2021 Class: Who has played well? (Part 1)
The 2021 class is loaded with a lot of talented players, in this piece we take a look at some of the top performing players in the class as the season starts to wrap up and playoffs near. This will…
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Continue ReadingThe 2021 class is loaded with a lot of talented players, in this piece we take a look at some of the top performing players in the class as the season starts to wrap up and playoffs near. This will be a two part series.
Julian Hammond – Cherry Creek
After a huge sophomore season were he averaged: 20.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.0 SPG for the Bruins, Julian is having an even better junior season. He is a smooth, skilled guard that can play with or without the ball in his hands. He is able to score from all three levels of the court, often making it look effortless at times. In sixteen games so far this year, he is putting up, 22.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.3 SPG and is currently shooting 44% from distance on the year (36/81). He is on pace to hit the one thousand points mark as a junior for the Bruins. Julian is coming off a big performance on the road at Mullen, he scored a season high 32 points, shooting three of five from deep as well as (11/14) from two-point range. He also had six rebounds and seven assists.
Jalen Weaver – Smoky Hill
Second on the team in scoring at 18.3 PPG, Jalen has had a great junior year for Smoky Hill helping them to a 15-4 record so far on the season. He had a strong sophomore season, playing in 26 games for the Buffaloes were he averaged: 11.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, this year those are all up at 18.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.5 APG and 1.3 SPG. He attacks the rim all game long and is able to keep the defense honest from deep. Jalen is an explosive athlete that has all the tools in his game that brings it on a nightly basis. He is a skilled player with a high potential and should help take Smoky Hill deep into the playoffs.
Taeshaud Jackson – Dakota Ridge
Listed at 6’5, Taeshaud has had a huge junior season for Dakota Ridge, he is averaging a double-double at 16.3 PPG and 11.8 RPG on the season. He does the majority of his damage attacking the rim and getting to the foul-line. He is a highlight waiting to happen in transition, living above the rim. He has six double-doubles in a row, helping Dakota Ridge win five of those six games during that stretch. He attacks the glass hard on both ends of the court and uses his athleticism to his advantage. He does a good job on defense as well, playing the passing lane and is able to create problems for offensive players with his length and size.
Boston Stanton – Denver East
The 6’4 guard is having a monster junior year for Denver East who is off to a 18-2 start on the season, he is currently averaging: 21.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 SPG. He is shooting 38% from distance (48/125), and 59% from inside the three-point arc. He is able to score from all three levels, and does a great job of finishing around the rim through contact. He takes what the defense gives him and doesn’t force a lot of bad shots. He has a talented team around him which has helped, but his game speaks for itself when you watch him play. Each time I have watched him play this year I have been impressed with his game on both ends of the court.
Donta Dawson – Harrison
A three year varsity player who has been putting up big numbers since his freshmen year, Donta averaged: 16.5 PPG, 6.6 RPG and now as a junior he has continued to impress. This season he is averaging: 19.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.3 SPG, at 6’4 and well built, he does the majority of his work from inside the three-point arc. He is shooting 55% from two-point range going (115/208) so far on the season. He will keep the defense honest and stretch the floor from deep every so often but that will be the next development to his game overall. His defense often leads to dunks in transition for him, he also has a good sense for the floor. Harrison is off to a 14-4 start this season, with only five more games remaining in the regular season for them. Tonight, they have a big matchup with The Classical Academy at home.
Ben Bowen – Mountain Vista
Ben is currently averaging: 14.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.9 APG for Mountain Vista on the year. He is someone who has really found his stride this season and plays the game the right way. He is able to score from all three levels but is most effective from inside the arc. He does a little bit of everything throughout the game, from being a strong passer and having a great sense of the floor to rebounding the ball and getting after it defensively. He has good size at 6’4 and does a good job creating deflections and steals with his length and being in the right spot. Ben is coming off a big 20 point performance in the win over Legend last night. With a senior heavy team this year, it will be interesting to see how Ben continues to grow and how he takes over the lead role for them next year. It will be fun to watch what this team does in the playoffs.