2021 standout bigs in the 4A playoffs

<p>With the season over, we want to take a look back at a season that was before we head onto the grassroots scene. Here we focus on some senior bigs that stood out in 4A during their state-run.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1138294" first="Eric" last="Pollert"] – Steamboat Springs</strong></h2> <p>Steamboat Springs has been hiding some incredible talent out there, and with their playoff run, they put others on notice that they have some hoopers ready to be exposed. This past season, the Sailor's top player was their 6’8 paint beast, Pollert, who was a walking double-double this season. His size creates issues for teams, and his willingness to get on the boards and box out, keep plays alive and use his energy gave his team extra scoring opportunities. Pollert put up 10 points and 10 rebounds in the first game against Wheat Ridge and followed up with 14 points and 8 boards against Golden. In the final game against Montrose, while the team did not get the result that they wanted, they still got full-on effort from their top player as an excellent rebounder with energy. Pollert can play at the next level.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965739" first="Eddie" last="Kurjak"] – Longmont</strong></h2> <p>Kurjak was one of the most efficient players in the state this past season and elevated his game in his final year. Kurjak has excellent size at 6’7 and has the athleticism that matches his talent, and Longmont knew to feed their top guy, and he delivered nightly but took his game to another level to keep his team in it. Longmont went in as the No.2 seeded team in the playoffs on essentially a two-person show offensively but had a team that bought in around him. In the playoffs, he averaged 18.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and finished with seven blocks in those four games. He is a rim-protecting big that finished well at or above the rim, makes the right play, and does whatever is needed to win. Kurjak is going to be successful at the next level.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1137379" first="Konner" last="Morgan"] – Sand Creek</strong></h2> <p>Morgan is a 6’7 big man with high upside and the ability to take over a game with his size. He knows where to be on the floor, does the small things like boxing out and setting hard screens, and also is an excellent roller that finishes around the rim. In Sand Creek's win over Centaurus, he finished with 17 points and seven rebounds, altered shots at the rim, and brought the needed energy. He did not have the same success against a tough Longmont team that grinds it out and forces the halfcourt situations, but he did compete and show that he is capable of affecting a game with his size.</p> <h2><strong>Eddie Speller Jr. – Lewis-Palmer</strong></h2> <p>Speller Jr. was one of the top players in the entire Colorado Springs area that has consistently stepped up the last two seasons. When speaking numbers and impact on one of the better teams in the state, it is a bit shocking that he was not discussed more – he dominated in multiple ways. Speller Jr. is a 6’5 forward that plays well above his size and is as productive as they come. He put up massive stats all season long and was just as impactful in the playoffs as he averaged 16.6 points and 11 points a game in the playoffs. Speller Jr. battles on both ends of the floor, has immense strength, and a good feel for the game. He is not easily backed down or moved on the block, scores in bunches, and shows up even in big games. He played excellent in the playoffs.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916987" first="Ben" last="Hageman"] – Windsor</strong></h2> <p>In no way is Hageman a big man in size, but unsure if there is any other player in 4A who could play all 5 positions this year. Hageman does whatever the team needs him to do, and often times that means he is playing the center position and holding his own down there. Plenty of that has to do with strength and the ability to hold players down with his strong base. He also finishes as well as anyone else around the rim. He had up and down performances in the games for the No.1 seeded team heading into the playoffs. Hageman finished with 8 points and 12 points in the team's first two games before exploding for 21 points against Aurora Central and a season and career-high of 31 points against Pueblo South. He did everything that he could all season long, and in the playoffs, we knew size would come back and bite them, but he went out kicking and screaming to give his team a chance. Hageman is a player that can help a school at the next level, no matter the position.</p>