Round 1 Matchups to Watch 5A

<p>Every year there are always some teams who upset an opponent in tournament play and surely the same will happen this year. Here are some games to watch that make be closer than the rankings show.</p> <p><strong>21. Poudre vs. 41. Arapahoe</strong></p> <p>The Poudre Impalas will have the home-court advantage in this intriguing match-up. Poudre has been led by sharpshooter Silas McCurin, who is averaging 18.5 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id="965811" first="Chase" last="D’Agostino"] is the senior leader on Arapahoe, the 6’5 wing is a fluid athlete and good shooter from the outside. Arapahoe will oppose some size miss matches for Poudre with the big men [player_tooltip player_id="759271" first="Jackson" last="Adams"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1137829" first="Cass" last="Henry"] who are both above 6’5 and bulky. But Poudre’s 6’4 forward [player_tooltip player_id="759287" first="Rhys" last="Travis"] has shown to be a good defender and rebounder. Arapahoe will have the task of slowing down, Silas and Rhys but do not be surprised if Arapahoe makes this a close game!</p> <p><strong>21. Silver Creek vs. 44. Fort Collins</strong></p> <p>Silver Creek and Fort Collins are two teams up North that could make an interesting match-up. Fort Collins is only around a 50-minute drive so that may influence some fans of both sides to show up for their teams! Silver Creek is being led by the senior tandem of [player_tooltip player_id="918928" first="Andrew" last="Scott"] and [player_tooltip player_id="966479" first="Tanner" last="Call"]. Andrew is a lengthy hot hand scorer and Tanner is a lockdown defender with a solid frame who can be a force down low. Fort Collins is being led by 6’6 junior [player_tooltip player_id="1284464" first="Luke" last="Wagstaff"], he is a skilled big man who can stretch the floor and uses skilled footwork down low. Fort Collins has kept many games close with good teams towards the end of this season and could have a chance of giving Silver Creek a good challenge.</p> <p><strong>22. Rocky Mountain vs. 43. Valor Christian</strong></p> <p>These two teams have actually already played this season and Valor Christian won. [player_tooltip player_id="918906" first="Aidan" last="Kuhl"] and Rocky Mountain will be looking for revenge in this match-up! North Alabama commit, [player_tooltip player_id="918906" first="Aidan" last="Kuhl"] is one of the most prolific scorers in the state. Valor Christian is a young squad being led by freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id="1369810" first="Cole" last="Scherer"] and sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="1139983" first="Asher" last="Weiner"]. This young team will have the hard task of slowing down Aidan and 6’8 big man [player_tooltip player_id="1284576" first="Charlie" last="Dortch"]. This rematch should be a good one. </p> <p><strong>19. Broomfield vs. 46. Mullen</strong></p> <p>Broomfield is a team that is very unpredictable as they play team basketball and have a lot of talented guys. But do not count Mullen out as this year they have shown the ability to upset teams as they beat Smoky Hill. The Leslie brothers will give Broomfield problems as the point guard, big man tandem. Broomfield has a lot of tall players including notably [player_tooltip player_id="1285202" first="Quin" last="Galka"], [player_tooltip player_id="1285226" first="Gabriel" last="Estebanes"], and Derek Duplchin. Quin is very good at stretching the floor and is an active defender. This will be a good match-up to watch in Broomfield.</p>