Category: Ball Fever

Early upsets of our top rated 5A squads ruled the day early in the week as our top 4A squads flexed their muscles and remained unbeaten.

Let’s check it out!

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The Look Back

Monday, Jan. 28

• Javonte Johnson was “stat-stuffin” as Cheyenne Mountain got the week rolling with a 86-52 drubbing of Falcon and Johnson posted 23 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in the win!
• Wheat Ridge, holding at No. 10 in 4A, pulled away from Bear Creek with a 21-6 third quarter advantage in a game that started close but ended 73-39 at Bear Creek.
• Rogers, Kline, and Lindebad all in double figure scoring led by Josh Rogers 16 in A-West’s 22-point home win over rival Pomona!
• ELEVEN players contributing to the stat sheet Harrison is showing balance and now 14-4 after beating Elizabeth by 21 with Sanchez, Archuleta, and Dawson all scoring in double figures on the road!

Tuesday, Jan. 29

The Fever Crew made it out to Regis as they hosted No. 1 Chaparral on a cold night!

The gym heated up quickly as big Matt Wheelock started off the home Raiders with 14 first half points and 18 overall including a huge late three!

Jamil Safieddiene also heated up as the game went on doing damage while Chap’s Kobe Sanders was in foul trouble finishing the game with 22 overall. Joseph Dalton hit three deep 3s and 11 points total along with Bryce Matthews 23 to lead all scorers in the tight last second loss.

See the full game and Payton Egloff’s game winning free throw here.

In other games:

• What makes No. 1 Lewis-Palmer so scary is they have multiple guys who can get it done any given night and Ethan Forrester’s 24 helped to keep the unbeaten streak alive 71-35 over Vista Ridge.
• After seeing Mead in person last week there’s no surprise to us that they jumped from No. 10 to No. 4 in our 4A poll and they continued strong play with a 12-point win at WIndsor with Caleb Ayers leading FIVE scorers in double figures with 16!
• Centaurus dropped one notch in the 4A poll from No. 9 to No. 8 but it may be hard to hold that spot after going down by 22 to Silver Creek.
• Talk about getting done on both ends of the floor! Unbeaten No. 2 Longmont rolls 93-33 over Thompson Valley with Dallas Dye’s 20 points leading FIVE Trojans in double figure scoring.
• No. 6 ThunderRidge got 16 from junior Justin Smith who led four Grizz in double figure scoring beating league foe Ponderosa by 22 at home.
• With only one loss Mountain Vista is in at No. 3 this week and got 21 points from Ben Grusing (and four other Eagles scored in double figures) as they ran up 89 points on Douglas County!
• Speaking of running up points! Denver East rang up 96 on visiting Lincoln in a battle of two teams who have eyes on a DPL title. Clayton Findley-Ponds was feeling it on this night as he poured in 28 of the 96 for the Angels. 
• Holy Family dropped a couple notches to No. 5 in our 4A poll but got defensive once again holding Fort Morgan to single digits in two of the four quarters leading to a 55-40 win.
• Nicholas Bassett and Javonte Johnson combined for 36 points providing the scoring punch needed for an 18 point impressive win over Discovery Canyon.

Wednesday, Jan. 30

9News Game of the Night was a good one and we were blessed to be their in person and a guest of the live broadcast. Caleb McGill did everything he could to help No. 2 Grandview protect home court vs. visiting No. 7 Overland in this 5A Top 10 battle of giants but it was the inside/out combo of Hezekiah Swanson and Graham Ike that got it done on the road for the Trailblazers in this slight upset.

Swanson confidently pulling up mid-range for jump shots and Graham showing off his greatly improved inside footwork and touch around the rim.

The Trailblazers brought a great crowd and a ton of energy from coaches and sideline in the 3-point win where McGill just missed a shot to send it to overtime for the Wolves at the buzzer. Check out the full action here.

In other games:

• No. 9 Centaurus got 26 from junior Owen Koonce en route to a 10-point victory over Mountain View.
• Senior Beck Page led unbeaten No. 2 Longmont to another double digit win…this time over Silver Creek!
• No. 9 Eaglecrest used their duo of Aaron Bokol and Ty Robinson to carry them once again combining for 34 points in the 15-point win over Cherokee Trail in league play.
• Ralston Valley has been on a nice run of late and took a “furious” comeback for Columbine to get the win per Dennis Pleuss.
• Smoky Hill tuning up for a big rematch vs. Grandview on Friday tuned up vs. Cherry Creek getting a double-digit win
• And talk about “gettin up!” did Kenny Foster hit is head on the backboard on this alley oop???? Kenny doing “Kenny thangz”

Smoky Hill 75, Cherry Creek 62
Final pic.twitter.com/1Q8jEQMIL5

— Smoky Hill Hoops (@SmokyHillHoops) January 31, 2019

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Midweek Thoughts

The Fever Crew has never been one to “flip flop” but this crazy fun season of hoops has us thinking the “cream is clearly rising” one week and then it’s back to “this is WIDE open” another week!

Hey, wide open is a lot more fun anyway, right?

We see about six teams that could rise to the top come March in 5A and those are mainly in the Centennial and Continental leagues that are just beating each other up on a nightly basis!

4A? That picture seems to be a little more clear with Longmont and Lewis-Palmer still trucking along, but our “team to watch” this week 4A is a deep squad from Mead!

Enjoy, folks…

Welcome back to the end of Week 8, folks! The snow storm couldn’t stop our mid-week action and the time off for some equaled some really good ball to end the week.

The basketball community united around one of our Doherty Spartans who is battling though an illness, one of our top point guards in the state invited to the Steph Curry’s “UnderRated Tour” is our Ball Fever “Chat”, and our teams who have not lost a game in CO continue to roll! Let’s take a look back and then preview this week’s best stuff:

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The Look Back

Thursday, Jan. 24

Our Ball Fever “chat” with Rangeview point guard Jodaun Dotson let us with a couple words in mind: Humble teammate!

Dotson and the Rangers have now one eight straight after beating visiting Vista Peak 80-60 in their sole game of the week. Double-double “machine” Quincey Jewett again led the Raiders with 17 points and 16 big boards while Dotson was his usual consistent self: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal!

Dotson, on his role as one of the lead guards on the squad: “Since there are only three seniors on the team its important we have strong leadership.”

Dotson credits the teams championship game run in a winter break Las Vegas tournament to the squads uniting. “We are really coming together as a team and I am enjoying my teammates,” he said. “We had a great experience in Vegas and its great for Colorado basketball to have Rangeview and Overland make it to an out-of-state championship game.”

Dotson sees the Raiders capable of making a run with the state playoffs and the Fever Crew has to agree and with humble, unselfish leaders like Jodaun Coach Palmer’s crew is well on their way to post-season success.

Speaking of Dotson’s humility, he was pretty quiet about his opportunity to meet Stephan Curry and Jodaun’s true honor of being invited to Curry’s “UnderRated” tour in Los Angeles for 24 of the top players around the nation who were deserving of additional exposure due to being “underrated but undeterred!”

Jodaun is definitely that…keep it up Mr. Dotson!

First stop complete! Thank you Los Angeles! pic.twitter.com/bKq4TpCLJo

— Underrated Basketball (@underrated) January 21, 2019

• What a great choice for the 9News Game of the Night in a 4A top-10 match between Mead at Holy Family! Had the pleasure of going on “live” with Blake Olsen and the Mav’s fast paced approach didn’t let us down as they pulled the upset on the road! Catch the entire game here.
• Got a chance to chop it up with #copreps vet Jon Yunt as well as Brad Cochi who was all over the report for BoCoPreps.
• Senior Mark Dolan with his version of “stat-stuffin” 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals in No. 8 Fairview’s 12-point win over Legacy.
• No. 5 Pueblo West and Pueblo South have been in different directions this year with the Cyclones enjoying more success but in a rivalry game you can throw the records out the window. Junior Taylor Harris’ 22 point, 11 rebound double-double helped West secure the 63-56 league win!

