Carlton Hurst, who averaged 23 points per game last season, looks to lead Aurora Central to a state title.
Photo by Paul DiSalvo
Rudy Carey
2011-12 finish: 20-5, lost in the Sweet 16 of Class 5A state tournament
Seemingly
every year the Angels are the favorites to win it, and they enter this
season with their best club since the 2008 title team. The roster is
filled with size, speed and skill, not to mention the state's top player
in
Dominique Collier,
who averaged 19.1 points last season. Collier (6-1, SG) is emerging as
one of the nation's prized recruits in the Class of 2014.
Six other top performers also are scheduled to return, including athletic forwards
Leonard Davis (6-7, Sr.),
Jaycee Floyd (6-5, Sr.) and imposing shot blocker
Tyre Robinson (6-5, Jr., 4.6 blks). That allows guards
Jevon Griffin (6-2, Jr.) and
Ronnie Harrell (6-4, Jr.) to excel out front in executing the Angels' suffocating press defense.
Brian Carey (5-7, So., G), the coach's nephew, is a top three-point threat.
View the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 National Boys Basketball Rankings2. Aurora CentralHead coach: Ian Calvert
2011-12 finish: 20-4, lost in second round of Class 5A state tournament
This
experienced team appears primed for a title run. The Trojans averaged
65 points a game last season, and most of that scoring returns. No
player in the state does more for his team than
Carlton Hurst (6-2, Sr.,
G). The Colorado State recruit averaged 23 points last season, second best in
5A, to go along with 5.4 assists, 4.0 steals and 10.1 rebounds a game.
He is a tough, physical presence who is at his best driving to the
basket. Hurst figures to get plenty of help from
Tyler Stephenson (6-3,
Sr., G) and
Leonard Hurst (6-2, Sr. G), who appears on the verge of a
huge season. Each averaged double figures last season.
View last season's Colorado boys basketball Freeman Rankings3. Rangeview (Aurora)Head coach: Shawn Palmer
2011-12 finish: 22-5, lost in Class 5A state semifinals
The
Raiders surprised everyone but themselves with a deep run in the state
tournament last season, but no one would question if they ended up
hoisting the trophy this year. The roster is deep and athletic,
featuring four players who contributed significantly last season. The
returnees are led by the versatile
Jeremiah Paige
(6-4, Jr., G-F), who is dangerous in the open court and should see his
13.4 points per game rise dramatically. Other key returnees are
Larry Bridges (6-1, Sr., G-F),
Trey Bridges (5-11, Jr., PG) and
Tim Ealy (6-4, Sr., C).
View last season's Colorado boys basketball stat leaders4. Lewis-Palmer (Monument)Head coach: Russ McKinstry
2011-12 finish: 27-1, Class 4A state champions
The
Rangers are the lone 4A team in the Top 5, but for good reason. They
have appeared in four consecutive final fours and return two of the top
players in the classification in 6-foot-6 seniors
Justin Smith and
Jordan Scott.
Smith recently committed to Idaho State and Scott also is drawing
Division I interest. Of course, the challenge for the Rangers will be
overcoming the player who isn't returning — All-Colorado Player of the
Year Josh Scott, the brother of Jordan who is now at Colorado.
"We
should be in the hunt but a 6-10 void in the middle will make things
just a little bit more challenging," McKinstry said, referring to Josh
Scott.
View last season's CHSAA boys basketball playoff brackets5. Regis Jesuit (Aurora)Head coach: Ken Shaw
2011-12 finish: 20-4, lost in second round of Class 5A state tournament
The Raiders get the nod for the final spot over other formidable clubs such as
ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch),
Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch),
Grandview (Aurora) and 5A state runner-up
Arapahoe (Centennial) because of
Josh Perkins
(6-2, Jr., G). The silky smooth Perkins is simply one of the state's
top talents and should improve upon his 18.6 scoring average from his
breakout sophomore season (he reportedly received a recent offer from
Gonzaga). The Raiders lost eight seniors to graduation and lack height
in the lineup, but Shaw is one of the best at adapting the team's style
to its personnel.
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