The Smoky Hill varsity basketball team (Aurora, CO) will host a home playoff game against Rock Canyon (Highlands Ranch, CO) today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2025 CHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournaments – Class 6A.
Smoky Hill vs Rock Canyon Game Info:
What: Colorado High School Basketball
Who: Smoky Hill (CO) vs Rock Canyon (CO)
When: Friday, February 28, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2025 CHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournaments – Class 6A
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Smoky Hill vs Rock Canyon
The 2024-2025 basketball season has seen both Rock Canyon and Smoky Hill make their mark in Colorado, with impressive performances in league play and non-league matchups. In this article, we will dive into the statistics, key players, and head-to-head comparisons between these two teams.
Overall Performance:
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Rock Canyon finished the season with a record of 12-11, achieving a win percentage of .522 and a league record of 6-4. Their scoring average per game was 63.7 points, with 1,464 points scored and 1,411 points allowed across the season. They posted solid results in their home games with a 5-6 record and a strong neutral site performance, going 2-1.
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Smoky Hill slightly outperformed Rock Canyon in overall performance, finishing with a 13-10 record, giving them a win percentage of .565. They had a stronger league record at 7-3 and averaged 64.1 points per game, scoring 1,474 points while allowing 1,396 points. Smoky Hill had a solid home record of 7-6 and performed equally well away with a 5-2 record.
Team Scoring Averages:
Looking at the teams’ scoring patterns across quarters:
- Rock Canyon: They averaged 16.5 points in the first quarter, followed by 14.9 in the second, 14.5 in the third, and 16.9 in the fourth quarter, showcasing their ability to maintain a consistent offensive output across the game.
- Smoky Hill: Their scoring was spread somewhat evenly, with 13.6 in the first quarter, 14.8 in the second, 14.9 in the third, and a higher 17.2 in the fourth, indicating their strong finishing ability.
Team Stat Comparison:
| Stat | Rock Canyon | Smoky Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 63.7 | 64.1 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 23.1 | 23.2 |
| Assists Per Game | 13.7 | 16.0 |
| Steals Per Game | 8.4 | 7.4 |
| Blocks Per Game | 3.2 | 2.8 |
While both teams are relatively close in many statistical categories, Rock Canyon has the edge in steals, while Smoky Hill leads in assists, showing their more distributed playmaking.
Key Players:
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Rock Canyon’s Leading Players:
- Kasen Lehman (19.2 points per game) leads the team in scoring and is a primary offensive weapon.
- Kai Valentine (6.6 rebounds per game) contributes significantly on the boards.
- Jacob David (2.4 assists per game) provides essential playmaking for the team.
- Cooper Ellwood (2.0 steals per game) is pivotal in creating turnovers.
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Smoky Hill’s Leading Players:
- Carter Basquez (17.7 points per game) is the team’s top scorer and offensive leader.
- Carter Basquez also contributes 6.4 rebounds per game and leads with 2.3 steals per game.
- Lorenzo Contreras (6.5 assists per game) stands out as the playmaker for the team.
Common Opponents:
Both teams faced some of the same opponents, and their results varied. Below is a summary of the outcomes against shared opponents:
| Opponent | Rock Canyon Record | Smoky Hill Record |
|---|---|---|
| Valor Christian | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Overland | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Arapahoe | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Cherry Creek | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Mountain Vista | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Legend | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Regis Jesuit | 0-1 | 0-1 |
Smoky Hill had a stronger overall record (4-3) against common opponents compared to Rock Canyon’s 2-5, which may indicate that Smoky Hill had more success in facing the same caliber of competition.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Results:
- Rock Canyon: Stronger in-state with a 10-10 record, and weaker out-of-state with a 2-1 record.
- Smoky Hill: Had a comparable in-state performance (9-7) but also performed well against out-of-state teams with a 4-3 record.
Conclusion:
Both Rock Canyon and Smoky Hill demonstrated competitive performances throughout the season, with Smoky Hill having a slight edge in overall success. Key players like Kasen Lehman for Rock Canyon and Carter Basquez for Smoky Hill are pivotal for their respective teams’ scoring and leadership. Although both teams had their share of losses against top opponents, they showed strong resilience, especially in close games. Their paths may cross again in future seasons, where fans can look forward to more thrilling matchups.
