Ryan’s 6A Top 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For my top 10 6A rankings, these are projections of where I expect these teams to be ranked by the end of the season. Many of the top teams in Colorado have already faced off, especially within this top 10. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. ThunderRidge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ThunderRidge is on top because they have the best player in the state playing local high school basketball, junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1577941' first='Andrew' last='Crawford']. While this group only has one player returning who played major minutes last year this team is still the team to beat this year. Their only in-state loss has come from #2 ranked Fossil Ridge in a double OT thriller. They put up a great battle against Fossil Ridge led by the dynamic junior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1577941' first='Andrew' last='Crawford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1369780' first='Charlie' last='Spann'], this team was also missing their third-best player 6'8 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1360566' first='Tommy' last='Wight']. In a rematch, Tommy could very well be the difference maker due to his shooting and rebounding abilities. [player_tooltip player_id='1463534' first='Ryan' last='Doyle'] and Ulysess Brown have been consistent contributors from the wing adding to this team's depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Fossil Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fossil Ridge was the team to beat coming into the year as they were last year's runner-ups and returning many players. The big reason Fossil Ridge is one of the top teams in the state is because of [player_tooltip player_id='1167509' first='Nick' last='Randall']. Nick has been the most dominant player in the paint in Colorado, he uses exquisite footwork in the post where know has been able to match up with him. Wings [player_tooltip player_id='1168984' first='Matthew' last='Boldt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1285212' first='Colin' last='Hayes'] bring great length and versatility to the team. [player_tooltip player_id='1178359' first='Domenic' last='Leone'] brings great energy to his team, making momentum-shifting plays. Their shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1325692' first='Tyler' last='Brown'] is one of the best on-ball defenders in the state and a knockdown shooter off the catch. This team has a great starting five and three senior contributors, [player_tooltip player_id='1285232' first='Drew' last='Larson'], Cooper McMillan, and [player_tooltip player_id='1285229' first='Pryce' last='Wyatt'] who are great players to have on your bench, many would start at other 6A schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Mountain Vista</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mountain Vista is the only undefeated team left in my top 10 rankings. They have an early impressive win facing their rival Rock Canyon who is currently ranked #6. Mountain Vista is being led by the best guard, big man combo in the state, consisting of [player_tooltip player_id='1151703' first='Radek' last='Homer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1284559' first='Caden' last='Stevens']. Caden is a versatile player on the offensive end, who can spread the floor and put the ball on the floor to beat slower bigs off of the dribble. On the defensive end, Caden has been one of the best shot blockers in the state averaging over 3 blocks per game. Radek is an athletic combo guard who does a great job creating for himself and others by getting downhill. They also have sophomore sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1369819' first='Cal' last='Baskind'] who is one of the craftiest scorers in the state. This team also has good length on the wing represented by [player_tooltip player_id='1167020' first='Zach' last='Bowen'] who has looked more confident making and taking tough shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Smoky Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smoky Hill is arguably the most talented squad in the state, and they are very young making them one of the most interesting teams in the state. While this team is young they are being led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='972419' first='Rickey' last='Mitchell'] who is one of the best scorers in the state. Rickey is leading the state in scoring averaging just under 29 points per game. They also have two top 5 freshmen from the loaded 2026 class, [player_tooltip player_id='1509229' first='Kai' last='McGrew'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1509237' first='Carter' last='Basquez']. In the three games Kai has played he has looked like the most dominant freshman in the state and it is not close. They also have scrappy point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1369816' first='Lorenzo' last='Contreras'] who has been a major contributor for them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Rock Canyon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock Canyon is a deep squad that can run with any team in the state. This year they are being led by Upper Iowa commit [player_tooltip player_id='1577994' first='Gavin' last='Hershberger']. Gavin is a floor general who does a good job being a leader by example by making an impact on both ends of the floor. His classmate [player_tooltip player_id='1284411' first='Aidan' last='Peck'] is a big wing who can do a bit of everything on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1318387' first='Mac' last='Terry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1578029' first='Kasen' last='Lehman'] have been reliable shooters who have also been looking solid on the defensive end. Mac is a good passer for his size who does a great job buying into his role on the team. