ThunderRidge
Taylor Rusk– Wyoming commit Taylor Rusk has the ability to take over any game with a combination of size, shooting ability, and a strong attacking skill set. At 5’11 she is a handful for any team’s guards but is quick enough to blow by post players to get into the paint to score or dish. Her basketball IQ and calm demeanor are essential to her team’s success. Rusk averaged 16 points on the year and is averaging 17 points in the state tournament on a blistering 66% on two point field goals and 41% from three point range.
Jaz’myne Snipes– Jaz’myne leads her Grizzly team in scoring at 17.3 points per game to go along with her 8.2 rebounds. She is a double-double threat every game, registering seven on the year. She is physical, active on the glass, and possesses a strong ability to score around the basket. Snipes’ 12 point, 12 rebound double-double vs. Lakewood to advance to the Final Four may have overshadowed her exceptional defensive performance. Her physical play kept twin post players Camilla and Kira Emsbo from establishing deep post position and helped in holding them to a combined 5 points. Jaz’Myne will continue her career next year at Regis University.
Grandview
Michaela Onyenwere– The 5A scoring leader may be the most physically gifted female athlete in the state. That coupled with a high motor and strong finishing ability around the basket makes her a tough guard for any team. Onyenwere’s ability to elevate in traffic for scores and rebounds is second to none in Colorado and helped her average a double-double on the year at 24 PPG and 10.3 RPG. The Snipes vs. Onyenwere matchup in the Final Four game will be an intriguing and physical battle, but ThunderRidge will likely need to defend her by committee.
Kennede Brown- Athletic quick point guard who is the teams third leading scorer at 7.2 points a game. Will by far more athletic than any of the ThunderRidge guards. If ThunderRidge takes Onyenwere away it will Brown that will have to carry the scoring load.
Alisha Davis- At 6’1” with a strong frame and solid athleticism, this freshman has college coaches salivating. She is her team’s second leading scorer (7.5 ppg) and has a great nose for the ball, consistently grabbing rebounds outside of her area. She is certainly an intriguing player and will be for years to come in Colorado girls’ basketball. She will play an essential role in keeping ThunderRidge senior Jaz’myne Snipes off of the offensive glass.
Ralston Valley
Ashley Van Sickle– Junior captain Van Sickle came into the Great 8 game vs. Broomfield with a chip on her shoulder and showed up big when her team needed her. Ralston Valley’s leading scorer was looking to avenge her season low 6 point game in her first matchup with Broomfield, a loss in early February. Van Sickle led the Mustangs with 20 points on 70% from the field including four crucial three pointers. Ralston Valley’s up-tempo style provides multiple transition shot attempts and attacking opportunities for Van Sickle who, along with Hannah Weber, can make teams pay in transition.
Hannah Weber– Weber’s versatility and tough nosed style of play have been essential to her team’s success this season. The senior captain averages 14 points and 8 rebounds per game with a balance of outside shooting, strong straight line attacks to the basket, and a solid mid-range game. Weber averages just over 5 three point shot attempts per game while shooting nearly 50% from the field on the year. Her shooting ability, coupled with Van Sickle and Ralston’s up-tempo style of play, were the catalyst for the Mustang’s 26 point third quarter in their Great 8 matchup with defending champion Broomfield and will be a difference maker in their battle with Highlands Ranch this Thursday.
Register today at D1basketball.com/denver for daily skills workouts by Chauncey Billups and Nick Graham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WweNaWXwsw
Highlands Ranch
Leilah Vigil– Leilah had the performance of the night in the round of eight with her 16 point, 21 rebound game vs. Horizon. Perhaps the most noticeable statistic of the night, Leilah outrebounded the entire Horizon team 21 to 20. While only a sophomore, she leads her team in scoring (18.7 ppg) and plays with a contagious tenacity that makes her a force inside. Her offensive rebounding ability and skill in drawing and finishing through contact are exceptional for her age and will be a difference maker in Ranch’s matchup with the undersized Mustangs of Ralston Valley.
Tommi Olson– Tommi can flat out shoot the ball. Having hit at least one three pointer in all but 3 games this year, she is a threat to hit from deep on every possession. Olson is averaging 12.6 points per game on the year but has stepped up big during her team’s run to the Final Four averaging nearly 18 points in the state tournament. With Olson and Vigil, both sophomores, the future looks bright for the Falcons moving forward.
Bri Stiers– Bri showed why she can be the most dangerous player on the floor against Horizon in the Great 8 going 8/11 including 4/7 from three on her way to a game high 20 points. She is versatile, athletic, skilled, and possesses size that allows her to be a threat inside and out as evident by her 8 offensive rebounds last game. The Division I, University of Missouri- Kansas City commit is a streaky shooter who can fill it up once she gets going.
Blaire Braxton– Blaire, a Division I commit to Seattle University utilizes her size effectively and possesses a combination of great rebounding ability and the skillset necessary to finish around the rim. At 6’1”, her stature and physical play clogs the paint and helps to discourage finishes around the basket.
Symone Starks– Symone, a senior captain for the Falcons serves as the metronome for her team establishing the tempo at which her team plays. Stark’s speed allows Highlands Ranch to push in transition while her high basketball IQ is evident in her ability to slow the game down when necessary to find mismatches and get her
teammates involved. The fact that the Falcons average 70 points per game, with five players scoring 7 or more points per game, is in large part due to Symone running the point with great maturity and her ability to put her teammates in positions to score. Her nearly 10 points per game are a direct result of her quickness, ability to play at different speeds, and ball-handling skills. Symone will continue her career at Division I Eastern Washington.
About the Blogger: Nick Graham is the director of basketball for Chauncey Billups D1 Basketball in Highlands Ranch. Graham, who played collegiately at Washington State University trains basketball players of all ages and skill levels including many of the states top high school and collegiate players along with NBA players as well. In addition, Nick travels the country working with some of the nations top prep players. Along with leading D1 Basketball Training nationally, he also works with Spalding and many of the top trainers in the country including Johnny “Handle Life” Stephene. Through his partnership with Spalding Nick traveled to the 2016 NBA All Star game to provide youth players in the Toronto community with NBA All star training along with Stephene. Also, Nick and Stephene will lead regional All American camps this summer with D1 Basketball, Spalding and NBA players Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony amongst others. Nick’s passion is assisting Chauncey Billups in mentoring, developing and celebrating the young players and coaches along with educating and empowering parents of basketball players all over Colorado.
Follow Nick on Twitter @DreamLiveBall & on Instagram @DreamLiveBallNick
Find out more about Chauncey Billups Basketball Training with Nick Graham @ D1sportsbball.com/Denver
