Eaglecrest senior Blend Avdili is one of three Raptors players selected to participate in The Show all-star basketball games. Eaglecrest is in the Class 5A state semifinals March 13.
File photo by Mark Dalby
In what has become an annual tradition in Colorado high school basketball, the players selected for the 15th version of The Show all-star games were officially announced Monday at the Pepsi Center.
As a yearly tip-off to the final week of the high school season, the rosters for The Show, which is sponsored by the Denver Nuggets and the Gold Crown Foundation, again recognized 40 of the state's top players. The games will feature at least one player from each of the state's five classifications. Players were selected by a panel of statewide media, which included MaxPreps.
Molly Rohrer, Cherry Creek.
File photo by Paul DiSalvo
This year's event features two heads coaches who will be coaching their own kids in the game. On the boys side, Pueblo Central coach Brad Ranson will lead the White team that features son
Michael Ranson, while Arapahoe's
Jennah Knafelc will play for her dad Jerry Knafelc on the Blue team.
In addition, it should be no surprise that many of the players selected will still be in action later this week, fighting for a Colorado High School Activities Association state championship trophy. Of the 20 boys selected for The Show, 11 are in state contention, nine for the girls.
The Show all-star games are scheduled to be played April 4 before the Nuggets game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The girls game is scheduled for 1:30 pm, while the boys will play at approximately 3 pm.
Special ticket packages, that include both high school games and the NBA game, are available only through the Nuggets sales office at 303-287-DUNK.
Boys
Blue TeamBlend Avdili (Eaglecrest),
Justin Bassey (Colorado Academy),
Brian Carey (Denver East),
Charles Gavin (Denver South),
Grant Harkness (Faith Christian),
Malik Hart (Warriors - Montbello),
Kadyn Hicks (Highland),
Zach Pirog (ThunderRidge),
Colbey Ross (Eaglecrest),
Elijah Ross (Eaglecrest). Coach: Andrew Hasz, Faith Christian.
Gold TeamAustin Conway (Overland),
De'Ron Davis (Overland),
Jake Holtzmann (Chaparral),
Justinian Jessup (Longmont),
Chris Moody (Chaparral),
Thomas Neff (Arvada West),
Donovan Oldham (Rampart),
Ryan Quaid (Fossil Ridge), Michael Ranson (Pueblo Central),
Tanner Smith (Jim Elliot). Coach: Brad Ranson, Pueblo Central.
Girls
Blue TeamCassidy Budge (Rampart), Jennah Knafelc (Arapahoe),
Sarah Logar (Peyton),
Michaela Onyenwere (Grandview),
Jonnae Richardson (Denver East),
Molly Rohrer (Cherry Creek),
Raegen Rohn (Monarch),
Haley Simental (Pueblo West),
Courtney Smith (Legacy),
Jenn Urbaniak (Palmer), *
Alyssa Rader (Horizon). Coach: Jerry Knafelc.
Gold TeamNicole Archambeau (Canon City),
Sydni Brandon (Grand Junction),
Brenna Chase (Broomfield),
Callie Kaiser (Broomfield),
Jess Lewis (Regis Jesuit),
Kaleigh Paplow (Lutheran),
Brooke Pemberton (Fossil Ridge),
Taylor Rusk (ThunderRidge),
Kylee Shook (Mesa Ridge),
Jordan Williams (Norwood). Coach: Paula Krueger, ThunderRidge.
* Selected to The Show but unable to play because of injury.
