Dev’s Hypothetical “All-Star Team”: 5A/4A Tri-Valley League

<p>We took a break but we are back with a couple of more league to preview before the upcoming season. We have wanted to see what area of the state has had the best talent and by doing that we have taken a look at some of the best conferences.</p> <p>We have designed our “All-Area All-Star Teams” and have taken a look at a couple of leagues already, but one we have not looked at and will be filled with plenty of action is the 5A/4A Tri-Valley league that is filled with some under the radar standouts.</p> <p><strong><u>First Team:</u></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><u> </u></b></span></p> <p><strong>PG: </strong><b>Dominic Nellis – Holy Family – Sr. </b></p> <p>Nellis epitomizes the word leader. He is a true point guard that understands situations as well as gets others involved. He makes winning plays and is a player that breaks down the defense with his mind before making a move. He is one of the best passers in the conference and he averaged just under six assists a game on an experienced and talented team last year. This year he will have to do a bit more scoring and putting teams in positions to score. Confident in him at point guard.</p> <p><strong>SG: Trey Ward -- Mead -- Sr. </strong></p> <p>Ward is poised for a big year and this is the year that he breaks out and becomes a name that everyone will know. He is ultra-athletic as a guard that can pull off impressive dunks, plays with a swagger that is unmatched and is a bucket. He can score and shoot and is not afraid to go dunk on a defender. He had some impressive games on the circuit this summer that got him some attention and with a big senior year coming up he will have to continue turning heads on arguably the best team in the class. Must watch stuff from him. </p> <p><strong>SF: </strong><strong>Gage Robertson – Skyline </strong></p> <p>Roberston helped give Skyline some attention as he put a consistent 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and just under three assists a game. He is a go-to scorer that can create for himself. He’s very aggressive on offense as he started the year on a tear and will have to keep up those big numbers. He can shoot a bit, helps on the boards and is a defender that sticks with it, this has to be the year that he puts it all together and prove that last year was no fluke, go prove it.</p> <p><strong>SF/PF: Dominic Puchino – Roosevelt – Sr. </strong></p> <p>Puchino is a 6’6 two-way machine. Last season he was able to put up 12.4 points and 7.3 rebounds a game and that should have him wanting more. Last year he had a few big rebounds games that had him standout and also some that he just fit in, he’s not meant to fit in—standout. Once he shows that he is consistent as a defender and rebounder with the ability to use his size and strength to score when he wants then Roosevelt will have a better chance to win. Use your inside presence in a conference with not much size to hold you.</p> <p><strong>C: James Shiers – Mead – So. </strong></p> <p>Shiers is the no. 2 player in his class and he has the size and skill to move up to no. 1 with hard work this season. He had as solid a summer as any player in the state and put himself on the map. He is 6’10 and picking up attention as the University of Denver just offered him with plenty more offers coming. He can score, gets on the block and rebounds but his work as a defender is what has him as one of the top overall players. Much anticipated season for him and he is a big part of why Mead is projected as the team to win the conference.</p> <p><strong><u>Bench</u></strong></p> <p><strong>Guard: Joe Cartelli – Frederick – Sr. </strong></p> <p>Cartelli is a guard that gets after it and his 15.7 points a game were needed last season on a Frederick team that will be the dark-horse team of the conference. Last season he found a groove and did not look back. He will have to build off of that. By proving to be more of a complete player and not only a scorer is what will have him garnering attention.</p> <p><strong>Guard: </strong><strong>Izaye Elize – Frederick – Jr. </strong></p> <p>Elize is a player that I feel will break out this year with the potential to be the breakout player in the conference. He is a competitor that has plenty of intangibles that translate to the next level. I got to see him at the expo and like what I seen. He’s athletic and attacks mismatches. He’s a downhill runner that also can shoot the ball a bit as well. This has to be a year that it clicks for him as I feel he truly does have some special things that separate him. Keep him on your radar.</p> <p><strong>Wing: Kevin Loy – Erie – Jr. </strong></p> <p>Loy was a standout on that Erie team as one of the better underclassmen in the conference. He put up 16.4 points a game and had a game where he put up 31 points. That is what Erie will need from Loy, those big scoring days. The offense centered around him as a sophomore and with a big junior year coming up he will have to show that he could do it again.</p> <p><strong>Post: Austin Robinson – Skyline – Sr. </strong></p> <p>Robinson was a consistent force down low for the league. After putting up 14.6 points and 8.6 rebounds a game it is easy to see why he was one of the standouts of the conference. He is able to score in all ways, he can shoot the ball, penetrate the defense as well as get on the boards and generate offense off put-backs as well.</p> <p><strong>Post: Nick Norris – Fort Morgan – Sr. </strong></p> <p>Norris is one of the bigger guys in the conference and he showed a bit of a complete game. He put up 12 points and 7 rebounds a game and showed that he is an elite rebounder that gets after it and keeps plays alive. He soars for boards and runs the floor where he is rewarded for his hard work. He is a strong defender that takes on challenges as well.  </p>