Centennial League Pre-Season Rankings Top 5
In this article:
The Centennial is always one of the most competitive leagues in the state filled with some of the top talent in the state. This year there are a ton of young prospects who will soon be the face of Colorado…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Centennial is always one of the most competitive leagues in the state filled with some of the top talent in the state. This year there are a ton of young prospects who will soon be the face of Colorado basketball that make this league a must-watch event.
1. Eaglecrest
Won the centennial league last season only losing one game to Smoky Hill in league play. While Eaglecrest lost three big contributors due to them graduating this is a deep squad with younger guys ready to step up into larger roles. Eaglecrest has two of the top sophomores in the state Garret Barger (ranked #2) and LaDavian King LaDavian King 6'1" | CG Eaglecrest | 2025 State CO (ranked #3), both of these guys saw good minutes last year and will be in bigger roles this season. Running the point guard spot is gritty defensive-minded guard Peyton Taylor Peyton Taylor 5'9" | PG Eaglecrest | 2023 State CO who showed off his ability to compete at a high level this AAU season. Josh Ray is a good rim protector that will help this team be one of the best defensive teams in the state. This is a deep squad that will be one of the top teams in the state once again.
2. Smoky Hill
Smoky Hill will once again have one of the best and most deep talent pools in the state. Senior leadership will come from the smooth-scoring guard Ricky Mitchell who can straight up put the ball in the basket. They also have two of the most exciting incoming freshman Kai McGrew Kai McGrew 6'8" Lawrence North | 2026 State IN and Carter Basquez Carter Basquez 6'5" | CG Smoky Hill | 2026 State CO . Kai McGrew Kai McGrew 6'8" Lawrence North | 2026 State IN is a big forward who can play down low and has the potential to play from the wing. Carter Basquez Carter Basquez 6'5" | CG Smoky Hill | 2026 State CO is a big wing with guard-like skills looking to make an immediate impact. Kevin Sylla Kevin Sylla 6'8" | PF Smoky Hill | 2024 State CO is a 6’7 big man that will help them bully teams down low. Sophomore Lorenzo Contreras Lorenzo Contreras 5'9" | PG Smoky Hill | 2025 State CO will run the point guard position, he is a super quick and shifty guard that will be an exciting player to watch this year. Another sophomore to know on the team is a guard/wing Kaylen Graham, he is looking like another elite athlete attending Smoky Hill.
3. Cherry Creek
While Cherry Creek is losing a few players to prep schools they still have the talent to make some noise in the centennial division. Trevon Chambers Trevon Chambers 6'3" | SG Cherry Creek | 2023 State CO will be Cherry Creek’s go-to guy, he has great size for a guard standing at 6’3 and is a great shooter in rhythm. Oregon football commit Blake Purchase Blake Purchase 6'4" | PF Cherry Creek | 2023 State CO will bring good size and athleticism to his squad. This team also has a duo of exciting freshmen Frank Belibi and Jeremiah Hammond Jeremiah Hammond 6'3" | CG Cherry Creek | 2026 State CO who will both likely see good court time.
4. Arapahoe
Arapahoe in recent times has not been one of the top teams in a tough centennial league but has a bright future with a good class of 2024. Combo-forward Cass Henry is one of the most intriguing prospects in his class with a unique ability to play inside and out. Quentin Gardner Quentin Gardner 6'2" | CG Arapahoe | 2023 State CO is a big guard who has a knack for getting to the rim and will be the senior leader for the team. Watch out for guards Brady Bergstrom, Josh Acker Josh Acker 5'11" | PG Arapahoe | 2024 State CO , and Rifky Sedhom Rifky Sedhom 6'1" | SG Arapahoe | 2024 State CO to be impact players for Arapahoe. Also, knockdown shooting wing Miles McMonigle will look to step into a bigger role as a sophomore.
5. Cherokee Trail
Cherokee Trail will be an exciting squad to watch this upcoming year as they have brought in the new Head Coach Brandon Brown who has built a reputation as a great coach in Colorado. Leading this team will be do-it-all senior Keean Lloyd Keean Lloyd 6'4" | CG Cherokee Trail | 2023 CO , who can play multiple roles on the floor from the guard spot or from the wing. His classmate Tony Niyongabo is a lengthy, raw athlete with explosive finishing around the rim who can make an impact on both ends. They also have one of the most exciting sophomores in the state Josiah Sanders Josiah Sanders 6'4" | PG Colorado Prep | 2025 State #310 Nation CO , he is a big guard who is a crafty scorer when getting downhill using finesse and force to score.