Top games to watch this upcoming weekend

<p>With many games canceled on Thursday evening due to weather across the state, it puts more attention on the weekend games. Teams need to rack up wins as we are at the final stretch and put it all together as we get ready for the playoffs. Here are a few games that we are tuned into this weekend.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Friday</strong></span></h2> <p><em><strong>Evergreen v. Golden</strong></em></p> <p>This is a battle between two teams that could possibly see each other at some point in the playoffs. Both teams have been in the Top-10 for 4A this season and come in this battle close to their final form.</p> <p>For Evergreen, it is a two-man show that is led by 6’5 wing [player_tooltip player_id="916974" first="Griffin" last="Lauritano"] who has picked up right where he left off last season. The senior captain is at 16.4 points and 8.4 rebounds a game. He demands the double-team, scores off of that at times, passes it out, and moves without the ball. He is a volume rebounder that gives his team extra scoring opportunities and is a leader on the floor. Alongside him is [player_tooltip player_id="1138313" first="Jackson" last="Mott"] who has popped onto the scene and not looked back. Mott is a senior with an all-around game and works well alongside Lauritano. He can score with ease at 14.3 points a game and averages over three rebounds and three assists a game. When both are going, this Cougar team is at their best, and I expect them to both step up in a battle where size matters.</p> <p>On the other side is Golden. Golden is a 9-2 on the year but has been having an up and down season. This is a young bunch that plays well alongside each other and is a cohesive bunch. The Demons can have a new leading scorer every single game, which only speaks on their depth. Golden is led by [player_tooltip player_id="921098" first="Aliou" last="Diallo"] in scoring at 13.1 points a game. He can score both inside and out and is undeniable at the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="1139740" first="Richie" last="Pruett"] is next up at 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds a game and is a microwave option that is the teams X-factor. [player_tooltip player_id="921096" first="Alan" last="Acevedo"] is the heartbeat of the team, and although his scoring is down, he is the team’s most productive player. He is averaging 10.5 points and six boards a game. He is the team's facilitator and defensive specialist. If Golden can get all of their guys going at once, this is a game that they can win and have some momentum heading into the playoffs.</p> <p><em><strong>Lewis-Palmer v. Rampart</strong></em></p> <p>The battle of two very hot teams in Colorado Springs is finally happening and has the personnel become a classic.</p> <p>Rampart is one of the fastest-paced teams in the state that controls tempo and forces teams out of their comfort zone. Jon Miller told us to keep an eye on senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="917002" first="Tyler" last="Edwards"] this season and he was not wrong. Edwards is averaging a team-high 17 points a game and is a creative scorer that plays the right way. He has exploded in games and led the way. Alongside him are senior guards [player_tooltip player_id="917015" first="Cole" last="Bowen"] (14.0 ppg) and Dante Wydra (14.3 ppg). Wydra is a player that has surprised us to start off the year with his excellent play, and Bowen built some momentum in the summer and has picked up right where he left off at. Rampart has a dangerous backcourt with great inside presence as well in Cole Cormaney (8.3 rpg).</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Saturday</strong></span></h2> <p><em><strong>Wray v. Limon</strong></em></p> <p>The No.1 team vs. the No.2 team in all of 2A are finally meeting each other. Both teams are undefeated on the season and have been blowing teams out along the way.</p> <p>Limon is the team to beat as the No.1 team has a solid core that feeds off of one another and is tenacious defensively. The Badgers have one of the best 1-2 punches in all of 2A with [player_tooltip player_id="917030" first="Camden" last="Smithburg"] (15.1 ppg) and 6’6 big man Alex Carr (13.9 ppg &amp; 7.0 rpg) both piecing it together in their senior seasons. Both know what is on the line and play with immense emotion. Expect both of those players to step up and for Kory Tacha and Kaden Becker to be X-factors in the game.</p> <p>Wray is a team that we have not discussed yet, but I am excited to see how they play in this one. This is their opportunity to get on more radars. Wray is led by a 6’5 senior big man [player_tooltip player_id="1139768" first="Bryant" last="Schoenthal"] that is having one of the best seasons out of anybody in the class. He is at 17.4 points and 9.4 boards a game. Schoenthal does not shoot the deep ball often, but when he does, it goes in and forces the defense to play him a bit differently. His bread and butter is inside, and his work on the boards elevate his game. He can score or kick it out to Junior Arumbala (15.9 ppg) and Samuel Uyemura (14.4 ppg). All three of those players are capable of taking over at any given moment and are microwave options. When one is on, the team tends to ride the hot hand and having so many capable players make this a difficult team to prepare for.</p> <p>Expect this to be a game that comes down to the final minute, and from there, anything can happen.</p>