2021 guards that stood out in the 3A state tourney

<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 3A during their state-run.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916960" first="Tommy" last="Apodaca"] – Lutheran</strong></h2> <p>Apodaca is a player that we have grown accustomed to over the years, and it has been an up and down ride. Still, his ability to elevate his game when it all mattered, including being Lutheran’s second best player in the state championship game, is why they walked away as state champs. Apodaca is the team's best ballhandler and facilitator, and the offensive explosion he had for the final month of the season was incredible. Apodaca put up double figures in five straight games to conclude the season and averaged at nearly nine points a game heading into the postseason. However, in the postseason, he upped those averages to 20 points a game and his defense came along with it. Apodaca was getting steals in the open court that turned into scoring opportunities, set up teammates for open shots, and had his 3-ball falling. In the state championship game, he had a huge second half with multiple 3-pointers made and made it so that St. Mary’s had no chance of getting back into the game. Apodaca went out on top and was a fun player to watch.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1161466" first="Caleb" last="Stockton"] – Colorado Springs Christian</strong></h2> <p>Stockton is a player that has been secretly scorching scoreboards for four straight years and has been one of the most consistent 3A players in the state for his career. Stockton has found a way to get better in every single season while putting up some huge numbers in every category. Stockton is a 1,000 points scorer, as he accomplished that earlier in the season and took that momentum into a post-season run where opposing teams knew if they wanted a chance at winning, they would have to slow down the combo-guard. Stockton put up 19 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in the opening win, with five steals to go along with it. In their loss to Sterling, his team only had 34 points, but he finished with a team-high 17 points with six rebounds as well. Stockton had a stellar career and will finish out on our radars and in the new rankings update.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965759" first="Jase" last="Bessire"] – Highland</strong></h2> <p>Bessire is a proven winner and 4-year varsity player that has played some meaningful basketball. It seems like Highland is always in the running for the big game, and with a star like Bessire leading the way, it is easy to see why they are always in the position to win. Bessire is a 1,000 points scorer as he accomplished that goal earlier in his senior year, and he had a career-best year. Bessire led Highland to a 14-2 record as he put up 21.0 points a game and went out with a fight in the playoffs. The guard put u 19 points in a win over University with five rebounds and assists. He also had four steals in the game to kickstart his offense. In the loss to Manual to end the season, he had a season-best 30 points with seven rebounds and four steals to go along with it. Bessire fills up the stat sheet with big games, steps up when it matters most, and gives his team a chance to win. The season did not go as Highland wanted it to, but his success should not go overlooked.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965961" first="Abel" last="Maes"] – Manual  </strong></h2> <p>Maes was an X-factor player in his junior season for the ThunderBolts and went into his senior season with high expectations and a bigger role. He elevated his game in his senior year and gave Manual another two-way option with some huge scoring nights. Maes doubled his scoring in only a season's time and shredded the Highland defense to come up with an early win for Manual in the playoffs. Maes finished with 21 points in the opening round as he hit 2 3-pointers in the game. In the loss to Lutheran, he did not have the same kind of success but finished with 8 points and three rebounds and also rotated the ball well. Maes is a player that does what is asked of him, fills a void, and steps up when needed. He is a player that I feel can play at the next level at a small school, and he was a reason that Manual was a Top-10 team all season long.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1162630" first="Sam" last="Hoops"] – Lutheran</strong></h2> <p>With the last name Hoops, it is only right that you stand out on a basketball court. Hoops was a pivotal part of why Lutheran was named state champs as the 6’3 combo-guard gave the guards some relief, and he also spaced the floor with his outside shot. Hoops was the team's playmaker and floor spacer as he found rhythms and provided gravity with his outside shot. When he is in a zone, it makes the Lutheran offense flow, and we saw that like in his game against Gunnison when he had a game-high 23 points. In the state championship, he stepped up with 14 points, and mostly all of those were in transition. He gets to where he wants, fills the lanes correctly, and puts himself in scoring positions. Hoops is a player that can fill a role at a small school, and hopefully, this is not the last that we have heard about him.</p>