Colorado high school boys basketball season overview

There are officially no defending state champions due to last year's tournaments being called off before the title games could be played. But with play resuming, there are several teams going for gold once again.

Below is a quick breakdown of some of the top teams in each classification as well as the returning All-State players (first- or second-team).

Class 5A
Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village): The combination of Julian Hammond and Myles Purchase has done well for the Bruins on the football field, and that success has a chance of carrying over on the hardwood. Hammond, a University of Colorado recruit, returns to the court as Creek's leading scorer from last year (21.9) and Purchase brings back his 13.6 points per game average. Hammond contributed seven rebounds a game, while Purchase led defensively with three steals. The duo will try to lead Cherry Creek through the gauntlet of a tough Centennial League.

Fairview (Boulder): Among the teams that advanced to the 5A Final 4 last March, Fairview has to be a favorite to return and potentially walk away with a state championship. The Knights are expected to return three of their top five scorers from last year in Greysen Carter, Grant Page and TJ Williams. Carter also led the team in rebounds, pulling down nearly eight per game. After an early lopsided loss to Overland (Aurora), Fairview just lost two more games by a combined four points for the 2019-20 season.

George Washington (Denver): Last year's remarkable run to the Great 8 gives the Patriots a lot of expectations heading into this season. Expected back is Jarmell Johnson (12 points per game). In fact, George Washington graduated only two seniors from last year's roster and is in a prime position to claim a DPL championship and make a run at the state title.

Regis Jesuit (Aurora): In a change from recent seasons, the Raiders struggled for much of the 2019-20 season before catching fire in the 5A state tournament. That experience will be valuable as the Raiders lose just two seniors from last year's squad. Leading scorer Michael Wolf is expected to return as is leading rebounder Ty Bergman.

Returning All-State players: Julian Hammond (Cherry Creek, 1st team).

Class 4A
Erie: What makes the Tigers so dangerous heading into this season is the fact that one of the top up-and-coming players in the state remains on the roster. Kayan Hargrave averaged 10.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and three steals per game last year for a team that advanced to the Great 8. He will have plenty of help as Kevin Loy is back for his senior year after averaging nearly 10 points and four rebounds a game.

Golden: After dropping just one league game last year, Golden was stunned in the second round of the 4A playoffs. But this season should look bright as Alan Acevedo returns after scoring 10.6 points per game as a freshman. Nathan Wiggins is one of three other players who saw playing time in at least 20 games. He averaged 6.5 points and grabbed 4.1 rebounds per game last season.

Lewis-Palmer (Monument): The 2019-20 season was a bit of a step back for the then-defending 4A state champs, but the Rangers return nearly every impact player from last year and should get back into championship form. Colin Westfall, Edward Speller, Cameron Lowe and Brady Jones all finished in the top four in the team's scoring numbers. After one year of falling back to the pack, Lewis-Palmer should be a top 4A team once again.

Longmont: For years now, the Longmont Trojans have been the picture of consistency in 4A boys basketball. They claimed one state championship, advanced to another state title game and then fell just three points shy of another Final 4 appearance in 2020. Some senior leadership departed after last season, but Eddie Kurjak returns after averaging 14.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Devon Nowells contributed 8.8 points per game in 2019-20, and the duo should be able to maintain that consistency that has made Longmont so dangerous in the playoffs.

Returning All-State players: There are no returning 1st- or 2nd-team All-State players.

Class 3A
Centauri (La Jara): The Falcons are expected to return three of their top four scorers from last year's team that advanced to the Great 8. That includes junior Baron Holman, who led the team with nearly 13 points per game. Centauri also returns Mason Claunch, who led the team in rebounds (8.1) and assists (5.2). He was also second on the team in steals. Centauri put together a solid playoff run that ended with a three-point loss to Manual in the state quarterfinals.

Gunnison: Scoring wasn't the primary goal for the Cowboys as they averaged fewer than 60 points per game last year. But 21-3 record showed that their style of play suited them nicely. Braden Wood brings back 14.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game from last year. He also averaged more than two steals a game. Aidan Hulbert is also back for his senior season. He averaged 11.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.

