Ball Fever: Season preview, and an action-packed Week 1 in boys basketball

Happy hoops season, folks!

At first glance, this season in 5A/4A boys looks like two heavy hitters who could be returning to Boulder in our respective CHSAANow preseason No. 1-ranked teams Overland and Longmont, but as we begin to dig a little deeper we see a number of squads that hope to reach their long-awaited potential and prove they aren’t just squads with individual talent but a collective unit as well.

Season preview

5A boys:

We must start with defending champ Overland and Indiana commit De’Ron Davis, who has nothing left to prove except a repeat. The Trailblazers are a lot more than just big De’Ron with electrifying guard Reggie Gibson and the return of his running mate Jervae Robinson, who is a standout guard in his own right.
Speaking of those teams eager to prove their potential: Enter Legend Titans. Our preseason No. 2 has heard for a few years now about the college-bound talent of this roster but it hasn’t developed into the championship goal as of yet. This could be the season the Titans get over the hump with senior leadership of Monroe Porter, Danny Garrick, and versatile Jared Small.
It would not take a lot of courage to predict a ThunderRidge return to Boulder this year in perhaps a rematch with Overland. Many fans wouldn’t mind seeing that matchup again and senior Austin Mueller, a Wyoming commit, is primed to take the lead role for the Grizzlies. The Grizz have another veteran big body in Clay Verk, Stetson commit, who also possesses a nice outside touch to go along side the lethal shooting of Troy Brady.
The Denver Prep League will be well represented in top 10 this year starting with George Washington’s backcourt led by the Fugett brothers Calvin and Jon’il who will be feeding the rock to highly touted Daylen Kountz on the wing. GW is our No. 4 ranked preseason squad but also representing DPL is the squad that always seems to rebuild, the Denver East Angels.
Coach Carey has done it again bringing along senior Angels Deron Harrell and Joe Abiakam with Aurora Central transfer Daytone Jennings. Jennings size will help the front line with hard working senior Samba Dioum hitting the boards. Jack Buckmelter will provide the perimeter scoring. The Angels starting five will play with anyone as our preseason No. 7-ranked squad. Their depth will be the question.
Perhaps the most intriguing squad in top-10 is Rangeview, coming in at preseason No. 5. Another program eager to prove that their tremendous individual talent can perform beyond just their conference and compete on the large playoff stage. The Raiders are again loaded at the guard position with senior Tyrei Randall leading the way and two talented juniors helping carry the load in Matt Johnson and Elijah Blake. The Raiders have length on the perimeter who will have to play big down low for this team to advance late in season.
Of our remaining preseason top-10 — Regis Jesuit, Dakota Ridge, Cherokee Trail, and Eaglecrest — the Fever crew likes the Cougars to make the most noise late in the season. CT is another squad without a huge inside presence but David Thornton and Ronnie Barfield will battle anyone with their athleticism. Super slick guard Jaizec Lottie is a proven leader who’s one of our state’s top 2017 prospects with Division I college offers anxious to prove he is a premier player!
Ball Fever 5A sleeper: Our sleeper pick is the FNE Warriors (formerly Montbello). They received a single top-10 vote and are flying under the radar despite some outstanding talent in 6-foot-4 point guard Sekou Cisse, who should be taking the reins as team leader. Down low the Warriors have more transfers adding size and depth along with returning big man Relando Rogers. The Warriors also have an incoming freshman PG in JoVon Nelson who the “Bellos streets” say may make a varsity impact right away. Watch for the Warriors to tangle with GW and East for the DPL title and raise some eyebrows along the way.

4A boys:

Boise State-bound Justianian Jessup and Longmont are no doubt hungry to return to Boulder after going undefeated before eventually losing to Air Academy last March. Longmont hogged the lions share of first place votes in our 4A preseason poll with Air Academy not garnering as much respect coming in at No. 7. Longmont not surprisingly No. 1 as they return the same starting five that marched its way into Boulder undefeated last season.
Valor is now led by long time D’Evelyn coach Troy Pachner and comes in as our preseason No. 2 with junior Jalen Sanders being their go to guy along with Dylan McCaffrey, who will be joining after his football run for the Eagles. This team always seems to peak late and it will be interesting what this season brings under a new regime. Valor will be tested within it’s own league by our preseason No. 5 Golden who have returning veteran Ryan Blodgett leading the scoring and rebounds.
It seems like there is no shortage of great Scotts at Lewis-Palmer and now Jonathon at 6-foot-4 looks to be go-to player for this year’s Rangers, who come in at No. 3 in the preseason poll.
More star power at Pueblo Central as the duo of Kobi Betts and Mike Ranson (both D-I commits) look to continue double-digit scoring average for our No. 4 ranked squad.
Of our remaining top-10 squads — Sand Creek, Denver South, Pueblo West, and Pueblo South — we expect Sand Creek to possible rise as the season rolls along behind superior lefty D’Shawn Schwartz, who is a top-rated Class of 2017 junior. He has garnered national attention and has the ability to put this squad on his back!
Ball Fever 4A Sleeper: Veteran coach Terry Dunn must be excited about his group of young Stallions that received 30 votes in our preseason poll but Sierra didn’t quite crack the top-10. Coach Dunn and staff have the experience to lead a talented team and junior point guard CJ Jennings may be one of the best overall players in the state you haven’t heard of!

The Look Ahead:

Regis Jesuit George Washington boys basketball

Tuesday:

The obvious season kickoff huge draw is the Aurora vs. Denver match up of George Washington and Overland in a early top-5 matchup!
Another tilt with top 10 teams facing off is Legend visiting Denver East. We’ll find out about the Titans’ toughness right away.
Arvada West has their big man healthy now and will take on the young Smoky Hill Buffaloes. Nice early barometer for both.
Arapahoe and Ponderosa in a nice Centennial vs. Continental test.
Many have Abraham Lincoln quietly contending in the DPL and they face the Columbine Rebels.
Sand Creek and Palmer in a 4A/5A CO Springs match.
Aurora Central and it’s backcourt duo of Coleman & Thomas travel to Thomas Jefferson to face the young Spartans.
4A’s top 10 opening night match up of Pueblo Central and Lewis-Palmer.
Sierra is our “sleeper” pick in 4A and they tangle with Pueblo West right away.

Wednesday:

Little time to rest for No. 4 George Washington as they jump right into tourney play vs. Chatfield.
No. 3 ThunderRidge gets going in tourney play as Denver South pays a visit.
Eager to see how our “sleeper” squad FNE Warriors get going vs. Rocky Mountain.
Chaparral gets started in tournament action vs. Fairview.
Doherty and No. 8 Cherokee Trail is our game of the night.

Thursday:

Another top-10 Week 1 match up in Regis Jesuit and Denver East … always a classic!
4A Thomas Jefferson in for a stiff early test at 5A No. 5 Rangeview.
Arapahoe vs. Mountain Vista out south in early tournament play.
Lewis Palmer vs. Pueblo South is our 4A top-10 matchup this night.

Friday:

Palmer at No. 9 Eaglecrest is our choice on this night!
No. 2 Valor at No. 7 defending champ Air Academy looks good!

Saturday:

You have Rangeview at Castle View in the afternoon or Regis at Columbine for evening action.

Put on your seatbelt, folks! We have an action-packed Week 1 of big-school hoops. It’s cold out there, football championships aren’t until Saturday, so why not get in the gym where it’s always 72 & sunny?!

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