Previewing 3A’s Final 4 matchups

<p>The field is all set as the Top-4 teams in the state are all set up to go against each other. It is literally the No.1,2,3, and 4 teams in 3A going after it. It has been a season to remember, but now we are at the finish line. Who will come out victorious? Here, I focus on each matchup for 3A’s Final 4.  </p> <h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>St. Mary’s v. Manitou Springs</strong></span></h2> <p><strong>St. Mary’s: [player_tooltip player_id="918901" first="Sam" last="Howery"], [player_tooltip player_id="1137807" first="Max" last="Howery"], [player_tooltip player_id="1050942" first="Luke" last="Stockelman"]</strong></p> <p>St.Mary’s has been on a rampage this season and has blown out EVERYBODY along the way. They are the most entertaining team in the state as they push and control the pace and score in every way. They are led by the Howery brothers, who feed off of one another and are the top duo in 3A this year and the next. [player_tooltip player_id="918901" first="Sam" last="Howery"] is one of the best guards in the state regardless of age or class and has been putting up triple-double after triple-double all season and gets the most out of his teammates. The only knock on him could be his efficiency, but it does not matter because he makes up for it with his ability to affect the game with his passing as he is a top-3 passer in the state. He’s coming off of a game where he put up 13 points and 11 assists and found Max for open baskets. Max had 16 points and was aggressive with [player_tooltip player_id="1050942" first="Luke" last="Stockelman"] adding 18 points. John Klein joined in on the action and added 13 points, and showed that this is a team with depth. This is a solid team that understands what is needed for them to win.</p> <p><strong>Manitou Springs: [player_tooltip player_id="1043307" first="Isaiah" last="Thomas"], John Maynard, [player_tooltip player_id="965751" first="Joah" last="Armour"]</strong></p> <p>Manitou only took one loss this season, and guess who it was to? You guessed it, St.Mary’s. This is a bounce-back spot for them, and although that game was not that close, they feel as if they can make changes to give themselves a chance. Thomas and Maynard had pretty good games in the first contest but will look to make a few more adjustments on the defensive end as [player_tooltip player_id="918901" first="Sam" last="Howery"] was able to do whatever it is he wanted. Manitou will try and slow it down this game and get Armour more involved while getting set up in the half-court offense will do them some justice. Manitou has the size, and will have to limit second-chance opportunities while leaving it all out on the floor. I expect them to have a better showing.</p> <p>What it boils down to: It boils down to how Manitou comes out in the opening quarter. If they can control the tempo and not let St.Mary’s run away with it, they have a chance. If St. Mary’s, however, is pushing it on makes and misses and forcing Manitou into a track meet, then the same results will ensue.</p> <h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Lutheran v. Sterling</strong></span></h2> <p><strong>Lutheran: [player_tooltip player_id="921100" first="Baye" last="Fall"], [player_tooltip player_id="1150504" first="Brendan" last="Kooeinga"], [player_tooltip player_id="965758" first="Mamadou" last="Sow"], Sam Hoops</strong></p> <p>This Lutheran team goes as [player_tooltip player_id="921100" first="Baye" last="Fall"] goes, and he has the ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor with his size and competitive nature, but make no mistake about it, that Lutheran team is deep. Fall demands double teams often, and he hits the open man, and they can knock down the shot. Either that or he takes it himself, which has gone well as he is putting up over 20 points a game. Fall is accompanied by other capable scorers in Hoops and Kooeinga, who are floor spacers, has a true point guard in [player_tooltip player_id="916960" first="Tommy" last="Apodaca"] and also a big man connection with forward [player_tooltip player_id="965758" first="Mamadou" last="Sow"]. Lutheran is a battle-tested team certainly with the best prospect in the state, but having others step up in a game that the opposing team will be prepared to counter what Fall does will be the biggest difference in the game. </p> <p><strong>Sterling: [player_tooltip player_id="618870" first="Jackson" last="Keil"], Owen Szabo, Tucker Myles</strong></p> <p>This is a Sterling team built for adversity and figures out ways to come together and pull off victories. They’re also playing terrific basketball right now as they have reeled off 15-straight wins and are coming off of a nailbiting victory over a tough Aspen team. Keil has been the player for them that has led the way. The junior do-it-all guard has checked every box as a scorer that can light it up, set others up, rebound, and defend. His teammates play hard around him, and Keil is one of the most balanced players in the class that does the small things that lead to victory. Szabo has upped his game when it has mattered and has made winning plays, and Myles also fills many holes for the Tigers. Sterling will be outsized but not outplayed, and that could be the difference in the game as they always seem to have the right game plan when it matters most. </p> <p><strong>What it boils down to:</strong> How Sterling defends [player_tooltip player_id="921100" first="Baye" last="Fall"]. Fall is a tough matchup for any team in the state, and having a glass cleaning big with that kind of motor and ability to affect shots opens up the rest of the floor for others. He keeps the ball high and finishes over the defense but is not immune to being boxed out and forcing the ball out of his hands. If Sterling can continue making Fall a perimeter offensive player that is shooting jumpers, they can win as they have the depth. But, if Sterling lets Lutheran get inside and does whatever they want -- it’s time to just look back on the season that was. </p> <p>This game will be fun. </p>