New 2022 names to know from the 5A state 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 junior guards that stood out in 5A during their state-run.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1143879" first="Ty" last="Nettles"] – Douglas County</strong></h2> <p>A new name that has popped onto our radar is Nettles. The 5’10 junior combo-guard competed at a high level and was Douglas County’s second-leading scorer on the season. The Huskies 2022 class is strong, especially at the guard spots, and with Nettles stepping up offensively, they get even stronger. As solid as he played during the regular season, he upped his game in the playoffs, especially offensively, and gave his team another scoring option to go through. He put up 18 points in the opening win against Rampart as he attacked the paint and got to the FT line often. Then in a loss against the eventual state champs, he scored that he would fight until the end when he put up a team-high 17 points in the game. Nettles can score inside and out, is comfortable with the ball in his hands, and can create independently. He is on our radars now and a player that we are excited to see continue to progress.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="618892" first="Elijah" last="Thomas"] – Rangeview</strong></h2> <p>Thomas is a player that has had an up and down year, but when he gets the opportunity to play meaningful minutes, he makes things happen. Thomas is a downhill runner and confident ball-handler who can break a defender down off the dribble. In the playoffs, with more time, specifically in the Raider's win over Rock Canyon and loss to GW, he was able to make an impact on the game. He is a player that opposing teams do not prepare for and has a natural feel for the game. He is not afraid to take chances with the ball. His crossover and ability to break free opens up the offense and lets others navigate around him, and he is a spark that the team used. Hopefully, this summer, we will see more of him as I feel as if he will be given the keys to the offense next season.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="918905" first="Kijuan" last="Thompson"] – George Washington</strong></h2> <p>Thompson is not necessarily a new name to know, but oftentimes his impact is forgotten and has taken the Patriots a long way. He is pound for pound the toughest player in the state who is not limited by size. Thompson brings toughness and defensive identity to the GW squad, which is one of their best attributes. He is a spark off of the bench that brings intensity to the team, is one of the best perimeter defenders in the class who defends without fouling and picks up full court. Thompson does not have to score a ton to be effective but is always aggressive, which forces defenses to adjust. He is lightning quick, tough to stay in front of, and is willing to make the extra pass. In the regular season, he only averaged about four points a game, but in the playoffs, his impact was felt, and it gave him extra minutes where he scored 11 and 10 points in two crucial games. He’s a player to know, as he will be the spark and get the keys next season.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="918915" first="AJ" last="Jackson"] – Douglas County</strong></h2> <p>I know who I have for the best backcourt in the state next year, and it is this Douglas County team that has three guards that are extremely difficult to prepare for. They have three change of pace guards who attack off of the dribble, feed off of one another, and are top-notch facilitators as well, and their best two-way option is Jackson. Jackson goes under the radar as he is not a player that will wow you with his stats, but if you watch his game, impact alone has him as a standout. Jackson makes plays happen and is also very active on both ends of the court. He has good size at 6’1 and is also a physical defender that brings on his tenacity on the boards and defensively. He had nine points and four boards in the opening win, and in the game against Thunderridge, he showed them that he was there by using his body, boxing out and playing aggressively, and working hard. Although his team lost, he showed what he could when he and the team are on the same page, and I think will build off of the season.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759285" first="Chris" last="Schlesinger"] – Rock Canyon</strong></h2> <p>Chris is a player that has gone a bit under the radar but stepped into a situation where he was relied on this season and part of the rotation. With the extra minutes, he produced. The 6’4 forward has been on varsity all three seasons but put up a career-best in every category. Schlesinger is a versatile forward that scores, passes, and is a force on the boards, and he was a part of the group that went on a magical run in the playoffs. He averaged 9.3 points in the playoffs as he went 12-16 from the field for the whole playoffs and worked hard to snag boards. With that type of efficiency, it is difficult to say just how far the team could’ve gone if they went through him more. He is putting himself in the right spot, not missing shots but also showed that he is a team-player that is willing to put the team first and work on both ends of the floor. He’s a player to know moving forward.</p> <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 guards that stood out in 5A during their state-run.</p>