5A Playoffs: X-Factors from the Larry Farmer Region

<p>The moment that we have all been waiting for is finally here — the 5A CHSAA high school playoffs! First-round begins this week and we get you ready for a breakdown. Here we take a look at five X-factors from the Larry Farmer region. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1318388" first="Carson" last="Keach"] -- Ponderosa </strong></p> <p>A player that I am calling my shot on and saying will be a Top-10 player in the state come senior year is 6’2 combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id="1318388" first="Carson" last="Keach"]. Keach does a bit of everything and when he is in a zone, there are not many things that can slow him down. He can shoot it, finish through traffic and is a great iso player. He also makes the right play. The consistency just has to follow along with it. In No. 35 Ponderosa’s battle against Palmer, it will be the sophomore that will be tasked with stepping up and being the X-factor on the team. The upperclassmen will have their hands full with scoring and the defenders so Keach will have to take advantage of the opportunity. Expect him to have one of his best games of the season and for it to be a closer matchup than anticipated. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1285202" first="Quin" last="Galka"] -- Broomfield </strong></p> <p>Junior wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id="1285202" first="Quin" last="Galka"] has been a stock-booster this year as he has jumped on the scene and has Broomfield winning games. Broomfield goes into the playoffs at the No. 19 seeded team and a balanced attack in which he is the leading scorer at 10.4 ppg. He steps out and shoots the 3-ball, battles inside and turns defense into offense. He will have to take over as a scorer if they plan on beating a Mullen team that is capable of getting hot and not turning back. Putting the ball in their best players hands and allowing him to make things happen is the best course of action, it has worked all year and I expect a heavy-dose of him in their first round matchup. </p> <p><strong>Dylan Larson -- Rocky Mountain</strong></p> <p>Being up against the No. 22 seeded Lobos, the overall perception is easy -- stop [player_tooltip player_id="918906" first="Aidan" last="Kuhl"] and you have a chance; right!? --Wrong. Larson has proved himself as one of the best shooters in the entire state. He has been consistent and when you choose to double-team, there’s two other options that can hurt you offensively. Larson is averaging 13.8 points on near 40% shooting so you have to respect him at all times on the court. He is undoubtedly the X-factor because if he is able to keep the defense honest with his outside shot, he will open up the rest of the offense and give Kuhl another option. I expect a good shooting night from him per usual. </p> <p><strong>Sasha Stelkic -- Highlands Ranch </strong></p> <p>One thing about Highlands Ranch is they are going to play the right way and they are going to compete, no matter what. They have a solid group that plays for one another and they also all know their roles. Senior do-it-all star, Sasha Stelkic has been their top guy and a play that has flown under the radar far too long. He scores with ease, used his 6’4 frame to score in bunches and also can play through double-teams. He is averaging </p>