Five guards to watch in the Centennial 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 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. One conference that did not see a change and will again be the state’s conference to watch is the Centennial league. Let’s look at a LOADED conference.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="770403" first="Myles" last="Purchase"] – Cherry Creek</strong></span></h2> <p>I have gone on record multiple times and said that Purchase is my favorite player in the state to watch. He is an explosive and entertaining two-way player that plays with passion and flare. Purchase is a team-first point guard with excellent court awareness and is not afraid to take chances on the floor, and although he is a Division I football player that just committed to Iowa State, he will go into the season as the top point guard in the class. Purchase causes havoc on the court with his on-ball defense and is a nightmare for opposing guards. Purchase was the only player in the entire state to average over 10 points and also record three rebounds, three assists, and three steals a game.  If Purchase elects to play this year, Cherry Creek will go in as a favorite to win it all.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="1050937" first="Brayden" last="Legette"] – Eaglecrest</span></strong></h2> <p>Legette is a player that went into the summer relatively unknown but strung along a few big tournaments for Colorado Mayhem, and heads started to turn. Legette will step into a role this upcoming season where he will be asked to be part of a committee that fills one of the biggest voids in the state at Eaglecrest. Legette will have to find his role early and commit to it. Legette gets his teammates involved but is capable of scoring when he has to. If he can get off to a hot start where he is providing energy, stepping up as a leader, and playing with contagious energy, he is a player that will be hard to take off of the floor for the Raptors. Big year upcoming for him.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="967539" first="Titus" last="Washington"] – Cherokee Trail</strong></span></h2> <p>Washington is a player that got his feet wet as a sophomore and did not have many games where he impacted the game but will head into his junior season as a top X-factor in the conference. Washington showed us what he is capable of this offseason. He is a point guard who can play off-ball sometimes, has a quick and explosive first step, and scores in bunches. Washington is a willing passer that attacks downhill and makes defenses guess. Washington improved as a shooter over the summer and, by the end, was a consistent force that proved that he belonged.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Seyi Oladipo – Eaglecrest</strong></span></h2> <p>There are not many game-changers in the state that can alter a game like Oladipo. Oladipo was a starter a year ago, and it was for his ability to be disruptive. Oladipo is always in the mix, is extremely athletic, and is one of the state’s better finishers. It is obvious to see that this Division I football player is a standout on the gridiron with his timing and aggressiveness on the hardwood. Oladipo rebounds amongst trees, makes the right pass, and plays harder than anyone on the floor. Oladipo knows his role and stars in it, and we saw that this summer for Colorado Mayhem. He was one of their most consistent players, and if he decides to play this upcoming season, then guards will continue to have their hands full on both ends.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1029174" first="Jameel" last="Wright"] – Overland</strong></span></h2> <p>Wright was the summer darling and easily became one of my favorite watches of the grassroots seasons. Wright is an elite playmaker with a bit of intrigue because I do not know if I like him best as a scorer or true point guard. At times he was excellent at both, and when it comes together, he will be one of the most skilled players in the class. Wright is a two-way point guard that plays with a chip on his shoulder, has excellent court awareness, and has the ball on a string. He is an elite ball-handler that cannot be contained by just one defender and has the ability to finish at the rim or embarrass the defender with his breakdown. There are not many players more dangerous in the open floor; Wright has a high IQ and plays at his own pace. Wright made one of the biggest jumps from anybody in the state from season to end of the summer and will step into the state’s best conference and compete at a high level. Overland will again be a strong team that is well-coached and prepared for any situation. With a guard like Wright who can score at will, improved as a shooter, is a leader by example, and is committed defensively, they will step in as a dark horse team that not many will see coming. Buy Wright stock now.</p>