Four 5A teams set for bounce-back seasons

James Murphy

October 23, 2021 @ 02:21 PM

In just a little over a month, our cravings for a new high school basketball season will be fulfilled. With new rising stars, coaches attempting to turn their programs around, and a fight to become the newly crowned champion of their "A" classification, there is little to no doubt that this season will be a great one. In this article, I will be covering four high school teams who I view as making the most improvements to their record this season. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Chase-D_agostino-1.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1254600 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Chase-D_agostino-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="248" height="165" /> </a>Arapahoe High School | 20-21 Record: 5-9 | Arapahoe High School used to be renowned as one the best teams in Colorado putting together a winning team from 2005-2014. Although in recent years they have struggled only putting to get one winning season in the last seven years, their group will have something that can’t be taught, continuity. Last season the Warriors had one of the toughest schedules playing teams like Cherry Creek and Eaglecrest twice each. What is worth mentioning is that five of their nine losses were decided by 10 points or less. The third and fourth highest scoring players last winter in [player_tooltip player_id="965811" first="Chase" last="D’Agostino"] and [player_tooltip player_id="759271" first="Jackson" last="Adams"] will look to cement themselves as one of the best frontcourts in the state. Their entire schedule has not been released yet, however, we do know they will be playing a struggling Cherokee Trail twice this upcoming season. Hopefully, if all 8 players who weren’t seniors last year return, Arapahoe should be able to put together a winning season. Denver South High School | 20-21 Record: 7-5 | <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/113-Tyler-HUNSINGER.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1281574 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/113-Tyler-HUNSINGER-300x200.jpg" alt="Denver South shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id=" width="248" height="165" /></a> Yet another team with a ton of returning players this year, Denver South should be ecstatic that four of them are big men. The solid backcourt comprised of the two sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="1284506" first="Tyler" last="HUNSINGER"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1168193" first="Joseph" last="Garcia"], who lead the charge and are returning for their junior year. This team has a high-powered offense that scored 60+ points in five of their seven wins last season. At times this team struggles on defense which is why they’re excited to bring back some big bodies to cover the paint. Prairie View High School | 20-21 Record: 5-7 | Everything is set in place for the Thunderhawks to potentially get off to a quick 5-0 start this season. Four of the five teams they open the season against are coming off losing seasons that do not show any indication of improving this year. The Thunderhawks were lucky enough to have Juniors and a few underclasses carry their team in 20-21, which in all likelihood means they should perform even better in 21-22. The only way Prairie View would not start 5-0 is because they fail to shoot well from the free-throw line and go up against Elizabeth in which the game was decided by 1 point where a free throw or two could’ve sent it into overtime or for a win. If [player_tooltip player_id="1284410" first="Dominic" last="Marrujo"], who had an off-year in terms of shooting percentages, is able to bounce back this year, I doubt Prairie View gets less than 7 wins. Highlands Ranch High School | 20-21 Record: 2-10 | Some may have considered Highlands Ranch to have one of the hardest schedules in 5A last year. Due to a shortened year, almost all their games were conference games in a stacked 5A/4A Continental league. Highlands Ranch is yet again one of those teams that were comprised of more Juniors and underclassmen than seniors. Looking ahead at their upcoming schedule starting in December, fans can feel a bit more optimistic. I do not believe they finish with a winning record, but you will definitely see more wins and close games since they are playing more than just 5A/4A Continental teams. They also have a new coaching staff that is there and getting things figured out so I expect them to start trending in the right direction.