Matchup Notes Heading into the 6A Great 8

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Rock Canyon #12 versus Valor Christian #4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RC Point Differential: +26 VC Point Differential: +65</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rock Canyon</strong> will be a noteworthy matchup here given their similarities in size compared to Valor's perimeter centric offense. That RC group has continued to win by committee, although their top-4 of guards [player_tooltip player_id='668041' first='Brooke' last='Harding'], [player_tooltip player_id='583985' first='Sarah' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='583986' first='Sienna' last='Pillsbury'], and [player_tooltip player_id='761859' first='Alyssa' last='Goode'] have been their most consistent performers. Harding in particular has been efficient scoring off the dribble from all three levels, certainly taking a step up in her own right.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With <strong>Valor</strong>, they still remain the favorite due to multiple skilled perimeter players who can get a bucket or draw fouls on command.&nbsp;Slowing down [player_tooltip player_id='366427' first='Quinn' last='VanSickle'] and [player_tooltip player_id='216698' first='Emma' last='Lytle'] at the point of attack will be necessary, although [player_tooltip player_id='495915' first='Peyton' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='470938' first='Camryn' last='Gunter'] are scorers who cannot be overlooked either. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cherokee Trail #1 versus Mullen #9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CT Point Differential: +65 Mullen Point Differential: +14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cherokee Trail </strong>remains the obvious favorite given their dramatic production in Rounds 1 and 2, winning by 41 and 24 in those rounds. The group's chemistry is an underrated advantage, bringing in supreme confidence in themselves no matter the matchup. They play as a team, understanding they have collegiate level players at evey position far down their depth chart. While they spread out their shot chart, look for [player_tooltip player_id='216635' first='Damara' last='Allen'], [player_tooltip player_id='492135' first='Madeline' last='Gibbs'], and [player_tooltip player_id='327662' first='Delainey' last='Miller'] to take a decent chunk of shots versus Mullen, particularly given their relative size advantage for this team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mullen's </strong>depth of tall playmakers in [player_tooltip player_id='631331' first='Makenzie' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='216722' first='Allison' last='Schwertner'] make them a tricky group to handle on offense. Combined with disciplined interior defense from [player_tooltip player_id='361573' first='Tatum' last='Jones'], this group has a chance to slow down Cherokee Trail for the first time this playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cherry Creek #2 versus Regis Jesuit #7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CC Point Differential: +48 RJ Point Differential: +27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cherry Creek</strong> remains among the most talented groups in the state, particularly given their loaded 2025 class. They bring malleable defenders at every possession, capable of staying physical against post threats. Forwards [player_tooltip player_id='327638' first='A'Neya' last='Chambers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='361565' first='Braelynn' last='Barnett'] control the glass while matching up with a wide variety of positions. Their ability to space the floor with their array of perimeter shooters will be necessary to stay on track against RJ. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regis Jesuit</strong> has their hands full against one of the few opponents in the state who matches up with their size at each position. One area worth following will be how this group creates good shots, particularly off of kickouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Legend #3 versus Horizon #6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legend Point Differential: +53 Horizon Point Differential: +18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Legend</strong> brings arguably the deepest roster in the state, given their array of backcourt playmakers and different looks down in the post. [player_tooltip player_id='374160' first='Mason' last='Borcherding'] will yet again bring a massive responsibility, particularly effective setting up perimeter threats with driving lanes following a kick out. [player_tooltip player_id='374161' first='Aubrey' last='Cook'] has shown value crashing the glass, this group can go very small or with a double big lineup depending on what areas they want to poke holes in.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Horizon's</strong> aggressive defense along the perimeter and in help side has potential to mess with Legend's ease of access into the halfcourt. Boasting assertive perimeter defenders in [player_tooltip player_id='331177' first='Natalie' last='Thornton'], [player_tooltip player_id='331323' first='Morgan' last='Ives'], and Madyn Kassalty, this group will be no easy matchup for Legend's sharpshooters. Not to mention they bring Kaitlinn Schumann, who will be a necessary post defender against Legend's array of interior threats.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->