Ball Fever: The action continues as the basketball season heads into the break
By Thomas Trotman
Welcome back, hoops fans. Week 3 in our big school 5A and 6A boys hoops did not let us down, providing more shake up in both Top 10’s including a new No. 1 in 5A. Week 4 brings us more non-conference and early-tournament action, including some of our top squads heading to face national competition out of state.
Let’s dive into week 4!
Tuesday, Dec. 20
Class 6A No. 5 ThunderRidge is on the road at the Visit Mesa Tournament and will face Corner Canyon out of Utah, a team that is 6-2 on the season. The Grizzlies’ sole loss came in tourney play at the final buzzer, so they are primed to represent the state well while on the road averaging 75 points per game so far.
Our 6A No. 9 team, Fort Collins, has yet to lose to an in-state team and its sole loss came in Wyoming tourney play to Central WY. Big man Luke Wagstaff continues to be a double-double machine, averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds per outing.
They’ve only got four games under their belt but there may not be any team as hot as the No. 3 Smoky Hill Buffs to start this season on the back of senior stud Rickey Mitchell’s 31 points per game and 38- and 40-point performances already under his belt! The Buffs head out to Arizona for the Visit Mesa Tourney as well and start off with Mesquite (8-5).
Gavin Hershberger is continuing his “stat-stuffin” ways at 15 points, 5 assists, 2 steals and will lead 6A No. 5 Rock Canyon (5-1) into an Arizona tournament vs. Campo Verde (Gilbert AZ) who have started their season with a strong 10-1 record. Great out of state test for the Jags!
Pueblo South has faced some tough 6A opponents in non-conference play and that will certainly bode well for them in league play and later in the season. This time, the No. 9 5A squad travels up I-25 to “Dry Creek & University” to face another 6A foe in Arapahoe.
Super sophomore Tanner Braketa continues his early season hot streak at 26 points per game and Ralston Valley held steady in this week’s coaches poll at No. 7. Rangeview will have to try and keep up with Ralston Valley’s 70 points per game.
Class 5A Top 10 Alert! The gym will be jumping as No. 7 Vista Peak hosts No. 4 Lewis-Palmer. Eli Robinson of the Rangers leads his squad in every statistical category while Carson McDonald’s 10 points and six rebounds per game will try to defend the home court.
Our 6A No. 1 team – Mountain Vista – was just as steady as the Golden Eagles come off winning the Cherry Creek tourney last week and remaining undefeated early on. Very impressive that this squad was down double digits to a former top 10 team in Eaglecrest and battled back in the second half to win by double digits! Westminster is visiting and will have its hands full with Caden Stevens’ 18 points, eight rebounds, and four big blocks per game.
Air Academy is back on track with a two-game winning streak and held steady as the 5A No. 5 team this week. Castle View will provide another test for the Kadets as the Sabercats come in at 8-2.
Wednesday, Dec. 21
We’ve got early Wednesday action in Arizona and No. 3 Smoky Hill can see if it can keep the momentum going against the Maricopa Rams (AZ), who are coming in at 4-5.
There’s more Arizona action where the Mountain View Toros (AZ) will try to slow ThunderRidge’s junior tandem of Charlie Spann and Andrew Crawford. Spann now up to 23 points per game for the Grizz.
Despite remaining undefeated at 6-0, Frederick dropped a couple notches down to No. 3 in the latest coaches poll, and the Golden Eagles will have a conference road trip to Fort Morgan.
Smooth senior guard Tarea Fulcher is averaging 16 points per outing and has helped Regis Jesuit to a 3-3 start and a spot in the 6A rankings at No. 10. Monarch is off to a solid 5-1 start and host the Raiders this night.
Thursday, Dec. 22
Not Top 10 action but if the frigid temperatures allow it, the Arapahoe versus Heritage rivalry is always a fun one. The Fever Crew will also be keeping an eye on Denver South, which will travel to Las Vegas and the Tarkanian Classic! Follow us on Twitter (@BallFever_CO_Tr ) for all the out of state action…
Our Ball Fever Crew will also follow how Smoky Hill, ThunderRidge, and Overland do in their out of state tourney finales and have updates for you.
Weeks 1-3 have been an absolute treat and it will be fun to follow Week 4 as we head into the new year! Get out and support your neighborhood team folks, these awesome student athletes are creating another memorable season!
#BallFever
