2021 Rankings Update: Versatile guards who made an impact

<p>With the 2019-20 high school basketball season officially over, we finally shift over our focus to our latest update. Prep Hoops has released its latest Colorado Class of 2021 rankings based on the 2019-20 season. This is one of our deepest classes in the state, so it took us a while to look at the full season and break it down. We had drastic movement and also added over 25 new players. Here, we focus on some of the classes’ most versatile guards.  <u> </u></p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916981" first="Austin" last="Peterson"] – Green Mountain</strong></h3> <p>Peterson is a two-guard that does plenty of things that fly under the radar but truly helps that Green Mountain team flow. When he is playing well, it adds a different element to a talented team, and he presents offensive versatility with a combo-guard skillset. Peterson is a creative finisher and shifty guard that gets to the rim and makes some tough shots. He also can step out and shoot the 3-ball as well as play the lead guard spot. When his shot is on, there are not many things that you can do to stop him, and he had some explosive scoring games, like when he had six 3-pointers against Standley Lake, or you take away the 3-pointer, and he finds a way to dissect the defense from inside. He is dangerous in the open court, and this season he put up 11.2 points and just over three rebounds a game. Next season it will be on his shoulders to carry the scoring load, and he is a guard that has shown that he can take on that type of responsibility and still grow. Be on the lookout for this Green Mountain guard who should be atop the conference in scoring next season. He is the No. 59 player in a loaded class.  </p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916968" first="Curtis" last="Stovall"] – Vista Peak</strong></h3> <p>Stovall is one of the most versatile guards in the entire class and is a two-way weapon that Vista Peak brings out to not only score from the wing but defend at a high level as well. When he is locked in and confident, he is one of my favorite players to watch as this smooth lefty can score from all three levels and also has underrated athleticism, so he will dunk from time to time. Stovall’s bread and butter will be his ability to defend multiple positions as a bigger guard with strength and also play off of the ball and play-make when he has it. Last season, the 6’1 guard put up nine points a game, and just over three rebounds a game. He scored in bunches when he got going but was not the most aggressive. When he decides to take over, Visa Peak is sharp. Next season he will be looked upon as one of the teams go-to scorers and leaders – he must step up. Right now, he is the No. 39 player in the class with a balanced group around him. He will either rise or slide.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965754" first="Colin" last="Westfall"] – Lewis-Palmer</strong></h3> <p>Westfall is a player that is making his rankings debut, and it came after having an explosive junior season. In his sophomore campaign, Westfall got his feet wet on varsity but was only able to average 0.6 points a game. His junior season, however, he popped onto the radar and put up a team-high 14.8 points a game for the defending champions. Not only was the 6’0 scoring at a high rate, but he was also affecting the game in various ways. Westfall put up just under four rebounds and assists a game and showed that he is a playmaking guard that does all of the other things as well. Be on the lookout for Westfall as I feel he will use the momentum he gathered from this season and move up from the No. 56 spot he is currently at.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965756" first="Scott" last="Grable"] – Eaton</strong></h3> <p>Eaton was one of the top teams in an underrated 3A Patriot League conference. In a conference that had Resurrection Christian, Sterling, and University, the Reds were the No.3 team in the conference and finished off the year with an impressive 19-5 record. It was an inside-out balance of a big man [player_tooltip player_id="965746" first="Ryan" last="Ure"] and also junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="965756" first="Scott" last="Grable"]. Grable was able to dissect defenses at will and score inside. On the season, Grable averaged 13.0 points a game as the team’s best ball-handler, and he also set teammates up with easy finishes with the defense paying attention to him dishing out 2.4 assists a game and rebounded well for his size at 3.4 boards a game. If Grable shows that he can continue to score at a high rate and also improve on his court awareness and reading what the defense gives him, he has a better chance of making a case to grow. For now, he is at a generous No. 61 in the class with some solid players vying for that spot.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965961" first="Abel" last="Maes"] – Manual</strong></h3> <p>Maes is a player that has come to a few Prep Hoops events and showed that he could hang with any type of competition. This season he transferred over to Manual, and what Maes brings to the table is the ability to step up in big games as a big shot maker. With the Thunderbolts having two players taking over the ball-handling duties and often seeing double teams, what Maes was able to provide was another playmaking option that also shot lights out from deep. Maes did not hesitate to let it fly when he got the ball without a defender on him and knocked down his own shot but also made the right passes and starred in his role as well. Next season he will assume a different role on the team as a scoring option that will also have to help out on the boards and put teammates in better positions. It will be a change, but the No. 78 player in the class should be able to get it done.</p>