has years of experience and had his best year as the leading scorer for the Indians this past season. He gets to his spots, attacks in the pick and roll, and is also great in iso situations. Rykovich knocked down the 3-ball when he got open looks, rebounded above his size and ran the break, and also got through double teams at times. This upcoming season will be about efficiency, turning those stats into wins, and also making sure that his teammates are getting better.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916998" first="Truman" last="Chambers"] – Mountain Range </strong></h2> <p>Chambers is a 6’0 point guard that was one of the primary ballhandlers for Mountain Range last season and was a reliable source of production in his junior year. Chambers averaged 10.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and was also one of the better passers in the conference last season. Chambers set up the offense and teammates for easy baskets while also getting his own, and that versatility and playmaking has him as one of the better guards in the conference. Chambers has a good feel for the game, and when you watch him, it feels like he is everywhere on the floor. He is active on defense and turns it into offense. If he can get others onboard, Mountain Range can be a team that surprises a few other teams in this conference.</p>