Friday , Jan. 25

• Centaurus was up to 4A No. 8 in last week’s poll and a 23 point, 11 rebound double-double from senior Nate Totel helped notch another win by 16 over Northridge.
• Two big seniors Austin Holt and Clay Verk combine for 32 points (16 each) as the No. 7 Grizzlies got the home league win by 11 over Castle View.
• The three big guns on No. 3 Mountain Vista Grusing, May, and Pulling all score in double figures with Rhys Pulling scoring 13 and May getting a double-double with 11 rebounds launched the Eagles to a league win by 16 at Ponderosa.
• Three players in double figure scoring led by lead man Luke O’Brien’s 21 gave No. 9 Columbine a one-sided 30-point win over Pomona.
• Watch out 4A for the Lancers as Lincoln is steadily climbing our poll at No. 6 and got a road win at Standley Lake behind power guard TJ Bamba’s 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Felton, Bamba, Brown, and Bamba “stat-stuffin” and carrying a heavy load!
• Joel Scott, lead “dawg” of No. 1 Lewis-Palmer continues to add to his Player of the Year profile and the Rangers claim as “pound for pound” best in the state with a 84-47 pounding of league foe and Scott poured in 32 big ones!
• No. 4 Cheyenne Mountain’s loss to No. 1 Lewis-Palmer was well documented and we were curios to see how they would respond. Senior Will Louis’ 21 points led the way and Javonte Johnson added 9 points, 12 rebounds in the bounce back vs. Vista Ridge winning by 10.
• 40 combined points from No. 1 Chaparral’s duo of Joseph Dalton (24) and Kobe Sanders (16) in a 10-point home win vs. a “game” Highlands Ranch squad. Sanders adding 1 rebound, 5 assists, and 1 steal to what many feel are a Player of the Year profile…definitely a candidate as a junior!
• That rare “1,000 point club” is always a team accomplishment and Josh Rogers 20 points in Arvada West’s 11-point win over Dakota Ridge put him in that company!
• It’s great for high school players when “Coach K” is in the house with camera in toe! Check out Keyser Images from Legend and Douglas County.
• Catch the entire Legend/DougCo game here if you missed the action!
• As Brad Cochi notes, No. 2 Longmont knows the eyes of the state are on their 16-0 run and they have no problem with that!
• And check out this SWEET video from our Ball Fever buddy Troy Renck! Two-sport stud Brady Renck off the glass to Calvin Seamons for the oop? Sheesh!

Had cool fastbreak in @GoTrojanNation's win. @bdawg125 to @RealCalvinS for the jam. #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/xPr05TvFNQ

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) January 26, 2019

• Regis is finding its way and the double-double machine Daniel Carr is a big reason why!
• In perhaps their “best game of the year” D’Evelyn took a big step forward taking down Evergreen and our guy Dennis Pleuss is on it.

Saturday, Jan. 26

All of our basketball community prayers were with the Doherty Spartans and their sophomore Schafer Reichart who was dealing with a flu that turned into a serious infection and he is fighting hard at Denver’s Children Hospital.

The Spartans won the game Saturday afternoon over Rampart and they were off to be with their guy!

Our program at Children’s Hospital last night to support our guy. Not able to see him just yet but soon! pic.twitter.com/EDUnuzdiQS

— Doherty Basketball (@Doherty_Hoops) January 27, 2019

• Chad Robinson started hot for Cherokee Trail when they visited Smoky Hill earlier and he scored 19 in this one but not enough to get over the hump vs. the No. 4 Buffaloes who won the Centennial battle by 14 on the road. Not to be outdone by Robinson Smoky’s stars Quentin Rock and Kenny Foster combined for 32 points! Rock had 21 come in the first half and Foster 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists just missing that triple double!
• 5A Top-10 Centennial League action with Eaglecrest visiting Overland. The Raptors have been playing strong ball at the right time but a 16-7 second quarter advantage for the Trailblazers along with 20 point, 11 rebound double-double from Graham Ike was too much on the road. Bring your hard hat every night Centennial!
• A little more Centennial Saturday? Credit Arapahoe for playing tough at Sitting Eagle Gym behind 21 points from Bryson Stephens but not enough to slow 5A No. 2 Grandivew who won by 7!
• No. 3 Holy Family needed to bounce back at home and they responded with a 13-point home win pushing them to 13-3 overall and 8-1 at home.
• Look for Mead to move up in this week’s 4A poll after the road win at Holy Family followed up with convincing win over Berthoud. Unbeaten in league play and 13-3 overall behind Jax Wilke’s 14 points, 8 rebounds a game!

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The Look Ahead

Monday, Jan. 28

• Cheyenne Mountain vs. Falcon
• Wheat Ridge vs. Bear Creek
• Pomona vs. Arvada West rivalry!

Tuesday, Jan. 29

• Game of night candidate: Regis vs. No. 1 Chaparral!
• 16-0 No. 1 Lewis-Palmer vs. Vista Ridge!
• No. 2 Longmont vs. Thompson Valley!
• Douglas County vs. 16-1 Mountain Vista
• Greeley Central looks to rebound vs. Mountain View
• Greeley West vs. Poudre 14 & 13 win squads!
• Rising 4A Mead vs. Windsor
• City Ball! Denver East vs. a Top 4A Lincoln!
• Rangeview continues to roll vs. Adams City
• T-Ridge/Pondo Continental!
• Pueblo? West vs. Centennial is on…
• Holy Family vs. Fort Morgan
• Cheyenne Mountain vs. Discovery Canyon will be close!

Wednesday, Jan. 30

• 5A Top 5! Overland/Grandview #CentennialTough
• No. 2 Longmont back to back nights vs. Silver Creek!
• Good one in ranked Columbine vs. 13 win Ralston Valley!
• Smoky Hill streaking faces Cherry Creek…
• Arvada West vs. Bear Creek Jeffco…
• Cherokee Trail vs. Eaglecrest

Thursday, Jan. 31

• Continental! No. 1 Chaparral vs. Rock Canyon
• Columbine vs Mountain vista 5A Top 10!
• Highlands Ranch/T-Ridge neighborhood rivalry!
• Holy Family vs. Roosevelt…
• Legend vs. Regis, Continental too

Friday, Feb. 1

• Game of Night Candidate: 5A Top 10 rematch Grandview @ Smoky!
• No. 1 Lewis-Palmer vs. Sand Creek!
• Steel City Showdown: Pueblo West vs. Pueblo East!
• Greeley Central vs. Silver Creek
• Broomfield vs. Fairview northwest!
• Niwot tests No. 2 Longmont!
• Cheyenne Mountain vs. Palmer Ridge
• Cherry Creek/Eaglecrest Centennial!
• Can Aurora Central be a test for Rangeview?!!
• Overland vs. Arapahoe

Saturday, Feb. 2

• Ralston Valley/Pomona rivalry!
• Columbine & Lakewood renew…
• City Ball??? East/Bellos & GW/South!
• Holy Family vs. Erie
• Doherty’s turn to try No. 1 Lewis-Palmer wraps up the week!

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Sheesh! This is a great week of games, folks! Trying times in many of our communities but two things I know: when I’m coaching hoops or in the gym watching our No. copreps athletes there’s no other time my mind is clear and feel more connected to others! Go out and enjoy…

Our National Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and a late-January Tuesday “blizzard” slowed some of our early Week 8 action but believe there was plenty for our mid-week report!

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The Look Back

Monday, Jan. 21

With the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday upon us we only had one major 5A/4A game on the docket and it was No. 3 Mountain Vista welcoming Fountain-Fort Carson along I-25 North!

