Boys 4A Final 4 Preview 2016
Finally, the road to Boulder has been completed for the four teams remaining in Class 4A : Valor, Longmont, Pueblo West, and Vista Ridge. While the destination has been reached, the ultimate goal remains: the State Championship.
In the first game of the day at the Coors Events Center on the campus of the University of Colorado, Pueblo West takes on Vista Ridge.
The Pueblo West Cyclones are 23-3 and lead in scoring by junior guard David Simental. The 6’2 point guard can shoot it or get to the rim and is already a member of the 1000 point club. The Vista Ridge Wolves are 20-6 and lead by a junior, Hunter Maldonado. Maldonado, a 6’6 wing, can do just about everything and anything on the court.
Pueblo West plays fast and likes to score points while Vista Ridge will look for fast break opportunities as well. This game comes down to which team plays defense the best and converts turnovers into easy points. Look for Cyclone senior Kenny Tack and Vista Ridge junior Noah Beatty to have a big impact on this game.
The 5:30 game features a rematch from last years Great 8 where Longmont defeated Valor Christian in a very close game on it’s way to the state championship game. Longmont is 25-1 with its lone loss coming to a 5A school, Montbello. Valor is 24-2 and hasn’t missed a beat with new head coach Troy Pachner. Longmont is lead by Boise State signee Justinian Jessup. The 6’5 senior guard can score at will, rarely forces the issue, and puts his teammates in positions to be successful. Valor is lead by junior Jalen Sanders. Sanders, a 6’5 wing can score off the drive , posting up or drain a three and like Jessup is very good on the defensive end of the floor.
While Jessup and Sanders are the stars for their respective teams, they are far from one man shows. Longmont has a core of nine seniors from last years State Runner Up team and Kolton Bachman has had a tremendous senior season and anyone of the other seniors can step up and have big games like Kevin Mitchell. Valor is young but talented anyone of the young guns can have a big night like Josh or Jeremy Randle or juniors Kayle Knuckles and Michigan football commit Dylan McCaffery.
This game comes down who can control the tempo of the game. Valor likes to play fast, while Longmont plays a little more in the half court. Three point shooting will be key in this one as well.
