6A Jeffco Playoff Outlook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three top-20 teams according to CHSAA's RPI, these groups all have playoff upside while bringing largely undersized rosters compared to other 6A powerhouses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Valor Christian 17-2 (8-0 Jeffco) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":2085139,"width":"189px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_1832.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_1832.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2085139" style="width:189px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valor's dominance this season starts with point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1369810' first='Cole' last='Scherer'] (21.1 P, 4.8 R, 3.6 A), whose shotmaking prowess on all three levels has provided a constant offensive engine for this undersized group. Although not bringing in any guys above 6'6, this gorup is disciplined on the glass, vying for loose balls regardless of who is nearby. They have received excellent production from backcourt prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1369793' first='Eli' last='Kim'] (12.7 P, 2.3 A), proving himself as an efficient scorer, adept picking his spots in the halfcourt. The rest of the roster is largely comprised of hustle players and spot-up shooters, all masterful within their roles. Forwards [player_tooltip player_id='1848636' first='Brady' last='Wynja'] (10.2 P, 9.6 R) and [player_tooltip player_id='1421260' first='Ryan' last='Dixon'] (8.6 P, 4.3 R) are not only pests on the glass but bring notable strength contesting shot attempts in the paint. Big complementary hustle threats, [player_tooltip player_id='1479334' first='Ryan' last='Mandes'] (4.1 P, 2.9 R) and Carter Hutchison (3.2 P, 4 R) have been versatile defenders who compete every possession. [player_tooltip player_id='1446951' first='Ryan' last='Oblachinski'] (3.2 P, 1.6 A) has gotten a fairly consistent run throughout the season, adding depth both handling the ball and knocking down perimeter jumpers off the catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ralston Valley 13-4 (5-1 Jeffco)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":2085085,"width":"149px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_1505.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_1505.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-2085085" style="width:149px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ralston Valley remains a sneaky team in the 6A standings, boasting refined shotmaking along the perimeter, complemented by a boost in size to their depth chart since last season. Through the majority of this season, lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1555225' first='Caiden' last='Braketa'] (16.7 P, 3.9 A) has taken on the bulk of this group's shooting volume. They are well complemented in the backcourt, aided by two-way senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1318382' first='Jackson' last='Hansen'] (12.5 P, 4.2 A). Up and coming sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2460826' first='Frank' last='Psaute'] (7.9 P, 2.2 S) has been essential to their floor spacing, among the most consistent perimeter shooters within this group. They bring a blend of high motor rebounders both in the backcourt and frontcourt spots, particularly gaining production from Mason Trebilcock (5.8 P, 5.4 R), [player_tooltip player_id='1479351' first='Jayce' last='Bahl'] (6.2 P, 4.6 R), and [player_tooltip player_id='1903574' first='Samson' last='Wright'] (6 P, 3.1 R). Bahl is a name worth following due to his face-up shooting ability, all at roughly 6'7. Their x-factor will be [player_tooltip player_id='1369807' first='Tanner' last='Braketa'] (11.8 P, 2.8 A), who recently returned from injury, certainly a difference maker come playoff time.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Arvada West 13-5 (5-2 Jeffco)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keegan Balistreri (12.7 P, 3.7 R) deserves flowers for his steady impact through the season, all as a 2026 prospect. They are a well-rounded guard with value inside and outside the arc, typically picking his spots to be a scorer following ball screens or cuts. Kaden Kline deserves looks for his efficient shotmaking behind the arc (42%), all at roughly 6'5. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2308509' first='Jordan' last='Stremel'] (10 P, 6.6 R) has been an effective downhill playmaker, actively setting up teammates for advantageous looks. [player_tooltip player_id='2383466' first='James' last='Hadzic'] (11.9 P, 5.3 R) has aided with this group's interior scoring, actively attacking the rim following closeouts. Their underclassmen depth of [player_tooltip player_id='2532146' first='Cooper' last='Vais'] (5.7 P, 2.9 R) and Noah Muerer (5.3 P, 2.2 R) will provide benefits to this group over the coming seasons.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->