FFC was more than ready for the task jumping out by ten points 24-14 in the first quarter but we know that no Bob Wood-coached team is afraid to run and the Eagles took the second quarter 22-9 and never looked back winning by 9. Ben Grusing paced the Eagles with 19 points in the win.

Tuesday, Jan. 22

• Centaurus has moved up to 4A No. 8 in our new poll and they started this week right beating Niwot by 22 on the road with senior Nate Totel dropping 29 points with 8 rebounds.
• Greeley Central dropped a bit in 4A but 32 points from Jackson Hayslip and a 14-point win over Thompson Valley gets them going week 8.
• Joe Lombardelli scored 22 points but he needed more help from the crew as Northridge got thumped by defending champ No. 2 Longmont by 46!
• A “FoCo/Boulder” match and 5A No. 8 Fairview didn’t play fair putting it on Fort Collins by 31!
• Mead has worked its way into the 4A top-10, has a HUGE game with Holy Family this week, and start with a 90-65 win over Erie.
• No. 3 Holy Family? They held Skyline to single digits in 3 of 4 quarters en route to a 49-30 road win. The Tigers look ready for Mead!
• Lincoln is at No. 6 now in our 4A poll and our Ball Fever buddy, Marty Cesario, was all over it in his coverage of the Lancers/Spartans “city” battle that saw Lincoln put this away with big plays from Ty Foster down the stretch to win a close one over Thomas Jefferson

"He's just a point guard deluxe." – HC Dre Calloway on the go-ahead Steal/Score/and-1 by Ty Foster with :30.7 remaining. @coloradopreps

— Marty Cesario (@martycesario) January 23, 2019

Wednesday, Jan. 23

• Ball Fever (and everyone’s) game of the night was Cheyenne Mountain visiting No. 1 pound for pound “big dog” Lewis Palmer and Joel Scott did his thing on the defensive end as well as leading all scorers with 24 … check out “Digital Dan’s” coverage!
• 5A No. 3, 15-1 Mountain Vista, was off in their biggest game at Chap but no rust has been seen in any other match this season! They raced to a 22-point win over Heritage to keep their Continental hopes alive.
• A little “don’t look now” action with Regis finding their groove, unbeaten in league play, and Daniel Carr “monsta” double-double of 34 points 18 rebounds has the Raiders knocking on that 5A top-10 door again and beat Douglas County by 10 at home.
• Our guy, Marty Cesario, busy in the streets again and this time caught big Zeke Van Tuyl’s overtime put back that helped Wheat Ridge to a tight 56-55 win over Evergreen. On a Ball Fever “side note,” we’ve had the pleasure of knowing the Van Tuyl family for many years and everyone should crack a smile knowing they are currently offering free meals to the Federal Workers affected by the government shutdown…great family and their big 6-foot-10 big man did his part this night too! Love it…

@coloradopreps
Final: Class 4A #MBB (OT)
(13-3, 6-0) Wheat Ridge 56
(10-5, 3-3) Evergreen 55

Zeke Van Tuyl put-back at :33 in OT

— Marty Cesario (@martycesario) January 24, 2019

• Chaparral has returned to the No. 1 spot in 5A, getting healthy, and hit their stride at Castle View winning by 16. The Wolverines are unbeaten in league and got big man Bryce Matthews back on the court, which is bad news for everyone else! Castle View is battling but yet to get a Continental league win…
• Pueblo West now 12-4 and Pueblo County now 4-12 headed in opposite directions and the Cyclones hold on to their No. 5 spot in 4A unbeaten in league action after this 69-34 thumpin’.
• Overland, No. 5 in 5A, has fallen to Mullen but more importantly it drops the Trailblazers to 3-4 in league play…same league record as the Mustangs in this HUGE win for them, UPSET CITY at home is fun!
• If defense is your thing…No. 2 Grandview had it for you tonight only allowing single digits in every quarter of the 58-23 defeat of Cherokee Trail in league play Wednesday!
• Another tough game in the Centennial, where No. 10 Eaglecrest knocked off No. 4 Smoky Hill, 82-80. Aarkon Bokol with 34 points for the Raptors! Photos from the game are available here.

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Mid-Week Thoughts:

Just simple honesty in tonight’s mid-week “brain racing”! We have no doubts that there is a team just waiting to surprise all the “experts” but right now a 5A Chaparral/Grandview and 4A Lewis-Palmer/Longmont matchups seem to be popular and on the horizon but we can’t wait to see who may upset that easy preview…there’s someone out there!

Get out and enjoy, folks.

Late January, folks! As our mid-week report took a look at, this is that time of year the league leaders start to rise mid-season but parity has 5A and 4A squads making every game count…

Let’s take a look at the end of Week 7!

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Thursday, Jan. 17

• Good looking “big man” Eric Olsen, a sophomore, scored 16 points and added 7 rebounds for Heritage on the night, but it was not enough to hold off Highlands Ranch. The Falcons earned another league win 48-45 on the road.
• It was Colton Sanders’ turn to step up for No. 5 ThunderRidge, scoring 13 in another balanced effort for the Grizzlies as they out-paced Douglas County by 16 on the road.
• Regis has suffered its fair share of close game losses, but that tide is starting to turn for them in recent wins and they upset No. 8 Rock Canyon on Thursday. Jamil Saffidiene was all over scoring 16 points with 4 rebounds and 5 assists.
• No. 2 Chaparral couldn’t afford a let down after taking down No. 1 Mountain Vista. Tanner Giles was sure to not let that happen, leading four Wolverines in double figure by scoring with 14 at home in the win.
• Speaking of last week’s No. 1 Mountain Vista, they didn’t play their best ball in the big showdown at Chap but Simon May and crew were back in rhythm with May leading scoring at 19 points along with Ben Grusing’s 18 as they ran up 91 total as a team!
• It what used to be a highly contested “city rivalry” game Denver East stated loud and clear that’s not the case this year. The Angels beat Denver South 89-31 with their seniors Kwane Marble and Caulin Swain combining for 39 big ones!
• A long time coming for Coronado but they finally got over the hump vs. Rampart and Mays was a big reason why.

Friday, Jan. 18

The Fever Crew was blessed again to join Blake Olson for the 9News “Game of the Night” at Grandview, who was hosting Eaglecrest. After seeing Grandview three times live in the last week we’ve been totally impressed with the roster Coach Rogers has put together for the defending champs.

Extremely balanced with their inside and outside play but most impressively their interior presence hasn’t been matched yet and we weren’t sure it could be on a CO court.

Enter Eaglecrest! The Raptors controlled 80 percent of this game until midway through the final stage where a break away “and-1” lay up by the Wolves was followed by a Raptors technical that put it out of reach.

We will have more on the Raptors soon but Aaron Bokol and Ty Robinson’s toughness (along with a lengthy overall roster) had Eaglecrest competing at a high, confident level on the road. Highlight of the night was an unbelievable right-wing dunk by Robinson that brought everyone to their feet.

#JAM OF THE NIGHT on THE GAME OF THE NIGHT last night! @9NEWSSports @BallFever_CO_Tr @EaglecrestHoops @Grandview_HS pic.twitter.com/Dol7le2sie

— Blake Olson (@BlakeOlson1) January 19, 2019

Catch the entire broadcast here if you’d like to take a look back.

