1A District 8 League Player of the Year Candidates
We’re almost there as the end of the season is upon us with most schools already having had senior night. There are some tight races with conference winners and some that teams that already have the league won. With that,…
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Continue ReadingWe’re almost there as the end of the season is upon us with most schools already having had senior night. There are some tight races with conference winners and some that teams that already have the league won. With that, we focus on who we believe has the chance to be the conference MVP. For the 1A District 8 League, this league is full of under the radar gems so it is time we take a look at a few.
The Favorite:
Blake Essex – Mile High Academy
The junior big man is putting up 21.4 points a game and also has recorded 21.3 rebounds a game to go along with it. The wildest stat that he has is the fact that he is averaging 5.5 blocks a game as well. He has led his team to a 9-1 record including going 5-1 in the conference and that is while coming off of a monster performance in their win over Belleview Christian. Essex put up 33 points and 17 rebounds. He is 6’8 and knows how to use his strength and size to his advantage. He uses his body, he creates mismatches and he is a player that is going to be a force this year and next that I hope that we truly get to see at a Prep Hoops event or showcase. I am actually anxious about it and he has to be the league MVP as of right now.
The Second Favorite:
Jon Kochavi – Denver Jewish Day
Denver Jewish Day is off to a 13-3 start and is a better team than they are last year. They scoring the ball well, they rebound as a team and is also a team that shares the basketball which leads to easy baskets. They are in second as of now in the conference with a 6-1 record and they are relying on their junior forward to get the job done. He has done his part and more as he is putting up a team-high 18.8 points a game finishing in double figures in 10 straight games and also is a force to be reckoned with down low as well. He is averaging 8.7 boards a game and also is locked in defensively. He played well as a sophomore but has worked on his game and it is leading to wins. He knows what he wants to do on the court and makes it happen and that is why his team is winning games the way that that they are with a chance of winning the conference.
The Third Favorite:
Aly Sakho – Denver Waldorf
Denver Waldorf is in the driver’s seat in the conference and controls their destiny with only three games left in the season. They are 10-4 overall and a perfect 5-0 in the conference and their best player is a player that we got to know this summer and that is big man Aly Sakho. Sakho is a forceful player that beats defenders with pure strength. The 6’7 forward can run the floor and finish above the rim, he can put the ball on the floor which you do not see from a player with his size and also is a glass cleaner that refuses to get scored on. What stands out to me is his feel and ability to find the open man from the block. He is averaging 15.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and also 3.2 assists a game as well. This has been a good year for him.
The Longshot:
Logan Owen – Belleview Christian
Logan Owen is one of the best scorers in the entire state and is very close to being in the 1,000 point club in his junior season. He played well as a sophomore putting up big numbers but is enjoying his best season statistically at 25.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and also 2.6 steals a game to go along with it. Opponents are unsure how to contain him as he can shoot the ball when left open, has a mid-range pull-up and gets to the rim but he also is starting to show off his athleticism as well. He is locking in defensively and turning steals into fast-break dunks and while Belleview Christian is not having the season that they expected, they will be ready come tournament time and with Owen playing like this they are capable of beating most teams. The team performance is the only reason that he is not the frontrunner.
Won’t win, but still a great season:
Assane Diop—Belleview Christian
Diop has only been able to play in nine games this season but those nine games have been a bit different. He is playing at a high level and has already jumped into the category as one of the best rebounders in the state. More people need to get an eye on him. He is a big man with size, is a glass cleaner that uses his body and he also scores over smaller defenders with ease. He is putting up 15.8 points a game which is not bad for a youngster but he is also leading the state in boards at 18.5 a game. That is not a number that a player typically averages but with how relentless he is on the boards coupled with the refusal to quit, he might be able to average something close to it for a full season. He is not eligible to win the award in my opinion just yet but his potential is through the roof and screaming for attention. He is definitely a player to watch moving forward.