Three games to watch this upcoming week

<p>The season is winding down, and we are well within league play. There are still a few teams playing out of conference games, but we are in the part of the season that matters most. This season has been different in every single way but entertaining nonetheless. Here are our picks for the top games of the week. </p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Monday</strong></span></h2> <p><em><strong>Ralston Valley v. Mountain Vista</strong></em></p> <p>Mountain Vista certainly did not duck any team in the state. They have had one of the most difficult schedules in recent memory, and it continues with an out of conference battle with a  team that has some solid wins under their belt. For the Golden Eagles, it starts and finishes with POY candidate [player_tooltip player_id="759207" first="Ben" last="Bowen"]. The Wyoming commit is having a sensational season as he has led Mountain Vista to a 7-2 start as he is putting up 20 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists a game. He has been the engine for his team but has had help along the way. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="918911" first="Henry" last="Gamble"] (11.1 ppg) has been a player who has stepped up and offered assistance, and [player_tooltip player_id="1051098" first="Ty" last="Strawbridge"]. The team gets reinforcements back in [player_tooltip player_id="1029175" first="Matt" last="Linderman"], which should give them a boost of confidence and fresh legs.</p> <p>On the other hand, Ralston Valley is a team that has been up and down to start the season. The Mustangs are currently riding a three-game winning streak as they have leaned on 6’1 junior [player_tooltip player_id="918936" first="Zack" last="Akin"]. Akin is putting up 13.4 points a game to lead the team. Blake Butvidas (10.6 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="918931" first="Beau" last="Wilken"] (8.8 ppg) have also chipped in and provided a spark for the team, and Ralston Valley will need all three of them and more if they want to continue to beat a team that understands how to play for one another.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Tuesday</strong></span></h2> <p><em><strong>Doherty v. Fountain-Fort Carson</strong></em></p> <p>The battle of the two top teams in the Springs for 5A will be on full display on Tuesday evening.</p> <p>Doherty is a team that has been a pleasant surprise for the season. The Spartans are 7-1 on the season and have a solid group of seniors that are giving it their all in their final year. Colorado Christian commit Schaefer Reichart is averaging a career-high 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds a game. Reichart has a great understanding of the game, his high IQ is on full display, and opposing teams have a difficult time slowing him down. [player_tooltip player_id="916999" first="Brody" last="Gish"] (15.4 ppg &amp; 5.5 rpg) has elevated his game, [player_tooltip player_id="770454" first="AJ" last="Guiao"] (10.0 ppg) has controlled the tempo and provided the change of pace, and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="921099" first="Christian" last="Drummond"] has filled in the gaps. Doherty feeds off of one another and if they are able to get off to a great start and go through their guards then they have a chance to win. If they allow the stifling towers to get started, they will be in for a long day. The big men lead fountain Fort-Carson<span style="font-size: 1rem;">. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="759261" first="Isaiah" last="Thompson"] is having a career year and is one of the best remaining players available that coaches should be on. He is up to 20.4 points and 11 rebounds a game. He grabs boards and goes right up with it, bullies smaller players on the block and also is dangerous in the open floor. Thompson demands double teams and can still score out of those, and as long as he is playing well, the Spartans have a chance. 6’9 big man [player_tooltip player_id="967542" first="Kaleb" last="Mitchell"] has played up to his size. He was a player we were excited to watch heading into the season, and he has not disappointed. Mitchell is at 13.1 points and 9.0 rebounds a game. Those two control the boards and give their team plenty of second chance opportunities. More often than not, Fountain Fort-Carson has the advantage on the boards and this is where they will surely have to separate themselves in this big game.</span></p> <p>This’ll be a fun one.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Thursday  </strong></span></h2> <p><em><strong>Lutheran v. Colorado Academy</strong></em></p> <p>Lutheran has one loss on the season and it was against a still undefeated team and top team in the state that is two classes ahead of them. That is quite the jump for a team to make, but they still are top dogs in all of 3A. Lutheran is on a 5-game heater as they have been blowing teams out completely. Since their loss, they have won by a margin of 45.8 points a game and do not look to be slowing down. [player_tooltip player_id="921100" first="Baye" last="Fall"] has returned and has looked like one of the top sophomores in the country. Fall is averaging 22.2 points and 9.4 rebounds a game. He alters almost every shot at the rim, puts fear into opposing players, and has a relentless motor. [player_tooltip player_id="965758" first="Mamadou" last="Sow"] (10.7 ppg) has added size and has used his strength and length to further give Lutheran an advantage. Sam Hoops (9.4 ppg) have been the X-factor for the team. This is a game where Lutheran should be challenged, so I am excited to see how they respond.</p> <p>Colorado Academy is 6-0 on the season and have yet to be challenged to begin the year. Two players that stood out for the Pro Skills 16U team this year is who is leading the way for the Mustangs. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1050953" first="Elliott" last="Cravitz"] (15.8 ppg) is a savvy point guard that understands how to score in various ways and is one of the quickest players in the entire state. He has been giving opposing teams fits all season and is versatile. [player_tooltip player_id="1050954" first="Abhil" last="Woldeyohannes"] (14.4 ppg) has elevated his game and seems to be in a better spot. His numbers have jumped in every category, and as long as that dynamic duo is on, this is a team that can compete. Colorado Academy has a chance to see how they truly are against the top team in 3A  so this is a game where they get to gauge and understand where they are.</p>