As Centennial League boys basketball nears its second round of play, one things has become clear: Colorado’s toughest league from top to bottom is as good or better than ever.
Through Jan. 23, six of the league’s eight teams firmly believe they can still win the league championship and all have a strong argument for why that could happen.
It’s agony and ecstasy night-in and night-out for Centennial League coaches and players, but they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Perhaps the only surprise — at least to those who voted in the Denver Post’s preseason Class 5A coaches poll — is Eaglecrest, which currently sits atop the league at 5-0.
Coach John Olander’s club wasn’t one of the seven Aurora teams ranked in the preseason, but toughness, maturity and attention to detail on defense has contributed to an 12-2 start.
“This is a league where you are scared to death every time you step on the court,” Olander said. “Everybody is good, if not, really, really good. The whole rankings and top of the league can be long gone in a week when you play the quality teams like we do.”
Sticking to the defensive game plan has paid off for Eaglecrest, as the Raptors have allowed the fewest points in the league and have yet to give up more than 47 in four games.
They held Grandview — the Centennial League’s highest-scoring team — to a season-low 38 points and limited Arapahoe to 47 in a 12-point road victory Jan. 16 that snapped the Warriors’ 36-game home winning streak. It’s a win Olander believes
Senior guard TreShawn Wilford has been the catalyst, averaging 3.7 steals per game. Sean Watkins, Rayjon Craig, Jaisean Jackson and Elijah Ross also hound the ball and allow Eaglecrest to score vital points in transition.
Grandview is right on Eaglecrest’s heels at 3-1 in the league, along with Cherokee Trail. The Wolves beat the rival Cougars 84-77 in double overtime Jan. 16 in a game that could have a major impact on the final league standings.
It might have been a turning point for coach Gary Childress’ Grandview team, which was flustered with consecutive losses to Regis Jesuit and Eaglecrest coming out of a winter break. The Wolves have since becomes the dangerous team many thought they would be when they were ranked No. 2 in the preseason.
The Wolves began to get on track with an overtime win at Mullen, then held off Cherokee Trail and scored a season-high 96 points in a win over Smoky Hill. It’s finally starting to feel right to senior guard Eric Garcia.
“I think we’re finally starting to come together; we hit a couple of rough patches, but every team goes through it,” Garcia said. “We took a lot of criticism, but we’re bouncing back.
“This league is crazy, so if you lose a couple of games, it’s going to be alright because everybody’s going to beat up on each other.”
Cherokee Trail displays all the characteristics of a league title contender as well.
The Cougars have suffered some bumps along the way — and a total of six losses — but they have perhaps the league’s most dynamic player in University of Denver-bound senior Drick Bernstine.
Bernstine — averaging 19 points and 10.2 rebounds — finally has a full cast around him. Jay Nelson has returned from injury and transfer Anthony Murray has finally been able to join the lineup that includes sharp-shooting RJ Perry, slasher Solomon Yon and others.
Overland got out of the gates strong in non-league play behind sophomore Austin Conway, freshman De’Ron Davis and a deep roster.
Centennial League play, however, has been eye-opening for first-year coach Danny Fisher and a team made up heavily of sophomores and freshmen.
Fisher’s team lost on a last-second putback to Cherokee Trail and was held to single digits in three quarters of a five-point loss to Arapahoe. Adjustments by league coaches and the extra savvy veteran players possess have been startling.
“This league beats up on you as a team and as a staff,” Fisher said. “We’re going to take some lumps, but hopefully we’re going to learn pretty quickly. If we can survive this league, we’re going to be a pretty solid team going into the playoffs.”
A 10-win Arapahoe team lurks at 2-2 in league play, the same mark as Overland and annual stalwart Cherry Creek. Smoky Hill and Mullen sit at the bottom of the standings, but both teams have the ability to knock off any team above them.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
