6A Sweet 16 Primer: Names to watch in Quadrant 4

Round 2 is here!   The field is down to 16 in 6A, where every matchup gets dissected, and adjustments matter just as much as talent. The contenders are starting to separate themselves. Depth gets tested, and identity shows up. Here's the primer of the biggest questions and observations as we head into the Final 16.   Use code dev30 for 30% off and secure access as we're finally in the postseason, so you don't miss any of our scouting.   Cherry Creek vs. Fossil Ridge    Will Barnett give them their toughness?   Creek's young players will be the focus as they go against arguably their most physical game of the season, and how they respond will be huge. But a player who matches that physicality and intensity, and it was on display all season long, especially in Round 1, was the play of [player_tooltip player_id='2394018' first='Bodhi' last='Barnett']. Barnett has some LOUD plays when he's on, but what's just as important is his willingness to do the little things as well. He's playing with energy, he's filling holes and working hard on the glass as well. Barnett finished with 6 rebounds in their last game and is defending at a high level, and this will be on display in their matchup against a squad with size, who wants to get inside and attack, and is also just as active on the boards. He's the X factor in the game, but he has to set the tone early to make sure that Fossil Ridge knows they can't out-bully this team.   Battle of the 2028s   There are a few talented high-ranked 2028s in this game, and this will be a fun one to see who stands out. Fossil Ridge won on a buzzer-beater against Denver East at the final buzzer, where [player_tooltip player_id='1874429' first='Drake' last='Walker'] stole the show, but the player who really turned that around and was the MVP of the game was [player_tooltip player_id='2530560' first='Malachi' last='Egbuji']. Egbuji finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds in the game. He was tipping plays in, keeping plays alive, and was very efficient in the game. He has a motor that is hard to match and plays hard the entire time. This will be a matchup where his play will be contagious, and if he has another game as he did in Round 1, I could see Fossil Ridge pulling the upset.   Rangeview vs T-Ridge   Will Quartaro's versatility shine through?   [player_tooltip player_id='1622321' first='Drew' last='Paine'] will get the bulk of the attention against a very talented Rangeview squad, and he'll get thrown different looks. But what we've been able to see is that other players show up and also be able to get their own, and the player who makes them versatile is [player_tooltip player_id='1581420' first='Nicholas' last='Quartaro']. Nick was the reason that the Grizzlies are still playing, as he dominated against a scrappy Overland squad in round 1. He has excellent size at 6'5, he's a creative finisher around the basketball, and he can impact the game defensively as well. With Rangeviews press, he'll have to be a player who can take care of the ball, break the press, and still be effective in the half-court offense as well. He'll also have to confident take on a tough assignment of slowing down [player_tooltip player_id='1799811' first='Aidan' last='Perez'] and switch onto Marcel's Duncan at times as well, and that's no easy task. Big opportunity for him.   [player_tooltip player_id='2381957' first='Dario' last='Washington'] is finding his footing   Dario is the team's PG, and this was set up to be a big year for him. He had a bit of a setback as he got injured before the season began, and since then, he's been trying to find his footing. Well, he's looking more and more like himself as he's a guard who takes care of the ball, he's a high-IQ floor leader who reads what defenses are throwing at him, and he plays at his own pace, and that was on display in their last game. Washington handles pressure well; he looks for teammates and is an unselfish leader, which keeps everyone happy. He plays both on and off ball, and we've seen how he handles being in a tight game like when he knocked down the buzzer beater to beat Mountain Vista earlier in the season. He's a player to believe in, and I am sure that Rangeview keeps the ball in his hands in this one.

Round 2 is here!