2023 prospects shining in basketball as well as football
Many high school athletes in Colorado play multiple sports, and some exciting prospects from all classifications in the state are shining on the basketball floor this winter after a solid fall season on the football field. Many athletes can make…
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Continue ReadingMany high school athletes in Colorado play multiple sports, and some exciting prospects from all classifications in the state are shining on the basketball floor this winter after a solid fall season on the football field.
Many athletes can make this list, but here are a sample of players who are either near the top in the entire state in a statistical category in basketball or are leading their top-ranked teams this winter, continuing an impressive school year in athletics.
Kade Hankins, 2023, 5’10, 135, Dove Creek
Hankins was a key contributor for the Dove Creek Bulldogs this fall, helping them reach the quarterfinal round of the Class 8-man playoffs. He was put all over the field and used in a variety of ways, whether is was running the ball or getting out on routes and catching passes against coverage. He finished the season with 548 rushing yards, 243 receiving yards, and 217 return yards on special teams. Named Honorable Mention All-State by CHSAA, he could be an under-the-radar player next fall in the entire classification.
That efficiency he showed on the football field has carried over in a big way this basketball season. Hankins is currently averaging 24.2 points per game, the seventh most in the state according to Maxpreps.com. He is managing to shoot 51 percent from the field and 66 percent from the free throw line to put those numbers up. In addition to his scoring, Hankins has five double-doubles thanks to his rebounding skills.
Jack Willeke, 2023, 6’4, 190, Otis
Willeke is another small-school player who plays multiple spots and is having success for the Otis Bulldogs. He was a key in the passing game this past fall with 10 receptions for 248 yards and five touchdowns, showing the ability to make big plays after the catch and finding the end zone. Otis also utilized his arm, and he completed nine of his 22 pass attempts for the team. This past fall, Willeke was also called on to play a bigger role on defense in the secondary, and his size and length showed he could cause some trouble in coverage. The season ended with him recording 40 tackles, forcing two fumbles and taking an interception for a 42-yard return. In addition to his play in the passing game on both sides of the ball, Willeke handled kicking duties, highlighted by a 60-yard punt.
Just as he did a little bit of everything in football, Willeke is doing the same on the basketball court this winter. He is leading his team in scoring and rebounding with 14.9 points and 11 rebounds per game. His rebounding average is currently sixth in Class 1A. His size and length has made him a good post player at his level this season, and Willeke will be a nice prospect to watch for the smaller-level schools in Colorado next year as well.
Garrett Harstad Garrett Harstad 6'5" | 195 lbs | ATH Loveland | 2023 State CO , 2023, 6’5, 180, Loveland
Harstad started at quarterback as a sophomore, and he was a good game manager that helped his team win the state title. This past fall, he was asked to do more in the Loveland offense, and he proved he could handle the bigger role for his team. Primarily used as a runner in the system, he doubled his rushing total from his sophomore season, going for 1,245 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has the combination to run between the tackles in the power game and displays the speed and ability to make a player miss in the open field as well. And when defenses put all their attention at stopping the run, he made them pay with accurate throws, competing 36 of 46 passes (78.3 completion percentage) for 594 yards and 11 touchdowns, all without an interception. He is a perfect fit for the Loveland system and will be one of the keys for Loveland to make another push towards the playoffs in 2022.
Before then, Harstad is enjoying a nice basketball season and is becoming a double-double machine for Loveland. He currently averages 12 points and 12 rebounds per game this season. Where he makes opposing teams pay the most is on the offensive glass thanks to his relentlessness and ability to read where the ball is going to come off the rim and get in position to grab it, resulting in 53 offensive boards to go with 107 defensive ones. His biggest game came against Berthoud on Jan. 10, a night he dominated with 36 points on 86 percent shooting from the field and 16 rebounds, both season highs for him. Harstad is also an all-conference baseball player in the spring season.
Ray Aragon, 2023, 5’8, 130, Pueblo South
Pueblo South entered the week ranked No. 1 in Class 4A in boys basketball. They have a deep, talented roster, and one of the three double-digit scorers helping lead them this season is Aragon.
Before his solid play on the basketball floor, Aragon had a nice 2021 fall season for the Colts football team. He caught 28 passes for 435 yards and scored four touchdowns on offense, doing so a speedy, quick receiver who was dangerous in the open field. His ball skills were equally impressive on defense in the secondary, where he was able to pick off five passes and had a few big interception returns to go with it. With some key players graduating, Aragon could be a bigger piece for Pueblo South on the football field this fall.
Those skills to read a pass and step in front have been a key for him on the basketball court, where he is currently averaging 3.9 steals per game. He is also showing some good shooting skills to help him average 15.1 points per game, and he is a good facilitator with just over five assists per game as well. He is a well-rounded basketball player who helped the team reach the Final Four, and they are poised for another deep postseason run this year.