Ball Fever: Start of 2016 sets the stage for an exciting finish

Regis Jesuit Overland boys basketball fans

All we can say, is WOW! If the first week of 2016 is any indication, we are in store for some exciting days ahead in our big school hoops, folks.

What a week of upsets, action, and one of our best in the state reaching the 700-win milestone. Congrats Coach Shaw!

Week in review

Saturday, Jan. 2:

Coach Carey and staff have done a tremendous job with a new-look Angels squad returning from a strong Hawaii tournament effort to now knock off No. 2 ThunderRidge on their home floor 63-59. An early off-the-court issue could have been a huge distraction for the No. 8 Angels but instead has become a rallying cry for a squad whose senior leaders scored 19 (Buckmelter & Harrell), supported by Daytone Jenning’s 13-point, 8-rebound night in a tough environment. T-Ridge is balanced and had four players score in double figures but East came in with confidence and carried that throughout the match.
Cherry Creek won 68-60 over Pine Creek.
Grandview was on a nice early roll with some surprising early wins but their first big time test came in the version of No. 5 Regis visiting and the Raiders’ balance was on display with leader Geoff Kelly scoring 18 points in the 20-point win on the road. Jack Eberhard has your action shots.
Coach Brad Jansen has started a sweet tradition at Sitting Eagle gym with an annual “alumni” game each January and this year before the “old heads” returned to the court the young Warriors treated the crowd to an exciting 76-69 win over George Washington. Kyle Lukasiewicz is averaging 30 points per game in 2016! Yes, he’s only played one 2016 game so far but boy was he impressive from the field and line along with Ryan King’s 20 points partnered with James Walsh’s 13 getting done vs. the young Patriots. Multitalented Jervay Green led GW with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists.
The 4A action was down south on Saturday as Pueblo Central took down Sierra by eight and in our Ball Fever “dig” for stats this week we found hot shooting David Simental scoring 33 points on 7-of-11 3-pointers for Pueblo West who took down Canyon City.
Rock Canyon, currently No. 9 in our poll, looking to rise as they again flex their early season muscle with blowout victory over young Smoky Hill. The Jags are usually the picture of balance but this night sophomore Sam Masten played with “chip” scoring 27 points while snagging 7 rebounds.
Chatfield had four players score in double figures, led by Cameron Pearson’s 14 in their win over Boulder. Landon Taliaferro led all scorers with 22 for the Panthers in the loss.

Monday, Jan. 4:

There may not be a hotter squad right now than Doherty!
Pueblo South kept its winning ways alive behind 20 points from Noah Sanders in the 7-point win over Falcon.
Devante Jones score 17 and Anthony McFraland 18 but it wasn’t enough to stop a young Highlands Ranch team from getting a big win over Dakota Ridge.
How about a 30-6 fourth quarter? The FNE (Montbello) Warriors are flying under the radar but a 25-point win at Sand Creek will open up some eyes for sure. Melek Bar led on this night with 18 points and 4 steals.

Tuesday, Jan. 5:

Regis Jesuit Overland boys basketball Ken Shaw 700

Our guy Ryan Casey all over Regis’ upset of No. 1 Overland and Coach Shaw’s sweet 700th!
4A No. 1 Longmont continues to hit on all cylinders as Justinian Jessup scores 26 in their blowout over Centaurus.
Despite Antonio Capley’s 20 points Monarch was able to take home the bragging rights in win over rival Ralston Valley.
Did not see this coming! Charlie Davis scored 22 as D’Evelyn went into Thomas Jefferson and proved they are a 4A force to be reckoned with winning by 22.
Holy Family starting to get some 4A votes in our poll and they pulled off a late two-point win at Frederick. Young Kyle Helbig with 12.
Sophomore Sam Masten continues to produce for Rock Canyon and he poured in 19 at Fort Collins to help the Jags win.
Aurora Central showed its balance in winning at Smoky Hill by five points with a 17-8 fourth quarter advantage.

