Previewing Wednesday’s Top Games
Eaglecrest (12-0, 4-0 Centennial) at Cherokee Trail (9-3, 3-1), 7 p.m. What more can you ask for than a matchup of probably the state’s two best point guards in Eaglecrest’s Colbey Ross and Cherokee Trail’s Jaizec Lottie, both juniors, with…
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Continue ReadingEaglecrest (12-0, 4-0 Centennial) at Cherokee Trail (9-3, 3-1), 7 p.m.
What more can you ask for than a matchup of probably the state’s two best point guards in Eaglecrest’s Colbey Ross and Cherokee Trail’s Jaizec Lottie, both juniors, with Overland’s Jervae Robinson also in the mix. The two have different styles, with Ross operating as one of the state’s top scorers with the ball in his hand, and Lottie, averaging a league-leading 5.5 assists in the mold of more as a past-first point guard. Though it is important to note each has a wide-range of skills that help them run the position with such efficiency. Watching how these two go about their business will alone be worth the price of admission.
Prospect Matchups To Watch: See above. Also, Eaglecrest 6-5 junior forward Nate Bokol vs. Cherokee Trail 6-5 senior forward David Thornton
Prediction: Eaglecrest 63, Cherokee Trail 61
Chatfield (11-2, 4-0 5A JeffCo) at Arvada West (8-4, 3-1), 7 p.m.
This is a game with big implications in the race for the 5A JeffCo League crown. Chatfield has been one of the surprise teams of the season, climbing into the top 10 with a blend of strong, pressuring defense and an ability to share the ball, with multiple players contributing on the offense end. Look for Arvada West to neutralize that pressure by using a heavy dose of Dallas Walton, the senior 7-footer who continues to make strong strides as he continues to get more comfortable following two ACL injuries and 18 months of rehab.
Prospect Matchups To Watch: Arvada West 6-3 senior guard/forward Will Wittman vs. Chatfield 6-1 junior guard Joe Miks; Arvada West 6-0 senior point guard Luke Neff vs. Chatfield 5-11 senior point guard Riley Welch
Prediction: Arvada West 59, Chatfield 57
Cherry Creek (7-5, 2-2 Centennial) vs. Overland (10-2, 3-1)
Overland’s two defeats have been well-documented. That comes with the territory when you wear the crown as the defending champ and boast one of the state’s best prospects in years. The Trailblazers, though, appear to have used the setbacks as motivation, absolutely cruising since losing two of three games earlier this month (one of which coming without the aforementioned star, De’Ron Davis). Three of Cherry Creek’s five losses — to Denver East, Rangeview and Grandview — came by a mere two points each. And they lost to No. 2 Eaglecrest just 52-48 on Friday. So expect this game to be closer than the teams’ records might indicate.
Prospect Matchup To Watch: With a great deal of attention obviously being paid to Davis, it will be interesting to find out how Cherry Creek goes about neutralizing the penetrating ability of Overland’s 6-2 senior point guard Jervae Robinson, one of the state’s top few most explosive players at the position.
Prediction: Overland 69, Cherry Creek 63
Evergreen (9-3, 3-1 4A JeffCo) at Golden (8-3, 4-0), 7 p.m.
This should be an entertaining matchup because both teams have the ability to employ a good deal of depth that helps keep the game fresh and played at good tempo. Golden has suffered only one in-state defeat this season, a 61-58 loss to 4A No. 1 Pueblo South, and the Demons have won each of their four league games by at least 13 points. That creates a strong challenge for Evergreen, which had won three straight before a 73-54 loss to Valor Christian on Friday.
Prospect Matchup To Watch: Evergreen 6-5 junior forward Mike Dillon vs. Golden 6-5 senior forward Ryan Blodgett
Prediction: Golden 71, Evergreen 59
Valor Christian (10-1, 3-1 4A JeffCo) at Conifer (10-2, 2-2), 7 p.m.
Valor Christian appeared motivated after having its eight-game win streak to start the season snapped by Golden on Jan. 8. Since then, the Eagles have won their last two games by an average of 33.5 points. They aren’t likely to be able to cruise to such a comfortable margin against an experienced Conifer team that is off to a very strong start of its own under coach Eric Valerio.
Prospect Matchup To Watch: Conifer 6-3 senior wing Jack Studer vs. Valor Christian 6-5 junior wing Jalen Sanders.
Prediction: Valor Christian 72, Conifer 68