The 2013-14 high school boys basketball season is less than a week away, so it is time for Basketball Colorado’s 5A Pre Season Top 10.
- Denver East – Returns all of their starters from a 25-3 state runner up team led by last year’s Mr. Colorado and University of Colorado commit Dom Collier. Look for 6’7 senior forward Ronnie Harrell, a Creighton University commit, to challenge Collier for Mr. Basketball this year. The Angles have the top starting five in the state but it will be their bench that determines how far they will go in the state tournament.
- Eaglecrest – The defending state champions return six players from their championship run from last year but TreShawn Wilford tournament MOP graduated and moved on to UCCS. The Raptors hardnosed defense and fast paced offense will be lead by senior point guard Jaisean Jackson and junior forward Blend Advili will anchor the middle
- Overland – The Trailblazers are the only team in the state that can rival East as far as high profile players go. Sophomore forward DeRon Davis is considered by some to be a top 100 player nationally and junior point guard Austin Conway is a top recruit on the football field as well as the court. If and when Overland gels and understands how to play together they very well could end up hoisting the gold ball at the end of the year.
4. Highlands Ranch- Will be lead by their seniors this year, talented senior post and Weber State commit Zach Braxton and senior guard Evan Motlong will have the Falcons flying high. The Falcons will be even more dangerous once transfer Ryley Stewart becomes eligible.
5. Legend – The Titans reload after a Final Four finish in last year’s state tournament. Senior post Zach Michlaicz and wing Elijah Cherryington will be the foundation for tough Titans team while sophomores Riley Matticks and Danny Garrick will come of age fast in a tough Continental league.
6.Rangeview – senior guard and Colorado State commit Jeremiah Paige will lead a running and shooting Raider squad.
7. Fossil Ridge – With nine seniors on the roster the Sabercats will be senior dominated this year and will led by the one -two punch of senior guards Evan Smith and Alex Semadeni.
8. Regis – Even though Regis lost all state player and top 100 player in the nation Josh Perkins ( Gonzaga commit) to prep school don’t cry for the Radiers. The Raiders return seven juniors with varsity experience and with Coach Shaw that is all he needs for a successful season.
9. Chaparral – The Wolverines are another team that will be lead by a talent trio of juniors. Guard Chase Coon, forwards Jake Holtzman and Chris Moody are some the best in the state in their class. Even though CHAP lost senior guard Brandon Malone to injury after a successful summer the Wolverines will make plenty of noise in the Continental league.
10. Montbello – Senior forward Karmoko Cisse and senior guard Anthony Carter look to lead the Warriors to its first above .500 season in two seasons. Junior guard Malik Hart and junior forward Troy Green have come into their own and will be relied on heavily by the Warriors.
Others – Monarch, Mountain Vista, Ft. Collins