5A State Tournament Preview – Guy Gibbs Region

2/21/17

If you want to pick which #1 seed has the “easiest road” to the Final Four on paper, it would be George Washington. George has already faced Chaparral once and won that one going away. A Patriots match up against Doherty in the Great 8 has the makings of the best game of the tournament.

Players to Watch 

George Washington – Sr. Jervay Green, Sr. Calvin Fugett, Jr. Jon’il Fugett

Ralston Valley – Sr. Jerrod Parker, Sr. Travis Toreline

Fruita- Monument – Sr. Gunner Rigsby, Jr. Trey Morrill

Chaparral – So. Joe Dalton, So. Ronnie DeGray,

Regis – Jr. Sam Bannec, Sr. Connor Hobbs, So. Jamil Saffiedine

Arvada West – Sr. Lukas Maly, Jr. James Pelon

Arapahoe – Sr. Kyle Lukasiewicz, Sr. Ben Timmons

Pine Creek – Sr. Quentin Guiterrez

Fort Collins – Sr. Jacob Pfaffinger, Sr. Iseri Palacio

Grand Junction Central – Sr. Kyle Blair

Broomfield – Sr. Sam Foster, So. Steven Croell

Doherty – Sr. Brevin Brimble, Jr. Joe Golden

1st Round

Fruita-Monument vs. Ralston Valley

Ralston Valley has shown that it can get a big game from senior guard Jerrod Parker when needed, just as Lakewood. The Wildcats will have to overcome the long travel day and will need a big game from junior Trey Morrill. RV wins this one.

Arvada West vs. Regis

This isn’t your typical Regis team, and that’s not in a good way. Regis has Top10 talent, but they have been unable to find a groove all season. Jr. Sam Bannec will be the most athletic guard on the floor and will need to take advantage. Lukas Maly proved against Montbello earlier this year that he can get on fire from behind the 3-point line. If he and the rest of the Wildcats shoot it well, Regis may have more on their hands than they can handle. Regis moves on after a close one with A West.

Pine Creek vs. Arapahoe 

This is a game where two irresistible forces will meet, the scoring prowess of Pine Creek and Arapahoe’s tough nosed aggressive defense. This game comes down to the senior guards on each team. If Arapahoes’s senior guard Kyle Lukasiewicz is on and making good decisions, the Warriors move on. If Pine Creek can get Quentin Gutierrez making shots early and often, the Eagles may pull this one out. Going with Arapahoe to win the game but not before a close game.

Broomfield vs. Grand Junction Central 

GJC enter the tournament 2-2 in their last four games before the tournament including a loss to Bear Creek in their last game of the season. Broomfield is led by Sam Foster, and if he has his typical game, then the Eagles move on. Eagles win on the road.

Round 2

Ralston Valley vs. George Washington

This isn’t a good matchup for Ralston Valley as they are outmatched at every position against GW. Patriots move on.

Regis Jesuit vs. Chaparral 

This game is a Continental League rematch. Chaparral took the first game by 18 points. On paper, this is a game that should be closer, but unless Regis figures out how to play together, then  Chaparral will walk away with this one too. Young Wolverines march on.

Arapahoe vs. Doherty

Arapahoe has the big bodies that can bang around with the front line of Doherty. But Doherty can score in a variety of ways. Doherty senior guard Brevin Brimble will need a solid game to push the Spartans past the Warriors.

Broomfield vs. Fort Collins

Another possible league matchup in the 2nd round. Fort Collins won the first game by 12. Broomfield will need to find a way to be effective in the post while Fort Collins can not turn the ball over.  Fort Collins wins this one at home.

Sweet 16 

Chaparral vs. George Washington

As mentioned before these two team played earlier this year, and George won by 18.  Chaparral will need to find a way to deal with the Patriots trapping aggressive defense. GW will need to make sure that foul trouble doesn’t come into play. Jervay Green and Tre Pierce will need to have good days for the Patriots to move on.  GW advances to the great 8

Fort Collins vs. Doherty

Doherty would much prefer a wide open game, but they can be scrappy and hard-nosed too. Fort Collins will need to have forward Brian Read to have one of his best games of the year. Doherty will need their forwards to have a good day. Sparta moves on.

Great 8 

Check out the Great 8 article for our prediction between George Washington and Doherty.