Ryan’s 6A Rankings: Tier One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first tier of the school rankings, it will be the teams who have set themselves apart as the top contenders for the 6A championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Rock Canyon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock Canyon has been the team to beat in Colorado, with a 15-1 record, the only loss coming to Mountain Vista in a one-point loss. Rock Canyon has made a name for themselves as a great team defensive unit. Leading the way is Upper Iowa commit [player_tooltip player_id='1577994' first='Gavin' last='Hershberger'] who has been the tone-setter as he gets his players involved and makes hustle plays on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='1284411' first='Aidan' last='Peck'] has been stepping up recently showing off his versatility, grabbing rebounds, playing defense, and handing out a few dimes a game. [player_tooltip player_id='1318387' first='Mac' last='Terry'] has been the glue guard who has a knockdown jumper and makes hustle plays on both ends of the floor. The young gun [player_tooltip player_id='1578029' first='Kasen' last='Lehman'] has been an impressive sophomore due to his knockdown shooting ability and he has become a more all-around player. [player_tooltip player_id='1360574' first='Reid' last='Finch'] has been a solid presence down low, being a sturdy post defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Fossil Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fossil Ridge was the favorite coming into the season and has kept their status as a top team in Colorado. Fossil Ridge's only loss comes to Valor Christian in a tight match-up. Leading the way is the big man down low [player_tooltip player_id='1167509' first='Nick' last='Randall'] who has yet to be slowed down this season. Nick is a 6'7 forward who is super skilled from the post, using elite footwork to score around defenders. [player_tooltip player_id='1325692' first='Tyler' last='Brown'] is an undersized shooting guard known for his 3 and D abilities. [player_tooltip player_id='1285212' first='Colin' last='Hayes'] is a lengthy W/F who can guard multiple positions due to his quick lateral movement and long arms. [player_tooltip player_id='1168984' first='Matthew' last='Boldt'] has been a huge piece due to his sturdy scoring and rebounding. [player_tooltip player_id='1178359' first='Domenic' last='Leone'] has been playing the combo guard role, making energy plays that sway the momentum of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Mountain Vista</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mountain Vista has some of the best chemistry of any team in the state with a senior-heavy squad. Mountain Vista's only losses on the season come from Denver East and Eaglecrest. Down low is one of the best rim protectors in the state and a versatile offensive piece that can spread the floor with his shooting and passing. [player_tooltip player_id='1151703' first='Radek' last='Homer'] is running the point guard spot, he is a great athlete who is a very creative scorer around the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='1167020' first='Zach' last='Bowen'] is a 6'6 wing who has been shooting a solid clip from outside and makes X-factor type plays. The young gun [player_tooltip player_id='1369819' first='Cal' last='Baskind'] has been one of the craftiest three-level scorers in the state. Brendan Diehl is the glue guy for this team making hustle plays that help energize his team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Denver East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Denver East has proven themselves as a top-tier team in Colorado after taking down Mountain Vista. Denver East is a team led by a very strong senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1420173' first='Daundre' last='Samuels'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1420175' first='Austin' last='Mohr']. [player_tooltip player_id='1420173' first='Daundre' last='Samuels'] has proven to be one of the top guards in the state due to his length and ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor. He uses his long arms to be one of the best pickpockets in the state, using active hands to start and then often finish fastbreaks. [player_tooltip player_id='1420175' first='Austin' last='Mohr'] has expanded his role from last season, coming from primarily a spot-up shooter to Denver East's second scoring option. He still shoots with good efficiency and has shown off his versatility by being a great rebounder for a guard. This duo alone will allow Denver East to compete with top teams in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Smoky Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smoky Hill has yet to lose a game in-state making them one of the teams to beat in Colorado. Leading the way is big guard [player_tooltip player_id='972419' first='Rickey' last='Mitchell'] who is the smoothest scorer in the state. They have two standout freshmen, [player_tooltip player_id='1509229' first='Kai' last='McGrew'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1509237' first='Carter' last='Basquez']. [player_tooltip player_id='1509229' first='Kai' last='McGrew'] is a 6'7 forward who can bang down low and has shown the potential to play from the wing. [player_tooltip player_id='1509237' first='Carter' last='Basquez'] is a 6'4 smooth combo guard who has limitless potential. [player_tooltip player_id='1369816' first='Lorenzo' last='Contreras'] is a scrappy small guard who brings great energy to his team. Torian Gassaway is an undersized shooting guard, who is a good off-ball mover and lockdown guard defender. [player_tooltip player_id='1318394' first='Kevin' last='Sylla'] is a bulky forward who has a classic back-to-the-basket game with the ability to bully opponents from the post. Smoky Hill is one of the most talented teams in the state and they will be good for a few years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->