Game Recap: Arvada West at Denver East
There were a lot of great games played on Saturday, the last day of the weekend opener from the winter break. One game that was heavily anticipated for some was this matchup between two teams who stepped on the court…
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Continue ReadingThere were a lot of great games played on Saturday, the last day of the weekend opener from the winter break. One game that was heavily anticipated for some was this matchup between two teams who stepped on the court with a 6-3 record. There were a lot of great takeaways from that game, here are six of many:
Nevaeh Golden
Denver East’s Nevaeh Golden (2023 5’6” Guard) was the standout player of the game because of what she brings to the court. A freshman who is beyond successful with the little things is hard to come by. Nevaeh is a fast mover with high energy who forces her opponents to try and keep up with her, a task that very few could accomplish. She is an excellent scorer who tied for a team-high of 14 points. Her vision, speed, and determination help her to navigate traffic when driving to the rim for the tough layup. She is also accurate from various ranges, draining two shots from beyond the perimeter with precision. As a defender, her speed enables her to stay with the ball. She has a great press technique with solid footwork, making her a perfect player for full-court press defense. Nevaeh’s awareness and focus are top-notch. She seems to know exactly where she needs to be and when in order to disrupt her opponent’s game. With such great talent at such a young stage in her career, expect to see Nevaeh Golden’s name a lot more in the future.
Madison Manson
Madison Manson (2021 5’11” Center/Forward) of Arvada West is a complete basketball player. Prep Girl Hoops has her ranked 57th in her class in the state, but she is making a strong argument for her name to climb that ladder. As soon as she steps onto the court, you can tell that a switch flips for her. She gets locked in on her full go setting and does not stop until the final buzzer. Madison is a true leader who garners her team’s respect for her actions on the court. She is also a vocal leader who commands and encourages her teammates. She is a great power player who can control the paint with her size and strength. Defensively, Madison is a force that gives very little room for her opponents. Her ability to box out is incredible, absolutely dominant. She has a great vision which allows her to create scoring opportunities for her teammates. Not only did Madison lead her team in points, but she also scored a game-high 15 points while making seven of her nine free-throw attempts. It should come as no surprise that Madison Manson was named MaxPreps Player of the Game.
Jordynn Conner
Jordynn Conner (2021 5’10” Forward) is a power forward for Denver East who plays with a raging fire in her heart. She tied for a team-high of 14 points, but she also posted 5 assists and 7 rebounds. She is a fast and strong player who works hard at playing harder than everyone around her. She uses her strength and determination at the rim for rebounds as well as scores. Jordynn understands the importance of finishing. She can draw fouls at the basket which creates possible three-point plays for her team. She is also a leader who expects the same effort from her teammates that she gives. Her game is evenly mixed between offense and defense. The same fire that makes her an offensive threat is what makes her a defensive nightmare for her opponents. One of the more underrated players in her class, Jordynn Conner is a name to know because of her ability to be a strong asset to her team.
Jasmyn Williams
Arvada West’s Jasmyn Williams (2022 5’5” Guard) continues to impress every time she steps onto the hardwood. Her composure is unmatched, and her motor is nonstop. She’s the type of player who never slows down and refuses to quit no matter what. Jasmyn is her team’s pace-pusher on offense and great perimeter defender. Her speed makes her tough to go around while her defensive posture makes her almost impossible to go through. She is a very strong passer with great vision, adding to her pace-pushing arsenal. Jasmyn Williams‘ Prep Girl Hoops ranking is 60th among Colorado’s sophomore class but expect that to rise substantially if she continues on the path that she is on.
Stella Rollo
Denver East’s Stella Rollo (2020 6’1” Center) is ranked 50th in Colorado for her class by Prep Girl Hoops. The first thing that stands out about Stella is her height and length. The second thing that stands out is her skill as a basketball player. Not only does she look like she should be on a college roster, but she also plays like it. She has a smooth game that allowed her to quietly record 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals, yet she draws attention whenever she’s on the court. One of her greatest qualities is how she does not allow herself to get rattled. She plays with a type of calm that can make her easy to underestimate, which would be the worst thing any opponent could ever do. Stella Rollo is, without a doubt, a next-level player.
Calaiya Vickles
One of the most underrated players in Colorado’s 2020 class is Arvada West’s Calaiya Vickles (2020 5’9” Forward). Calaiya is a quiet leader, she does her job well and the team feeds off of that. She finished the contest with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist as well as the respect of those who have slept on her skills. The best part of her game is her effectiveness as a defensive player. She is a stong post protector for her team. Her strength along with her determination to prove that she deserves to be recognized makes her one of the toughest post defenders on the court. Calaiya Vickles is another senior player who would make a great addition to a team at the next level, do not sleep on her.
Even with all of the talent that Denver East possesses, Arvada West’s ball movement is one of the best when it comes to defeating full-court press. Arvada West fought hard all the way to the final buzzer, showing true promise for such a young team. After four quarters, the final score was Arvada West 39, Denver East 64. Denver East kept the pressure on all game long which proved to be too tough for Arvada West to overcome. With both of these teams having fairly young rosters, expect future greatness from both programs.