Week 9: Games of the Weekend

<p>There were great games this week with a few upsets to some of the top teams throughout the state. We had some deemed as the games of the week but also missed out on a few. Here are our picks for the games of the weekend for Week 9. </p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Friday</strong></h3> <h3><strong><em>Chaparral v. Thunderridge</em></strong></h3> <p>It is a Continental battle between the top two teams. Both teams are 6-1 in the conference and are looking to win the conference title with some momentum heading into the state tournament.</p> <p>Thunder Ridge is a team that started out the season a bit slow but if there is something that you know about the Grizzlies is they are going to be ready after the Christmas break. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games and have figured out a way to get themselves going. The Grizzlies are one of the most balanced teams in the entire state as they only have on player in double figures <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nolan-marold/">Nolan Marold</a> 10.7 ppg) but barely. Around him is a concerted team effort. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-smith/">Justin Smith</a> is averaging 8.1 points a game, seniors <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tommy-crawford/">Tommy Crawford</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/colton-sanders/">Colton Sanders</a> are both averaging 7.7 points a game and there are also players like Joey Billelo and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/garrett-arnold/">Garrett Arnold</a> that are huge producers to the team whose impact goes beyond stats. They will be ready for a big game against the Wolverines.</p> <p><br /> Chaparral is led by <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobe-sanders/">Kobe Sanders</a> (19.8 ppg) but also has gotten help from sophomore guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jeremiah-coleman/">Jeremiah Coleman</a> 10.3 points. Coleman allows Sanders to play more off the ball and Coleman plays with confidence and has poise, he sets up teammates and can create for himself with his speed. Chaparral also has size. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aaron-jacob/">Aaron Jacob</a> (9.8 ppg) is a lankier big that can space the floor with his outside shot, does not go much inside but uses his length to create second-chance points and can get going. Sophomore big <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joel-speckman/">Joel Speckman</a> II is their bruiser that gets inside and bangs he is at 5.6 rebounds a game and will be who the Wolverines try to use to rattle the Grizzlies.</p> <p>Expect a low scoring battle but a solid matchup between two surging teams that will do anything to win the game.</p> <h3><em><strong>Sterling v. University</strong></em></h3> <p>Sterling is the No.3 ranked team as of right now and are currently playing really good basketball. They are 15-3 and have four players averaging in double figures which you do not see often but is a testament to their willingness to pass the ball. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/axel-henry/">Axel Henry</a> is averaging a team-high 18.1 points a game but also is an unselfish leader that plays the right way. He has <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brock-shalla/">Brock Shalla</a> (16.0 ppg), <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-keil/">Jackson Keil</a> (13.0 ppg) and Dylan Anderson (10.5 ppg) alongside him playing really good basketball right now. They all easily score the basketball but also swarm on defense. This team plays with a chip on their shoulder and have a legitimate chance at making it to the final 4 and from there, anything can happen. </p> <p>University is a team that somehow is on the outside looking in for the Top-10 and that is while having a 14-3 record as well – imagine that. University also has four players averaging double figures but it is their 6’5 sophomore small forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tayt-chacon/">Tayt Chacon</a> that is leading the way. He is a player that everyone needs to get out to see as he can truly play. He is an athletic wing that plays inside and out. He is up to 19.7 points a game and that includes a game where he exploded for 40-points. His brother and teammate Andre Chacon is averaging 12.4 points a game and is leading the team with 7.4 rebounds a game. He is a hard worker that does it all and is the heartbeat for the team with production that goes beyond just scoring. Jaden Humphrey (11.9 ppg) and Alex Martinez (11.1 ppg) are the two X-factors and do what is needed. They have bought-in on both sides of the floor and hustle and bring energy. This University team is a team that needs to be taken seriously and will give Sterling their all.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Saturday</strong></h3> <h3><em><strong>Alamosa v. Centauri</strong></em></h3> <p>First of all, Alamosa has the best school mascot in the entire state. The Mean Moose – I mean c’mon. Other than that, they are playing really well right now and are off to a great start. They have turned their season around a full 360 in a year and are 13-4. They are the No. 10 team in 3A and with a loss, you have to know that they will fall out of the rankings, they will be ready. The Mean Moose’s (haha) are led by Senior guard Ian Jackson (16.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Brenden Crowther (15.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg). The dynamic duo is proving that they belong and are willing their team to win after win and what’s interesting is all of their work is being done inside of the paint. They are getting out on the break, being found by teammates on cuts and also backing smaller defenders down. Their teammates know who to go to and find their best players. Both will have to have a big game if they want to get by a soaring Centauri.</p> <p>Centauri is the No. 6 team in 3A and has quietly put together one of the best seasons in 3A. They were good last season but have gotten even better this season, they are 15-1 on the season and their loss was against another team in the Top-10. Standout sophomore Baron Holman and his brother Alec Holman are leading the way in scoring but also are really good defenders that are capable of defending multiple positions. Trey Crowther and Mason Claunch are also two players to watch in this game that will really have an impact on the game. If they are able to get going, this will be a game that they roll in.</p> <p>Expect a really close Top-10 matchup.</p> <h3><strong>Eaglecrest v. Cherry Creek</strong></h3> <p>Another Centennial league battle makes our top plays on the day– shocking.</p> <p>Eaglecrest is coming off of their biggest win of the season as they beat No.2 team in the state Grandview earlier this week. Eaglecrest just fell out of the Top-10 but with their big-win, they should return. They had little time to celebrate as they have to get ready for another battle with a team in the Top-5. Eaglecrest is being led by senior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zion-ruckard/">Zion Ruckard</a> who is putting up 17.7 points a game. He’s a speedy guard that plays with extreme confidence and when his shot is also falling, there is not much that you can do with him. This will be an intense rematch between two teams who played earlier this season which came down to the wire. Alongside him are two of the top juniors in the state in <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ty-robinson/">Ty Robinson</a> (13.1 ppg) and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/skylar-wilson/">Skylar Wilson</a> (11.5 ppg) who are players with range but have good size and athleticism. They are able to space the floor with their 3-pointers but also are liable to get out on the break and dunk it as well.</p> <p>Cherry Creek has a younger group that is tough on the gridiron which provides toughness that not many other teams have but also gets it done on the hardwood. Star QB <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/julian-hammond/">Julian Hammond</a> III is also the best player on the basketball court. He is averaging 23.1 points a game and also is helping on the boards as well at 6.6 a game. He is a sniper that refuses to be stopped. Alongside him is <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/myles-purchase/">Myles Purchase</a> who is a 1<sup>st</sup>Team All-State defensive back and also a tenacious defender on the court. He is at 13.1 points a game and denies guards of the opportunity to get into any kind of rhythm against him. He is averaging 3.1 steals a game and his work on both ends of the floor make the Bruins a really, really good team. He’s a guard to build around. There is also <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/myles-purchase/">Myles Purchase</a>, Chance Hausman, Gunner Helm, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/arden-walker/">Arden Walker</a> and Davey Hands that balances things out for them and this will be a really, really good game that is worth going to watch.</p>