While none of the local teams earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament, several former Colorado prep basketball players are playing getting a chance to shine during March Madness.
Here’s a look at how they fared during the opening weekend of the tournament:
Josh Perkins, Gonzaga sophomore guard
High School: Regis Jesuit (Graduated from Huntington Prep ’14)
The Bulldogs’ starting point guard is averaging 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in wins over South Dakota State and Northwestern. Perkins has been uncharacteristically struggling from the free-throw line. A 72.1 percent shooter on the season, he’s made just 3 of 10 in the tourney. No. 1-seeded Gonzaga faces No. 4 West Virginia at 5:39 p.m. Thursday. The game will air on TBS.
Canyon Barry, Florida senior guard
High School: Cheyenne Mountain ’12
The youngest son of Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Barry has been key off the bench for Florida, averaging 7.0 points in the Gators’ victories over East Tennessee State and Virginia. He’s also been making national headlines with his underhanded free-throw attempts — similar to how his father shot. It’s been working. He’s hit 88 percent from the line this year. The Gators will next take on Wisconsin at 7:59 p.m. Friday in New York.
Drick Bernstine, North Dakota junior
High School: Cherokee Trail ’13
The son of former Broncos running back Rod Bernstine, Drick Bernstine played a team-leading 38 minutes for the Fighting Hawks, scoring 20 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in a 100-82 loss to Arizona.
Ronnie Harrell Jr., Creighton sophomore guard
High School: Denver East ’14
Harrell sure picked a good time to have his best game of the season. The lanky guard — who averaged 2.6 points and 1.9 rebounds on the season — played 24 minutes off the bench, tallying 15 points, five rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes. Unfortunately for the No. 6-seeded Bluejays, they were upset by No. 11 Rhode Island.
Brian Carey, Texas Southern guard
High School: Denver East ’15
The speedy guard was injured and did not play. No. 16 Texas Southern lost 103-64 to No. 1 North Carolina.
