Basketball Colorado Preseason 5A Top 10
By Matt Langley
11/27/14
The first games of the 2014-15 high school boys basketball season tip-off on Monday. As this season begins any of the teams listed in the preseason Top 10 could find them selves hoisting the gold ball in Boulder come March. However, expect a couple of teams not listed to make serious noise once transfer situations are settled.
Rankings are based on how teams are currently constituted with transfer players sitting out.
TEAM Record Last Season
- Overland (20-7) – Lost in State Semi Finals to Denver East
The Trailblazers have on paper the most talent of any team in the state. Senior point guard and Wyoming signee Austin Conway leads the attack. Overland has the best forward combo in the state with senior and Air Force Academy signee Ryan Swan and nationally touted junior forward DeRon Davis. Even though the Trailblazers lost three key players of last years team they have plenty left to make a serious run. The question that remains is: Can Overland keep focus and play at an elite level night in and night out.
- ThunderRidge (14-11)
ThunderRidge has all the making to make the long trek to Boulder. The Grizzlies have senior post and Omaha Nebraska signee Zach Pirog to anchor the middle on both ends of the floor along with talented and heady senior guard Elias Tiedgen. ThunderRidge also has a very talented group of junior forwards in Austin Mueller, Clay Verk and Mitch Bloom. Mix those players with Head Coach Joe Ortiz and arguably the toughest league in the state and you get will have a tried and tested team come playoff time.
- Regis Jesuit (20-4)
The Raiders return virtually everyone from last years team missing only two players from last years squad. Senors Kip Boryla, Bryan Staerkel, and Taylor Kallseon will lead Regis this year Experience combined with Coach Shaw and his system make the Raiders one of the toughest teams in the state.
- Rangeview (22-4) – Lost in Elite 8 to Overland
The Raiders return at least five players with varsity experience from last years elite eight team. Guards Wyatt, Davis and Randal are threat from anywhere on the court and Story-Way is about as tough as they come in the paint. Rangeview plays fast and hard and everyone on the court is a threat to shoot a 3 pointer.
- Eaglecrest (19-7) – Lost in Elite 8 to Mountain Vista
The Raptors have also have a talented trio of guards possibly the most athletic in the state with Senior and UCCS signee Elijah Ross Sophomore Colbey Ross and Senior Pete Anderson. Senior Blend Avdili is a versitle wing/forward that will be counted on to do the dirty work in the paint. The Raptors also play a very fast paced uptempo game that if fueled by their ¾ court trap.
- Denver East (24-4) – State Champs
The Angels are rebuilding after losing four players off a team that lost only 1 game in the state in 2 years. The Angels return only two players that saw any meaningful time last season. Senior guard Brian Carey will lead the Angels guard attack and senior Jordan Willis will be the presence on the block. Seniors Koa Peterson, Edmund Myers and Ben Potts have been in the East program and will now be counted on to carry on the East tradition.
- Chaparral (13-12) – Lost in Sw 16 to Rangeview
Chaparral’s record from last year is a bit deceiving as injuries decimated the Wolverines for much of the season. As the page turns to this season the Wolverines have a very formidable guard line up with seniors Chase Coon, Jake Holtzmann, and Chris Moody. In reality Holtzmann and Moody can play all five spots on the floor and will give many teams fits. For the Wolverines to be successful this year they will need their role players to make that jump to the varsity level.
- Fossil Ridge (27-1) – State Runner up
Fossil Ridge may not go 27-1 again this season but they are the best team from the Northern Range league at the moment. The Sabercats will need to rely on 6’7 forward Ryan Quaid and guard Andrew Semadeni as the only players that had much experience on the 2014 runner-up team. Sophomore Braxton Bertolette is a shooting savant and a number of other Sabercats can knock down the three.
- Montbello (12-13)
The Warriors might be the most athletic team in 5A lead by high flying senor forward Troy Green. 6’4 point guard Malik Hart might be the most underrated guard in the state.
- Arvada West (15-10)
The Wildcats have the best two shooters in the state with Neffs brothers Thomas and Luke. Senior . Thomas, has already signed his LOI to play at the University of Denver. While Luke has laid claim to the best shooter in the Class of 2016.
Preseason League Picks
5A Jeffco – Arvada West – Contenders – Dakota Ridge, Columbine, Ralston Valley
5A Springs Metro – Rampart – Contenders – Fountain-Fort Carson, Doherty
Centennial – Overland – Contenders – Eaglecrest, Cherokee Trail,
Continental – ThunderRidge – Contenders – Regis Jesuit, Mountain Vista
DPL – Denver East – Contenders – Lincoln, Montbello
EMAC- Rangeveiw – Contenders – Aurora Central, Northglenn
Front Range – Fossil Ridge – Contenders – Fort Collins, Boulder
Southwestern – Grand Junction
