Week 1 Takeaways

<p><strong>Pueblo is back!</strong></p> <p>Pueblo South and Pueblo Central have marked their names as two of the top three teams in 4A, in the past people could always bet there would be a Pueblo team at the top of 4A and that is once again true. Pueblo Central is led by junior [player_tooltip player_id="969431" first="Kadyn" last="Betts"] who is averaging 27 points per game. His classmate [player_tooltip player_id="1306022" first="Syris" last="Williams"] is also having a great season averaging 20.7 points per game. This duo and four straight wins to start the season make Pueblo Central a team to beat. Then Pueblo South is led by the exciting Austin brother tandem. [player_tooltip player_id="618889" first="Tarrance" last="Austin"] is the older of the brothers and has been having a great senior season averaging 21.3 points per game. But his younger brother, [player_tooltip player_id="1137823" first="Maurice" last="Austin"], performance has been even more impressive as he is averaging 25 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10 assists per game, and 7.3 steals per game. Maurice is making a case to be one of the top sophomore guards in the state. They have also had help down low from big man Markus Morita who is averaging 10.7 points and 6 rebounds per game. Pueblo South fast play style has made them one of the most entertaining teams to watch this year, they even scored 101 points in their win against Harrison.</p> <p><strong>The future of Colorado high school basketball is in good hands:</strong></p> <p>Underclassmen in Colorado have been very impressive and it’s looking like we will have good high school basketball for the next few years. While there have been many impressive sophomores I’d like to focus on the freshman first. Eaglecrest has two of the most impressive freshman who both put up over ten points in their opening game. Those are 6’7 Garret Barger and 6’1 Ladavian King, Garret was impressive with hands and athleticism, Ladavian started the game for his team and was a good scoring option for his team. Another freshman who started for his team is Dominic Rhoades-Martinez, who is currently leading the freshman class in scoring averaging 16 points per game. Dominic is more than just a scorer he is a do it all point guard who brings it on both ends. Then there is Tanner Braketa, who already looks like one of the better shooters in the state. Tanner has a sweet jumper and a great understanding of the game for a freshman where he is putting up 14.6 points a game. Anthony Nettles and Jadyn Kelsey have been two other freshmen starting. Jadyn Kelsey is a great prospect standing at 6’5 and has shown off his knockdown jumper from three-point land this week. Anthony Nettles is a gritty guard who is already having a major impact on Douglas County.</p> <p><strong>The Continental and Centennial League’s are back on top:</strong></p> <p>These two leagues in the suburbs of Colorado have been producing the best teams in 5A and they are back at it again. The Continental league may have the edge this year with Rock Canyon, Regis Jesuit, Chaparral, and ThunderRidge. Rock Canyon is coming off of a hot week going 4-0 against some good competition. They have three seniors Brody Radin, [player_tooltip player_id="1141754" first="Braxton" last="Jones"], and Chris Schlinger leading the charge for the team all scoring above 10 points a game. They also have some impressive juniors with [player_tooltip player_id="1284528" first="Gavin" last="Hershberger"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1284411" first="Aidan" last="Peck"], this team is long and very skilled watch out. Regis Jesuit had a great win to start the season against Overland. Junior guards [player_tooltip player_id="1284427" first="TaRea" last="Fulcher"] and [player_tooltip player_id="921110" first="Archer" last="VanSickle"] are looking like one of the best backcourts in the state. In the Centennial League they have Cherry Creek, Eaglecrest, and Smoky Hill. Smoky Hill once again has some of the best talent in the state, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id="1284577" first="Brayden" last="Maldonado"] and junior Ricky Mitchell. This team is deep and full of great athletes. Cherry Creek and ThunderRidge are two of the top-ranked teams coming into the season, 1 and 2 by most people, and we have not even seen them play yet, very excited to see their debuts this week. Also Overland and Douglas County are teams not to count out. </p>