From Watch List to Ranked: 2028 Prospects Who Made Their Case

The watch list gives us a chance to keep evaluating prospects before deciding where they fit within the class, and this summer answered some of those questions. I was able to get multiple looks at this group across showcases, summer basketball and our Expo, and each gave me more to work with. There's still plenty to learn as they step into bigger varsity opportunities, but they showed enough against quality competition to make the move. These prospects are entering the rankings for the first time, with this winter providing their next chance to climb.    Chavez earned his way into he rankings with how he played on varsity as a sophomore and he also backed that up with a pretty solid Summer. We saw at the Expo as well and what really stood out for me was how comfortable he looked. He was hitting outside shots, he gets his feet set on every shot and can play off ball. We saw him hitting tough shots and is a creative scorer. When they tried to take that away he starting getting downhill, got to the rim and used his athleticism. He's entering the rankings and this year he should be one of the better players in the conference. I am expecting him to have some productive numbers this year with more responsibilities, there's an opportunity to move well beyond simply being a new addition.     Duncan is a player that we've seen in the past but wanted another look at after he first caught my attention, and his summer helped fill in some of the blanks. Initially, it was his confidence creating off the bounce and letting it fly from three that stood out for me in grassroots but we watched different games from him and he started to show a bit more to his game. He's very explosive and quick at the PG spot and that makes him dangerous. He rebounds well for his size and can go coast to coast, he creates for others once he gets inside of the defense and can score in bunches. He isn't only a scorer however and we saw that when he got out to the showcase. His defense can be a way for him to get started as he's active with his hands and beats guys to the spot. His versatility should allow him to be one of Vista Peak's main guys this upcoming season and he's earned his first spot in the rankings. We want to see that translate to varsity this year and he should certainly be a riser this next go round.     Layman played his way into the rankings by consistently showing me one the Summer that he has great feel and an understanding of where to be on the floor. For [program_tooltip program_id='2100026' first='7070' last='Athletics'], he stood out by moving without the ball, cutting, being ready for open shots and finding holes in the defense. Layman also showed enough scoring versatility to keep defenses honest, getting downhill while mixing in pull-ups and 3s as well. He's a catalyst type of player who does what is needed at the time and if he can get that going on varsity, he should be a piece that Pine Creek uses this year. I am expecting a solid season and with what he's shown us he's making his rankings debut.     Foot is a little different from some of the other new additions because we've already seen him contribute in a varsity setting. The question is how much more is there as his role grows. He averaged modest numbers in limited minutes for Longmont, but the production doesn't tell the entire story. Foot rebounds, keeps plays alive and consistently handles the work that doesn't require a play being called for him. There have also been scoring flashes, but we certainly want to see him be a bit more assertive and consistent and this is the year that he has a bigger role. He's jumping from the watch list and into the rankings.     Charlie played JV last year and was one of the better players in the entire conference at that level and also got into Varsity games at times and showed that he could be counted on and contribute. He had no problems adjusting to the speed but needed to get the physicality under control and when we saw him in the Spring, he seemed as if he was not only adjusting, but looked noticeably stronger, quicker and as if the game were slowing down for him. Charlie has solid size and rebounds well. He also can step out and shoot the 3-ball, plays within the flow of the offense and offers versatility on both ends of the court. Heritage will need him to be a difference-maker this year He'll have to stay engaged, be a defensive anchor at times and his goal should be to finish as one of the teams top rebounders. This should be a solid year for him that he will be a full on varsity player and contribute on a night to night basis.

The watch list gives us a chance to keep evaluating prospects before deciding where they fit within the class, and this summer answered some of those questions. I was able to get multiple looks at this group across showcases, summer basketball and our Expo, and each gave me more to work with. There's still plenty to learn as they step into bigger varsity opportunities, but they showed enough against quality competition to make the move. These prospects are entering the rankings for the first time, with this winter providing their next chance to climb.