MBN Roundup: Boys basketball

Mullen’s best playoff run in years is still going. And to keep it going, Mustangs boys basketball will have to take down the top seed.

On Wednesday at 7 p.m. the Mustangs will roll into Parker to meet No. 1 seed Chaparral, which also has been atop assorted Class 5A polls for much of 2018-19. The Class 5A Sweet 16 matchup should prove to be interesting.

For Mullen, which is 16-9 and a game from matching its best mark in 12 seasons, the 17^th seed battled throughout the Centennial League, which was considered to have the best big-school group and verified it with a Colorado-leading six of the round’s teams(to the Continental’s five).

A mix of seniors and juniors has been doing it for the Mustangs. Senior shooting guard Christian Davis (14.0 points) is about as smooth as they come from the perimeter. Point guard Brady Parris, off guard Vaughnn Stitt and forward Matt Veen have been making assorted contributions. Of note, Veen has been rising of late, including blocking a 3-point attempt in the final couple of seconds the past round at Castle View. Parris has been running the offense and Stitt has been effective from the perimeter as well as going to the basket.

Juniors Isaac Ondekane and Isaac White have proved vital. The 6-foot-8 Ondekane, limited the first two rounds because of illness, is expected to be back at full strength. He averages 13.3 points and 11.4 rebounds. And don’t be fooled by White’s 11.5 scoring average. He started the season slowly, was injured and went out of state to visit his family in Pennsylvania, but has scored 31, 20, 18, 9, 17, 17 and 19 points in his past seven outings.

In addition, 6-6 senior Connor Riepma has contributed inside play and scoring.

Overall, Mullen’s defense has picked up and coach Bob Caton also has preached ball movement.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Caton said of the matchup.

For Chaparral, 20-4, the Wolverines were second to Regis Jesuit in the Continental. And the rest of big schools spent a lot of time looking up at them.

Junior Kobe Sanders (16.7 points) and seniors Bryce Matthews (12.4 points, 6.5 rebounds) and Tanner Giles (10.7 points) head Chaparral.

The winner will play the (24) Cherry Creek-(8) Fairview survivor in the Great 8.