Video: Jeremy Randle (Valor Christian) highlights vs. Pueblo Central
As a sophomore, Justin Engesser was an impact player in the 2015 Class 3A state basketball tournament.
Engesser scored 15 points in helping lead
Colorado Springs Christian to the 3A crown at Lockridge Arena on the Colorado School of Mines campus in Golden, showing an ability to shine on the big stage despite his youth. He finished his sophomore season averaging 15.6 points per game after scoring at a clip of 13 points a game as a freshman.
Engesser isn't the exception, either. As a sophomore
Yaniel Vidall tallied a game-high 12 points to go along with three assists and three steals in leading
Holly to the 1A state title last March.
Resurrection Christian (Loveland), the 2A runner-up, had a prolific offense which was led by sophomore
Tanner Ervin's 18.8 points a night.
More and more underclassmen are proving capable of providing a spark on varsity as freshmen and sophomores. The opening weeks of the 2015-16 season has backed this up, as numerous younger players have made their presence felt around the state.
Here is a look at a handful of underclassmen who have stood out through the first month of the season:
Jaedon Bradley, Fr., Manual (Denver): Bradley has scored in double figures in each of Manual's eight games, topping 20 points in five of those contests, and he owns four double-doubles. He's averaging 20.1 points to go along with 8.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists – all of which lead the Thunderbolts.
Cade Carroll, So., Buena Vista: Carroll averaged 19.5 points in the Demons' first six games, going for 25 points in a loss to defending 2A champion Sanford and 29 in an impressive victory against Jefferson Academy (Broomfield). He's added more than four rebounds a game and nearly three steals.
Schuyler Carlson, So., Soroco (Oak Creek: This 6-foot-3 sophomore has owned the boards for the Rams, averaging 8.9 points, 13.4 rebounds (which ranks sixth in the state) and more than three blocks a game. Carlson had at least 11 rebounds in six of the team's first seven games, and has two games with at least six blocks.
Skye Ciccarelli, Fr., Woodland Park: The Panthers have endured a rough start, but Ciccarelli has been a bright spot. The freshman is scoring at a clip of 19.1 points to go along with 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals. He erupted for 38 points in a victory over Dolores Huerta Prep (Pueblo).
Kenny Foster, Fr., Smoky Hill (Aurora): Foster has been the model of consistency early for the Buffaloes. The 6-foot-4 freshman opened the season with a 29-point effort against Arvada West, and one week later dropped 18 points on ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch).
Seth Fuqua, Fr., The Vanguard School (Colorado Springs): Only four of the Coursers' five games have been reported, but Fuqua has lit up the scoreboard early. The freshman averaged 27.5 points in those four games, topping the 30-point mark twice. He drained 10 3-pointers in a 10-point victory over Evangelical Christian (Colorado Springs).
Cullen Glosson and Ty Hunt, Fr., Otis: While junior Mario Dracon (22.8 points, 14.8 rebounds) is the driving force behind the Bulldogs' offense, it's the freshman guard combination of Glosson and Hunt who are feeding him the ball. Both players average more than three assists a game, and they can score a little bit as well. Hunt averages 9.5 points a night and Glosson is at seven.
Te'Rae Johnson, So., Vista PEAK Prep (Aurora): Johnson has been consistent from the offensive end through eight games, averaging 15.6 points a game. What may be even more impressive is his shooting percentage – the sophomore is a 64-percent shooter and knocks down 69 percent of his attempts from 2-point range.
Daylen Kountz and Jon'il Fugett, So., George Washington (Denver): The Patriots are loaded with scorers, five of whom average in double figures, but the sophomore guard tandem of Kountz and Fugett anchor the lineup. Kountz has averaged 21.8 points through 12 games, shooting 51 percent from the field and 85 percent from the free-throw line. Fugett has averaged 15 points a game.
Sam Masten, Rock Canyon
File photo by Jann Hendry
Masten has led a 10-win Jaguars team in scoring at 15.8 points and is an 89 percent shooter from the free-throw line (62-of-70). Most recently he poured in 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting in a victory against Smoky Hill.
Trey McBride, So., Fort Morgan – McBride has averaged close to 16 points a game this season, including a 27-point effort against Vista Ridge (Colorado Springs). He also has three double-doubles to his credit, rebounding at a 9.1 clip.
JoVon Nelson, Fr., Far Northeast Warriors (Denver): Nelson has done a solid job from his point-guard spot for the Warriors. He has averaged nine points a game, but more impressive are his 33 assists in eight games. Nelson had 11 assists in a victory earlier this year, and notched an 11-point, seven-assist, five-steal night against Hinkley (Aurora).
Brennan Noyes, So., Rangely: The Panthers played only four games before the holiday break, but Noyes was big in those contests. The 6-2 sophomore averaged 18.8 points and nine rebounds, shooting 63 percent from the field.
Tre Pierre, So., Widefield (Colorado Springs): The 6-4 sophomore averages a double-double for the Gladiators at an impressive 19.9 points and 10.3 rebounds. His opening-night numbers against Coronado (Colorado Springs): 25 points, 15 rebounds, seven blocks, six assists and six steals.
Jeremy Randle, So., Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch): The Eagles won their first seven games of the season behind a balanced lineup, and Randle has been the sharp-shooter of the group. The sophomore is second on the team with 14.4 points a game but has been most effective from long distance, knocking down 23 3-pointers and hitting 53 percent of those attempts.