In other games:

• Top-10 4A action in Centaurus and Greeley Central got Friday started and junior Owen Koonce dropped 23 points on the road to help No. 10 Centaurus look to rise even higher after winning this one by 10 points on the road.
• No. 7 Rangeview really spreads the ball around and it was junior Christopher Speller’s turn to lead this night, scoring 19 in the 30-point win over Prairie View. Speller added 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals — straight “Stat-stuffin!”
• Trey Brushke and Shane Shadowen combined for 26 points but it was not enough to slow 4A No. 2 Longmont, who beat Mountain View by 21 on the road.
• Mark Dolan scored 23 points for Fairview, who’s trying to hold on to a top-10 spot beating Monarch by 28!
• No. 6 Smoky Hill gets another Centennial win over Mullen and super soph Jalen Weaver stepped up with 23 points in the 12-point win.
• Brett Finnegan and Julian Lucero combined for 30, scoring 15 points each for No. 5 Pueblo West, who downed Pueblo Central by 26.
• Lincoln traveled to Scottsbluff, Neb., last week and came away with a sweet 2-point victory on this game winning play! TJ Bamba scored 21 in the win and Ty Foster added 19 along with the game-winning assist!

Lincoln Lancers 88

Scottsbluff HS (Nebraska) 86

Ty Foster to ➡️ Josh Perez for the game winner 🏀💪🏾‼️#GoLancers pic.twitter.com/J3nDkvLMbY

— Lincoln Lancer Hoops (@LincolnHoops_) January 19, 2019

• Windsor seems to always battle No. 3 Holy Family tough and battled again but lost this one by 10.
• ALWAYS tough in the Centennial and No. 4 Overland knows that well! League foe Cherry Creek upset the Trailbazers by 10 with an explosive fourth quarter outscoring Overland 29-21 to seal it.

Saturday, Jan. 19

Ball Fever “CHAT”: The No. 1 4A team in the state, Lewis-Palmer, had their game rescheduled but it didn’t stop their two stop studs from piling in 50 points total! Player of the Year candidate Joel Scott scored 25 and running mate Matthew Ragsdale equaled that 25 in the cruise by over 30 points vs. Air Academy.

The Fever Crew had the pleasure to catch up with “sharp-shooting” senior Matt Ragsdale after the Rangers big win last weekend! Ragsdale, who had to miss the first five games of the season stated, “I feel really good. Sitting out gave me a different perspective and taught me to not take anything for granted. It’s a blessing to be back out there with my teammates.”

On the current “run” the Rangers are on Ragsdale added, “We can’t let the run get in our heads or get complacent. Every team is going to give us their best. I’m really excited for this team and the opportunity we have this year…one game at a time! We are very hungry, but also willing to get better. That’s fun to be a part of!”

Thank you, Matt Ragsdale, for the “chat”! His desire for the TEAM to excel came through clearly and we don’t doubt that team first, positive attitude will lead to results! Matt is averaging 17 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds per game for the Rangers.

In other action:

• Don’t look now but Wheat Ridge was No. 9 in 4A last week, 12-3 overall, and put something on D’Evelyn 82-64 at home!
• Not the GW/Bellos “Saturday ThunderDome” 2:30pm match-up that we know from the past but the Patriots and Warriors rekindled the city DPL tradition and Myron Hamilton scored 23 for the Bellos. It was not enough as GW pulled it off by 6 and bounced back from the Standley Lake loss.
• How about a “don’t look now” southern edition? Harrison is 11-3 and unbeaten in league play with a SUPER SOPH Donta Dawson, who is aggressive as they come, and hitting his perimeter buckets/free throws as well! Harrison beats Sierra by 7. Donta different man.
• Steamboat Springs in our 4A top-10 last week but Glenwood Springs said, “hold up!” and beat Steamboat on the road 54-51!
• TEN players in the scoring column and FIVE players in double figures equals Coach Wood’s Mountain Vista Eagles throwing up 91 points on visiting Falcon in non league play.
• ThunderRidge, No. 5 last week, had three players drop 12 points each in the road win vs. Arvada West.
• Make it 9 straight for Ralston Valley and Dennis Pleuss is our guy all over Jeffco action.
• Luke O’Brien’s 24 and a last-second stop propel Columbine over Valor.

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The Look Ahead

Monday, Jan. 21

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day! “Life”s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
• Fountain Fort Carson/Mountain Vista!

Tuesday , Jan. 22

• Greeley Central vs. Thompson Valley
• Longmont (unbeaten!) back in action vs. Northridge
• Centaurus vs. Niwot
• Denver South vs. Da Bellos (FNE) in city ball!
• Pueblo County/Pueblo West “steel city”
• No. 3 Holy Family vs. Skyline
• Lincoln/Thomas Jefferson “city ball”

Wednesday, Jan. 23

• Game of Night! Cheyenne Mountain vs. No. 1 Lewis-Palmer!!
• Mountain Vista/Heritage Continental!
• Legend vs. Highlands Ranch
• Chaparral vs. Castle View in more league play…
• Wheat Ridge vs. Evergreen
• Overland vs. Mullen
• Smoky Hill vs. Eaglecrest to Centennial!
• Grandview & C-Trail too…

Thursday, Jan. 24

• Pueblo West & Pueblo South get it on!
• Mead 10-3 vs. Holy Family 11-2…That #GOTN action…
• Tough task for Vista Peak vs. Rangeview

Friday, Jan. 25

• No. 1 Lewis-Palmer/Falcon
• Fairview & Legacy up north…
• Top 4A action! Longmont vs. Greeley Central!
• Highlands Ranch challenges Chaparral!
• Mountain Vista vs. Ponderosa
• Castle View vs. ThunderRidge
• Douglas County & Legend crowds ready to roll!
• Let’s get Private Mullen & Regis!

Saturday, Jan. 26

• Centennial Saturday!
• Smoky/CT, Eaglecrest/OVE, Grandview/Arap
• Frederick & Holy Family 4A!
• Mullen & Cherry Creek late weekend fix…

2019 hoops has not let us down, folks…let’s get out there and support!

The hoops is hot as we approach mid-season and dig into league play, folks!

We will touch on our top two 5A teams in the mid-week thoughts at the end of this report. As far as 4A? Shoot … there’s plenty of folks who believe, with good reason, that 4A Lewis-Palmer and defending champ Longmont can play with anyone at any level!

Let’s see how they fared in early Week 7 play.

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The Look Back

Monday, Jan. 14

• Wheat Ridge playing good ball and up to No. 9 in our 4A poll but 5A Ralston Valley was having NONE of it using a 26-9 fourth quarter advantage to pull away 87-55! Jordan Stratch scored 24 and junior Caden Gigstad 25 in the win.
• EVERYONE got involved as Denver East raced Kennedy, putting up 103 points. “Freshman Alert” as RaShawn Wilson was “stat-stuffin” 16 points, 9 assists, and 6 steals for the Angels! With Langston Reynolds and Wilson strong contributors as freshman East has to be pumped about that tandem’s future.
• The Bellos (FNE) took a strong record into Boulder but we had a feeling this would be a real test for them and junior Adam Sessions led three Panthers in double figure scoring as Boulder was not a kind host dropping the Warriors by 14.
• Matthew Ragsdale and Joel Scott at it again combining for 36 for No. 1 Lewis-Palmer. The Rangers continued their run with an 18-point road win at Discovery Canyon.
• Columbine is now outside the 5A top-10 and Castle View has joined at No. 10 but it was SIX Rebels scoring in double figures led by Luke O’Brien’s 18 that secured the 12-point league win.
• Arvada West dropped from the Top-10 but got 21 from Josh Rogers along with Taylor Kline’s 19 to secure the 13-point win over Monarch and start the week off right!
• Broken record here, but this young man Javonte Johnson is becoming “must see” hoops for Cheyenne Mountain tallying a “Monsta” double-double of 31 points, 16 rebounds to help his squad hold on late by 2 over Sand Creek.
• Air Academy’s Lark with 17 as they take down Falcon.

Tuesday, Jan. 15

It’s not often we get a 5A No. 1 vs. No. 2 regular season match-up but when we do the Fever Crew will do our best to get there!