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1360574' first='Reid' last='Finch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1451183' first='Nolan' last='Kliewer'] bring good height down low for the squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Fort Collins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Collins is a team that many may not have expected to be a top team coming into the season but has a trio who have led them to a good start to the season. Leading the way is Carrol College commit [player_tooltip player_id='1578040' first='Luke' last='Wagstaff']. Luke is a solid 6'8 big man down low who uses good footwork, his broad frame, and a soft touch to dominate down low. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1578011' first='Jayce' last='King'] has stepped up into a big role, he is an athletic point guard who has been shooting with solid efficiency from three-point land. Rounding out the trio is big forward [player_tooltip player_id='1432264' first='Jamar' last='Mitchell'] who is a good third-scoring option who can play from the perimeter or the post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Valor Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valor Christian may not have the record of a top 10 team but they have the wins and depth that most definitely make them a top 10 team. Early this season they took down Fossil Ridge, a huge win for them. Shortly after they had a close loss to Smoky Hill and then another loss to Regis Jesuit. In the loss to Regis Jesuit, they were missing their star sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1369810' first='Cole' last='Scherer']. Cole has been the most impressive player for Valor leading the team in scoring and assists, he makes getting to the rim look easy and at the rim, he is an impressive finisher who can make tough shots with both hands. This team starts four guards and plays a spread-out offense that fits their personnel very well. [player_tooltip player_id='1577998' first='Hunter' last='Guiles'] is a microwave scorer who once he is hot can be hard to stop. His classmate [player_tooltip player_id='921110' first='Archer' last='VanSickle'] is another microwave scorer who has a smooth jumper and solid size for a shooting guard. [player_tooltip player_id='1369793' first='Eli' last='Kim'] is a quick guard who often guards opposing teams' top guards as he is a good on-ball defender, he is another guy who can spread the floor and put the ball in the bucket. Clark Hodge and [player_tooltip player_id='1421260' first='Ryan' last='Dixon'] have done a good job playing down low and sometimes creating the teams' offense out of the high post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. Ralston Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ralston Valley is a team being led by the number one sophomore in the state [player_tooltip player_id='1369807' first='Tanner' last='Braketa']. Tanner is one of, if not the best shooters in the state, he can score on or off of the dribble. One of their losses was the first game of the season when they were missing [player_tooltip player_id='1318382' first='Jackson' last='Hansen'] and a few other football players who were coming off of a deep run in the football playoffs. Jackson does a great job being the second option on the team and taking pressure off of Tanner, which can be seen when they rematched Douglas County (their first loss of the season) and won by just under 20 points. This team may not have the depth of other teams in the top 10 but they have one of the deadliest offensive backcourts in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Denver East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Denver East is a program being led by the most winniest coach of all time in Colorado high school basketball history Rudy Carey. This year East is led by the senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1420173' first='Daundre' last='Samuels'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1420175' first='Austin' last='Mohr']. Daundre is one of the top guards in the state who is an absolute stat sheet stuffer. He does a good job using his long arms to disrupt passing lanes and start fastbreaks. Austin last year played the spot up shooter role and this year has an expanded role where he is able to have the ball in his hands more often. This senior duo and help from scrappy guard [player_tooltip player_id='973001' first='Sam' last='Scott'] make them an intriguing team to watch out for</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. Vista Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vista Ridge is another team being led by a senior duo, who may be the best team from the Springs this year. Leading the team is combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id='1578230' first='Tyson' last='Monck'] who has solid size and an ability to hit tough jumpers. Tyson leads the team in points, assists, and rebounds, leading the team by example. Playing next to him is [player_tooltip player_id='1577959' first='Caleb' last='Kelley'] a lengthy shooter who can spread the floor with his jumper which is hard to guard due to his high release. This another team who does not have the deepest team but a good senior duo that can help them make a good run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honoarble Mentions - Fountain-Fort</strong> <strong>Carson, Broomfield, Highlands Ranch, Legacy, Eaglecrest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->