Lutheran (Parker): It's hard not to look at Lutheran as a bona fide favorite to win the 3A state title. The Lions return their top three scorers from last season and also get the state's top player, Baye Fall, back for just his sophomore season. Fall averaged 19 points and 10.5 rebounds last year while fielding scholarship offers from schools such as Kansas and Georgetown. Losing only two seniors from last year's team, the Lions return a ton of talent and experience from a 2019-20 team that fell just short of the state semifinals.

Manual (Denver): The Thunderbolts certainly lost a lot with the graduation of Jaden Stoffel, but still have a lot of talent on the roster. Jordan Reed evolved into one of the most underrated scoring threats in 3A and averaged 14.9 points per game. Abel Maes should also evolve into a scoring threat after contributing 8.9 points per game a year ago. Manual finished tlast season by winning six consecutive games before the state tournament was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Returning All-State players: Baye Fall (Lutheran, 2nd team).

Class 2A
Highland (Ault): The Huskies still have plenty of resources to maintain their fast-paced offense for the 2020-21 season. Seniors Jase Bessire, Bowen Tolle and Holden Morgan all averaged double-digit scoring numbers last year to go with at least five rebounds each per game. The Huskies advanced to the 2020 Final 4 and lost just one game last season.

Limon: The Badgers are a big threat to claim the 2A championship; their three top players are back from a team that had a legitimate chance to win the 2020 championship. Camden Smithburg led Limon in points (16.8) and steals (2.8) per game.
Kory Tacha scored 14.4 points per game and led the team in assists at 3.4. Alex Carr averaged 10.9 points per game and was the Badgers' leading rebounder at 7.7.

Wray: The Eagles return two of their top scorers from their 2020 semifinal team. Samuel Uyemura and Junior Arambula each averaged better than 12 points per game, which will give Wray a solid foundation heading into the season. They also get four players returning who saw action in at least 20 games last season. The Eagles won 14 of their 15 games before COVID-19 shut down the 2A state tournament.

Yuma: Clay Robinson broke out as a sophomore by averaging 15.4 points and 8.3 rebounds. The Indians lost Chase McCreath to graduation, but Robinson should excel as the focal point of the offense this year. He will have help from junior Javier Gamboa and senior Cade Morton, each of whom saw playing time in at least 23 games last year.

Returning All-State players: Junior Arambula (Wray, 2nd team); Tate Bessire (Highland, 1st team); Val Leone (Fowler, 1st team); Clay Robinson (Yuma, 1st team); Camden Smithburg (Limon, 1st team); Kory Tacha (Limon, 2nd team).

Class 1A
De Beque: Depth in the starting lineup is what's going to make De Beque a threat to win its second state championship in three years. Wesley Ryan returns for his senior year after an impressive junior campaign in which he scored 23.4 points and pulled down 10.1 rebounds per game. The Dragons also get Jaden Jordan (12.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists) back as well as Logan Wingfield (9.9 points, 7.5 rebounds), which should make for a dangerous trio.

Briggsdale: A pair of sophomores with state tournament experience could get the Falcons in a position to reach their first state title game in program history. Bradon Krise is the top returning scorer at 11. 2 points per game, while Malik Carlson brings back 8.9 points from a year ago. The two tied for second on the team in steals at 2.4 per game. The team was playing well at the end of last season, winning five of their last six games before the 1A tournament was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kit Carson: Somehow, the Wildcats continue to put solid teams on the court year after year. Despite losing a boatload of seniors from last year's squad, Kit Carson shouldn't be counted out as a contender. Sullivan Farmer is the team's top returning player as he scored 13.2 points per game last year, which played a huge role in the Wildcats advancing to the 1A semifinals.

Mile High Academy (Denver): Like De Beque, Mile High Academy has a lot coming back from a team that advanced to the 1A semifinals. Senior Blake Essex was right in the middle of the Player of the Year conversations last season as he scored 21.2 points per game to go with 14.1 rebounds. Dylan McCottry was also effective as he scored 11 points and dished 2.9 assists per game to help the Mustangs finish the year with a 21-3 record.

Returning All-State players: Blake Essex (Mile High Academy, 1st team); Wesley Ryan (De Beque, 1st team).