This night we were honored to be Blake Olson’s guest on the 9News “live” Game of the Night with Chaparral hosting unbeaten No. 1 Mountain Vista.

The JV game went to double-OT and perhaps that took some of the wind out of Vista’s sails as they seemed to come out a bit off. They pushed the pace in Coach Wood fashion, even after made Chap buckets, but the Wolverines were supremely confident in their own gym from beginning to end — even without big man Bryce Matthews down to injury.

A big part of that Chap confidence was the hot left hand from junior point guard Kobe Sanders. Sanders started with hitting tough-angled shots from all over the floor. Hes finished with 19 and big man Dalton Waldron stepped up with a double-double inside in Matthew’s absence.

This was a total and complete game by Chap to take down No. 1!

Photos from the game are available here.

If you missed the showdown … catch the full replay here.

In other games:

• Fairview, in at No. 9 in 5A, and faced a Poudre squad coming in at 12-2 but the Knights held court to go 4-0 in league play winning by 14.
• Quincey Jewett starting to garner some serious attention as a double-double machine for No. 7 Rangeview and added another 21-point, 18 rebound “monsta” in the blowout of Westminster.
• Pueblo West and Pueblo East pride on the line with Brett Finnegan’s 18 points leading a balanced attack of four in double figure scoring for No. 5 West in the 10-point win.
• Jackson Hayslip poured in 19 points for No. 7 Greeley Central as they held off Niwot in a close one 50-49!
• Nothing wrong with a little double-overtime action in the city! Lincoln pulled this one out late 60-58 over GW to begin DPL play.
• No. 3 Holy Family jumped out 33-16 at the half and it was never close beating Berthoud by 24 on the road!
• We talked about defending 4A champ somehow “quietly” rolling along undefeated and Coach Kloster kept those winning ways rolling.
• Peyton Egloff’s game winner earned a Regis an upset of ThunderRidge in another Continental slow-down 30-point battle.

Wednesday, Jan. 16

• Wednesday nights in the Centennial League have been special as long as we can remember and Kenny Foster added to the legend, doing “Kenny thangz” for the Buffaloes hitting this sweet fade-away for the win over No. 4 Overland

Final.
#4 Overland – 70
Smoky Hill – 71#OTV @aurorasports @CHSAA pic.twitter.com/wfZeInJHIj

— OverlandTV (@OverlandOTV) January 17, 2019

• Eaglecrest has dropped from our top-10 but a blowout of Arapahoe and strong play of late has us hopeful for a #CentennialTough effort at Grandview Friday night! We’ll be there, and the Raptors only have one league loss!
• How much fun have we had following Josh Rogers and Arvada West?!! He took full advantage of the moment tonight: 41 points with SEVEN 3s…that’s Ball Fever!! A-West wins by 6!
• Wheat Ridge is serious about their 4A Top-10 spot, beating Golden by 11!
• Speaking of “must see” TV No. 1 Lewis-Palmer wins by 31 (again) and they are getting air time!

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Mid-Week Thoughts

With Chaparral taking down unbeaten Mountain Vista, the Fever Crew sees Grandview and Chap moving into those top two 5A spots. The Wolves did their part again beating Mullen by 14 to remain unbeaten in Centennial league play.

The Fever Crew will be in the house as Eaglecrest tries to find a chink in Grandview’s armor Friday night!

Can’t wait … get out and enjoy, folks!

Our mid-week report theme was top teams hitting their stride and those top teams continued but the theme for the second half of the week may be a few of our top-10 newcomers taking losses from the “underdog”!

It’s sure to shake up our top-10 this week … let’s look at how it went down!

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The Look Back

Thursday, Jan. 10

• What a night! What’s better than reaching a career milestone? Doing with your buddy on the same night! Kyle Helbig (19 points) and Tanner Baird (27 points) both join the 1,000 point club for Holy Family in their win over Erie.

HIGHLIGHTS: @HelbigKyle11 and @TannerBaird6 both reach the 1,000 point milestone in @HF_Athletics win over @ErieHSAthletics last nighthttps://t.co/VsQTTTH4EA#9sports #copreps pic.twitter.com/adf2SNbHiJ

— 9NEWS Prep Sports (@9Preps) January 11, 2019

• Rangeview seniors Jodaun Dotson and Quincey Jewett score 20 points each as the No. 7 Raiders continue to roll with a lopsided win by 52 over Thorton.
• We’ve found our second “30-piece” of the season provided by No. 8 Lincoln’s James Felton vs. Chatfield. He poured in 33 points and added 7 rebounds in the Lancers 22-point win over 5A Chatfield.
• How about 42 combined points from WIlkinson and Westfall for Pine Creek?!!
• Who had Alameda at 9-1 ten games into the season?
• 20-point, 13-rebound double-double efforts help a squad a lot and Daniel Carr is no stranger to them!
• 32-point fourth quarter getting it done for Rampart!

Friday, Jan. 11

• Valor, now moved up to 5A Jeffco, got 14 points from Cole Bott but not enough to take down No. 6 Pueblo West, which get their second win this week by 8.
• Fairview, No. 9 last week in our poll, destroy Mountain Range 82-39 putting in their bid to remain in the top 10!
• A 26-point, 3 rebound effort from Jackson Hayslip leads Greeley Central to 8-point win over league foe SIlver Creek.
• The Fever Crew talked about how it always seems like a different player steps up for balanced No. 1 Mountain Vista and this night Corban Gamble scored 26 points (on 82% shooting!) in the tight 4-point win over rival Highlands Ranch. The Eagles also needed all FIVE of Gamble’s three pointers vs. a game Ranch squad in a rivalry game.
• The Fever Crew was eager to see the result of an ever improving Arvada West’s visit to Rangeview Friday. However, this game may have taught us more of No. 7 Rangeveiws strengths…strength as in one of the best “monsta” double-doubles we’ve seen 2019 in Quncey Jewett’s 33 points (16-18 from the field!) and 16 rebound effort in the 29-point win over No. 10 A-West.
• We expect 5A Top-10 action to bring us more scoring than 65 points, but 34 is what was needed for ThurnderRidge to take down neighborhood rival Rock Canyon by 3 points on the road. If you visit the Jags be prepared to play a slowed, half court pace and grind out a win if you can. The Grizzlies had just enough to pull this one off late.
• Need more evidence of Lewis-Palmer claiming its stake on the Top Spot in the state, regardless of classification? How about four players in double figure scoring and this time around it’s Noah Baca’s 20 points that led in the 37-point win over of Sand Creek!
• TJ Boykins and Brendan Temple both scored in double figures for Douglas County but “at Chap” is no easy task and when the Wolverines have four of their stars score in double digits it’s even tougher! Tanner Giles was the lead man this night for Chap with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists securing the home league win by 8.
• Another 20-plus point victory for Longmont over Niwot! Is there a more “quiet” undefeated No. 2 team that anyone can think of?
• How did Javonte Johnson follow up his OUTSTANDING 37 point performance Dan Moohrman covered early in the week? How about 26 more points and 6 rebounds for Cheyenne Mountain in home league win over Palmer Ridge.
• Columbine, with Luke O’Brien scoring 23, get the rivalry win in new look 5A Jeffco.

Saturday, Jan. 12

Had the pleasure of going on “live” 9News with Blake Olson Saturday when Cherry Creek visited tough Grandview.

As we discussed with Blake, the Wolves have a tough inside/out attack where they punch you in the mouth early with the big boys Dayne Prim and Caleb McGill in the paint, and as soon as you adjust thinking this is all they have their perimeter studs Walker, Ramiro, and Dombro start to make open court plays and hit open 3’s due to the collapsing defense on the inside.

Seeing the Wolves twice this week in person definitely convinced us they are should be higher than the No. 6 squad our poll, and they used their formula to methodically pull away from your C Creek in this one by 26. But don’t just take our word for it … check it out.

