The last two guys’ nights out of the season for us hoopheads will be Boulder dashes to the University of Colorado for Classes 5A and 4A final fours.
Basketball’s final rounds, beginning this afternoon with a four-spot of matchups and capped with two title games Saturday, should provide ample male-bonding to cap the week.
There will be something for everyone who’s a guy and likes hoops.
In 5A, defending champion East, on pace for its fifth championship since 1996, still wonders which Angels team will show up.
Coach Rudy Carey, bidding to win his eighth title, hopes it’s the one strong inside with the Thornton brothers, DaVaughn and Demetrius; a pain in the butt on defense with quick guard Jamiko Verner; a shooter in Troy Wiese; and added inside presence with Mookie Gilbert and Koree Ross.
Which guy wouldn’t want to bang inside against the Angels or try to beat their press?
Eaglecrest, here for the first time — the Raptors’ previous best was a lower-level quarterfinals, in 1991-92 — is experiencing how it feels to play without junior leader Gage Wooten, or with a limited one. Wooten separated his shoulder down the stretch of the previous round, but vows to play. I would be remiss not to credit other Raptors such as Corey Mable, Isaac Okoye and Josh Turner.
Which guy wouldn’t play in pain if he had to, like Wooten?
ThunderRidge lacks others’ speed and quickness — are you listening, guys? — yet continues to excel through outside shooting, size, defense, rebounding, determination and the adjustments of coach Joe Ortiz. Justin Becker, Austin Foote and Zach Tiedgen head the den of Grizzlies seeking the program’s third title.
Which guy wouldn’t want to play for a team with Grizzlies as its mascot?
Palmer is here because its overall athleticism is good, and it has a kid named Reggie Jackson. Hands down the best in Colorado in 2007-08, Jackson is given the freedom by coach Jim Grantz to do what he wishes, and he wishes to do it all, notably shooting from outside, although he also has what is referred to as “big ups.”
Which guy wouldn’t want to be Jackson and a threat to show up on “SportsCenter”?
It will be an earlier night for the 4A boys — first tipoff is at 4 p.m. Defending champion Abraham Lincoln apparently likes to run up and down the floor as many times as possible. The Lancers have the team to do it, notably senior forward Francisco Cruz, a consistent scorer-rebounder who carried his team to the city title. A year ago, Abraham Lincoln won its first basketball championship, the school’s first trophy-case addition since 1968.
Which guy wouldn’t want to be a part of school history?
Ralston Valley’s Mustangs have been running around the best in 4A for years, a frequent visitor to the postseason. Last week, they took down undefeated Cherokee Trail by 20 points as Taylor Gillach, Pierce Hornung and Brandon Ribble rocked. State runner-up in 2007, Ralston Valley is a 5A program locked in a 4A designation.
Which guy wouldn’t want to be respected by the upper level?
Is it me or has Broomfield been good in every sport every year? The boys basketball Eagles aren’t imposing or particularly talented, yet coach Kevin Boley’s guys, including Zac Claeys and Nick Tomsick, get it done with teamwork.
Which guy wouldn’t want to be, well, one of the guys?
Widefield, which has won 24 consecutive games since dropping its opener, frequently is referred to as the state’s best team. Julien McCollum is top-shelf and the Gladiators also sport Drew Felton and Dion Vaughn.
Which guy doesn’t enjoy being the word-of-mouth best, a.k.a. the people’s choice?
We guys are going out tonight and Saturday.
And that will be that.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
