RANGEVIEW
Coach: Shawn Palmer, 10th season
2011-12 record: 22-5 overall (lost in semifinals of Class 5A state tournament)
Players to watch: Jeremiah Paige, 6-foot-4, G/F, jr.; Trey Bridges, 5-11, G, jr.; Larry Bridges, 6-1, F, sr.; Tim Ealy, 6-4, C, sr.; Dezant Burks, 6-1, G/F, sr.; Tim Wyatt, 6-1, G, soph.; Tarren Storey-Way, 6-3, C/F, soph.
Outlook: Coach Shawn Palmer’s Rangeview team wasn’t one that many expected to be in the semifinals of the Class 5A state basketball tournament, and yet that’s where the Raiders ended up for the first time since 1992-93, as a slew of talent matured and continued to develop together. Four regulars from last season’s squad that made it to the semifinals at the Coors Events Center in Boulder are back in uniform for Rangeview this season, which is part of the reason Palmer’s team was ranked No. 6 in 5A in a preseason coaches poll. Junior combo guard Jeremiah Paige averaged 13.4 points per game and his stock has continued to rise, as Division I coaches in Colorado and around the country have him on their radar. Paige is a difference maker on both ends of the floor and could see his scoring average score if he becomes more aggressive as Palmer hopes he will be. Senior Larry Bridges get up and down the floor and gives the Raiders another primary scoring threat, while junior brother Trey has grown significantly in the point guard spot and can make a lot happen for the team with his penetration. Senior Tim Ealy blossomed in the paint last season and is a bonafide threat to post double-digit points and rebounds every time out. Palmer looked for a big impact from sophomore Tarren Storey-Way, but that might not come until later in the season as the 6-3 frontcourt player broke his hand prior to the start of the regular season. Senior Dezant Burks, an extraodinary athlete, will get plenty of minutes doing the little things for the Raiders, while sophomore Tim Wyatt will play a key role as a reserve until Rangeview is at full strength. Palmer believes his team can again challenge for the East Metro Athletic Conference championship and become a very dangerous team come the postseason.
REGIS JESUIT
Coach: Ken Shaw, 6th season
2011-12 record: 20-4 (lost in Sweet 16 round of Class 5A state tournament)
Players to watch: Josh Perkins, 6-foot-2, G, jr.; Eric Stemper, 6-1, G, sr.; Devin Cadillak, 6-2, G/F, jr.; Elijah Sanford, 6-2, F/C, soph.; Bryan Staerkel, 6-2, F, soph.
Outlook: The powerhouse Raiders had a string of three straight Class 5A state championships snapped with a shocking round loss on their home floor to Poudre and will need a lot of young players to contribute if they want to return to the role of serious title contender they’ve held in the previous five seasons under coach Ken Shaw. Regis Jesuit — which was ranked No. 4 in 5A in a preseason coaches poll — has back one of the premier talents in Colorado and one of the most sought-after players on the Division I recruiting scene in 6-foot-2 guard Josh Perkins, a first team All-City selection last season who averaged a team-best 18.6 points and 5.2 assists per game — and appeared in The Show All-Star game at the Pepsi Center — with the chance to elevate those numbers with the graduation of standout Tanner Samson. Perkins can score from anywhere on the floor and will have the ball in his hands the majority of the time as he is the only returning player who got significant playing time last season. Senior Eric Stemper saw the floor for spot minutes last season, but will be leaned on for much more this season due to the fact that half the 12-man roster is made up of sophomores. Junior Devin Cadillak will also be a driving force on the roster, while Elijah Sanford and Bryan Staerkel are just two of the sophomores who are likely to see plenty of playing time. Sanford will be asked to go against taller players in the paint at 6-2, but has shown the ability to rebound well in those situations, while Staerkel has a significant offensive game to go with his ability to do a lot of other things well. Samson’s brother, Vaughn, and a few other sophomores will also get their chance to contribute. Shaw’s team won the Continental League championship last season with a perfect 11-0 mark, but the conference is brutal with teams such as defending 5A state champion Chaparral, improving Mountain Vista, always stout Highlands Ranch and others in the mix. A tough non-league schedule that includes some of Aurora’s best teams — Overland, Cherokee Trail and Grandview — could make for a challenging start for Regis Jesuit.
