Getting all sorts of looks

Palmer’s offense, and particularly sensational guard Reggie Jackson, will cause unique problems for opponents. That’s why the Terrors won’t be surprised if they face some exotic defenses when the 2007-08 boys basketball season opens Thursday.

“I think we’ll see a lot of zones,” said Jackson, the 6-foot-3 senior who signed with Boston College earlier this month. “I may see box-andones or double teams. They may do everything to get the ball out of my hands. But that’s OK. It’ll give my teammates opportunities to score.”

They’ll need to keep defenses honest if the Terrors are to contend with Doherty for the 5A Metro title. Jackson said his outside shot is improved since last season but it’s his ability to drive and score that worries defenses.

“They know I can finish around the rim and there’s more chance I’ll miss a 3-pointer,” Jackson said. “We’ll just try to take what’s there.”

Palmer coach Jimmy Grantz said it’s important to prepare for unusual defenses. He expressed confidence in Jackson’s passing ability and selflessness, plus the skills of fellow seniors Kwame Washington and Jon Burnley, plus junior guard Zach Hawkins.

“Reggie’s gotten better every year and he’s so confident it rubs off on everybody else,” Grantz said. “If teams use different defenses, we’ll spread the floor and give Reggie and Jon and Kwame room to operate. I’m confident in all of our other players being able to attack. But we’ll make sure Reggie is still involved.”

Burnley, a tailback in football, brings toughness to the Terrors, said Grantz.

“Reggie, I think, is the best in the state, by far,” Burnley said. “Me, Kwame and Zach will try to take the pressure off of Reggie.”

Doherty, which reached the state semifinals last season, might be considered the 5A Metro favorite, with three returning starters: VJ Holmes, James Webb and Bryse Velasquez. Coronado has Levi Harris while guard George Pollard leads Mitchell and Ron Burton and Brennan Price make Air Academy competitive.

“It’s a pretty open league, I think,” Grantz said. “We’re in the conversation but Doherty’s got the most back. Rampart, with Eric Bandt, will be tough. Sand Creek will be huge up front and they’ll surprise some people. Their sophomore, Damian Terry, is 6-9 and he’ll be hard to handle.”

Class 4A

Widefield, one of the favorites in 4A Metro along with Harrison, is led by the conference’s reigning Player of the Year Julian McCollum and Dion Vaughn, who helped lead the Gladiators to the state semifinals.

D.J. Dickson leads Sierra while Terrance Hutchins makes Fountain-Fort Carson tough to handle. Jamal Dickerson is Mesa Ridge’s top returning scorer. Harrison lost all its starters to graduation.

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