State Playoffs: 4A’s Top Performers in Defeat

<div>Although these player's season came to a loss, it was not without these players going out without a fight. Here are players that stood out even in defeat.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Paul Steinke — Palisade </strong></div> <div> </div> <div>Palisade went down fighting and the team’s best scorer definitely went out trying to score and get the team going. He got different looks all game long to try and slow him down and it took awhile for him to adjust but he continued to force the issue. He used his 6’2 frame to try and create mismatches, was assertive and had 14 points to lead the way in a low-scoring game. Solid season for him and he was a bright spot for Palisade. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1369782" first="Will" last="Perkins"] — Thomas Jefferson </strong></div> <div> </div> <div>Perkins finished with 17 points in a very close game and it was a tough way to go out for the Spartans. Perkins did all that he could to keep TJ in the game and the sophomore had been great all season long as a scoring option Perkins extends the defense with his 3-point shot and he had two of them in the game. He also had a flurry of baskets to get all of the attention don’t him and he was able to help on the boards and was active on defense. Perkins is a high IQ player that plays the right way and will be interesting to follow moving forward. </div> <div> </div> <div><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759287" first="Rhys" last="Travis"] — Poudre </strong></div> <div> </div> <div>Travis is a 6’4 do it all player that has had a great career for the Impalas, and was incredible in his senior year. He was one of the most improved players in the state as he jumped from 10.1 points to 17.3 ppg. In a slow-paced, defensive game he was able to put up 19 points and attempted to make things happen. Travis finished with 3 3 pointers, 6 rebounds and a block, fought hard to keep it close for a moment and is a player that can play at the next level. </div> <div> </div> <div><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1139740" first="Richie" last="Pruett"] —Golden </strong></div> <div> </div> <div>Pruett is a scorer and pure shooter, true and true. In Golden’s loss, he had 16 points as he went 3-6 from deep and I truly think he should’ve shot it more. Pruett got to the FT line was a force on the boards with 9 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. Pruett did the small things but at the next level he will be a shooter that can light it up. He turned heads these last two seasons and left it all on the floor. Pruett finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds a game on the season and he can surely play at the next level.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1284530" first="Ty" last="Adam"] — Severance </strong></div> <div> </div> <div>Adam is a 6’8 junior that came alive this season and took over in games but Severance did not have it in their final matchup of the season. Adam did all that he could in the game but just did not have it all together. Shots were not falling so he used his size to get inside as well as get to the FT line. He had 17 points and 10 rebounds to cap off a huge season and I expect his recruitment to pick up. I am sure he will take this moment and build on it and return ready to make a deeper run a year older. </div>