In other games:

• No surprise that Eaglecrest was tested by 9-3 Mullen in Saturday’s game, winning by 10. If Aaron Bokol and Ty Robinson keep this up the Raptors will be their normal tough battle in Centennial play

Aaron Bokol led the way with 26 points, Zion Ruckard had 18, Ty Robinson 17, and Thurbl Bile chipped in with 15 points. Raptors back home Saturday vs Mullen. @aurorasports #copreps

— Eaglecrest Athletics (@raptorathletics) January 10, 2019

• In other Centennial, we discussed in the “The Look Ahead” that No. 4 Overland could not take Cherokee Trail lightly in league play but even we didn’t see the 42-41 tight last second final the Trailblazers pulled off with a “monsta” 16 point, 17 rebound double-double from Graham Ike!
• Fairview took a blow to their claim to stay in the Top-10 after a 2-point loss to Pueblo East late Saturday.
• Arvada West entered the Top-10 last week and had one of its toughest weeks of the season thus far, capped with a rivalry game where they got the win by six at Pomona. Josh Rogers back to his scoring ways with 26 along with junior Taylor Kline’s 11 helped get the job done.
• Last week’s No. 2 Smoky Hill righted the ship and got back on track after the tough visit to Grandview beating Arapahoe 81-55 on the road. The Buffaloes stay firmly in the Centennial league race with only one league loss. And Kenny Foster closed out the win above the rim doing “Kenny type thangz….”

Smoky Hill 81, Arapahoe Warriors 55
End of Q4 pic.twitter.com/DITlqLC6GZ

— Smoky Hill Hoops (@SmokyHillHoops) January 12, 2019

• No. 6 Pueblo West snags a 10-point victory over Rampart

[divider]

The Look Ahead

Monday, Jan. 14

• Columbine/Castle View: O’Brien & Hettinger!
• No. 1 Lewis-Palmer vs. Discovery Canyon
• 9-3 Bellos (FNE) get test at Boulder
• Cheyenne Mountain vs. Sand Creek southern action…
• 4A Wheat Ridge vs. Ralston Valley

Tuesday, Jan. 15

• Will it be No. 1 vs. No. 2 in 9News GOTN M-Vista at Chap?!!
• Centaurus & Longmont in 4A Top 10!
• Fairview vs. 12-2 Poudre
• East vs. West Pueblo style!
• ThunderRidge vs. Regis Continental stuff!
• GW vs. Lincoln solid city action!
• Castle View, 10-2, takes on Legend
• No. 3 Holy Family vs. Berthoud

Wednesday, Jan. 16

• Overland vs. Smoky Hill “Centennial” Top 10!
• Arapahoe vs. Eaglecrest
• Arvada West/Dakota Ridge Jeffco
• Wheat Ridge vs. Golden
• Mullen tries top 5 Grandview!
• No. 1 Lewis-Palmer vs. Palmer Ridge
• Air Academy vs. Cheyenne Mountain good down south!

Thursday, Jan. 17

• Highlands Ranch/Heritage league stuff…
• Ponderosa vs. Chap in Parker showdown!
• Rock Canyon/Regis Continental standings
• Denver rivalry: South & East rekindle…
• No. 1 Mountain Vista vs. Castle View
• ThunderRidge vs. DougCo

Friday, Jan. 18

• Lincoln travels to Scottsbluff!
• Longmont looks to cont. to roll vs. Mountain View
• Rangeview vs. Prairie View
• Eaglecrest vs. Grandview Top 10!
• Holy Family vs. Windsor
• Overland vs. Cherry Creek
• Poudre vs. Fossil Ridge up north!
• Mullen vs. Smoky Hill
• Air Academy takes shot at No. 1 Lewis-Palmer!

Saturday, Jan. 19

• D’Evelyn vs. Wheat Ridge
• Bellos (FNE) vs. GW “City Saturday!”
• Sierra vs. Harrison good southern…
• No. 1 Mountain Vista vs. Falcon
• ThunderRidge vs. Arvada West

The “league play” rivalries won’t let you down, folks! Get out and enjoy the hoops….

Welcome back for Week 6, hoop fans! Our big school 5A/4A boys teams continue to get their “post-break” stride back and our ball continues to get better and better in the new year.

Let’s check out how the teams in our CHSAANow poll fared and see what other Ball Fever gems we can find along the way.

[divider]

The Look Back

Monday, Jan. 7

• How about Wheat Ridge sitting at 9-2, debuting at 4A No. 9 in this week’s poll, with another win over Kennedy to kick off the week 85-52. The Farmers are led in scoring by Julian Claussen’s 18 per game and big 6-foot-11 Zeke Van Tuyl pulling down 8 rebounds per night!
• Douglas County has been waiting on this visit from a city squad and they proved ready to protect home court winning by 12 over George Washington. Senior Brendon Templeton led four Huskies in double figure scoring with 20 points on the night and added 10 rebounds for a solid double-double!
• Zach Anderson led all scorers in Discovery Canyon’s win over Sand Creek

Tuesday, Jan. 8

• Our 4A No. 2 remained unbeaten winning by 25! Longmont is on a tear this time beating Thompson Valley by 35 and holding them to single digits in three different quarters only giving up 30 total points: DE-FENSE!!
• Greeley Central is in at No. 4 in 4A this week but may drop after being upset by Mountain View 45-42. Josiah Baptiste and Marucs Carey score 11 points each in the win.
• No. 3 Holy Family is now 8-2 overall and went on the road to take Roosevelt down by 16. Jumped out 16-7 first quarter and never looked back!
• Everyone got involved and 5A No. 7 Rangeview coasted by Hinkley with Cade Palmer and Jodaun Dotson combining for 32 ponts.
• Columbine dropped from our 5A poll this week so we were anxious to see how they would respond to a tough road challenge at No. 3 Chaparral to get the week started. Luke O’Brien responded for the Rebels with 17 points but the Wolverines balance carried the night with lead guard Kobe Sanders dropping 24 points, along with Joseph Dalton and Tanner Giles pouring in 15 each en route to the 9-point home win for Chap.
• Pine Creek getting a couple votes in our coach/media poll this week and Grant Wilkinson’s 22 points, 8 rebounds was a big part of the 12-point win over Doherty in league play.
• Regis has had some close heart breakers but got it done as a team Tuesday night.

Wednesday, Jan. 9

The Ball Fever Crew made it out to No. 2 Smoky Hill traveling to No. 6 Grandview for mid-week action. We were blessed with the opportunity to join Blake Olson on the Canvas Credit Union/9News Game of the Night live broadcast!

One thing for sure is Grandview didn’t act like an underdog from the very beginning of the game. The Wolves’ Dayne Prim and Caleb McGill were dominant in the interior and their second/third shot attempts along with trips to the free throw line slowed Smoky from getting out and running which was where they were at their best on the night.

Great to see the energy and a packed gym on a Tuesday night but this one was never close but it will undoubtedly be fuel for the fire for Coach Hardin and the Buffaloes.

The Wolves win this one by 23! Grandview with the early edge in Centennial play, 3-0.

