Five 5A teams to keep an eye on this season

<p>As the 2021-22 season is fast approaching there are a few teams to keep an eye on who have the ability to make a deep run in the 5A state playoffs this year.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Thunder Ridge</strong></span>: As the Colorado defending 5A state champions they will find it tough to repeat. They lost their top two leading scorers off of last year’s championship team, but they do return [player_tooltip player_id="918919" first="Joey" last="Bilello"], who was their third-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder last year. In addition, they bring back [player_tooltip player_id="618859" first="Jackson" last="Brennan"], who was the team’s fourth-leading scorer and rebounder. They also are returning some younger players who saw a lot of game action last year and are poised to step up and make an impact this year. The reigning Colorado coach of the year, Joe Ortiz, is also returning at the helm, so don’t overlook them as they get ready to defend their title. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Joey-Bilello4.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1245830 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Joey-Bilello4-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="918919" first="Joey" last="Bilello"] is set to return for his senior year and repeat as Colorado state champions.   </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Eaglecrest</strong></span>: Made the Elite 8 last year and have lost [player_tooltip player_id="916953" first="Ty" last="Robinson"], their leading scorer, from that team, but they do return two key pieces from last years team. Mostapha <a class="StyledAnchor-jb44mu-0 IphQI" href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/mostapha-elmoutaouakkil/jHLMdhaSEeqAzqREozo6lw/default.htm">Elmoutaouakkil</a>, the second-leading scorer and rebounder, returns and is looking to cap his senior year off with a state title and a D1 scholarship. Along side Mostapha will be teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1047502" first="Jayden" last="Washington"]. Jayden was last year’s third-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder for the Raptors. Along side these two superstars are a number of players who played significant minutes last year. Watch out for Eaglecrest as they are poised to make a deep run this year.   </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Mostapha-Elmountaouakkil-2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1171439 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Mostapha-Elmountaouakkil-2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="362" height="241" /> Mostapha is poised to have a big year and lead his team on a deep playoff run.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Chaparral</strong></span>: Is another Elite 8 team from last year. Although they have lost a number of seniors off that team they do return their top two leading scorers. [player_tooltip player_id="1080835" first="Joel" last="Speckman"], who lead the team in scoring and rebounds, returns for his senior season looking to finish what he couldn’t last year. Along side Joel is teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1284421" first="Luke" last="Williams"], who was the teams second-leading scorer and fourth-leading rebounder. With this dynamic duo set to return the Wolverines are a team to watch out for. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Joel-Speckman.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1013723 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Joel-Speckman-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="236" height="315" /></a> Joel Speckamn looks to return for his senior season and lead his team to a state title. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Ralston Valley</strong></span>: While they did lose in the opening round of last years playoffs to Eaglecrest they return a number of players from that team. Zack Akin, was the teams leading scorer from last year and is set to have an outstanding senior campaign. Zach Friedman, last years leading rebounder returns as well as [player_tooltip player_id="918931" first="Beau" last="Wilken"] and Jackson Hansen. With a number of players who were major contributors from last years team the Mustangs are definitely poised to have a breakout year.   </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Horizon</strong></span>: The Hawks are my sleeper team. While they also lost in the opening round of the playoffs last year to a very good Smoky Hill team, they return a number of players who have played a significant amount of quality minutes. [player_tooltip player_id="618866" first="Esmond" last="Griffin"], the teams second-leading scorer, returns. [player_tooltip player_id="918907" first="Coby" last="Jimenez"], the teams third-leading scorer returns. [player_tooltip player_id="618888" first="Tabor" last="Robison"], the teams fourth-leading scorer returns. In addition Kyle Northrup, Ambrose Montano and [player_tooltip player_id="1285198" first="Blake" last="Kramer"] are players who made significant contributions last year and return this year looking to make a deep playoff run.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Esmond-Griffin.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1013696 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Esmond-Griffin-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="287" height="383" /> </a><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Esmond-Griffin.jpg">[player_tooltip player_id="618866" first="Esmond" last="Griffin"] is poised to help his team make a deep playoff run. </a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>