Wednesday, Jan. 6:

The Fever Crew made it out to ThunderRidge at Rangeview for our top-5 match up. Always impressed with the Raiders guard play but on this night it was big man Elijah Reed who dominated the paint with 16 points, nine rebounds to go along with Tyrei Randall’s game high of 20. The Raiders took on 26-9 vs. the Grizzlies and never looked back!
Lewis-Palmer grabbing attention down south and Dan Moorhman was on the scene.
Eaglecrest is one talented roster from top to bottom and they continue to roll with 24-point win over Smoky HIll to start league play.
Jalen Sanders put in 21 points as Valor passed a test at Wheatridge winning by 12.
Unfortunately for Mullen they had to be the guys to face Overland after their first loss and the Trailblazers raced to a 38-point win but it was costly as De’Ron Davis was ejected and will have to sit the next one out. Another Overland weapon led the way in Tyler Stephenson who scored 17.
Much needed win for the program as Gateway gets one on the road at Fairview. Demario Williams with 18 in the win.
Expected a track meet here and Chatfield did their part ringing up 78 points in win over Lakewood.
Cherokee Trail will be in jeopardy of losing their top-10 ranking after taking an early Centennial league loss to Cherry Creek.

Thursday, Jan. 7:

Senior leadership at the guard spot is a great thing to have and Elijah Coleman and Ladarius Thomas combined for 43 points in Aurora Central’s nice win over Highlands Ranch.
David Simental had 24 points as he continues to be the scoring force for Pueblo West in their win over Montrose.
Abraham Lincoln has taken some tough losses of late but they righted the ship this night with a 3-point win at Broomfield. Umar Jalloh scored 20 in the win.
“Stat stuffer” performance: CJ Jennings scores 26 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks for Sierra in win over Mesa Ridge. Kid was all over the floor!
Three seniors in double figures again for the East Angels as they protect the home floor vs. a young Chaparral team. Dominic Coleman scored 17 in the loss while Daytone Jennings led all with 18.
A 27 -point, 12-rebound double-double from Dalven Brushier helped hot Doherty make the comeback win after being down at halftime but end up beating Pine Creek by 18.

Friday, Jan. 8:

Eaglecrest Overland boys basketball generic

Overland was without big De’Ron and Jack Eberhard was on hand to watch Eaglecrest take advantage in this top 5 match up! Mark your calendar when this rematch takes place at Eaglecrest!
Clay Verk helped ThunderRidge bounce back in a major way scoring 25 points to lift the Grizz over Aurora Central by 27.
Had to be a low scoring slug-fest as Lewis-Palmer wins by a field goal 39-36 at Vista Ridge.
Matt Minton was our guy snapping the shots as upstart Grandview cooled off a Cherry Creek squad that has been playing well. Lachaun Duhart with 19.
In a battle of two squads who have been a bit perplexing to figure out George Washington got the signature win they’ve been looking for on the road at Legend with Daylen Kountz leading the way with 23 points, four rebounds.
It would take a huge effort to take down Valor and Kayden Sund’s 18 points led four Golden players in double figures to help fuel the upset Friday night. Look for Golden to firmly plant themselves in top 10.
Denver South won by 20 at Pueblo East. A lot of talent and the roster is coming together for the Rebels. Connor Nelson with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double this night.
Another impressive win for Monarch scoring 28 fourth-quarter points to come back on Fossil Ridge.
David Simental continue to get a look as player of the week scoring 30 points in Pueblo West’s blowout of Discovery Canyon.
Matt Mathewes was on the scene as streaking Chatfield pulled away from Bear Creek.

Saturday, Jan. 9:

Regis Jesuit Fossil Ridge boys basketball

The Sabercats are tough at home and Saturday Fossil Ridge handed Regis its first loss of the season. Braxton Bertolette with 24 points, seven rebounds.
Doherty is feeling it! They had nine players contribute to the scoring column led by Dalven Brushier’s 18 in the 34-point win over Liberty.
Rangeview may have just locked up the new No. 1 ranking with the week they had knocking off another top-10 team in Cherokee Trail 59-55. They have a date with Regis coming up that should be great!
4A No. 1 Longmont will stay right there at No. 1 as they close the week with a 30-point win over Skyline.

A look ahead to this week’s top games

Monday, Jan. 11:

FNE Warrirors at Mountian Vista should be a race!
Chatfield at Denver East is the game of the night.

Tuesday, Jan. 12:

Rangeview at Regis for battle for No. 1!
GW at Chaparral.
Pine Creek at ThunderRidge.
Fossil Ridge at Legacy.
Doherty at Rampart.
Pueblo Central at Pueblo South.
Longmont at Niwot.
Englewood at Vista Peak.

Wednesday, Jan. 13:

Take your pick in the Centennial this night! We like Cherokee Trail at Grandview as the best.
Denver East at Highlands Ranch.
Ralston Valley at Chatfield.
Lewis-Palmer at Falcon.
Golden at D’evelyn looks great!

Thursday, Jan. 14: