2022 Rankings Update: New to the rankings

<p>A highly anticipated 2022 class has been updated, and this was our most difficult class yet. We added over 70 players to the class and saw plenty of shakeup from top to bottom. With as much talent that is in the class it was a difficult list to compose, but we got it. Here we take a look at a few players that are new to the rankings. </p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="1141901" first="Keegan" last="Patterson"] – Longmont</span></strong></h2> <p>Longmont was one of the shocking teams in the state, and it was not because they lacked talent but because of how their team was constructed. The Trojans were a team that had a clear and transparent understanding of on defensive, we are one, but we are going to ride our two best players offensively and allow things to happen. Their top player was Kurjak, but alongside him was Patterson, and he turned heads along the way. The 6’0 multi-sport standout was Longmont's top guard option and made a solid 1-2 punch. Patterson is who got the team in the sets, and he attacked the paint. He’s a downhill runner that can get to his spots, find a rhythm, and finishes. He put up 13.6 points a game and had a few in which he scored 20 points or more. He was not shy about getting shots up and, once he found his rhythm, continued to make plays happen.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="918936" first="Zach" last="Akin"] – Ralston Valley</strong></span></h2> <p>Akin is a 6’1 combo-guard that was decent as a sophomore, but exploded in his senior season and was the Mustang's top player. From what we have seen this summer with a talented Colorado Chaos squad, we can see why. Akin has massive upside and knows how to put the ball in the basket. He quickly rotates the ball, makes smart reads, plays both on and off the ball, and only has to see one go in before he feels that he’s in a zone. Akin shot the ball well from deep, attacked inside, and made sure to get others involved. He had games where he was top-dog and others where he had to take a back seat, and he’s fine doing either. He’s a two-way standout that’s locked in on both ends, and you can see that he wants to continue working on his game. He put up 13.3 points a game and helped Ralston Valley pick up a few wins and will be a player to keep a close eye on next season as I feel he will only improve. He comes in at the No. 62 player in the class.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1143879" first="Ty" last="Nettles"] – Douglas County</strong></span></h2> <p>Nettles is a player that jumped off the screen and, out of nowhere, became a focal part of the offense. He offered Douglas County an aspect that they desperately needed,  guard relief. Douglas County has an incredible backcourt with guys that get after it on both ends, can get going offensively, and are an unselfish bunch that play with a chip on their shoulder. Nettles fits the mold and had his moments this season. The 5’10 guard put up 12.9 points a game and had a few games where he was the teams leading scorer. He attacked more off the ball and was a slasher that is a crafty finisher around the rim. He runs the break, is dangerous in the open court, and his speed sets him a part. He was excellent down the final stretch and showed that he could step up in big games. He has started off grassroots playing well and is a player to watch. He jumps onto our radar and makes the ranking list as the No. 6 SG in the class.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1139427" first="Kayan" last="Hargrave"] – Erie</strong></span></h2> <p>Erie is a resilient bunch and had a solid group that bought in and played for something more this year. Unfortunately, their season ended on a halfcourt heave at the buzzer because that team was ready to do something special. They have a chance to run it back because their best player and leading scorer, [player_tooltip player_id="1139427" first="Kayan" last="Hargrave"] is back for another year. Hargrave put up 13.3 points and 4.4 rebounds a game as a junior and was who the Tigers ran their offense through. He created for himself and others with the ball in his hands, dished it off to teammates to make it happen, and worked hard without the ball to put himself in positions to score. The 6’3 forward shot the 3-ball, got inside and finished, and also grabbed boards and went right back up. This upcoming year he will have to take his game to the next level, and he’s a player I feel comfortable saying will have another jump. He’s the No. 72 player in the class and has room to jump into the Top-50 after a big senior season.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1284438" first="Matt" last="Yost"] – Regis</strong></span></h2> <p>Yost is a player who stood out every time I watched the Raiders play this season, and the best part about his game is plenty of the positives that pop out are beyond the boxscore. He does not have to have the ball in his hands or score to be effective and makes plenty of winning plays. He sets screens away from the ball, finds a man and boxes out on every single shot attempt, and is a high IQ defender that forces traps, double teams, and works extremely hard on every possession. Yost is a selfless leader that makes the right plays and has contagious energy when he’s in the game. He did not score a ton this year but helped a very talented Regis team continue to win games and is a player I expect to make a jump this year. The 6’5 forward comes in at No. 78 off of effort and impact alone.</p>