2021 Rankings Update: Two-Way Standouts

<p>The class of 2021 rankings has been updated, and there is plenty of movement throughout the entire list. We added the most players that we have ever had and did our most thorough observations to choose what we deem to be our most thought-out rankings yet. This season was a bit different as it was condensed, so we took summer ball and mixed it with what we were able to see throughout the season as well. Here’s who we have as the top two-way standouts in the class in our latest update. </p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965755" first="Seth" last="Newton"] – Canon City</strong></span></h2> <p>Newton is a two-way stud that has gone under the radar but has been a solid piece for Canon City for the past three seasons. Newton is a unique player as he has excellent size at 6’5, which creates mismatches, but his versatility as a defender is what makes him such a great player. Newton is an interchangeable defender that can guard both inside and out and is a tenacious on-ball defender that can also hold his ground on the block as well. He’s an excellent rebounder that starts the break as soon as he gets it, and although he plays well off of the ball, he can also play guard and create. As a senior, Newton averaged 13.1 points and 8.1 rebounds a game but also showcased himself as a swiss-army-knife facilitator that put up 4.8 assists a game. Newton stuffed the stat box with his production and is an excellent defender that helped lead the way for his team this year. He comes in at the No. 10 small forward in the class.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965761" first="Sean" last="Evans"] – Legend</strong></span></h2> <p>Evans is a player that jumped onto our radars after a big summer leading into his senior year, and although Legend did not play to the best of their abilities, Evans had quite the season. Evans has a great understanding of the game, and those high IQ plays lead to easy baskets. The 6’3 combo-guard is a natural scorer that the game seems to slow down for; he finishes well around the basket and also was a knockdown shooter that created off of the dribble this season. Evans averaged a team-high 19.4 points and 3.7 assists a game. He also went down and battled for boards at 4.1 rebounds a game. Evans scored 20 or more points in 8 of 15 games this season. He scores with ease, gets to his spots, and uses his strength and athleticism to his advantage. Those same traits apply on the other end of the floor as Evans averaged just under two steals a game but is a player that takes pride in his matchup and did not let opposing guards feel comfortable with him around. Evans can certainly play at the next level and comes in at the No. 11 combo-guard in the class.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916968" first="Curtis" last="Stovall"] – Vista Peak</strong></span></h2> <p>Stovall is a player that exploded this past season, especially on the offensive end. But, that did not stop him from being an irritant defensively as well. He stepped into a situation where he had to be relied upon as the team’s go-to scorer and top facilitator and proved that he could lead. Stovall averaged 18.3 points and 5.5 rebounds a game and helped lead his team to an undefeated league record. He was asked to score nightly and defend the opposing team’s best player as well and held his ground. The 6’2 captain is an excellent on-ball defender that moves his feet, defends without fouling, and deciphers what’s happening quickly. He’s a read-and-reaction defender that switches onto smaller and bigger guys, holds his own, communicates on what the smart-play is, and turns those into scoring opportunities. Stovall is a player that made a huge jump, and that also applies to the rankings as well, where he comes in as the No.12 combo-guard in the class.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916981" first="Austin" last="Peterson"] – Green Mountain</strong></span></h2> <p>Peterson is the definition of hard work pays off. Peterson is a tenacious defender that is full of energy, and his willingness to go all out is contagious and productive. It also allowed him to put up his best season yet and lead Green Mountain to a 7-1 league record and also a brief moment in the state’s Top-10 as well. Peterson is an in-your-face defender that is looking for contact, is a switchable defender, and is excellent as the first line of attack. He does not allow easy scoring opportunities for guards and is trying to run it down your throat on the other end as well. He was the only Green Mountain player to score in double figures at 14.6 points a game and shot at a 43% clip from deep as well. When he is on, he is a difficult cover as he is a quick and shifty livewire type of player that stays in attack mode. He’s a player that I feel can help a small school as he has exuberant energy and the willingness to do what is asked. He comes in at No. 61 in the class.  </p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916999" first="Brody" last="Gish"] – Doherty</strong></span></h2> <p>Gish is a player that seems to do everything the right way, and that calmness is soothing for a coach. He works hard to get open, makes the right pass when things are not there, runs the play to perfection, and also sets hard screens. He had his best season yet as the 5’11 guard put up 12.3 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. Gish is a hard-working guard that is an excellent positional rebounder, and he also makes the right pass to free himself and his teammates. He moves without the ball, gets others involved, and knocks down the open 3-ball when he gets it. He also showcased himself as a two-way option that defends without fouling, is great on the press, and speeding opposing guards up and takes away guards breathing room. Gish helped lead a pesky defense by playing the passing lane, staying in front of his guy, and turning defense to offense. Gish will go to Buena Vista to play at the next level and is a player that they’ll feel comfortable having on the floor.        </p>