Underclassman Primed to Become The Next Stars of Jeffco League

The present is bright across the Jeffco League, but there's a group of underclassmen whose growth and development are impossible to ignore. With more reps, experience and confidence, these players are on the path to becoming the breakout names everyone will be talking about in a couple of years. Their skill, work ethic and flashes of talent this season hint at the future stars of the league and players who will shape the next era of Jeffco basketball.    Hadzic turned heads this summer with the kind of energy and production that makes you believe he's ready for a real varsity leap at Arvada West. He's active on every possession, constantly hustling into winning plays and battling for position inside. In the block and the paint, he's tough to contain and uses strength, footwork and touch to score through contact. With his motor and ability to finish around the rim, Hadzic looks poised to carve out meaningful minutes and become a reliable interior presence this season     Rockwood is poised for a big year of growth at Valor and already showed he can impact the game in multiple ways. He plays tough nosed, disciplined defense with active hands that generate steals, and he stays glued to his man all the way into the paint, where he can elevate for timely blocks. In transition his vision shines as he pushes the pace and finds the right read. Add in his ability to bury contested threes, and Rockwood looks ready to become a true two way weapon this season with playing time     Ruiz Lerma should see a real uptick in minutes for Bear Creek this season, and he has the tools to make that opportunity count. With his big frame and strong hands, he's a force on the boards and tough to move off his spots. He plays with physicality inside, securing rebounds and finishing through contact with a developing post game that keeps defenders honest. As he continues to refine his footwork and confidence, Ruiz Lerma could quietly become a reliable interior anchors     McCord turned heads this summer and looks ready to take on any role and carve minutes out for Chatfield this season. His hustle is constant, diving after loose balls and making plays that energize the team. Offensively he can shoot from distance, attack the rim with confidence and find open space to create opportunities for himself and teammates. With more minutes and consistent reps, McCord has the chance to grow into a key contributor, using his energy, scoring ability and court awareness to make a real impact this year     Braketa has the makings to become one of Ralston Valley's brightest stars of the future. With smooth handles, sharp shooting and the ability to create his own shot, he's a nightmare for defenders when he's rolling. Watching him get hot is a thrill and defenders can't stop him from pulling up from deep, slicing through defenses or knocking down tough shots with confidence. His combination of skill, flair and scoring versatility makes him a player who can take over games at any moment. With minutes and experience Braketa can become a prospect that's both fun and dangerous to watch

The present is bright across the Jeffco League, but there's a group of underclassmen whose growth and development are impossible to ignore. With more reps, experience and confidence, these players are on the path to becoming the breakout names everyone will be talking about in a couple of years. Their skill, work ethic and flashes of talent this season hint at the future stars of the league and players who will shape the next era of Jeffco basketball.