Newest 5A Top-10 heading into the week

<ol> <li> <h3><strong>Cherry Creek</strong></h3> </li> <li> <h3><strong>Regis</strong></h3> </li> <li> <h3><strong>Rangeview</strong></h3> </li> <li> <h3><strong>ThunderRidge</strong></h3> </li> <li> <h3><strong>Chaparral</strong></h3> </li> <li> <h3><strong>George Washington</strong></h3> </li> <li> <h3><strong>Mountain Vista</strong></h3> </li> <li> <h3><strong>Fossil Ridge</strong></h3> </li> <li> <h3><strong>Doherty</strong></h3> </li> <li> <h3><strong>Fountain Fort-Carson</strong></h3> </li> </ol> <p><strong>Cherry Creek</strong> just keeps cruising and is one of the only undefeated teams in the state. The Bruins entered the season as the No.1 team in the state and have not fell at all since the season began as they sit at 9-0 on the season. It’s the usual suspects of [player_tooltip player_id="608058" first="Julian" last="Hammond"] (21.0 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="770403" first="Myles" last="Purchase"](14.4 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="921104" first="Christian" last="Hammond"] (11.8 ppg) for them. It’s simple;  If you cannot slow them down, you cannot win the game.</p> <p><strong>Regis</strong> is finally at full strength and with that, have looked like a complete team. Getting back [player_tooltip player_id="965809" first="Kyle" last="Sandler"] before a big test in Denver East proved worthy as he had 11 points in the game and his 3-ball loosened up the defense. [player_tooltip player_id="965744" first="Blakeley" last="Stoughton"] (18.3 ppg) is leading the way in scoring and [player_tooltip player_id="965741" first="Michael" last="Wolf"] (17.2 ppg) has also contributed heavily. With all of those players stepping up and [player_tooltip player_id="965745" first="Alonzo" last="Paul"] and [player_tooltip player_id="921101" first="Tarea" last="Fulcher"] controlling the pace and tempo, this will be a tough team to beat.</p> <p><strong>Rangeview</strong> is at 54-wins in a row, and that is quite an impressive feat. Rangeview has made history with their run, and Shawn Palmer seems to have the blueprint for success. Senior captain [player_tooltip player_id="916972" first="Cade" last="Palmer"] (16.3 ppg) has his team picking up where they have left off for the past few seasons, and this was a year of expected drop off. Having players in Devin Philio (9.3 ppg) and Demajio Merritt (11.0 ppg) bringing it consistently and playing the right way around him as paid off dividends. Rangeview wins, wins, wins.</p> <p><strong>ThunderRidge</strong> took a loss without their point guard last week but returned to shape with two bounceback wins after. They now are in the most difficult portion of their schedule and will be tested in every game from here on out. The frontcourt trio of [player_tooltip player_id="916957" first="Nolan" last="Marold"] (13.7 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="918919" first="Joey" last="Bilello"] (13.5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="759280" first="Zach" last="Keller"] (10.8 ppg) have been a bit too much for teams and are seeming to get better with each game. The backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id="916966" first="Jason" last="Simental"] (10.8 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="618859" first="Jackson" last="Brennan"] (6.2 ppg) has had to adapt on the fly and it will take some time for them to get on the same page but have been able to find a way to get it done. All will have to be on their A-game with the week that they have but come in as a Top-5 team in the state.</p> <p><strong>Chaparral</strong> just took their first loss of the season in a controversial loss to GW this past week but have the opportunity to right the ship. The Wolverines have a dynamic trio in Joel Speckman, [player_tooltip player_id="759289" first="Luke" last="Williams"] and [player_tooltip player_id="965763" first="Braden" last="Boley"] with the surrounding pieces that play the correct way. Speckman is a walking double-double that challenges opponents on both ends of the floor, Williams has been one of the most impressive guards in the state to begin the season, and Boley rebounds with the best of them. As long as those three are playing well, teams are going to have to give it their all to take them down. I expect Chaparral to continue playing with the chip on their shoulder.</p> <p><strong>George Washington</strong> has had some impressive games and some where they have started a bit stagnant. Once the consistency portion is handled, they truly have a chance to be state champs. The Patriots are getting better with every single rep they take, and it is a team that seems to be on the right track. GW has been the undefeated slayer in the past two weeks as they seem to love playing spoiler and step up in big games.  [player_tooltip player_id="770413" first="Jarmell" last="Johnson"] (20.6 ppg), Freddie Edmonds (10.2 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="770417" first="Eddie" last="McPhee"] (10.2 ppg) understand the opportunity they have this season and as long as they have players like [player_tooltip player_id="916954" first="Kendale" last="Johnson"], [player_tooltip player_id="1050935" first="Garrett" last="Brown"], Darian Hammons and others also playing well and being defensive stoppers, they will continue trekking.</p> <p><strong>Mountain Vista</strong> is inching away and inching away. They are squeaking by in games and getting the most out of their team, and it is because they have one of the most selfless leaders in the state in [player_tooltip player_id="759207" first="Ben" last="Bowen"] (20.1 ppg) that is talented enough to get the team by but has immense trust in his teammates and makes others around him better. [player_tooltip player_id="918911" first="Henry" last="Gamble"] (10.4 ppg) is one of the toughest defenders in the class and has helped on that end while also scoring when called upon. [player_tooltip player_id="1051098" first="Ty" last="Strawbridge"] is filling in the gaps and starting to find a rhythm of his own. When this team is clicking, they are a group that has an understanding and bond like not many other teams in the state. The Golden Eagles are going to find a way every single time.</p> <p><strong>Fossil Ridge</strong> has been the surprise team on the year as they sit at 9-1, and the only loss was a 1-point loss in a game where Rocky Mountain has everything going for themselves. The Sabercats have one of the best backcourt duos in the state in [player_tooltip player_id="759281" first="Brock" last="Mishak"] (19.2 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="770404" first="Tyce" last="Baldwin"] (17.0 ppg) who have size and the ability to bring it right at you for the entire game with [player_tooltip player_id="917018" first="Braiden" last="Dishman"] (10.2 ppg &amp; 6.5 rpg) manning the middle. Having the blend of inside and out with players that can score both in the open and halfcourt is beneficial as it separates them from the pack, and now they are in the portion of the schedule where they will be tested, so this is a moment to prove themselves.</p> <p><strong>Doherty</strong> is 7-1 on the season and have a veteran team with leadership from the Seniors on the team. Schaefer Reichart is leading the Spartans with 18.4 points a game and has improved as a rebounder and facilitator. He has been who the team is running through but they also have [player_tooltip player_id="916999" first="Brody" last="Gish"] (15.4 ppg) having a career year and an intelligent guard in [player_tooltip player_id="770454" first="AJ" last="Guiao"] leading the way. With [player_tooltip player_id="921099" first="Christian" last="Drummond"] getting his feet wet and learning the ropes in only his sophomore season while also being a big part of the team, this is a group that is set up for now and in the future. Doherty has a big game this week that could determine who is the No.1 team in Colorado Springs, so this is a great time to gauge how good the team is.</p> <p><strong>Fountain Fort-Carson</strong> is a team headed by their stifling towers. They have [player_tooltip player_id="759261" first="Isaiah" last="Thompson"] (20.4 ppg and 11.0 rpg) leading the way and putting his team in positions to win every night out with junior big man standout [player_tooltip player_id="967542" first="Kaleb" last="Mitchell"] (13.1 ppg &amp; 9.0 rpg) right beside him holding down the fort. Divante Lynch and Tripp Beatty are the X-factors and will be called upon as the Trojans have a Top-10 battle this week and will also try and separate themselves from the pack.</p>