5A Second-Round Playoff Preview: Chauncey Billups Region
The first round of the 2016-17 Colorado 5A playoffs is in the books. In 16 first-round matchups, the higher seeds prevailed in 14 of them. That sets up some very intriguing matchups in the second round, which takes place on…
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Continue ReadingThe first round of the 2016-17 Colorado 5A playoffs is in the books. In 16 first-round matchups, the higher seeds prevailed in 14 of them. That sets up some very intriguing matchups in the second round, which takes place on Saturday.
Let’s get right into previewing our first region, in order of tipoff times:
5A Chauncey Billups Region
No. 18 Cherokee Trail (13-11) at No. 15 Rampart (17-6), Saturday, 1 p.m.
The Scoop: This should be one of the best matchups of the day, with Rampart’s considerable size and strength at each position squaring off against the track-meet speed of the Cougars. Rampart has brought in every game its played this season. Of the Rams’ six losses this season, five of those have come by five points or less or in overtime. Cherokee Trail overcame the loss early this season to star point guard Jaizec Lottie to finish strong in the Centennial League and blow past Douglas County in the first round of the playoffs. The stretch with Lottie down gave role players like Deon Barfield, K.J. Sapp and Tyson Rogers the opportunity to step up, and the group has improved as a whole as a result.
Matchup To Watch: Rampart front line vs. Cherokee Trail’s defense. Rampart has a size advantage over virtually anyone in the state. That’s what happens when you have a 6-11 center in Dawson Carper and a versatile 6-9 forward in Black Hills-state bound Jackson Ehrlin. It’s an especially big advantage over a Cherry Creek whose tallest player is 6-5 senior Ian Kelly. The Cougars will have to get help from players like Joe Cox (6-4), Barfield (6-3) and even Lottie (6-2) in collectively trying to limit Carper and Ehrlin from getting to deep.
Moving On: Rampart uses this size advantage to move into the Sweet 16.
No. 23 Denver South (16-8) at No. 10 Cherry Creek (15-8), Saturday, 1 p.m.
The Scoop: The Rebels were at first disappointed when they found out they were moving to 5A, in large part because they felt like they had the necessary tools to make a run at a 4A state championship. Though its odds are longer in 5A, South has the requisite talent necessary to be able to pull of a couple upsets and make a deep playoff run. The caveat with this South team when predicting game-to-game success is whether it will be able to shoot it efficiently. When they are on, the Rebels can put up points in a hurry. The Bruins have the athleticism to make opposing offense have to work hard to get shots, taking away first options routinely. The experienced backcourt of senior Jalen Meeks and junior Dimitri Stanley can match up with just about anybody, and the Bruins have players in other spots eager to play their roles.
Matchup To Watch: South junior forward Cortney Dean vs. Creek senior Nick Williams. Dean, a talented 6-6 forward, does a little bit of everything for the Rebels, averaging 12.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. He can stretch the floor with a jump shot that can cause damage when he gets in a rhythm. He’s athletic in transition, which will be key defensively against a Creek team that likes to push in transition when it can. Williams is relatively new to organized basketball, but the length that makes him look taller than his 6-3 frame has caused problems for opponents this season, and he can wreak havoc defensively in stretches.
Moving On: Tested by a tough Centennial League schedule that forced an addressing of weaknesses, Cherry Creek survives a tough test from South to move into the Sweet 16.
No. 34 Liberty (13-11) vs. No. 2 ThunderRidge (21-2), Saturday, 2 p.m.
The Scoop: Expect the Grizzlies to enter the postseason determined after suffering their only in-state loss of the season, to rival Rock Canyon, to close the regular season. ThunderRidge is well coached, can beat you from the perimeter or attacking the rim and brings it defensively on nearly every possession, is a favorite to lift a gold ball at the Denver Coliseum on March 11. First, the Grizzlies will have to get past a pesky Liberty team that had among the most impressive wins in the first round, beating Monarch by 13 points on the road. Playing with house money, the Lancers will be loose and eager for the opportunity to play spoiler.
Matchup To Watch: Liberty junior Mozamil Doria vs. ThunderRidge junior Kaison Hammonds. Doria is one of the quickest-improving players in the state. He plays multiple positions at 6-3 and can run the offense, averaging about 16 points and six rebounds per game. He’s quick to the rim and athletic enough to get up and finish. He’ll face a massive test in one of the very best in the 2018 class in Hammonds, who continues to gain confidence as a bona fide leader for a championship level team. Hammonds has a dangerous mid-range jump shot that he can get to at just about any time because of his quickness and ball-handling ability. And he also moves without the ball well, setting himself up for open outside shots that he knocks down with consistency.
Moving On: The motivated Grizzlies overwhelm the gritty Lancers to earn a Sweet 16 matchup with Rampart.
No. 39 Fountain Fort-Carson (10-14) vs. No. 7 Chatfield (22-1), Saturday, 6 p.m.
The Scoop: FF-C earned a surprise berth in this game by overcoming a standout performance by Rocky Mountain junior Xavier Johnson (22 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals) to earn a 59-54 win on the road in the first round. The Trojans are athletic and long enough to give teams problems, as they showed against the Lobos. Chatfield, which completed a second straight perfect run through the 5A JeffCo League, presents a much stiffer challenge. The only loss for the Chargers all season came against top-seeded Eaglecrest way back at the beginning of December — and that was a one-possession game. Chatfield moves the ball so well and so unselfishly that it becomes very difficult to game plan for because you can’t key in on only one or two players.
Matchup To Watch: FF-C senior Dimjon O’Neal vs. Chatfield senior Titus Reed. Both players are athletic, 6-5 forwards who don’t need offense run for them to make an impact. They do so with strong motors and a willingness to attack around the rim. Reed has been a lynch-pin for Chatfield’s sharing, attacking style and it’s hard to limit him because he’s so active. But doing so will be key for the Trojans if they have any hope of pulling an upset.
Moving On: Chatfield finds its rhythm and advances to an intriguing Sweet 16 matchup with Cherry Creek.