Boys basketball preview: George Washington seeking first title since Chauncey Billups era
Chauncey Billups is a legend on Monaco Parkway.
The greatest player in Colorado high school history led George Washington to a pair of state championships. He was named Mr. Basketball three times and was selected as a McDonald’s All-American his senior year.
The point guard, who thrived at the University of Colorado and in the NBA, earning Finals MVP honors in 2004 during a championship run with the Detroit Pistons, piloted the Patriots to their last basketball crown. They won 6A over Horizon in 1994.
Basketball has always meant a great deal to the school. This year’s team has a chance at snapping a 22-year title drought.
“It would mean a lot, because we haven’t won a state championship since Chauncey,” said Calvin Fugett, the current floor general for the Patriots. “It would put George on the map again.”
In many ways, George Washington is already on the map again. They are the two-time defending Denver Prep League champions, boasting a 16-0 record in league play over that span. That came after 3-4 and 4-4 city records the previous two seasons.
“I think the last two seasons were very exciting, because we won the Denver Prep League,” said Jon’il Fugett, Calvin’s brother and capable sidekick. “I remember when Calvin was a freshman and I would go and watch his games. I would see him lose to some of these DPS teams. They got so sad when they lost. They had so much pride. The fact that I haven’t had a loss and haven’t had to feel what they felt is pretty good.”
The program has also reached the 5A Sweet 16 the past two seasons, their deepest tournament runs since 2011, and been one of the more compelling teams to watch.
Now they want more. A state championship is in their sights and they are brimming with talent. Hoops are alive and well at the traditional city contender.
“When I first got here, a lot of students didn’t go to the games but our style of play is exciting,” said fourth-year coach Reggie Hammons, a former Patriots player. “The crowd is involved again. We have a nice little buzz around the school about the team.”
George Washington, ranked sixth in the preseason CHSAANow 5A poll, might have the fastest group in Colorado. They have the personnel to be in that conversation and love to take advantage, consistently pushing the pace and pressuring opponents with their athleticism.
“We definitely are an athletic, running team, because we’re really guard-heavy,” Calvin Fugett said. “We’re going to be a team that can shoot better this year. We’ve been working on that. We’re going to be a defensive team as well.”
“I don’t really see any team that can hang with us man-to-man or can press us full-court,” Jon’il Fugett added. “If that happens, we’re going to take advantage and attack them.”
Although Daylen Kountz, perhaps Colorado’s best junior prospect, transferred to Denver East, the Patriots still have sufficient star power.
Jon’il (14.4 points per game, 2.1 steals per game as sophomore) and Calvin Fugett (11.1 ppg, 5.8 assists per game as junior) are dynamos in the open court. And 6-foot-5 guard Jervay Green is uber-talented, a senior that Coach Reggie Hammons describes as one of the best in the state. 6-foot-8 Tre Pierce is mobile, a rim-protector who accounted for 2.5 blocks a night as a sophomore.
Above all else, the Patriots will no longer be one of the youngest teams in 5A. Upperclassmen lead the charge, a virtue George Washington hopes will push them into the state finals. Their last appearances in the championship game were in 2009, an overtime loss to Regis Jesuit, and 2001, a 40-39 defeat at the hands of Mullen. The program does have five state championships (1994, 1993, 1986, 1982, 1961).
“To win the state championship, it would be our legacy,” Jon’il Fugett said. “Just like Chauncey has his legacy at George, we would be able to leave our own legacy.”
Boys basketball preview
Important dates and info
- Regular season begins: Nov. 30
- Regular season ends: Feb. 18
- Preseason rankings
Class 5A
- Defending champion: Overland
- Preseason No. 1: Eaglecrest
- Returning All-State Players: Sam Masten, Jr., Rock Canyon (1st team); Colbey Ross, Sr., Eaglecrest (1st team); Hunter Maldonado, Sr., Vista Ridge (1st team in 4A); Braxton Bertolette, Sr., Fossil Ridge (2nd team); Jake Belknapp, Sr., Mountain Vista (Honorable mention); Elijah Blake, Sr., Rangeview (Honorable mention); Daylen Kountz, Jr., Denver East (Honorable mention); Jaizec Lottie, Sr., Cherokee Trail (Honorable mention); Kolton Peterson, Sr., Lakewood (Honorable mention).
- Championship: March 11 at Denver Coliseum
Class 4A
- Defending champion: Pueblo West
- Preseason No. 1: Pueblo West
- Returning All-State Players: Jalen Sanders, Sr., Valor Christian (1st team); David Simental, Sr., Pueblo West (1st team); CJ Jennings, Sr., Sierra (2nd team); D’Shawn Schwartz, Sr., Sand Creek (2nd team); Kayle Knuckles, Sr., Valor Christian (Honorable mention); Trey McBride, Jr., Fort Morgan (Honorable mention); Nieyeme Smyer-williams, Jr., Pueblo West (Honorable mention).
- Championship: March 11 at Denver Coliseum
Class 3A
- Defending champion: Colorado Springs Christian
- Preseason No. 1: Colorado Springs Christian
- Returning All-State Players: Justin Engesser, Sr., Colorado Springs Christian (1st team); Tanner Ervin, Sr., Resurrection Christian (1st team in 2A); Ryan Brubacher, Sr., Alamosa (2nd team); Conner Martin, Sr., Strasburg (Honorable mention); Lucas Rodholm, Sr., Manitou Springs (Honorable mention); Robert Williams, Sr., Sheridan (Honorable mention); Will Willis, Sr., Lutheran (Honorable mention).
- Championship: March 11 at University of Denver
Class 2A
- Defending champion: Sanford
- Preseason No. 1: Sanford
- Returning All-State Players: Bradley Claby, Jr., Crowley County (Honorable mention); Dagan Rienks, Sr., Paonia (Honorable mention); Cole Rouse, Sr., Highland (Honorable mention).
- Championship: March 11 at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland
Class 1A
- Defending champion: Fleming
- Preseason No. 1: Fleming
- Returning All-State Players: Jaxon King, Sr., Fleming (1st team); Yaniel Vidal, Sr., Holly (1st team); Sigi Avalos, Sr., Holly (2nd team); Christian Dellamaestra, Sr., Wiley (2nd team); Kendall Pelton, Sr., Cheyenne Wells (2nd team); Alex Vandenbark, Sr., Fleming (2nd team); Ravi Inmon, Sr., Ouray (Honorable mention); Brad Johnson, Sr., Kit Carson (Honorable mention).
- Championship: March 11 at University of Northern Colorado
