With about a month left in the regular season, some boys basketball players are starting to stand out as top-tier players in their classifications. They all share the same goal of getting their teams to the postseason and contending for a state title, but they are certainly doing what they need to do to solidify their candidacies as Player of the Year.
Across all five classifications, there are several players worthy of that honor, and here is a look at a few that are jumping off the page because of their production.
Class 5AAnthony Harris Jr., Smoky Hill (Aurora): Harris is without question one of the most athletic big guys in the Centennial League. He was flashy for the Buffaloes last season, and this year he has been a wrecking ball for them. He's averaging
Anthony Harris, Jr., Smoky Hill
File photo by Steven Davis
15.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. He also has two steals and 2.6 blocks per game to make him a solid all-around player. His best performance of the season came in a 92-79 win over Arapahoe (Centennial) on Jan. 7. He scored 27 points and pulled down a season-high 18 rebounds. Harris has shown himself to be a crucial piece to the Buffaloes' Centennial League title hopes this season.
Zach Keller, ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch): The defending 5A champions look like they're on the road to another state title. Keller has been a steady hand in the Grizzlies' undefeated run to start the regular season as he averages 18.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He also blocks nearly two shots per game. Overall, he's shooting 63%, which is one of the biggest reasons that he's been a consistent scorer all year long. He was arguably the difference in a close win over Smoky Hill early in the season as he scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in that game.
Brock Mishak, Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins): The Sabercats might be one of the biggest surprises of the season, and Mishak is a big reason as to why they're having so much success. He leads all 5A players in scoring at 23.1 points per game. He does a great job making contributions in other aspects of the game, as he records 3.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. Fossil Ridge is loaded with talented players, but Mishak has established himself as the floor general for a team that has championship ambitions this season.
Class 4AMaurice Austin, Pueblo South: Austin's primary job with the Colts is to run the offense, but the point guard often finds himself in a position to score. He averages 23.8 points to go with 8.1 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 steals per game. He
Mason Black, Falcon
File photo by David Saul
has scored in double digits in every game this season, including in a win over Mesa Ridge (Colorado Springs) where he scored just 11 points but totaled 19 assists. That game shows that even if he isn't able to post a big scoring total, he can certainly get the ball to his teammates who are more than capable of picking up the slack.
Kadyn Betts, Pueblo Central: Betts would make any team he plays for better by simply checking into the game. He has been dominant this season, averaging 24.5 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. He started the season with four straight double-doubles and has six of them in his last eight games. Some of his best performances have been in the Wildcats' closest games. He went for 32 points and 14 rebounds in a 12-point win over Mesa Ridge and went for 34 points and nine rebounds in a loss to Harrison (Colorado Springs).
Mason Black, Falcon: The Falcons guard has evolved into one of the most prolific scorers in the classification. He has scored 40 points twice this season and averages 25.3 points per game. He also pulls down 4.6 rebounds and swipes 2.3 steals per game. His only game in which he didn't score at least 17 points was in a 42-31 loss to Vista Ridge (Colorado Springs) where the entire tempo of the game was slowed down. He's shooting a solid 53% from the field and 83% from the free throw line.
Class 3ASam Howery, St. Mary's (Colorado Springs): The Pirates' high-tempo offense plays right into Howery's ability on the court. He averages 24.8 points, 8.8 assists and 7.1 rebounds per game. He has hit the 30-point mark in six games already this season. He's recorded four double-doubles and has one triple-double. That came in a crucial league win over Colorado Springs Christian where he scored 31 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. His early-season play is why the Pirates have every intention of returning to the 3A state championship game after losing to Lutheran (Parker) last season.
Jordan Reed, Manual (Denver): Reed is one of the best scorers in the state, but he demonstrates a great all-around game every time he's on the court. He's good for 31.5 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, putting himself on the cusp of averaging a double-double. He recently put up a staggering performance as he netted 53 points in a win over Peak to Peak (Lafayette) and did by shooting 62% from the floor. Against top teams such as St. Mary's or Sterling, he's proven more than capable of scoring almost 30 points and pulling down at least 10 rebounds.
Will Yebio, Bishop Machebeuf (Denver): The Buffaloes senior has established himself as the dominant scorer in the state. And that's the entire state, not just among 3A players. He averages 32.8 points, which is better than anyone else playing basketball in Colorado. He has gone for more than 40 points twice and was one point away from scoring 40 on two other occasions. He contributes in other areas of the game, as well, as he records 5.1 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. His best game came in a close loss to Denver North where he scored 43 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out six assists.
Class 2AConnor Show Showalter, Mancos: Showalter nearly started the season with a triple-double and has yet to slow down. He scores 23.3 points per game and hauls in 13 rebounds to go with them. He's also able to find other open scorers as he dishes out 4.1 assists per game. He has scored in double figures every game this season and has seven double-doubles in nine games. He was dominant in a Jan. 11 win over Ignacio where he scored 16 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, 10 on each end of the court. Mancos has looked tough to beat for much of the season, and if Showalter keeps putting up numbers around these averages, it could be in for a deep playoff run.
Pryce Ferrin, Front Range Christian (Littleton): Ferrin scores a relatively modest 12.6 points per game but has established himself as one of the most dominant rebounders in Colorado. His 17 boards per game are best in the state, regardless of classification. He also dished out 3.5 assists and swipe 3.4 steals per game, showing his all-around ability. He has pulled down at least 20 rebounds on three different occasions with his season-high of 25 coming in a win over Twin Peaks Charter Academy on Jan. 8. He makes the Falcons a team to take note of as they enter the meat of league play.
Gabriel Tucson, Ignacio: Although he has yet to put up a triple-double this season, Tucson is a threat to do so every time he takes the court. He was one steal away from a triple-double in a season-opening win over Sargent and one assist away in a win over Bayfield. He averages 20.6 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. He's solid defensively as he grabs four steals per game. He doesn't shy away from big challenges as he went for 28 points and 11 rebounds and shot 6-for-9 from 3-point range in a one-point loss to Cedaredge on Dec. 4. Since then, he has helped the Bobcats win four of their last six games.
Class 1AIsiah Chairez, Sierra Grande (Blanca): Chairez is a big reason that Sierra Grande got off to a hot start to the 2021-22 season. He's averaging a double-double with 19.4 points and 10.7 rebounds, and has the ability to play every position on
Nathaniel Owen, Belleview Christian
File photo by Paul DiSalvo
he court. He scored 29 points and shot 67% from the floor on Dec. 10 when the Panthers got a big 63-22 win over Hoehne. He has immense value on the defensive end, as well, as he averages 4.4 steals per game. He had a season-high eight steals in a win over Kim/Branson on Dec. 11.
Kade Hankins, Dove Creek: Hankins is the leading scorer in the classification, but brings so much more than just shooting ability to his game. He's grabbing about 8.9 rebounds and swiping three steals, making him one of 1A's best all-around players. He scored a season-high 32 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 60-43 win over Telluride on Jan. 8. He has gone for 30 one other time this season and that was in an early-season loss to Center.
Nathaniel Owen, Belleview Christian (Westminster): Following the loss of its top player, Belleview Christian needed to have a big man step up if it had any hopes of defending its 1A championship. Owen has filled that role nicely as he averages a double-double with 21.1 points and 12.1 rebounds. He also hands out over three assists and blocks more than four shots every time the Bruins take the floor.
