Top Shooters in the 5A Great 8

Now that the Sweet 16 is behind us, every team needs a player that can score against the state’s top competition. These players lift their teams with their tremendous ability to shoot the basketball whether it’s off the catch or creating their own shot. The Great 8 at the Denver Coliseum on Friday will be a huge test for each player competing for the state championship, and each game will be tougher than the last. Let’s take a look at some top shooters that are still alive in the Great 8. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_95242" align="alignright" width="300"] [player_tooltip player_id="95125" first="Avery" last="Vansickle"][/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95125" first="Avery" last="Vansickle"] (2021, Regis Jesuit)</strong> is a sniper behind the arc, and stretches the floor as well as anyone in Colorado. The junior also shows the ability to knock down the mid range and is one of the top shooters in Colorado, having already made 62 3-pointers in 169 attempts so far. Vansickle is averaging 16.5 points per game, and is shooting 41 percent (147 for 355) from the field. She put on a show against Liberty in the second round, scoring 21 points while going 5 for 9 from the 3-point line. Vansickle will look to lead her team as they go on in play a tough Highlands Ranch squad. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_140676" align="alignleft" width="300"] [player_tooltip player_id="95016" first="Jana" last="VanGytenbeek"][/caption]A fierce competitor with a powerful will to win, there is no question that [player_tooltip player_id="95016" first="Jana" last="VanGytenbeek"] <strong>(2020, Cherry Creek)</strong> is one of the top players in the <span style="font-size: 1rem">country. Headed to Stanford University after the school year,</span><span style="font-size: 1rem"> Van Gytenbeek can score at will, but more often looks to get her teammates involved. Van Gytenbeek doesn’t have to get to the basket to score, and is a threat from midrange, the free-throw line, and from long distance. Averaging 18 points per game and shooting 47 percent (49 for 104) from the arc, Van Gytenbeek will continue to be a vocal leader as the reigning state champions take on Ralston Valley. </span> &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_145617" align="alignright" width="271"] [player_tooltip player_id="115764" first="Lauren" last="Zwetzig"][/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="115764" first="Lauren" last="Zwetzig"] (2020, Fossil Ridge)</strong> has been climbing the radar for years, raising her stock for what she can do<span style="font-size: 1rem"> on the floor and eventually signing with Haverford College. Zwetzig is averaging 10.8 points per game on a team that spreads the love when it comes to scoring. She is 35 for 84 from behind the arc this season, and was 3 for 6 from behind the 3-point line in a second-round win over Windsor. Scoring a career high in points against Fairview earlier in the season with 23 points, Zwetzig can be expected to lead by example with her relentless effort as the Sabercats take on No. 1 Valor Christian in the Great 8 </span> &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_132633" align="alignleft" width="300"] [player_tooltip player_id="95129" first="Jenna" last="Siebert"][/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95129" first="Jenna" last="Siebert"] (2021, Valor Christian)</strong> is averaging 9.3 points per game this year and from behind the arc, she is shooting at a 42-percent clip to help Valor Christian become the No. 1 seed in Class 5A. Standing at 5-foot-8, Siebert is a do-it-all player as a guard. Not only can she shoot among the best of them but also is averaging three assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. The junior is also a player who adds range with her shot, and someone who can stretch the floor when Valor Christian takes on Fossil Ridge this Friday. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_151292" align="alignright" width="242"] [player_tooltip player_id="95123" first="Payton" last="Muma"][/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95123" first="Payton" last="Muma"] (2021, Highlands Ranch)</strong> is a very crafty guard that can score in many ways. One of the ways she can beat you is from behind the arc, where she has shot 39 percent (40 for 123) on the season while averaging 15.3 points per game. Muma is also Highlands <span style="font-size: 1rem">Ranch’s floor general and leads the way for the Falcons, averaging 3.7 assists a night. Scoring 20 or more points in six games this year, including 14 in a second-round win over Chatfield, Muma is one of the top recruits in her class, and it will be fascinating to see her take on several of Colorado’s other top recruits when the Falcons hit the Great 8 against Regis Jesuit, another contender with some truly top-notch guards.</span>