Talkin' title contenders... with CET announcers (2/18/09)

The Arbiter:     Let's see. We've got the undefeated boys from South Boulder; then there's the parochial school kids who've lost merely twice -- both to that team from Boulder; a pair of Springs schools with impressive seasons; a couple of Jeffco squads who are very new at the top of the 5A fraternity; a perennial power dominating a weaker Centennial; and a prep league group with just one loss which was handed to them by the two-time defending champs -- who are again streaking to the postseason. You gentlemen have spent three months in the gyms preparing us for the playoff season. Please share. Which team will take the Class 5A boys' basketball title? 

Brian Roth:     Well, at this point you have to say Fairview. Not sure how anyone can argue with the body of work the Knights have put together. Not only are they undefeated, but the way they have been winning is impressive. They have a star in Shepard, a big man in Morse and a very good point guard in Gamble. Add that to the fact that there is not a deeper team in the state. If there was a year for the Knights, this is it. 

Marty Cesario:     You take the front-runner. I'm going to dig deeper into our Top 10 -- though not too far down. Eaglecrest. The Raptors will probably be the final #1 seed. They've got a very versatile star in Gage Wooten. Josh Turner can score from anywhere and guard anybody. Love the energy and athleticism of guard Arden Dennis. They can bang inside with Josh Caldwell and Isaac Okoye. And very few can match Terrell Thompson at what he does in a non-scoring role. Plus, every one of those guys is a senior and very playoff-seasoned. Keys: Perimeter shots early and free throws late. Hit 'em and Coach Olander will be redecorating the EHS trophy case.

Cory Lopez:     Make mine the defending champs. I wouldn't have said that before February 7th. The East Angels won't get a number 1 seed. Thanks to the early season loss to Eaglecrest on CET and a stumble against Ralston Valley in January. Rudy Carey's crew is better and they have run the gauntlet in the DPS. Beating George, Montbello (on CET) and South. Those three can all get to the 'Sweet 16' depending on the bracket.  

The Arbiter:      East, Eaglecrest and Fairview. All top seeds. Not very dangerous choices... though Mr. Lopez did just lead us into the next question. He said Montbello could make the Sweet 16. What other supposed underdogs do you gentlemen believe may end up making a longer run than expected?  

Roth:      ThunderRidge is a team that still has to scare some folks out there in 5A. This is a team that got off to a slow start and that has been inconsistant this season. But, the Grizzles have played some of the top teams in the state very tough (see Regis, Doherty, Gateway) and have started to put it together. And of course, you cannot underestimate a Joe Ortiz coached team in the post-season. Also, ThunderRidge has a star in guard Dave Arnold who has played in big games his entire high school career.

Lopez:     I'm torn between the Olympians and the Spartans... Jeff Sweet's Gateway crew has only lost to the top teams in the state. #1 Fairview, #2 Regis (twice) and one of the best in Class 4A Broomfield. They were close and seniors Josh Pleasant and Larry Riley will be the key to a nice run in the playoffs. As for Doherty, Dan McKiernan certain knows how to get teams ready for the playoffs. He's taken Palmer to the top a couple times and has the Spartan's in tip top shape as the second season begins. In the Colorado Springs Metro League Doherty split with Fountain-Fort Carson and then beat top ranked Rampart and Coronado. Close loses to East and Regis came early and Doherty is better now.

Cesario:     Something in my head is saying Rampart. The Rams rotate ten guys. They've got some shooters. Just one big guy, but if he has a great tourney, who knows? 
They're in our Top Ten poll. And you asked for an upset run from an underdog. So... from who I've seen... Heritage could do some damage. Just .500 right now, but they just got their team together in January. Watching an athletic, 6'5" point guard in Kaufman coupled with Klemm -- one of the state's Top 15 scorers... they seemed like they could mess with some higher seeds.