SMOKY HILL
Coach: Keenon Clement, 5th season
2011-12 record: 11-14 overall (lost in 2nd round of Class 5A state tournament)
Players to watch: Trent Clay, 6-foot-4, G, jr.; Chris Williams, 6-0, G, jr.; Unwana Ekiko, 5-11, F, jr.; Colby Johnson, 5-9, G, jr.; Nebeu Abraha, 6-0, F, jr.; Connor Mooney, 5-9, G, jr.
Outlook: Height and experience aren’t abundant for coach Keenon Clement on his current roster, as the Buffaloes lost their top four scorers from last season, including All-Centennial League first teamer Denis Terzic, who averaged a double-double (13.0 ppg, 11.8 rpg). Smoky Hill graduated 11 of its 12 varsity players, with only one starter returning in 6-foot-4 junior guard Trent Clay, the team’s top perimeter threat a year ago. Clay — who also serves as the starting quarterback on the Smoky Hill football team — was good for 6.6 points per game and connected on a team-best 29 3-pointers and he’ll need to be a key contributor on both ends of the floor as he leads a large group of fellow juniors into rugged Centennial League varsity competition. Clay has the ability to score, as he worked his way into double figures four times last season, including a 16-point game — which included 5 3-pointers — against Littleton. Clement is looking for an offensive boost from backcourt threats Chris Williams, Colby Johnson and Connor Mooney — who each have the ability to fill it up from the perimeter — while the inside group including 5-11 Unwana Ekiko and 6-0 Nebeu Abraha will need to work hard in the paint as the Buffaloes are still undersized. Jaylen Petty and Adonis Muminovic are expected to provide inside toughness for Clement. Smoky Hill has finished with an identical 4-10 mark in the Centennial League standings in each of the past two seasons, so the Buffaloes will look to improve on that, though the conference appears to be as strong as ever.
VISTA PEAK
Coach: Josh Brenning, 1st season
2011-12 record: Junior varsity (now varsity in Class 4A)
Players to watch: Noah Butler, 6-foot-2, G, soph.; Ayo Sanusi, 5-10, G, jr.; Isaiah Young, 6-4, F, soph.; DJ Ortiz, 6-4, C/F, jr.; Alex Hawkins, 5-9, G, fr.
Outlook: Josh Brenning — who got the head coaching job just weeks before the start of winter practices — leads the Bison into its first varsity season with a roster that includes the athleticism he thinks can make them competitive at the Class 4A level, but a lack of experience from the top of the lineup to the bottom makes the ultimate results uncertain as the school won’t have its first class of seniors until next year. A plus for the Bison is that most of the core players were part of the football team in the fall, so they got to see a varsity level of competition up front. Brenning’s group is unquestionably athletic, with junior Ayo Sanusi and sophomores Noah Butler and Isaiah Young leading the way. All three are multiple sport athletes and possess strength and toughness, although with assorted other skills sets. Sanusi is more developed with his all-around game and excels with quickness, while Butler has the tools to be an effective scorer and Young provides some of the team’s only height at 6-foot-4 and has plenty of raw athleticism. Brenning likes what junior forward DJ Ortiz brings to the equation, in terms of physical play and behind-the-scenes type of play. A freshman will also see regularly playing time for the Bison, as guard Alex Hawkins’ ability to handle the ball and pass will be valuable to a team with a tight rotation. Vista PEAK’s early season isn’t ideal for development, as the Bison play just four games before a long hiatus for winter break. Brenning expects conference play to be a contrast of styles, with his team looking to play fast while the other teams in the Colorado 7 — Elizabeth, Englewood, Fort Lupton, Fort Morgan, Skyview and Weld Central — typically like to slow the pace and play more physically.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
