5A Playoffs: Contenders and Sleepers from Quadrant 3 & 4

<p>Playoff brackets were released on Monday morning, and it was broken up into four quadrants, with 32 teams in total making the playoffs. Here, we focus on two quadrants and what teams stand out to us at first look. </p> <p><em><strong>Teams in Quadrant 3: Regis Jesuit, Loveland, Valor Christian, Doherty, George Washington, Heritage, Denver East, Mullen</strong></em></p> <h2><strong>Quadrant 3: Contender</strong></h2> <p>Regis has been bit by the injury bug as of late, which is a true bummer for the type of noise I expected them to make this season. They still ended up finishing the season at 12-1, and one of the best teams in the entire state, and that is with some key pieces missing. The Raiders were without wing [player_tooltip player_id="965809" first="Kyle" last="Sandler"] to finish out the year and [player_tooltip player_id="965747" first="Ty" last="Bergman"] also was in and out of the lineup but all that did was allow for [player_tooltip player_id="921101" first="Tarea" last="Fulcher"], [player_tooltip player_id="973003" first="Cole" last="Records"] and Clay Nnake to step up. The Raiders got all that they could from Senior duo [player_tooltip player_id="965741" first="Michael" last="Wolf"] and [player_tooltip player_id="965744" first="Blakeley" last="Stoughton"] who has looked awesome during the season as well as playing alongside each other in the offseason and building that chemistry. Both players have lit up the scoreboard and will have to keep that up as every team will be giving them their best look. The Raiders will need X-factors to step up and offer some assistance on the defensive end, but the Raiders have what it takes to make a deep push as long as their guard play is up to par.</p> <p>Death, taxes, and a George Washington team making it to the coliseum. It will take a bit more this year with changes to the structure, but you get the concept, the Patriots know how to win games, and they did plenty of that this season as they finished with a 9-3 record. The Patriots are looking to put together complete games and, when they do, are the top team in the state as they have a great blend of size, talent, and athleticism. Having solid guard play with an all-defensive unit led by [player_tooltip player_id="916978" first="Darrian" last="Hammons"], [player_tooltip player_id="770429" first="Cheick" last="Kouyate"], [player_tooltip player_id="759276" first="Shaqur" last="Edmonds"] and [player_tooltip player_id="918905" first="Kijuan" last="Thompson"] opens up the floor for solid wings in [player_tooltip player_id="916954" first="Kendale" last="Johnson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="770417" first="Eddie" last="McPhee"]. Down low, the pairing of [player_tooltip player_id="916990" first="Trey" last="Edmonds"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1050935" first="Garrett" last="Brown"] create a unique blend of size, strength and protecting the paint with [player_tooltip player_id="770413" first="Jarmell" last="Johnson"] going to work and leading the way for the Patriots. When Johnson is in a zone, he’s a nightmare matchup for teams and will be relied on heavily as the Patriots are a team opposing teams prepare for. If they can get going and off fast while staying healthy, they are a dark horse team to win it all, and it all is centered around that senior class.</p> <h2><strong>Quadrant 3: Sleeper</strong></h2> <p>The sleeper is a team that NOBODY is actually sleeping on; Denver East. The Angels have proved all season long that they are a team that must be taken seriously and with junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="759275" first="Quis" last="Davis"] showing why he is one of the top guards in the state, regardless of class then the Angels will be a team that it will be tough to beat. Davis is the states’ best leader and a top-3 passer that has his team playing exceptionally well. He has stepped up as a scorer and a player that East feels comfortable giving the ball to. He has had help from a 6’7 big man [player_tooltip player_id="1053581" first="Aguir" last="Dawam"] who has been a force down low and a paint protector that has made players think twice about going inside without consequence. With players like [player_tooltip player_id="1020179" first="Michael" last="Jackson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="770444" first="Tom" last="Connelly"] stepping up it will really make it easier for them to clear the way for one of the top players in the entire state, [player_tooltip player_id="770414" first="Boston" last="Stanton"] to come back from an injury. The Angels are in good hands, and if they find a groove quickly will be one of the more difficult teams in the state to match up with.</p> <p><em><strong>Teams in Quadrant 4: Fossil Ridge, Legend, Rock Canyon, Overland, Rangeview, Columbine, Fountain Fort-Carson, Silver Creek</strong></em></p> <h2><strong>Quadrant 4: Contender</strong></h2> <p>Rangeview’s story still continues to be written, and the run that they are on is special. I hope that others take it all in what we have the luxury of witnessing. Rangeview’s winning streak is at over 52 games and counting, and they head into the playoffs with the No.3 overall seed, but the top in their region. Rangeview has had some solid wins over talented opponents and has stayed true to themselves throughout it all. The Raiders had two rotation players from last year’s undefeated team in Senior captain [player_tooltip player_id="916972" first="Cade" last="Palmer"] and [player_tooltip player_id="916988" first="Jayden" last="Foster"] return and ready to protect the fort but ended up getting stellar play from Senior forwards [player_tooltip player_id="1138338" first="Devin" last="Phillio"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1138347" first="Damajio" last="Merritt"]. That core group has been resilient and coachable, which has led to their winning streak. They will need players like [player_tooltip player_id="1138351" first="Bilal" last="Cisse"], [player_tooltip player_id="618892" first="Elijah" last="Thomas"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1138352" first="Josh" last="Wyatt"] to step up and continue giving them a different look and change of pace while they are in the game and if this team continues to play defense they will be the team to beat.</p> <h2><strong>Quadrant 4: Sleeper</strong></h2> <p>Fossil Ridge made a strong case this season as they went 13-1 on the year and proved that they belong. The Sabercats have a dynamic duo in [player_tooltip player_id="759281" first="Brock" last="Mishak"] and [player_tooltip player_id="770404" first="Tyce" last="Baldwin"] that made it extremely difficult for opposing teams to slow them down on the offensive side and just figured out a way to win in those track meet type of games. Fossil Ridge seemed to find their rhythm and figure things out as the season started to come to a close, and if they figured it out, good luck to the teams, they're up against first. The Sabercats have what it takes to win the first game with their two best players just playing up to their standards, but after that, they will need help if they continue to keep going. Players like [player_tooltip player_id="917018" first="Braiden" last="Dishman"] and [player_tooltip player_id="916977" first="Luke" last="Yoder"] will have to be elite at making a difference in the game and making their presence known, especially defensively. Being able to knock down the open shot and offering relief will be crucial, but altering the game in their role will be even more and is something I am looking forward to seeing.</p>