Matchup Notes Heading Into the 5A Great 8

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5A play begins March 1st at the Coliseum. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Northfield #1 versus Mead #8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northfield Point Differential: +83 Mead Point Differential: +38</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a dominant performance in Round 2, [player_tooltip player_id='1717268' first='Matthew' last='Angelo'] of Mead has been particularly efficient of late. The guard's jumper cannot be overlooked, although this team will go as far as his offensive play. One area that has put this Mead group over the top is their grit and aggression, few teams bring their consistent energy each and every possession.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What could slow down this Mead team will be Northfield's array of defensive assets, such as [player_tooltip player_id='1903637' first='Gyasi' last='Hawthorne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1622346' first='Judah' last='Michael']. Capable of switching with a variety of their backcourt and wing defenders, this group boasts the physicality necessary to compete with Mead's shotmakers. Lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1463544' first='Justus' last='Michael'] has continued to improve his scoring efficiency, particularly behind the arc.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mesa Ridge #4 versus Dakota Ridge #12</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mesa Ridge Point Differential: +33 Dakota Ridge Point Differential: +49</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two perimeter centric programs face each other in what could be among the most three point attempts in a game that we have seen in a while. With the Riehl brothers facing [player_tooltip player_id='1369821' first='Ethan' last='Berninger'] and company, this matchup has a chance to come down to the wire.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1420503' first='Andrew' last='Schneider'] has been a backcourt name worth following this postseason, particularly efficient on all three levels through his initial two games. This team features more depth that one would expect, bringing in shooters from everyone in their top-8 rotation.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Vista PEAK Prep #2 versus Ponderosa #7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>VPP Point Differential: +63 Ponderosa Point Differential: +22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be an especially unique matchup given the size disparity, featuring one of the biggest teams in the state versus a group on the other end of the spectrum. While Ponderosa will have their hands full dealing with VP's array of interior scorers, the Parker based group does have one clear advantage, perimeter shooting. Although a high variance trait, this Ponderosa group has an opportunity of shooting the lights out from beyond the arc and out-scoring the opponent. Particularly from [player_tooltip player_id='1351364' first='Noah' last='Wilhelm'], [player_tooltip player_id='1318388' first='Carson' last='Keach'], [player_tooltip player_id='1463535' first='Dylan' last='Karsteter'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1952792' first='Connor' last='Miskovic']. Of course, VP could play excellent defense along the perimeter through guards [player_tooltip player_id='1351374' first='Alante' last='Monroe-Elazier'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1420312' first='Javon' last='Lowman'], followed by the interior presence of [player_tooltip player_id='1420313' first='Kyree' last='Polk'].&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Lewis-Palmer #6 versus Windsor #3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LP Point Differential: +42 Windsor Point Differential: +49</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be a scrappy matchup filled with skilled perimeter playmakers from opposite ends of the Front Range. A true North versus South matchup, we get a look at two premier guards to match up, particularly [player_tooltip player_id='1137809' first='Cohen' last='Edmondson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1509232' first='Madden' last='Smiley']. Both bigger guards, although their skill sets vary greatly, these teams will certainly be new challenges for eachother out on the perimeter. LP brings in a variety of talented perimeter players, including [player_tooltip player_id='1952790' first='Noah' last='Johnson'], Damarion Jelks, and [player_tooltip player_id='1764300' first='Jonas' last='Miller'], all of which are a threat off the dribble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going back to Windsor, they are a well run program who will not beat themselves from turnovers, complemented by forward [player_tooltip player_id='1172862' first='Johnnie' last='Reed'] alongside sharpshooting guards Backhaus, [player_tooltip player_id='1871245' first='Brady' last='Kingsley'], and Tadese Keyworth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->