Five combo-guards/wings to watch in the 5A Jeffco 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 been a few games in and determining who we deem as the top teams in the state. Well, good news, we are a couple of weeks removed from the start of the season. With a late start and condensed season, getting off to a quick start is important. Other changes include new teams in leagues across the state. Here, we take a look at the 5A Jeffco League.</p> <h2><strong>Kyle Wisniewski – Lakewood</strong></h2> <p>Wisniewski heads into his senior season as one of the overlooked players in the class with the most to prove. For the Tigers, as a junior, he was the team's second-leading scorer (11.3 ppg) and go-to options at times that showcased the ability to score in bunches as he used his 6’4 frame to create mismatches and he attacked them. Wisniewski was a marksman from beyond the arc that hit an impressive 71 3-pointers as a junior at a 39% clip and had some explosive games like when he went for 24 points against Chatfield or 21 in a win over Hinkley. Wisniewski can shoot off the dribble, and in a set spot, he has to be guarded as soon as he touches half court. He also gets in and battles on the boards. If he can get off to a hot start, Lakewood will be a team to watch this season, and they will have another solid season. He is a player that I will keep a close eye on this year.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="917017" first="Nate" last="Jacobson"] – Chatfield</strong></h2> <p>Jacobson was the team’s second-leading scorer a season ago at 11.3 points a game but was the most versatile player on the squad. Jacobson was asked to defend guards and bigger players and also had to take on the scoring load as well. Jacobson has the size to rebound amongst the bigs and secured 3.4 boards a game while also being able to space the floor with his outside shot. Jacobson hit 49 3-pointers on the season and forced teams to adjust throughout the game. He also can put the ball on the floor and get out on the break, and with his 6’3 frame, that causes advantages at times. This season, Jacobson will be a player to watch as he should be able to create mismatches, and Chatfield should have a bounceback season on the backs of their seniors. Expecting Jacobson to step it up in his senior year.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="770425" first="Michael" last="Bennett"] – Lakewood</strong></h2> <p>Bennett is a bucket. He is a natural scorer with speed that gets to his spots and dissects the defense to get himself going offensively. Bennett attacks opposing guards, switches onto wings, and is a crafty finisher. Bennett was one of the leading scorers in the conference in his junior season as he put up 17.2 points a game and can easily up the scoring average with an improved 3-point shot. Bennett got to where he wanted on the floor but with what we saw from him over the summer with Pro Skills at times proved to be an improved shooter that moves with a purpose. Bennett has solid size at 6’2, can play on and off the ball, and is also one of the best rebounding two-way players in the conference. Opposing guards will struggle all season long to get things going against him as he will score on them with ease and make it difficult on the opposite end as he put up two steals a game a year ago. I expect another solid season for him where he lights up scoreboards.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759248" first="AJ" last="Kula"] – Valor Christian</strong></h2> <p>Kula is one of the smoothest finishers in the state, with plenty in his basket. He makes finesse moves to the rim, stops for mid-range pull-ups, and can get out in the open floor and finish above the rim. Valor Christian certainly had size last year, and having a versatile guard like Kula, who at 6’5, is a nightmare matchup for smaller guards and does what he wants against bigger and slower wings. In his junior year, he put up 9.6 points a game and was one of the better passers (3.2 apg) in the conference as well. Kula has a high IQ, puts the ball on the floor, and has to be stopped at the rim. He is garnering college attention from his season and how he played with the Colorado Miners this summer. With a big senior season where the Eagles will be favorites will have plenty more schools looking his way. Kula does it all.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="917010" first="Hunter" last="Hickman"] – Dakota Ridge</strong></h2> <p>Hickman stood out this summer with the Colorado Miners with the way that he shot the ball but looking back into last season, he was a bit overlooked as he was a consistent sniper all season long. Hickman finds holes in the defense and lets it fly, and comes off screens ready to shoot. He hit 56 3-pointers on the season as he shot 39% from beyond the arc and was a player that had to be accounted for at all times. Hickman put up just shy of 10 points a game but seen his confidence grow as he navigated defenses this summer and also does all of the small things that you want for a specialist as well. This season it will be about continuing to light it up while also helping fill a void in the scoring department. Do not count Dakota Ridge out, and with players like Hickman, they have a chance to turn a head or two.</p>