4A Updated Top-10 heading into the final week

<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>1) Windsor</strong></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>2)Longmont</strong></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>3)Montrose</strong></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>4) Mead</strong></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>5) Lewis-Palmer</strong></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>6) Pueblo Central</strong></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>7) Steamboat Springs</strong></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>8) Erie</strong></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>9) Golden</strong></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>10) Evergreen</strong></h3> <p>4A has been a wild journey this year, but that has not stopped <strong>Windsor</strong> from still pushing forward. The trio of [player_tooltip player_id="916987" first="Ben" last="Hageman"], [player_tooltip player_id="966339" first="Jaden" last="Kennis"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1138311" first="Kobe" last="Greene"] has made it difficult for opposing teams as it answers everything that the Wizards need. Three high-level scorers that can space the floor, attack inside, and tenacious defenders. Windsor is No.1 and faceoff against the No.2 team in 4A for a possible state championship matchup on Tuesday evening. As long as all three defend, they will go into the postseason as the top overall team.</p> <p><strong>Longmont</strong> is the No.2 team in the land and has the opportunity to push to No.1 overall with a great week. They have the matchup on Tuesday that essentially determines it all, so as long as [player_tooltip player_id="965739" first="Eddie" last="Kurjak"] shows up and sets the tone with his size, strength, and athleticism while getting help from others as well then the Trojans have a chance at dethroning the top dogs for right now.</p> <p><strong>Montrose</strong> continues to win, win, win no matter what. They are one of two remaining undefeated teams in the state and do not look like they will be taking any upsets along the way as they have two games remaining on their schedule. Junior standout wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id="967537" first="Luke" last="Hutto"] has led the way and made it so that opposing teams stand no chance.</p> <p><strong>Mead</strong> stumbled just a bit but have bounced back and got back on the right track. Maybe those losses will serve as lessons that they now have the targets on their back. They fall a bit but maybe their humbling times will motivate [player_tooltip player_id="918902" first="Elijah" last="Knudsen"] and [player_tooltip player_id="918899" first="James" last="Shiers"] to try and get on the right foot. The Mavericks will need aggressive efforts for those two players and to finish off the season strong. Playoffs are around the corner.</p> <p><strong>Lewis-Palmer</strong> is loaded but has to remain consistent. They had an impressive win and followed that up with a dud of a game. [player_tooltip player_id="965754" first="Colin" last="Westfall"] and Eddie Speller Jr. must rally the troops and get them back on the right page. With players such as [player_tooltip player_id="1046034" first="Cameron" last="Lowe"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1050938" first="Noah" last="Ragsdale"] also ready to get the ship back on the right track this appears to be a team still looking to find their way. If they can do that before the playoffs, this is the one team I would not want to play.</p> <p><strong>Pueblo Central</strong> was moving along and taking down every team that came their way but had a letdown game as they did not execute down the stretch against a scrappy Pueblo South team that has been playing well. Pueblo Central now licks their wounds and prepare to get back on the right track. [player_tooltip player_id="969431" first="Kadyn" last="Betts"] will show up in every single game but he will need [player_tooltip player_id="1138301" first="Adonis" last="Reynolds"] and others to also show consistency, specifically on the offensive end of the floor. Expect a bounceback performance to close out the season from them.</p> <p><strong>Steamboat Springs</strong> is the other undefeated team in 4A that has an underrated gem in 6’8 big man [player_tooltip player_id="1138294" first="Eric" last="Pollert"] leading the way. He is close to averaging a double-double and has had some breakout performances on the season. They have other players around him starring in their role and doing what is needed to continue getting by, but the question is how they will respond when challenged. They’ve been eeking out some close wins but once they are up against the more talented teams, do they have what it takes to play a full four quarters? We will certainly see soon as they should go into playoffs with a high seed and ready for any challengers.</p> <p><strong>Erie</strong> has been a team of up and downs and has some solid wins and not-so-great losses. That Holy Family bunch has beaten all of the top teams, played up to their competition, and just got a win over the Tigers. Erie can now rest and get ready for the playoffs as there are no games remaining on their schedule and will look to get [player_tooltip player_id="1139427" first="Kayan" last="Hargrave"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1138316" first="Kevin" last="Loy"] healthy and ready for a solid push. Which Erie team we get is another question and one they need to answer as they prepare for the real thing.</p> <p><strong>Golden</strong> is a team with multiple players that can lead the way, and that is what you get with a young bunch. Consistency will be key for this team, but they certainly have played well as of late and getting everyone involved. [player_tooltip player_id="921098" first="Aliou" last="Diallo"], [player_tooltip player_id="1139740" first="Richie" last="Pruett"] and [player_tooltip player_id="921096" first="Alan" last="Acevedo"] are the teams top players and will have to really lock in on both ends of the floor. The up and down games cannot happen as they have a solid bunch that knows winning basketball. They just won a Top-10 battle, can they continue to play at that high level?</p> <p><strong>Evergreen</strong> is a team with a talented do-it-all player that guides the Cougars the right way. He is locked in on both ends of the floor, scores when he wants, and is a hardworking glass-cleaner as well. [player_tooltip player_id="916974" first="Griffin" last="Lauritano"] has Evergreen playing well and competing with teams but needs more from his teammates if they plan on making a deep playoff run. The Cougars have the personnel to surprise some teams; it is just about putting it together. How they close out the season will determine their strength of schedule, so their senior leader will need that help, sooner than later.</p>