Previewing the Sweet 16 Match-ups in the Chauncey Billups Region

<p>The season is dwindling as we are already in the Sweet 16. There are some excellent matchups with some pretty balanced teams set to play on Wednesday. Let's take a look at the regions and a breakdown of each matchup. </p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>No.1 Rangeview v. No. 16 Mountain Vista</strong></h3> <p>Rangeview is the 5A defending champions and has put themselves right in the same position to defend the title with a 24-0 record. The thing is, not many of their games were close, and this is their first real challenge in quite some time. The Raiders are led by <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/obi-agbim/">Obi Agbim</a>, who showed up off of the bench in the state championship game, worked hard all summer, and is now the leading scorer of the team. Agbim led the team in the second-round win over Arvada West, finishing with 25 points in the game. Agbim went 5-6 from the 3-point line and got out in the open court and showed off his elite athleticism. With twins <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/christopher-speller/">Christopher Speller</a> and Christian Speller getting into playoff mode where they are challenged and playing at their best with X-factors like Jovaughn Wright, Ronnie Hatch and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-jamison/">Isaiah Jamison</a> also being lockdown defenders that can also help out offensively, the Raiders will continue to be the favorites, and this is another game that they will be heavily favored in.</p> <p>For Mountain Vista, they have been an up and down team this year but have turned it on when it matters, and they have the personnel that leads to winning. Senior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/reece-kelly/">Reece Kelly</a> is leading the way for Mountain Vista with 18.3 points and 8.9 rebounds a game and is a bucket. He scored the ball from wherever on the court and is not afraid to go at the opposing team. He, alongside junior standout guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-bowen/">Ben Bowen</a> finished with 18 points and has good size and strength from the guard position to make things interesting against Rangeview. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/rhys-pulling/">Rhys Pulling</a> put up 17 points against Chatfield with McClain Easton coming off of the bench and scoring 10 points. Having additional players to Bowen and Kelly to score will be critical as we all know that Rangeview is going to make it a point to try and slow them down. Mountain Vista will have to play a mistake-free game where they cannot allow the Raiders to control the pace. If they do that, they have a shot.  </p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">No.8 Boulder v. No. 9 Columbine</h3> <p>Boulder continues to be doubted and continue to keep winning. The Panthers got back in the game and won 51-49 behind a solid fourth-quarter performance. Boulder did not have to score too many points and used their defense to win the game with <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caleb-wehmuller/">Caleb Wehmuller</a> leading the way with 14 points and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jimmy-starry/">Jimmy Starry</a> going 4-4 from the field and finishing with 12 points. Limiting second chance opportunities and controlling the pace has been something that Boulder has done all season long, and with a bunch that takes care of the ball, getting off to a hot start is critical. Look for <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyler-turner/">Tyler Turner</a> to get himself going in this game.</p> <p>For Columbine, they have the frontrunner for the 5A player of the year in Luke O'Brien that is putting up a massive stat line of 25.3 points and 12.7 rebounds a game. O'Brien finished with 27 points in the second-round against Dakota Ridge as he went 12-13 from the field. He also grabbed 16 rebounds in the game and showed why he is a division I worthy athlete. He will need for Justin Lohrenz and Jeff Potts to continue being a great tandem alongside him. They do not have to score plenty of points but offer some relief when O'Brien goes to them. Starring in your role has been the Rebels motto all season long, and if they do that with O'Brien sure to be aggressive, then they have a chance.</p>