5A Playoffs: Chuck Williams Region Round I

<p>The playoffs are finally here after such a great season, so now we turn our attention to the postseason.</p> <p>There are four quadrants with some very tough matchups, but here we focus on the Chuck Williams quadrant, which is balanced but has a couple of teams that stand above the rest. Who comes out on top, that’s the tough part as three teams look to be able to make it all the way.</p> <h5>Here’s a look at the <em>Chuck Williams Region</em>.</h5> <p><strong>Favorite: Fairview, Smoky Hill </strong></p> <p>Fairview went into the playoffs as the No.2 seed after a 20-3 overall record. They have been a team to watch all season long as they have put together a solid finish to the season going undefeated in conference play and have a team that is bought-in on both ends of the floor. They know what it is like playing in front of a crowd; they have had some close games. They are also a team that fits any mold; rather, it is a fast-paced game or slows it down and grind battle. Greysen Carter has been the surprise breakout star of the year. He is putting up 17.5 points and 7.9 rebounds a game as the best player in the 5A Front Range conference this season, and the interesting part is basketball is not even his best sport. The baseball standout has shined on the hardwood, and with the help of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-page/">Jalen Page</a> (13.7 ppg), Grant Page (9.7 ppg), and TJ Williams 7.2 ppg), this has been a team that has found a rhythm and sustained it for a long duration. Point guard Mark O’Neill is the player that makes this team click. With so much attention on the others, he goes a bit overlooked, which is only better for the Knights as he is capable of going off for big games from the guard spot. This is an excellent spot for them to make a run.</p> <p>Smoky Hill is the No.10 team in the region, but that is a team that can honestly beat any team in the state. When they are in a groove, there are not many teams that can match them with their talent and speed, and what they seem to do is control the pace of opposing teams. The Buffaloes have one of the best guards in the state in Quentin Rock (21.1 ppg) that plays with an edge that not many other players in the state have. He is a high IQ guard that opens up the floor with his scoring, shooting and dishing abilities, and when he is on with teammates also in a rhythm, the Buffaloes are at their best. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-weaver/">Jalen Weaver</a> (18.6 ppg) has been a bit reserved as of late. He is the No.1 junior in the state, and his calm demeanor provides relief at hectic times for the Buffaloes, but it is time for him to step out of that shell and get back to taking over. When that backcourt is both on at the same time along with <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-harris-jr/">Anthony Harris Jr</a>., <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dylan-sanders/">Dylan Sanders</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-whitaker/">Jordan Whitaker</a>, and DeAngelo Horn, all providing a spark around them, this team is capable of blowing the doors off of the hinges and opening things up. Looking at their road, they will be tested, but it is nothing that they haven’t seen in the Centennial League.</p> <p><strong>Contenders: Chaparral</strong></p> <p>For Chaparral, it starts and ends with <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobe-sanders/">Kobe Sanders</a>. If Sanders can knock down his 3-point shot early on, it is going to be a long night. The Senior guard is averaging 20.3 ppg and is also dishing out 4.5 assists a game to go along with it. He can play more off-ball with the addition of sophomore point guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jeremiah-coleman/">Jeremiah Coleman</a> (10.3 ppg). By having each other, Sanders and Coleman can play off of the ball and also attack teams from different spots. Both players handle pressure well and give the Wolverines a chance to win every night. While those two have the guard spots locked down, Chaparral also has size. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aaron-jacob/">Aaron Jacob</a> is a 6’8 wing that can space the floor with outside shooting and can also score inside. There is also 6’7 forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joel-speckman/">Joel Speckman</a> that provides that inside presence and size that bangs with the bigger guys. Chaparral was the runner ups last season in a close game and is now on a redemption tour. Let’s see how far they can go.</p> <p><strong>Who to Watch Out For: Vista Peak, Fossil Ridge </strong></p> <p>Vista Peka is the team that you have to look out for in the region. A tale of two season. Vista Peak went 12-12 last season, and this year finished up with a 19-4 record. The young guys got older, believed in ,each other and are playing solid basketball. 6’3 combo guard AJ Lacabe is leading the team with 12.3 points and 6.0 rebounds a game and is a player that scores easily in 1-in-1 situations. He can shoot the ball from outside, gets to the rim and is also a guard that sees the floor well. Alongside him are Jaylen Carrizales (11.3 ppg) and Sayo Owolabi (10.9 ppg). If they can get all three playing well with not much hero ball but making sure that everyone is involved, they can make some noise in the region. They have the personnel to cause problems for teams, it just has to all come together and for their players to stick to the gameplan.</p> <p>As for Fossil Ridge, I like their team now, but next year – that team will be special. That does not mean that they are not going to give teams all that they can handle in the playoffs. Senior guard Michael Cover is leading the way with 13.1 points a game which has been under the radar with underclassmen <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyce-baldwin/">Tyce Baldwin</a> (12.4 ppg), Brock Mishack (10.3 ppg) and guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/luke-yoder/">Luke Yoder</a> (10.0 ppg) scoring the ball and playing solid defense as well. When Fossil Ridge is out and running an also sharing the ball, they are a tough team to slow down.</p>