(Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
Hoop fans, looks like we’re headed for another exciting finish and our staff joked at the Coliseum during the 5A Great 8 that if a 38-point performance in an exciting overtime game is any sign of what’s to come the rest of the way: We Simply CAN’T WAIT!
Week in review
5A Sweet 16
Cherry Creek had the upset of the Sweet 16, taking down No. 1 seed ThunderRidge. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)
- Check out our lead guy Ryan Casey’s recap of the Sweet 16 match ups led by Cherry Creek’s upset of ThunderRidge
- The Fever Crew made it out to the Trailblazers gym for Boulder/Overland. The game started a bit late due to the Panthers bus breaking down en route to Aurora but it didn’t slow the Panthers as they battled the defending champs to a 18-18 tie late into the second quarter. As Ryan Casey noted, Alijah Haliburton’s 20 points led the way and his speed on break-away layups and back door cuts for dunks helped Overland to a 26-8 point run at one point in the 28 point win. The Trailblazers were able to empty the bench with 6 minutes left in the game leaving their core of seniors well rested for the Coliseum!
- Dan Mohrmann covered Doherty getting defensive vs. a tough Rock Canyon squad.
Josh Watt’s photos here. - We’ve talked all season about the Raptors roster that may not have household names outside of Ross but they have the talent to step up! Stephen Priest covered the “supporting cast” helping to beat Denver East
- If I had a dollar for every time the phrase “Regis’ balance” was used this season I’d be a rich man! Jack Eberhard has the action shots from their latest team effort
- Matt Matthewes has your pics from “Centennial-Tough” Cherry Creek’s upset at ThunderRidge
5A Great 8
Chatfield won an instant classic against Cherry Creek in OT at the Great 8. (Matt Minton/JacksActionShots.com)
- Here is our CHSAA staff complete breakdown of the 5A Great 8 games at the Denver Coliseum
- Ball Fever’s Great 8 thoughts: Hard to top the very first game of the day as Will Halfon poured in 38 points for Cherry Creek but it was Chatfield’s third quarter decision to switch to full-court pressure that changed the momentum and pace of this one in the Charger’s favor.
- Two of the other Great 8 games stories were a tale of “two fouls.” Cherokee Trail, although David Thornton stepped up big, never seemed to gain their rhythm when floor leader Jaizec Lottie got in early foul trouble. Rangeview took full advantage with their multi-faceted roster making plays all over the floor and stretching the lead. The Raiders can overwhelm teams quickly!
- The other foul marred game saw Colbey Ross sit an extended amount of time with four fouls. Very impressed in how he didn’t get flustered and survived the entire fourth quarter without picking up a fifth foul while controlling the tempo/flow of a game he didn’t play much of the first three quarters. Ikenna Ozor showed up huge in Ross’ absence and the defense located Regis’ Elijah Martinez in the second half to slow him a bit!
- Last, but not least, many have critiqued big man De’Ron Davis for not having “jump off the page” overall stats a player of his caliber may be expected to have. Be clear that De’Ron can dominate a Colorado high school floor on any given night just like he’s displayed vs. top national competition. His full game was on display knocking down threes, thunderous dunks, and was still very unselfish in a double-double performance! The Trailblazers continue to look like a squad on a mission with so many contributors.
- Get all your 5A Great 8 action pics here.
4A Great 8
- Dan Morhmann has the full report on the 4A Great 8.
- Vista Ridge is on its way to first ever Final 4 and Josh Watt was there for the action.
- Coach Pachner is marching the Valor Eagles to Boulder in his first season and Matt Matthewes has the photos from their tight battle with Windsor.
Coors Events Center awaits the 5A and 4A boys basketball Final 4s this weekend. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
5A Final 4 preview
The 7 p.m. 5A game will be an “A-Town” bragging rights battle between Eaglecrest and Rangeview to advance to the title game.
The Raptors continue to prove they are more than just a one man show as Ikenna Ozor for one has stepped up in the post season to support star guard Colbey Ross. Austin Forsberg sharp-shooting from the outside and Jalaughn Jackson’s overall energy gives Eaglecrest a boost.
De’Ron Davis and Overlamd, the defending 5A champs, are back in Boulder. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)
If the Raptors are seen as one guy by some, the No. 1 Rangeview Raiders are clearly not seen that way. They do have a lead senior in Tyrei Randall but Elijah Reed is the anchor on the inside who will be crucial to them advancing. Jalen Guidry, Matt Johnson, and Elijah Blake will go toe to toe with their counterpart perimeter players on the Raptors side.
Our 8:30 p.m. finale on Friday puts Overand on a stage they are not afraid of and are familiar with! The defending champs have an array of athletes that will outsize streaking Chatfield.
The Chargers will embrace the underdog role and play loose with nothing to lose as they will be considered a considerable underdog.
Big De’Ron, Reggie Gibson, and Jervae Robinson certainly won’t be satisfied to be called defending champs but look to be two-time repeat champions!
Something to watch for is Chatfield’s pressure defense which has given teams fits all season, but the slick guard play of the Trailblazers is not easy to trap and if they break a press it will be dunk city by the likes of Padiet Wang or Alijah Haliburton running the wing.
4A Final 4 preview
Vista Ridge is making its first Final 4 trip. (Josh Watt/CHSAANow.com)
If you like electrifying scorers you don’t want to miss the 4 p.m. game that gets things started on Friday!
Hunter Maldonado of Vista Ridge and David Simental of Pueblo West are both 30-point capable type scorers and we hope they’ve saved their best for the big stage!
Our 5:30 p.m. 4A Game 2 on Friday doesn’t lack in star potential either. Two 4A favorites from the very beginning of the season will square off but only one can make the title game as No. 1 seeds who ended up on same side of the bracket.
Jalen Sanders is the lead man on a talented Valor roster and Justinnian Jessup will lead Longmont who hasn’t lost since a January date at 5A FNE Warriors, and a roster who just came up short one year ago.
Get ready Boulder … what the Fever Crew likes to call the “CHSAA Machine” is on its way!