2A bigs who have stood out in the first few weeks

<p>Most teams have played at least three games at this point, with some playing as many as seven. With it being a condensed season, players must get off to a hot start. Here are five bigs that have turned heads thus far.  </p> <h2><strong>Spud White – Meeker</strong></h2> <p>Meeker is 4-1 on the season and one of the teams to watch on the year as they have a balanced squad with great leadership. The player that has elevated their game and put them in a position to win has been 6’1 forward Spud White. White has a great understanding of positioning and where to be on the floor. He snags every rebound that comes his way and outhustles opposing teams for loose balls. He goes right up with it, can start the break himself, and creates himself out of the post. White is averaging 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds a game on the season. He has a high of 28 points and 14 rebounds, and it shows that when he is on, he is on. White deserves some credit on the year.</p> <h2><strong>Henry Vanderberg – Denver Christian</strong></h2> <p>Denver Christian is 6-1 on the year and a team to keep your eyes on as they are on the warpath and playing really well right now. They have a dynamic duo that scores when they want and creates mismatches. Their top player this year is 6’4 senior big, Henry Vanderberg. Vanderberg has been a force down low and unstoppable on the block. He is averaging 18.8 points and has 7.5 boards to go along with it. Vanderberg does not step out of what he is comfortable with, uses his length and size on both ends of the court, and has a great feel for the game. He is a consistent player with a high upside, and as long as he is playing at this level, there will not be many teams that can match up with Denver Christian. Great start.  </p> <h2><strong>Bryant Schoenthal – Wray</strong></h2> <p>Wray is currently the No.2 team in 2A, and it is largely because they have balance and one of the best bigs in the class. 6’4 junior Schoenthal is a big man that combines motor, skill, and athleticism to get to where he wants on the floor. Schoenthal has exploded in the scoring department with a season-high of 27-points but what he is doing on the glass makes it that much better. The junior big is averaging a double-double of 19.2 points and has 10 rebounds a game to go along with it. The Eagles are blowing teams out and have not been tested once, and with him doing essentially whatever it is he wants on the floor, I am unsure how this team is stopped. This team plays with joy, is unselfish, and has a selfless leader down low, so I am excited to see how they finish up. Great start of the season for him.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="618887" first="Connor" last="Showalter"] – Mancos</strong></h2> <p>Mancos is the No.3 team in 3A this season and is coming off of a disappointing loss to a tough Ignacio squad. That will just be fuel to the fire that has grown with this group as 6’4 forward/center [player_tooltip player_id="618887" first="Connor" last="Showalter"] leads them. The junior has been a player to watch since he has gotten with the Bluejays in his freshman season and is having a career year in his junior campaign. He is averaging 18.7 and 11.2 rebounds a game that is both amongst the top of the class and has his team off to a 6-1 start. Showalter is skilled and shifty and knows how to turn defense to offense. He’s active in the passing lanes, defends without fouling, and alters shots at the rim. He has a set of go-to moves, an excellent motor, and moves well on the court. Mancos always has a chance when he is on the floor, and I expect him to continue dominating.</p>