Final from @Grandview_HS as @GHSWolvesHoops wins by 23 over @SmokyHillHoops @CHSAA#copreps #CreateSomething

Special thanks to @BlakeOlson1 @9NEWS for allowing a lil #BallFever on the @canvasfamily #GOTN pic.twitter.com/md99QM6eoK

— Coach T CO Truth 2026 (@BallFever_CO_Tr) January 10, 2019

In other action:

• This game started off knotted at 12 in the first quarter but Longmont outscored Silver Creek 53-24 in the remaining three quarters to keep their No. 2 unbeaten streak alive.
• No. 1 in the state, Lewis-Palmer, withstood 17 points from Vista Ridge’s Payton Kaiser and got a home conference win 55-36 to keep their unbeaten steak alive as well! Matt Raggsdale led the Rangers with 18 points in the win.
• Another one of our Fever Crew’s “game of the night” candidates didn’t let us down as it took overtime for Thomas Jefferson to outlast Montbello (FNE) 75-71 in the battle of city rivals!
• Nice bounce-back win for Columbine who lost at Chap but go on the road for a solid win over improved Douglas County 66-52.
• Eaglecrest used a 27-14 third quarter advantage to earn a “Centennial-Tough” road win at Cherry Creek 81-67. All wins, especially road wins, go a long way in Centennial league play.
• Arvada West earned its way into our 5A poll debuting at No. 10 this week but took a loss mid-week to Ralston Valley, whose Jordan Stratch scored 19 in Ralston’s 13-point home win.
• Hezekiah Swanson’s 13 points led No. 4 Overland to a 17-point conference win over Arapahoe at home.
• In the night cap, Javonte Johnson exploded with 37 points to lead No. 5 Cheyenne Mountain to a win over Discovery Canyon taking the Indians to 9-2.

[divider]

Mid-Week Thoughts

That word “wide open” has again reared it’s head in our big school boys hoops!

The Fever Crew would have it no either way but also can’t argue with the momentum teams like Lewis-Palmer and Mountain Vista are carrying into the future have them poised as early favorites.

Longmont will have something to say about that in 4A, Chaparral/Grandview/Overland in 5A.

Wild card so far? Need to get out and put eyes on that Rangeview squad real soon!

Enjoy the rest of week 6, folks!

Welcome back, hoop fans … Happy Hoops Year 2019!

Hard to ask for more than a match up of the 5A No. 1 traveling to the 4A No. 1 ranked squad’s house to kick things off.

There were a lot more new year treats in the first three days of 2019 competition as well.

Let’s take a look!

[divider]

The Look Back

Thursday, Jan. 3

The Fever Crew headed over to Smoky Hill to start this year for the beginning of Centennial League play and Cherokee Trail was ready. They were up by as much as 11 points in the first half and hitting shots from every angle led by Chad Robinson’s 16 points.

But this game was a tale of two halves and after being down by seven at halftime Smoky turned up the defensive pressure and intensity with their sophs Jalen Weaver and Jordan Whittaker looking more and more comfortable in their roles, active hands on defense.

Quentin Rock and senior Kenny Foster handled the scoring responsibilities getting out and running as the steals and deflections turned this one. The Buffaloes outscored CT 40-18 in the second half!

In other games:

• We mentioned the early 2019 treat of our two top teams in our big school classifications and they didn’t disappoint. Not many teams (5A or 4A) want to take the challenge of traveling to Monument and facing Lewis-Palmer in their gym but Chaparral scheduled it and we love to see it. Dan Mohrmann was on the scene and all over what some may argue could be the two best in the state regardless of classification.
• Pomona started the new year with a visit to No. 7 Rock Canyon, a tough place to visit, and the Panthers got 20 points from senior David Ross but not enough as the Jags held court winning by 12.
• 4A No. 3 Holy Family held Fredrick to single digits in three of the four quarters and Adam Jolly scores 19 in the blowout victory.
• Overland, No. 8 5A, returns from Las Vegas undefeated tourney play and gets another strong win over No. 10 Eaglecrest with A. Pena-Avila scoring 16 points and pulling down 6 rebounds in an impressive 14-point win at Eaglecrest!
• EVERYONE got involved on the offensive end for Grandview led by big fella Dayne Prim’s 15 points, 6 rebound effort as the Wolves shut down Arapahoe by a lot in conference opener only giving up 29 total points to the Warriors.
• Dennis Pleuss is the man when it comes to Jeffco coverage and he has the league opener.
• Lots of high flying action in Top 10 action of Rangeview and Columbine! Quincey Jewett starts 2019 with a double-double of 20 points, 10 rebounds along side senior Jodaun Dotson’s 15 points and 7 assists lifted the Raiders to a 7-point home win vs. a quality squad. Luke O’Brien led Columbine with 19 in the loss and another bright spot is sophomore TreVaughn Williams finding his groove for the Rebels with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals! Williams back from injury and will give the Rebels a huge boost. Photos from the game are here.
• Cherry Creek gets league play started with a road win at Mullen! Sophomore leader Julian Hammond III with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists. The kid is a silent assassin!

Friday, Jan. 4

• Poudre is 9-2 on the season and started slow after the break but a 17-4 fourth quarter completed a great comeback for a 55-54 win over Mountain Range.
• Greeley West with a nice 8-3 start to the season as well and they are led by Andre Sepeda who scored 23 in this win over Monarch.
• Fairview is beginning to garner Top 10 votes in our coach/media poll and they continue to rack up wins this time by 16 over Loveland with Jalen Page dropping 23 points.
• Caleb Rillos led three in double figures for Ralston Valley with 22 points in their solid win over Legend where they led by 13 at the half and wouldn’t relinquish that lead.
• Douglas County, now 8-4, got 17 points from TJ Boykins and protected home court winning by 8 over visiting Liberty.
• Any letdown from No. 1 Lewis-Palmer after the bin win over Chap? NOT AT ALL! Joel Scott and Matthew Ragsdale combine for 33 points in the blowout victory of Falcon one day after the biggest win of the season.
• Upset City! Vista Ridge surprises No. 4 Cheyenne Mountain. Senior Peyton Kaiser with 24 and sophomore Tyler Edwards stepping up with 20 points in the win.

Saturday, Jan. 5

Chaparral had to be eager to get back into their home gym after the visit to Lewis-Palmer. This nights’ guest was Denver East and senior Kwane Marble, who has recently committed to U of Wyoming.

Marble had an off shooting night in this one but junior PJ Steed stepped up with 18 points for the Angels, who seemed to struggle at numerous parts of the game. The Angels couldn’t connect from the free throw line shooting 39 percent while Chap shot 70 percent from the line (all technical FTs made).

Joseph Dalton scored 17 alongside big man Dalton Waldron earning a 14 point, 10 rebound double-double in the win.

In other games:

• 4A No. 5 Lincoln welcomed Vista Peak on the weekend and their “big 3” all scored in double figures led by Ty Foster’s 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists pulling off the tight home win by 3.
• “Stat-stuffin” Chase Hettinger is still at it and brings our first “30-piece” of the new year: 31 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals in blowout win over Hinkley.
• Arvada West, still trucking along at 8-1, notched another victory 46-37 over Rocky Mountain with Josh Rogers scoring 18 points and collecting 8 rebounds.
• Looks like the slow start for Smoky Hill vs. CT a couple days before was a thing of the past as they put up 45 halftime points leading to an 84-65 win over Creek leaving them 2-0 in Centennial!
• Eaglecrest, now 6-5, may be falling from the Top 10 but got a much needed win by 19 on the road at C Trail. Aaron Bokol 19 and Zion Ruckard 18 took the scoring lead!
• Rangeview will be holding firm onto their spot in the 5A Top 5 we predict and they unleashed superb defense on Brighton only allowing 32 total points (2 in the 4th!) and on the offensive end just a casual 9/13 from three point land for soph Cade Palmer leading to game high 27 points…en fuego!
• No. 6 Pueblo West simply took off on Grand Junction Central 27-6 in the first quarter and never let up winning by 23. Logan Garcia and Taylor Harris both score 16 in the win!
• Greeley West in for a real challenge traveling to No. 2 Mountain Vista. They battled early but a 26-10 third quarter run by the Eagles sealed this one and Rhys Pulling scored 17 along the way.
• A young GW squad, now 4-7, took on a tough home test with No. 6 ThunderRidge visiting. Back and forth and tied at the end of the third quarter but the long Grizzlies won that stage 18-6 for a 12-point road win in the city.
• No. 3 Holy Family continues to romp over the competition with a 73-35 win over Fort Morgan and senior Tanner Baird led this time with 25 points in the book!
• Golden “holds on” vs. Evergreen!
• Up 9 at halftime it took everything Grandview had to hold on vs. Overland in this top-10 match.
• No. 9 Columbine protects home court vs. visiting Regis with Luke O’Brien scoring 25 points in the non league match up. Graham Ike with 16 and 10 double-double in the loss.

