Two-Way Game Changers Set to Shine in the 4A Great 8

The 4A Great 8 is where players who impact the game on both ends start to separate themselves. Scoring matters, but defense, rebounding, and making winning plays matter just as much this time of year. These two-way menaces bring toughness, energy, and production on both ends of the floor, giving their teams a real chance to punch a ticket to the Final Four.   Use code dev30 for 30% off and secure access as we're finishing up in the postseason, so you don't miss any of our scouting.    Montezuma-Cortez is the No.2 seed and is coming off a close one in a 52-50 win over Classical Academy that came down to the wire. The player who stepped up in that game is the one who has been leading the way all season long, and that's junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2391125' first='Trey' last='Hall']. Hall is averaging 19 points a game. He puts a ton of pressure on the defense and is a relentless scorer. He's also averaging 5 steals a game, which is among the top in the state; he turns players over and puts the ball in the basket consistently. Hall just reached the 1,000 points scored milestone and is looking to push his team towards a state championship with another big performance. I bet he turns heads along the way.     Lang continues to shine in the secondary role for Montezuma-Cortez as he plays with a chip on his shoulder; he fills up the box sheet and is an aggressive three-level scorer. Lang plays off-ball and is dangerous with the ball in his hands. He hits big shots when called upon, he plays with confidence, and is a microwave scorer. We've seen him have some big games this year, and he was able to help push them over the edge in their last game. This game will call for him to continue scoring, find the open man, and make plays in the open court. He's a player to know in this round, and a big game by him and can keep the season alive.     Aspen is the No.6 seed, and their season is still alive because of their best player, 6'5 PF, [player_tooltip player_id='2592259' first='Jack' last='Berro']. Berro has been on a tear this season and has really come on in the playoffs. In their Sweet 16 matchup, he was the best player on the floor as he had 18 points, went 3-3 from beyond the arc, was a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe, and also finished with 11 rebounds to go along with it in their 43-35 win over Coal Ridge. Berro has an opportunity to keep the season alive against a pesky Peak to Peak squad, who will want nothing more than to slow him down and end the season. He has to continue being dominant inside, crashing the boards, and showing that he's one of the top players still remaining in the tournament. Big game for him.     University may look like the Cinderella story in the tournament as they're the No.10 seed vs. the No.2 seed, but with the way that [player_tooltip player_id='2809444' first='River' last='Sawyer'] has been playing, University has a real chance at completing the upset. He's been a two-way force who lights it up. He's averaging 18.3 points on the season. He goes down and battles with the bigs on the boards and has lit it up from deep as well. He fills it up in every way. Sawyer pulled off the upset vs. Eaton in their Sweet 16 matchup when he finished with 24 points. He knocked down 4 3-pointers, got to the FT line, and had 7 boards as well. He's a player that not many know about across the state, but all scouting reports from teams that face him have him as the agenda. I expect another big game for him and for University to have a chance because of him. Big opportunity for him as he jumps onto many more radars. He's big time.     Hemme was one of the players who really stood out in the Sweet 16. When you watch him play, the first thing that jumps out is how much control he has over the game. He dictates the pace, reads what the defense is giving him, and makes the right decision time and time again. As the team's true point guard, he's the primary playmaker, but he can also flip the switch and score in a hurry as a microwave scorer. Now with the Great 8 stage here, it's another opportunity for more eyes to be on him. Expect him to step up and deliver as he looks to finish his career with a state title.

The 4A Great 8 is where players who impact the game on both ends start to separate themselves. Scoring matters, but defense, rebounding, and making winning plays matter just as much this time of year. These two-way menaces bring toughness, energy, and production on both ends of the floor, giving their teams a real chance to punch a ticket to the Final Four.