Angels to Fly with Thunderbirds Saturday
High school basketball will be back inside Ralston Arena on Saturday when the Nebraska Prep Classic takes center stage. Perhaps lost in the eight game slate for the event is the nightcap. Bellevue West will take on Denver East-a team led by one of the highest recruited players in the state of Colorado and a coach of legendary status. Kyle Newman, the head Preps reporter at the Denver Post, said that this Angels team is weathered and ready to play.
“When you look at 5A, any of these teams in the top 10 are capable of winning the championship,” Newman said. “Chaparral, East, obviously,...all those teams have what it takes to make a run.”
The Angels are led by three star Colorado commit Daylan Kountz and highly recruited but not yet committed junior Kwane Marble. The back court duo average a combined 39.6 points per game on 161-of-316 (51%) from the floor. That, to Newman, is what keeps Denver East within striking distance.
“What sets Denver East apart is their guard combo of Daylan Kountz and Kwane Marble, Rudy Carey, who is a legendary coach, believes is the best junior and senior in the state, ” said Newman. “They’ve got Marble and Kountz, who are really guard players, down in the post.”
Their starting lineup doesn’t have a big man, which is good news for Bellevue West’s John Shanklin. The 6’6” forward averages just 5.1 points per game and 2.4 rebounds, but he had a huge fourth quarter against Bellevue East because he outsized them.
In order for Shanklin and his Thunderbirds to have a field day, they’ll have to go through the legendary coaching style of Rudy Carey. The front man on the Angels’ bench has won nine state championships, and six at Denver East. There will be some high profile people filing into Ralston Arena on Saturday according to Newman.
“He’s basically the OG when it comes to Colorado high school basketball,” said Newman. “He’s won nine State titles, six at Denver East. He’s basically the most accomplished coach in the history of the state.”
Bellevue West will take the court with the Angels on Saturday, January 20th, 2018, at 8:45 p.m. at Ralston Arena.