6A Games Of The Week With League Play Significances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are the games of the week that have importance on league champion significance. These are the kids that are under the radar but will still play big roles in their teams success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tuesday 02/07</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ralston Valley vs Valor Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last time these two met it was a low scoring slugfest that featured both teams' defenses. This time around [player_tooltip player_id='1369807' first='Tanner' last='Braketa'] will try to change the outcome for the Mustangs. Braketa has been balling lately stuffing the stat sheet and nobody has been able to slow him down. Braketa is a player that can create off the dribble and moves without the ball as well, cutting to the basket and finishing at the basket. For the Eagles [player_tooltip player_id='921110' first='Archer' last='VanSickle'] has been another scoring option. Vansickle is a good spot up shooter that can knock down threes when he gets hot. Against the Mustangs the first time Vansickle was able to knock down 2 three point shots while contributing on the boards with 6. He is also a good shooter from the charity stripe as he is shooting 85% from the line making it difficult on defenders when he drives into the paint. This will be another fun matchup to watch as the Eagles will look to ride their four game winning streak and win out to take the league title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wednesday 02/08</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grandview vs Smoky Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves who are looking to make a big statement as they look to win their league against the Buffaloes and [player_tooltip player_id='1577969' first='Colin' last='Bilotta'] looks to help his team as he has had some breakout games in the scoring column recently. Bilotta is a player that can knock down the three ball and can get hot from the outside. Bilotta is a good free throw shooter he is shooting it at 83% and is dangerous when he gets inside as he is shooting 53% from inside the arc, being able to stop and pop over taller defenders. Bilotta will look to continue his hot streak but will be matched up against a good defender for the Buffaloes as [player_tooltip player_id='1369816' first='Lorenzo' last='Contreras'] figures to draw that matchup. Contreras is a good on ball defender and makes it difficult on the ball handlers forcing them into bad passes of turnovers. Contreras can also get it done on the offensive end finishing in the paint and can on occasion knock it down from three. Contreras has good vision on both ends of the court from being a pest on defense, getting tipped passes in the passing lane or finding the open man on offense for the three or and easy dunk. This will be a good head to head matchup to watch for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rangeview vs East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders are anchored on defense by [player_tooltip player_id='973156' first='DeMarco' last='Duncan'] who is just a monster on the defensive side. Duncan is averaging 4 blocks per game and when you watch the tape he is making a bit impact in the paint at all times. Duncan is a player that can get a double-double the unconventional way, he has recorded multiple games where he recorded 9 blocks. Duncan is athletic and will be a big key in how the Angels are able to operate on the inside and will be a player to watch early in this one. I think this will be a fast paced game and the Angels will try to ride the hot hand as they have multiple players that can score. <strong>Jack Greenwood</strong> is one of those players and he has been hot lately dropping 23 against Dakota Ridge. <strong>Jack Greenwood</strong> can score from outside the arc but does a lot of his work from the top of the key to finishing in the paint. <strong>Jack Greenwood</strong> is the third leading scorer for the Angels but he has been chipping in with 10+ points in his handful of outings. The Angels will look to ride a hot 17 game winning streak to the league title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thursday 02/09</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arvada West vs Valor Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game went down to the wire last time as Arvada West pulled out a tough one as they got the win by 2 points. Arvada West got some key contribution from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2383466' first='James' last='Hadzic']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1285196' first='Zion' last='Thomas'] as they had some scoring outburst that helped lift the team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2383466' first='James' last='Hadzic']</strong> was perfect from behind the arc and from the free throw line which came up clutch. Thomas also hit a couple from behind the arc and led the team in steals. Arvada West will need more contribution like this again as the Eagles will look to slow down leading scorers Padia and Nichols. The Wildcats will need to win out for a shot at the league title. Valor Christian is led by top scorer and leader in assist [player_tooltip player_id='1369810' first='Cole' last='Scherer']. The Eagles control their own fate in the league and just have to win out as well. Scherer is on a tear these past couple of games, he has been a stat sheet stuffer and is heating up at the right time. Scherer is able to knock down the 3 ball, drop a dime to his teammates, get in and help on the boards and he is a pest on defense as well playing the passing lanes. Look for him to be a key in this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->