3A Standouts for the first week out of the holiday break
New and familiar faces make this week’s 3A Standout list from 1/3-1/10. While some may have been rusty coming back after a long break, these players were ready the second they got back on the court. Whether it be scoring,…
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Continue ReadingNew and familiar faces make this week’s 3A Standout list from 1/3-1/10. While some may have been rusty coming back after a long break, these players were ready the second they got back on the court. Whether it be scoring, playmaking, or all the above, these players shined above the rest in their games this past week.
Robert Mcclinton | Combo Guard | The Pinnacle High School
Truly a player that has flown under the radar who has been unjustifiably snubbed of this list in previous weeks. Only appearing in one game this week, the young star put up 35 points in an impressive win for Pinnacle. Already securing a triple-double earlier this year with steals being of the three stats in double digits, he also snagged five more this game. There is not much more to say other than that his hands are like magnets because of how often the ball just finds its way in his hands. His jump shot is not the quickest by any means, but how he attacked the basket and positioned the ball from getting stolen doing so is what really stood out about this week’s performance.
Sam Howery Sam Howery 6'1" | PG St. Mary’s | 2022 State CO | 6’0 Point Guard | Saint Mary’s High School
We all knew it was just a matter of time until we included Saint Mary’s star player to our list. It is not that he is undeserving of it, but Howery is always putting on top-tier performances which makes it hard to pick when one week was exceptionally better than his last. Leading the 3A division in assist per game at 9.2, I was a bit dumbfounded by his season-high with 14 this week. At this level, it is hard to come by a true playmaker that never seems to take a playoff mentally on offense and constantly finds his teammates wherever they are positioned on the court. His shooting performance like always was solid, but you can’t help but admire how quick and accurate his passes were this game against Elizabeth High School.
Nathaniel Davies | 6’0 Forward | Colorado Springs Christian High School
Davies put the entire 3A division on notice this week when the first of his three games this week was concluded with him reaching the 20 point-20 rebound accolade. Despite only putting up 8 points in his final game of the week, he continued strongly in his second game vs the unbeaten Saint Mary’s with an impressive 12 point and 14 rebound game. What is interesting, to say the least, Nathanael is that he is not the tallest guy out there, however, his ability to box out and push opposing players out of the way to grab this many boards is proof that he is a natural rebounder.
Mitch Haythorn | 6’1 Combo Guard | Eaton High School
If you are a coach looking for a player to put the ball in the basket at a high percentage, you might wanna contact Mitch Haythorn. Thus far this season, Mitch has shot 50% or higher from the field in 7 of his 8 games and continued to do so against a tough Bishop Machebeuf and Kent Denver. 26 points on 61% shooting against Bishop Machebeuf is the main reason he made the list this week, but we can’t ignore the 16 points he had in his effort to beat Kent Denver who is arguably a top 3 team in 3A. Not much of a playmaker, but if he has the ball assume the scoreboard is about to change.
Eric Manrique | 6’0 Forward | Sheridan High School
Another new name to the list who only had to play one game in order to make this article. Eric Manrique did almost everything right to help his team get another win in the win column after devasting losses to East and Central Highschool before the break. Walking home with a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, he also shot 64% from the field to help his team overcome Addenbrooke Classical Academy. He has been a wildcard throughout this year, but he finds his rhythm, he propels his team on his back.