Players to watch
Ty Adam, Jr., F/C, Severance — Athletic and long at 6-foot-8, Adam is an above-the-rim force at the 4A level who averaged 17.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks as a sophomore.
Tarrance Austin, Sr., G, Pueblo South — The author of last season’s most memorable buzzer-beater — a running 3-pointer that eliminated Erie from the 4A playoffs — returns after an all-state season that saw him average 23.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.9 steals per game.
Kadyn Betts, Jr., F, Pueblo Central — A 4A all-state pick after posting 13 double-doubles in 16 games last winter, the 6-foot-8 Betts is an elite scorer (18.1 ppg) and rebounder (12.3 rpg) who also creates shots for others (4.1 apg) and locks down the paint on defense (1.0 bpg).
Quis Davis, Sr., PG, Denver East — The fulcrum of the Angels’ offense, the 6-foot Davis can punish teams as both a scorer (16.4 ppg) and shot creator (7.4 apg) with an outside shooting touch (43% from 3) and the athleticism to attack the paint.
Mostapha Elmoutaouakkil, Sr., F, Eaglecrest — With Ty Robinson off to CU, the Raptors’ success hinges on Elmoutaouakkil (13.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.3 apg) and Jayden Washington (11.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg), 6-5 seniors with inside-outside scoring ability who can also hold down the boards.
Khafre Garrett-mills, Jr., G, Aurora Central — Garrett-mills’ sophomore season was a head turner, with the 6-foot-4 combo guard averaging 20.9 points on 48% shooting with 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
Jaeton Hackley, Sr., PG, Douglas County — A two-year starter, the 5-11 point guard has the experience and skills (19.0 ppg, 6.4 apg, 3.5 spg) to make some serious noise paired alongside fellow senior Ty Nettles (12.9 ppg, 2.0 spg, 1.8 apg) in the Huskies backcourt.
Christian Hammond, Jr., G, Cherry Creek —A QB and point guard just like his older brother Julian, the 6-2 junior made big strides in his second varsity season with averages of 11.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. With Julian now in Boulder, Christian’s time has arrived.
Anthony Harris, Jr., Sr., F, Smoky Hill — The springy, 6-foot-5 Harris (12.3 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 1.8 bpg) is a one-man highlight reel who routinely posted double-doubles last year alongside skilled 5-11 point guard Brayden Maldonado (18.5 ppg, 4.6 apg).
Sam Howery, Sr., PG, St. Mary’s — The maestro at the center of St. Mary’s run-and-gun attack, the 6-foot all-state pick enters his senior year with gaudy career totals (1,189 points,
479 assists and 245 steals) and one clear goal: win the 3A title last year’s Pirates fell one win short of.
Luke Hutto, Sr., SF, Montrose — A three-year varsity starter and returning all-state pick for last year’s 4A runners-up, the 6-3 wing (15.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg) added a shot-blocking element (2.3 bpg) to his game last year after averaging double-digit points his freshman and sophomore seasons.
Jackson Keil, Sr., G, Sterling — Entering his fourth varsity season, the 3A all-state returnee was the No. 1 option (17.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.5 apg) for a Sterling team that reached the 4A Final Four and gave eventual champion Lutheran its toughest test of the tournament.
Zach Keller, Sr, F/C, Thunderridge — The 6foot-10 Wake Forest commit struggled with injuries last winter but still managed 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game for the eventual 5A champions. Paired alongside 6-8 Joey Bilello, the Grizzlies’ will be formidable once again.
Elijah Knudsen, Sr. G, Mead — The leading scorer for last year’s 4A champions at 19.3 points per game, the 5-9 all-state selection is a dead-eye from the outside (131 career 3s) who more than holds his own as a playmaker (3.2 apg) and defender (1.5 spg).
Aidan Kuhl, Sr., G, Rocky Mountain — A North Alabama commit, the 6-foot guard has been a scoring machine for the Lobos the past two seasons, averaging 19.0 points per game (760 total points) on 54.1% shooting with 87 3pointers.
Silas Mccurnin, Jr., PG, Poudre — One of the most dangerous outside shooters in the state, Mccurnin averaged 22.4 points per game as a sophomore while shooting 42% from 3-point range. Two seasons into his varsity career, he’s already buried 118 3s.
Brock Mishak, Sr., G, Fossil Ridge — The go-to offensive weapon for last year’s 14-2 Sabercats, the 6-2 Mishak (19.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.1 apg) will have to carry an even bigger load this winter with last year’s Nos. 2-4 scorers all lost to graduation.
Jordan Reed, Sr., PG, Manual — The 3A allstate selection’s all-around impact will have the Thunderbolts in the 3A title mix once again. Whether it’s scoring (18.8 ppg), creating (7.1 apg), rebounding (6.6 rpg) or defending (1.0 spg), Reed leaves his fingerprints on everything.
James Shiers, Sr., C, Mead — A defensive anchor for the defending 4A champion Mavericks, the 6-foot-9 all-state returnee wrecks opponents’ half-court offense with his ability to protect the rim (4.1 bpg) and secure the boards (9.6 rpg).
Joel Speckman, Sr., F/C, Chaparral — If the Wolverines extend their run of four straight Great 8 trips, the 6-foot-8 Speckman will play a major role as a versatile big man (14.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.4 bpg) who can stretch the floor with his outside shooting and do damage down low.