Games of the Week: Rivalry Week
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As the regular season is coming to an end many teams are having their rivalry games and many with high stakes! Here are our picks for the top games of the week. Monday: Centaurus @ Mead This is a big…
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Continue ReadingAs the regular season is coming to an end many teams are having their rivalry games and many with high stakes! Here are our picks for the top games of the week.
Monday: Centaurus @ Mead
This is a big match-up in 4A between two top 10 teams, both teams currently have records of 16-4. Mead is the defending state champion and bringing back their three top scorers from last year: Elijah Knudsen Elijah Knudsen 5'10" Mead | 2022 CO , James Shiers James Shiers 7'1" | C Mead | 2022 CO , and Nick Basson Nick Basson 6'2" Mead | 2023 CO . Centaurus is a surprising success this year after only playing nine games last year going 4-5. Centaurus is led by their senior duo of John Lewicki and Kevin Bedford. The 6’7 big man, Kevin Bedford will have his hands full going up against 7’1 James Shiers James Shiers 7'1" | C Mead | 2022 CO . Both players have been exceptional rim protectors this year averaging above 3 blocks per contest. The match-up between the top scorers John Lewicki and Elijah Knudsen Elijah Knudsen 5'10" Mead | 2022 CO is the most intriguing. John Lewicki is a fluent, 6’4 athlete who can score all over the court, but looks best near floater to layup range. Elijah Knudsen Elijah Knudsen 5'10" Mead | 2022 CO is a thrilling scorer who has unlimited range, shifty handles, and great footwork. This will be a competitive game in a great atmosphere at the Mavericks home court.
Tuesday: Eaton @ Sterling
Eaton and Sterling have been traditionally both been great 3A teams and have followed that tradition this year. Sterling is being led by one of the best players in 3A, Jackson Keil Jackson Keil 6'1" | CG Sterling | 2022 State CO , who is a great shooter from the outside and a creative finisher at the basket. Eaton has two very good juniors, Walker Martin and Zac Grable, Martin is a very good set shooter and Grable is the team’s leader who often is trusted to run the point guard spot. Accompanying Keil is junior Ryder McConnell Ryder McConnell 6'2" Sterling | 2023 CO , he is a high IQ combo guard who makes the right plays on the court. On Eaton sophomore Mitch Haythorn Mitch Haythorn 6'1" | SG Eaton | 2024 State CO has been a great hustle guy, who has caught my eye by always being in the mix, shooting the three-ball, and taking charges. This small town rivalry should be a good one.
Wednesday: Air Academy @ Doherty
Air Academy and Doherty have been two of the best teams from down south this year. For Air Academy, 6’4 junior Corbin Garver Corbin Garver 6'3" | CG Air Academy | 2023 State CO has led the charge, he is a do-it-all wing who rebounds, shoots the ball well from deep, and can finish above the rim. Doherty is also led by a junior standout, 6’3 guard Christian Drummond Christian Drummond 6'2" | CG Doherty | 2023 State CO , he is a very two-way player who gets it done on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor. At the power forward spot, there is a very intriguing match-up between Grant Featherson and Drew Reichart Drew Reichart 6'5" | PF Doherty | 2022 State CO . Both players are strong combo-forwards who both are known for playing hard. In this game, both teams will need help from supporting role players and both of these teams have very good depth, this should make for a great match-up.
Thursday: Horizon @ Rocky Mountain
On Thursday night we head up North once again for the match-up between the number 8 ranked team in 5A, Horizon, and Rocky Mountain. Horizon has had some of the best chemistry of any team in the state, they are super unselfish and always keep the ball moving. Rocky Mountain has one of the top seniors in Colorado, North Alabama commit Aidan Kuhl Aidan Kuhl 6'0" | SG Rocky Mountain | 2022 State #245 Nation CO . This year Kuhl is one of the leading scorers in the state averaging 24.7 points a game. Horizon is being led by 6’2 combo-guard Coby Jimenez Coby Jimenez 6'2" | CG Horizon | 2022 State CO , who has been doing it all for his team, boxing out, jumping in passing lanes, cleaning the offensive glass, and finding open teammates. He is accompanied by three senior teammates all averaging above ten points a game, Esmond Griffin Esmond Griffin 5'8" | CG Horizon | 2022 State CO , Kyle Northrup Kyle Northrup 5'11" | SG Horizon | 2022 CO , and Tabor Robinson. On Rocky Mountain, big man Charlie Dortch Charlie Dortch 6'7" Rocky Mountain | 2023 CO will be a tough guard as he can be effective with his back to the basket and spreading the floor.
Friday: Mountain Vista @ Rock Canyon
Every year this game seems to be one of the most anticipated match-ups of the year between cross-town rivals. Rock Canyon has one of the best gyms for big games and always brings great energy for big games. Both of these teams are very balanced and deep. Leading the charge for Mountain Vista is big man Caden Stevens Caden Stevens 6'8" | C Mountain Vista | 2023 CO , he has been one of the most impressive juniors this season being a top-notch defender, good passer for his size, and great finisher around the rim. Rock Canyon is also being led by a junior, Gavin Hershberger Gavin Hershberger 5'10" Rock Canyon | 2023 CO , who is a high IQ guard. This game will be decided by each team’s supporting cast and surely the crowds will have a big part as well!