[divider]

The Look Ahead

Monday, Jan. 7

• GW vs. Douglas County early week action down south in the Metro area.
• Wheat Ridge, 8-2, vs. Kennedy.

Tuesday, Jan. 8

• Unbeaten Longmont vs. Thompson Valley.
• Aurora Central, 9-1, vs. Westminster.
• Rock Canyon/Valor braggin’ rights!
• No. 3 Holy Family vs. Roosevelt.
• Columbine vs. Chaparral has studs!
• Rangeview/Hinkley A-Town!
• Pine Creek, 7-1, hosting Doherty.

Wednesday, Jan. 9

• Mullen, 8-2, vs. C Trail
• Arvada West/Ralson Valley braggin’ rights!
• Cherry Creek vs. Eaglecrest.
• No. 1 Lewis-Palmer & Vista Ridge.
• The Bellos (FNE) vs. TJ in DPL.
• No. 2 Longmont vs. Silver Creek.
• Smoky Hill vs. Grandview 5A top 5 stuff!
• Discovery Canyon/Cheyenne Mountain down south.

Thursday, Jan. 10

• Rangeview vs. Thornton.
• Erie vs. Holy Family.
• Chatfield vs. 4A Lincoln!
• Heritage vs. Regis.
• Palmer/Liberty southern action.

Friday, Jan. 11

• Valor vs. Pueblo West is good!
• No. 7 Greeley Central vs. Silver Creek.
• Mountain Vista vs. H-Ranch: Eagle/Falcon fun!
• More braggin’ rights! T-Ridge vs. Rock Canyon Top 10!
• Huge test for Arvada West vs. Rangeview.
• No. 1 Lewis-Palmer vs. Sand Creek.
• Doug CO/Chaparral Continental action.
• Longmont vs. Niwot.
• Cheyenne Mountain vs. Palmer Ridge late action.

Saturday, Jan. 12

• Arvada West/Pomona neighborhood get down!
• Valor vs. Pine Creek.
• Overland vs. C-Trail.
• Cherry Creek vs. Grandview.
• Mullen/Eaglecrest more Centennial.
• D South vs. Castle View.

What a season so far! Rest assured 2019 will bring even more excitement from our athletes! Get out and support…

Welcome back, folks!

Week 3 of the season was action-packed and we expect even more in Week 4 as we close in on the winter break.

Our last-second heroics along with teams competing well in- and out-of-state continues as we have No. 6 ThunderRidge and No. 7 Rock Canyon competing in the Kruel Classic (Florida) and numerous top squads battling in the Las Vegas Tarkanian Classic.

Let’s take a look:

[divider]

The Look Back

Monday, Dec. 17

• Leading scorer Chase Hettinger hit double figures with 14 again but this time his fellow senior at Castle View, Bryson Lindsey, was lead man this night with 22 points and 8 rebounds in the win over Greeley West.
• Discovery Canyon dropped from our 4A Top 10 and it will be hard to get voted back in after going down to Canon City by 7. Senior Gabe Rall was “stat-stuffin” 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals in the win!
• Vista Peak got 20 points from junior AJ LaCabe along with 13 from “lefty” sophomore Curtis Stovall in home win by 13 over Prairie View.
• D’Evelyn got extremely DEFENSIVE only allowing 27 points to Sky View winning by 19! Nine points was the most allowed in any quarter.
• Evergreen received 30 votes in our latest poll and senior Theo Miller scored 16 points in the 10-point win over Conifer.
• Sean Bohuslavsky is averaging 17 points per game and scored 20 this night in a surprisingly big margin Liberty put on Bear Creek winning 70-38.
• Fairview is garnering many votes to break into our 5A Top 10 and their big guns Aaron Bokol and Ty Robinson combined for 39 points but it wasn’t enough to stop Fairview from pulling the upset 69-65!

Tuesday, Dec. 18

• Tuesday starts with Widefield’s upset of No. 6 Pueblo West behind 42 combined points from Darin Spratley and Randall Days…bith scoring 21!
• Arvada West got 5 votes in the 5A poll and continue to play strong ball and this night’s 3-point win took overtime to win on the road at Fossil Ridge.
• Mead has joined the 4A Top 10 at No. 10 flexing their muscle winning by 29 over Berthoud!
• Darius Hornbuckle back in the line up for Thomas Jefferson with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in the Spartans 80-53 win over Elizabeth. The big Cecil “twins” combined for 19 points in the win as well.
• Rock Canyon, up to No. 7 this week, is preparing for Florida tournament play and beat Doherty by 12 at home before their travel.
• Columbine enters the 5A Top-10 for first time this year at No. 9 but Legend’s 27-20 fourth quarter advantage sealed this one for the Titans by 5. Standout Luke O’Brien scored 27 for the Rebels in the loss.

Wednesday, Dec. 19

• We have a hand full of our big school boys teams at the Tarkanian Classic Las Vegas tournament and No. 5 Grandview got the winning going with 69-65 win over Coronado (NV) and junior point guard Liam Romero dropped 23 points in the win!
• Our state’s top-ranked Chaparral squad also got the Tark Classic started with a 62-55 win with Kobe Sanders 19 leading the way partnered with Bryce Matthews 18 points. Representing CO well!
• The Fever Crew had fun covering Wyoming commit Kenny Foster’s early-season heroics and he kept it rolling for No. 3 Smoky Hill hitting a “walk off” 3-pointer to give the Buffaloes a 67-65 win over visiting Regis. Our partner Aurora Sentinel caught a sweet angle of the last second bucket!

Boys Basketball: @KennyFoster22 connects on the winning 3-pointer from the corner to lift @SmokyHillHoops over @RegisJesuitHS 67-65 @SmokySports @ClarenceBuff @CCSDATHACT1 @Bball_CO @CHSAA @SentinelColo #copreps #sentinelpreps #aurora pic.twitter.com/r6XNZChWAv

— Sentinel Prep Sports (@aurorasports) December 20, 2018

• Two in a row for Vista Peak and it’s an impressive win at Heritage by 17, 65-48!
• A-Town “braggin rights” on the line in Aurora Central vs. Hinkley and Malachi Owens 17 points helped the Trojans take the game 66-51 with his five steals turning up big.
• “Aye Bellos!” … don’t look now but our beloved Montbello (FNE) Warriors are 8-2 and simply throttled visiting Sheridan putting up 93 total points along the way!
• Our 4A No. 2 squad advances to 9-0 after a 20-point win over Discovery Canyon! The Trojans started off 16-6 first quarter and kept on truckin!
• “Gotta” love a name like River Blessing and the Boulder Panther scored 21 points in the double overtime session vs. Bear Creek but it wasn’t enough as the Bears pulled off the 7-point win.
• Valor is also on the road in the tough Tarkanian Classic and almost made it another CO win but went down late by three points to Timpanogos out of Orem, UT. Let’s bounce back Eagles!

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Mid-Week Thoughts

The Fever Crew has been blessed with the opportunity to coach some of our top players in national tournaments all over our country spring/summer and we know that our young men can compete with other states that are supposed “basketball hot beds” and we have no doubt that our CHSAA school teams could prove the same in Las Vegas, Texas, and Florida etc…

Can’t wait to jump into the end of Week 4 report and see how things play out, in and out of state, before our winter break.

Enjoy, hoop fans!