6A Great 8: Matchups

This year we have the top eight-seeded teams all making it to the Great 8. Will the seeds continue to follow suit or are there some potential upsets?

4. Denver East vs. 5. Smoky Hill

This game may be the most anticipated matchup of the day and it got scheduled to be played at 10 am (not a huge fan of that). This matchup showcases two of the top senior guards in the state going head to head. Those two guards are Rickey Mitchell Rickey Mitchell 6'3" | CG Smoky Hill | 2023 State CO of Smoky Hill and Duandre Samuels of Denver East. Rickey has proven to be one of the best scorers in the state using silky-smooth handles to get defenders out of position. Daundre is a full package point guard who does a great job creating buckets for himself and his teammates with his play on both ends of the floor. Smoky Hill has the most impressive freshman from the season 6’8 F Kai McGrew Kai McGrew 6'8" | PF Smoky Hill | 2026 State CO . Kai uses his lengthy to affect the game on both ends of the floor by protecting the rim, pulling down rebounds, and finishing above the rim, Kai is not your typical freshman and could have a huge effect on this game. Denver East is a senior-heavy team who plays well together, one big reason for this is team first G/F Austin Mohr Austin Mohr 6'3" | SG Denver East | 2023 State CO who plays a selfless play style but can still take over games with his shooting ability. Smoky Hill has the size advantage against Denver East but Denver East is older but likely has the same amount of varsity experience. Both of these teams are athletic and can push the pace, this should be a fun one between two great programs and two of the top guards in Colorado.

3. Fossil Ridge vs. 6. Fort Collins

This game is a rematch of a cross-town rivalry in Fort Collins where Fort Collins won the first matchup. In the first matchup, Luke Wagstaff Luke Wagstaff 6'8" Fort Collins | 2023 CO took over and made the dagger shot at the end of the fourth to clinch the victory for Fort Collins. Also in the first matchup, Matthew Boldt Matthew Boldt 6'5" | SF Fossil Ridge | 2023 State CO rolled his ankle very early in the first quarter, he went to the bench and tried to play on it but was quickly taken out for the rest of the game; Matthew will be back for this game helping Fossil Ridge on the defensive end. This will be a battle down low as both teams have two of the best big men in the state, Luke Wagstaff Luke Wagstaff 6'8" Fort Collins | 2023 CO and Nick Randall Nick Randall 6'7" | PF Fossil Ridge | 2023 State CO of Fossil Ridge. Luke Wagstaff Luke Wagstaff 6'8" Fort Collins | 2023 CO has been a unicorn of a big man putting up multiple triple-doubles this season, including their sweet sixteen victory over Legacy. Nick Randall Nick Randall 6'7" | PF Fossil Ridge | 2023 State CO has been dominant in the paint using crafty footwork and good off-ball movement to get to his spots down low. Both of these teams are very deep making many intriguing matchups on the court. This one should be a great rematch between two of the best teams in the state.

1. Mountain Vista vs. 8. Valor Christian

Mountain Vista and Valor Christian faced off earlier this season where Mountain Vista won by 9 points. Mountain Vista has shown throughout the season the ability to play as a team, moving the ball around showing off their great chemistry. Valor Christian is a guard-heavy team who spreads the floor and can be dangerous when on a hot shooting streak. The big question is can Valor Christian slow down, one of the best prospects in Colorado, 6’9 F Caden Stevens Caden Stevens 6'8" | C Mountain Vista | 2023 CO . Caden is a two-way combo forward who does a great job protecting the rim and being a versatile piece on the offensive end. The point guard match-up in this game is very intriguing as top sophomore Cole Scherer Cole Scherer 6'2" | PG Valor Christian | 2025 State CO matches up against Radek Homer Radek Homer 6'1" | SG Mountain Vista | 2023 State CO . This game could come down to which teams shooters shot are falling, Cal Baskind Cal Baskind 6'0" | SG Mountain Vista | 2025 State CO has been a crafty bucket getter and him and Zach Bowen Zach Bowen 6'6" | SF Mountain Vista | 2023 State CO provide knockdown shooting ability. Valor starts four guards, the three who play on the perimeter are Archer VanSickle Archer VanSickle 6'4" | CG Valor Christian | 2023 State CO , Eli Kim Eli Kim 5'11" | PG Valor Christian | 2024 State CO , and Hunter Guiles Hunter Guiles 6'2" Valor Christian | 2023 CO , each of these guys has the capability to get hot from outside and sway the outcome of a game. This game should be a fun one as both teams can push the tempo, but I expect whoever defends better will win this matchup.

2. Rock Canyon vs. 7. Regis Jesuit

Rock Canyon and Regis Jesuit matched up once this season and it came down to the buzzer with Mac Terry Mac Terry 6'4" | SG Rock Canyon | 2024 State CO hitting the game-winning jump shot. This game is a match-up between two historically very good programs in Colorado. The PG matchup in this game will another great one between TaRea Fulcher TaRea Fulcher 5'11" | PG Regis Jesuit | 2023 CO of Regis Jesuit and Gavin Hershberger Gavin Hershberger 5'11" Rock Canyon | 2023 CO of Rock Canyon. Both of these point guards are true floor generals and good leaders for their teams. Aidan Peck Aidan Peck 6'7" | SG Rock Canyon | 2023 CO and Mac Terry Mac Terry 6'4" | SG Rock Canyon | 2024 State CO posses great height for their positions and could be potential matchup problems. Joe Dorais Joe Dorais 6'0" | SG Regis Jesuit | 2023 State CO has stepped up for Regis Jesuit this year breaking their single-season three-point field goals made, showing off his knockdown shooting ability. Reid Finch Reid Finch 6'6" | PF Rock Canyon | 2024 State CO of Rock Canyon and Cole Records Cole Records 6'3" | SF Regis Jesuit | 2023 State CO of Regis Jesuit have been key role players for their teams getting the dirty work done on both ends.