5A Preview: Predicting Top 10 Rebounders

<p><strong>1. De’Ron Davis, 6-foot-10 senior forward, Overland.</strong> Davis’ 11.3 rebounds per game were second in Class 5A last season behind Fossil Ridge’s Ryan Quaid (11.4). Look for Davis to the control the glass even more this season. He has trimmed his frame to add more explosiveness without sacrificing the strength that makes him the most imposing player to face in the state.</p><p><strong>2. Antonio Capley, 6-foot-11 senior center, Ralston Valley.</strong> Capley grabbed 10.5 boards per game last season, and he looks even more athletic after a strong summer under the guidance of Billups Elite. Capley is eager to prove he can be a dominating presence on the block and on the glass.</p> <p><strong>3. Frank Ryder, 6-foot-10 senior center, Fairview. </strong>After spending his last two seasons away from Colorado at IMG Academy, Ryder, a University of San Diego signee, has blossomed into a bruising force on the block. He runs the floor well, allowing for rebounds and putbacks in transition opportunities.</p> <p><strong>4. Keondre Weinand, 6-foot-6 senior forward, Thornton. </strong>Weinand pulled an Andre Drummond last season during a three-game stretch in which he had 18, 19 and 20 rebounds. Great aggressiveness complements the athleticism that helps Weinand dominate the boards.</p> <p><strong>5. Dallas Walton, 6-foot-11 senior center, Arvada West. </strong>By all accounts, Walton is healthy and ready to roar during his senior season after recovering from knee injuries that have limited much of his high school career. The near-7-footer is athletic and rangy, and he should be a load to handle for Jeffco League opponents every night.</p> <p><strong>6. Daytone Jennings, 6-foot-7 senior forward, Denver East. </strong>The athletic and rangy Jennings plays with a great motor, and he should fit well in an Angels system that relies on attacking and producing second-chance opportunities on the glass. Jennings is a particularly adept offensive rebounder.</p> <p><strong>7. Clay Verk, 6-foot-8 senior forward, ThunderRidge.</strong> Verk is replacing one of last season’s top rebounders, Zach Pirog, who is now at Nebraska Omaha. That should give Verk, a Division I player in his own right headed to Stetson next season, the chance to vacuum the glass for a Grizzlies team eyeing another run to the state championship game.</p> <p><strong>8. Jake Belknapp, 6-foot-8 junior forward, Mountain Vista.</strong> As a sophomore, Belknapp grabbed 6.8 rebounds per game, but as a go-to guy for Mountain Vista this season, the junior, who has already received a scholarship offer the Northern Colorado, will be in position to produce even bigger numbers on the glass.</p> <p><strong>9. Javen Gumber, 6-foot-7 senior center, Fruita Monument. </strong>The Air Force commit pulled down 7.6 rebounds per game this season. Don’t be surprised to see Gumber push that number into double digits this year.</p> <p><strong>10. Umar Jalloh, 6-foot-6 junior forward, Lincoln.</strong> Jalloh was relegated to the junior varsity squad last season after arriving at Lincoln in the middle of the year. He has shown explosiveness and strength during the summer AAU circuit and the fall showcase season. He plays with an edge you like to see in capable rebounders.</p> <p><strong>Others to watch</strong><br /> Will Ross, 6-foot-5 senior forward, Palmer; Benji Williams, 6-foot-5 senior forward, Rocky Mountain; Preston Marion, 6-foot-5 senior forward, Greeley West; Will Becker, 6-foot-6 sophomore forward, Smoky Hill; CJ Cetta, 6-foot-4 guard/forward, Douglas County; Will Wittman, 6-foot-3 guard/forward, Arvada West; Jack Fiddler, 6-foot-4 senior forward, Highlands Ranch; Connor McCord, 6-foot-7 senior forward, Legend; Geoffrey Kelly, 6-foot-6 senior forward, Regis Jesuit; Marc Reininger, 6-foot-9 senior forward, Regis Jesuit</p>