Continental League Pre-Season Rankings Top 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Continental League has three of the top teams in the state, each of them I could see being number 1 in the division when the season ends. Here is our prediction for the top 5 teams in the Continental league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> 1. Rock Canyon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock Canyon made a good run last year to the elite eight and is returning 6 players. [player_tooltip player_id='1577994' first='Gavin' last='Hershberger'] will be back to run the show for Rock Canyon from the point guard spot. Last season he led the team in scoring and was a floor general who put his team in the right spots on offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1284411' first='Aidan' last='Peck'] will be stepping into a bigger role looking to use his versatile scoring and passing. [player_tooltip player_id='1318387' first='Mac' last='Terry'] saw good minutes as a sophomore last year and will be a major contributor, the 6'4 guard has a great frame and is a knockdown shooter off the catch. Other contributors will be: [player_tooltip player_id='1360574' first='Reid' last='Finch'], Kevin Fuches, [player_tooltip player_id='1577948' first='Ben' last='Rau'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1578029' first='Kasen' last='Lehman'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> 2. Mountain Vista</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mountain Vista last year had a good run stopped by Rock Canyon but these two rivals will surely be fighting neck and neck for the top spot. [player_tooltip player_id='1284559' first='Caden' last='Stevens'] is one of the top players in the state, standing at 6'9 Caden can do a bit of everything on the floor and is a great passer for a big man. [player_tooltip player_id='1151703' first='Radek' last='Homer'] is an athletic combo-guard who has built great chemistry playing alongside Caden. Brendan Diehl is an all-out hustle glue guy who makes the extra effort on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1167020' first='Zach' last='Bowen'] is a big wing with a knockdown jumper and slashing ability, all of these guys played AAU together during their 17U season with [program_tooltip program_id='2075463' first='Elevation' last='Flyers'] building up great chemistry. [player_tooltip player_id='1260653' first='Luke' last='Fenn'] (also played with Elevation) and [player_tooltip player_id='1369819' first='Cal' last='Baskind'] are two shooters to know as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> 3. ThunderRidge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The returning 5A state champs graduated all of their varsity contributors except for one and still have one of the top teams in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='1577941' first='Andrew' last='Crawford'] the number one player in the class of 2024 in Colorado is a big guard who showed the ability to step up in big situations. [player_tooltip player_id='1360566' first='Tommy' last='Wight'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1369780' first='Charlie' last='Spann'] both were on varsity but did not see a ton of minutes but both are top 15 juniors in the state who will be names to know. They also have great height with two transfer big men [player_tooltip player_id='1270872' first='Zachariah' last='Smith'] and Kayin Scott. This is a new team but they are deep with talent and height once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> 4. Douglas County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Douglas County made a deep run in the playoffs last year and will return some good players. [player_tooltip player_id='1139611' first='Xander' last='Baldessari'] is a big shooter who improved his defense and rebounding last year and is a potential senior breakout prospect. [player_tooltip player_id='1369811' first='Anthony' last='Nettles'] as a freshman had a big role on the team standing out with his effort on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='1426513' first='Reilly' last='Guerra'] will be the other guard in the backcourt who has a knack for getting to the basket where he is a crafty finisher and good dish-off passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> 5. Regis Jesuit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regis Jesuit always seems to have a solid team, and it looks like they will again this upcoming season. Their backcourt will be led by two bulky guards [player_tooltip player_id='1284427' first='TaRea' last='Fulcher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1577975' first='Damarius' last='Taylor'] who are both excellent finishers at the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='1479352' first='Alec' last='Roumph'] is a younger shooter to keep an eye on who could have a big role as a sophomore. There is also the potential return of [player_tooltip player_id='973003' first='Cole' last='Records'] who got injured early last season but could be a big contributor once he is back, hoping he has had a good recovery process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->