Five wings to lookout for in 3A this season
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Games are finally here after what appears to be the longest offseason ever. Teams and players have gotten back into the swing of things and are ready to begin their seasons. It is more important than ever to get off…
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Continue ReadingGames are finally here after what appears to be the longest offseason ever. Teams and players have gotten back into the swing of things and are ready to begin their seasons. It is more important than ever to get off to a quick start with a late start and condensed season. Here we take a look at some players in 3A that we will have an eye on heading into the season.
Ethan Hill Ethan Hill 6'4" | CG Estes Park | 2021 State CO – Estes Park
Estes Park will be my under the radar team that I think makes noise heading into the season. Estes Park has their ENTIRE team returning as there was not a single senior from a season ago and one of the most all-around players in all of 3A in 6’4 do-it-all wing Ethan Hill Ethan Hill 6'4" | CG Estes Park | 2021 State CO . Hill is coming off of a sensational season where he put up 19.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and had two steals and 1.6 blocks to go along with it. Hill did it all for the Bobcats, but those numbers will likely turn into more wins this year. With a player that generates so much attention on the offensive end still being able to dominate and take over in games, it opens things up for teammates. A year wiser and more comfortable, I feel as if his teammates will give a bit more additional help. Hill plays the right way, can grab a board, start the break, and knows how to navigate double-teams. If his team is able to pick up a few more wins, I am sure that more people will turn their heads in his direction as Estes Park has a true leader up there that understands the game.
Ethan Maze – William Smith
Maze is a glass-cleaning wing that is dangerous in the open court, cannot be contained down low, and also does what he wants with the ball in his hands. Maze was one of the few players in the state to average a double-double for the entire season, and with the numbers that he put up in his junior season, it is a bit shocking to see that he is only 6’2. Maze put up 18.8 points and 10.5 rebounds a game, was locked in defensively as he was the defensive stopper, and took on the leadership role. A captain who leads by example and does whatever it takes to put his team in a position to win is a good sign of things to come. Maze will again be the player that opposing teams attempt to slow down, and he will again be able to take over in games. Expecting a big season from him.
Duke Benson Duke Benson 6'3" | SF Kent Denver | 2022 State CO – Kent Denver
Benson is a player that I did not much about heading into the summer. My first time watching him was in a private workout, and he was a bit rough around the edges. Still, one evident thing was his willingness to continue working hard and the unmatched energy that separated him from the pack. That became a theme for the entire summer as he has a contagious energy and is one of the best two-way players in all of 3A. Benson can defend positions 1-5 and will outwork whoever is in front of him. He is a physical wing that is a downhill runner and scores in bunches. I deemed him “Duke Buckets” from a day of him taking over in a game and not backing down from having to defend multiple positions. For Kent Denver, he appears to be their swiss-army-knife. He averaged 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists a game. He shoots the 3-ball, creatively scores from around the basket, and runs the break. This is a big junior season for him as he will step into the role of having to be even better, and one thing you can count on is effort.
Isaiah Thomas Isaiah Thomas 6'5" | CG Manitou | 2021 State CO – Manitou Springs
Thomas was one of the summer standout players as he came onto the scene for Pluto Prospects and demanded attention. Thomas is a legit 6’4, and while he has started to transition to a lead guard, he remains one of the best wings in the entire state. Thomas has good size, can put the ball on the floor, shoots the 3-ball, and is athletic. Thomas has a high IQ and great court awareness, which leads to easy baskets and reads. Thomas scores at will but plays really well off of the ball and alongside a pass-first guard. Thomas gets downhill, breaks defenders down off of the dribble, and overpowers smaller players. In private runs, Thomas excelled. He understands where to be on the floor, has good spacing, and is a two-way prospect whose game translates well to the next level. Manitou Springs is a title-contending team with Thomas ready to lead the way.
Tayt Chacon Tayt Chacon 6'4" | PF University | 2022 State CO – University
University flirted with the Top-10 a few times last season as they went 17-7 on the year and turned some heads along the way. That is a group that played well off of each other and learned on the fly, and their top player was a sophomore who returns for a big junior season. Tayt Chacon Tayt Chacon 6'4" | PF University | 2022 State CO is the name to know over here and the 6’5 multi-sport athlete can do it all on the court. Chacon uses his size for rebounds, scores at will, and gets others involved. Chacon moves well and has a college-ready body at 6’5. In his sophomore season, he was able to average 20.2 points a game. He averaged 16.0 a game as a freshman and will be looked upon to best both averages as the Bulldogs will look for him to lead the way. Defenses will give Chacon different looks all season long, but he seems to be prepared for everything that defenses throw at him. There is a lot of weight on his back, and I still choose him to find a way to get it done. Chacon is one of the top wings in the state.