Chaparral High School's talented and skilled guard prospect, 6-foot junior guard Colton Kresl is among the most talented performers in the state - regardless of class. A big-time scorer of the basketball, Kresl is coming off a strong showing this summer, and has continued his terrific play during his junior season.
Kresl has been a major bright spot this high school season for a Chaparral team that has struggled this season in the win/loss column. Chaparral (5-8) has played tough this season against some strong competition, and as a result, their overall record on the season has taken a major hit, but this team is very battle tested and I look for them to begin to play their best basketball of the high school season now as they gear up for much more local league play.
While playing against some top-rated out-of-state competition this season, Kresl has been strong in his play and has kept his team in almost every game. Kresl's best performance this season, may have been in last week's VisitMesa.com Basketball Challenge, as Kresl led his Firebirds to a big 59-57 win over defending Division-I state champion Corona Del Sol HS. In the win, Kresl scored numerous times down the stretch for his team and eventually scored a winning transition layup at the buzzer to win the game - a huge win for his program over the defending state champs.
Kresl is also coming off a strong performance during the club season, while leading his Arizona Power 16U team to several strong finishes and a tournament championship at the Double Pump Best of Summer tournament this summer. As a result of Kresl's performance this summer, he received his first division-I scholarship offer from Northern Arizona University and head coach Jack Murphy and his staff. I look for Kresl to begin to garner much more recruiting interest during his junior season, and definitely next spring, as this young man is regarded among the guard prospects in the state.
Kresl has had a good career at Chaparral. As as a sophomore, Kresl averaged 11.6 points, 2.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds per/game, while sharing backcourt duties with former senior guard Brandon Hoffer. This season with Kresl at the helm and running the show for the Firebirds with the basketball in his hands full-time, he is currently is averaging a team-high 19 points, 2.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 3.2 steals per/game.
Kresl will lead his Chaparral team on Tuesday evening (1/5) against Pinnacle HS on the road, in an exciting rivalry match-up.
Look for Kresl to continue to have a strong junior season, and continue to play at a high level, as his team looks to make a playoff push late in the high school season. This young man has definitely caught my attention with his play, and I look for bigger performances throughout the 2015-2016 high school basketball season.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Kresl is a big-time scorer from the guard position, and he has a superior knack for making shots from anywhere on the floor. He has the ability to keep his handle alive in the most difficult situations and pass with either hand. He is an excellent shooter with excellent range on his shot. He is also able to shoot the basketball from the stand-still position or while on the move. He can create for himself or others off the dribble, almost at will. Kresl is also an excellent ball handler and a solid passer of the basketball. Fundamentally sound, Kresl is a complete offensive guard. He has also added some good size to his smaller frame, allowing him to compete against bigger guards. He will need to continue to focus much more on the defensive end to reach his full potential as a player, but he is solid defensively with goood lateral quickness. A very good overall guard prospect that could develop into a mid-major guard for the next level.
