2017-18 Preseason 5A Top10 Rankings
1. George Washington
The Patriots return Jon’il Fugett a Basketball Colorado Player of the Year nominee along with 6’9 senior Tre Pierce and 6’6 senior Mo Diallo. Both played important roles on GW’s state runner up team last season. Add into the mix defensive dynamo Shawn’Trell White with underrated senior guard Xavier Cooper and the Patriots have an edge like no other team. There are also a couple of underclassmen that could have a big impact on GW this year, sophomore guard Devin Carter and freshman Kendale Johnson. All that being said, it comes down to this, George Washington is deep with talent and athletes that can defend and pressure the ball 94 feet. They will score a bunches of points off turnovers and will have the players to play in half court sets.
2. Rock Canyon
Coming off a Final Four appearance last season the Jaguars are ready to claw up the competition this year. Rock Canyon is led by a dual threat guards Sam Masten and Tyson Gilbert. Masten the Northern Colorado signee and Gilbert the CSU-P signee are interchangeable combo guards that can destroy defenses with their scoring ability or carve them up with their ability to find the open man. Coach Grams has a strong and disciplined team that won’t quit until the final buzzer it seems like they always find a way.
3. Smoky Hill
The Buffaloes might have the most talent in the state. four out of the five starters have college offers and the fifth Will Becker has signed with Binghamton. The 6’8 Becker and 6’7 John Harge are the best forward combo in the state. Junior Kenny Foster and sophomore Quinten Rock are a formidable guard tandem. One of the best defensive stoppers in the state is Kyle Cabs. The glue guy Mue Muwwakkil seems make something out of nothing happen regularly. What keeping them from being the #1 team? Consistency. Last year they were the only team in Colorado that was able to beat Eaglecrest at the Nest. They went to Utah and beat a perennial power Lone Peak. However, a young Rangeview team took them to OT. Both Creek and Cherokee Trail defeated Smoky Hill in upsets. The Buffaloes just can’t get up for the big games, they need to send a messages loud a clear in the other games too.
4. Overland
The Trailblazers have a hard to guard senior duo in seniors Tucson Redding and Daijon Smith. While other guard tandems are interchangeable these two have there roles. Redding is the smart, confident, pass first play making guard. While Smith is the shooter and slashing scorer. Senior wing Goy Wang is a jack of all trades and is ready for a bust out season. The strength of the Trailblazers will be the Trailblazers. They play extremely well together and know their roles. Coach Fisher gets his players to consistently play with intensity and focus and that is a dangerous when combined with the skill and talent at Overland.
5. ThunderRidge
ThunderRidge is ThunderRidge. The Grizzlies are loaded with two premier guards and have players that are accepting of their roles. The guard duo this year of Kaison Hammonds and Justin McCaw will be hard to guard for most teams. Either guard can get to the basket and both are willing shooters from behind the three point line. So if you zone them they will knocked three’s and bust the zone. If you man them they will blow by their man for easy makes or they will collapse the defense and then kick out for open three’s. Junior forward Bailey Verk appears healthy and ready to own the lane for the Grizzlies.
6. Denver East
The Angels have Basketball Colorado Player of the Year Candidate Daylen Kountz and Junior to Watch Kwane Marble. Kountz, the CU signee, is a super smooth 6’4 shooting guard and Marble is a 6’4 combo guard that is a top prospect in his class. East always seems to reload and have players step into new roles and produce. This year expect that to be senior Ja’Shawn Chisel. Chisel is an above the rim rebounder and finisher and will have more than one highlight dunk off of a Kountz or Marble drive and dish. The real key for success this year for the Angels is that Kountz and Marble make each other better. Both are talented and skilled players that can score at the drop of a hat and can be good defenders when they want to be. But are they willing to acquiesce to the other for the betterment of the team.
7. Regis Jesuit
Last season was a bit of an anomaly for the Raiders. They lost more games last year than in the previous three seasons combined. In fact the Raiders had won at least 20 games for eight seasons in a row up until last year. There seems to be a team first attitude back with the Raiders this year. The Raiders have two Juniors to Watch in guard Jamil Safieddine and forward Matt Wheelock. Safieddine hit a growth spurt and has shot up to 6’4 making him a very dangerous guard. Wheelock is a good shooting stretch four. Senior Sam Bannec will be the leader of the group and will need to lead by example. If Regis can avoid the drama of last season and play together like the Regis machine has in the past, then the Raiders will be right where they want to be.
8. Rampart
The Rams will be the team to beat in the Springs this season. 7’0 Hawaii signee Dawson Carper will have plenty of double-double nights and senior guard Josh Kavalec is a very good player as well. The Rams add a bit of toughness and scoring with guard Xavier Johnson. For the Rams this year they just need to be consistent with their focus and intensity. If they play at a high level there will be only one or two teams that can match them. Rampart will get #1 GW in their first game of the season can their guards with stand the GW pressure.
9. Doherty
Doherty has a new head coach this season and their leading scorer graduated and is now at Colorado Mesa. However, they are one of the few teams that can almost match the size of Rampart and they might be just a bit more athletic too. The Spartans strength rests in their forwards Kyrele Benford, Joe Golden, and Alijah Bates. With those three in the game it is difficult for other teams to get a rebound or score in the lane. Duke Carey will have to be impactful from the guard position for the Spartans.
10. Eaglecrest
The 5A state champs a year ago but much has changed. The Raptors graduated Basketball Colorado Player of the Year Colbey Ross and Coach Olander retired from coaching. Even so Eaglecrest has hungry players ready to prove that they belong in Eaglecrest lore as well. New head coach Jarris Krapcha has lead guard Xaiv’ion Jackson, dynamic wing Morgan Brown and combo guard Jalen Talbot ready to take on the state. Junior guard Aaron Bokol will be asked to shoulder some scoring responsibility. Don’t forget All Colorado Athlete senior Victor Garnes plans to hit he hardwood after football season is over. Once the new coach and the players gel, watch out they could be special again.
