GIRLS BASKETBALL: Schedule/Results 1-26-13

Defending 2A state champion Akron puts their unbeaten record on the line this afternoon when they visit fellow unbeaten and fellow top five member Yuma in the most attractive matchup of the day.  The Rams and Indians are a combined 21-0 on the season and there’s plenty on the line.  The tandem is part of a three way tie with top ranked Caliche (1A) for the Lower Platte lead plus it’s a district game so it will affect post-season seeding.

Yuma moved to 10-0 on Friday by thrashing Merino 68-24.  The Indians have had a solid two weeks including wins over quality 3A programs in Sterling and Brush.  Senior Kiera Mekelburg is the unquestioned leader of the teams scoring 18 points and contributing five assists and five steals each time out.  With her at the helm, the team is effective in both the fast break and half court sets as she’s an excellent passer.  She also gets offensive help from juniors Caitlyn Murphy (9.1) and Marina Hansen (8.8) and talented freshmen Logan Hixon (9.4).

Akron of course is the defending state champion and with four returning starters and plenty of key reserves from last year’s squad returning; the Rams might be even better this year.  Coach Rick Agan’s club has outscored opponents by 505 points in 11 games.  Fourth year starters Sidney Merrill (16.3) and Ally Vasquez (16.0) combine for 32 points and 20 rebounds each game despite getting limited minutes in the blowouts.  Merrill had a season high 26 points against Highland and has blocked 38 shots on the season.  Vasquez has reached double figures in every game including 23 in the season opening win over Merino.  She hit a season best four three pointers against Otis.

But the Rams are far from a two man team as they also feature very talented sophomore Jordan Baer.  Playing heavy minutes during their state championship run last year, Baer has plenty of experience in tight games and is averaging 11 points, six assists, four steals and four rebounds a game.  On many teams, she would be the go-to person offensively but right now plays a backup role to the senior tandem.  Junior Gail Hall (7.4), frehman AJ Miller (7.1), senior Megan Woods (4.8) and sophomore Karli Christensen (4.9) provide depth to an offense averaging 74 points a game.

The game is slated to begin at 2:30pm from the Pit in Yuma.  We’ll have a live video stream of the battle on ColoradoPreps.TV.

Lost in the shuffle of the Akron-Yuma game is another important contest in Class 2A featuring two highly ranked teams.  4^th ranked Simla is on the road to 6^th ranked Peyton for a game that will count in both the Black Forest and District standings.  For Simla, the game represents their most difficult challenge to date as they’ve steamrolled most opponents by early in the second half or before.  Peyton has won nine straight since a loss to 2^nd ranked Lutheran and has won all ten games by at least 22 points as well.  Expect a fast pace as both teams average over 70 points.

The game could come down to how each team handles the others press.  Simla’s Kenzie Mitchell (19.3) and Jessica George (11.6) have seen heavy playing time since their freshmen seasons and should be experienced enough to handle the Peyton press.  Once in the half court game, the Cubs may have the edge inside with 6-0 senior Marilyn Alexander with her 11 points and seven rebounds a game.  Peyton does not have a lot of size and likely won’t be able to matchup with Alexander in the paint.

Peyton likely has more depth so they’ll look to wear down the Cubs with their frenzied press.  If effective, the Panthers can reel off points in bunches to grab a double digit lead.  Offensively, they get points from Shelby Patterson (12.8), Victoria Goodman (10.1), Taylor Bond (8.5), Robyn Barrett (8.1) and Aleah Heredia (7.5).  The Panthers have also connected on 83 pointers with Goodman leading the charge with 32.

Elsewhere in 2A are two important games inside the Santa Fe as #9 Las Animas hosts Fowler and Hoehne goes on the road to Rye.  The teams make up the top four in the conference.  Las Animas and Rye share the lead with one loss apiece with Hoehne a game back at 5-2 and Fowler trailing by two at 4-3.

Around the state, #3 Norwood (1A) could face a league challenge from Dolores.  Norwood is 11-0 and beat the Bears 57-44 at home before Christmas.  #7 Moffat County (3A) looks to keep a share of first place in the 3A Western Slope as they visit Grand Valley.  The Cardinals share third place with Roaring Fork and sit just one game back of the Bulldogs.  Olathe also has one league loss and they visit Cedaredge.

In Class 4A, #10 Montrose looks to keep sole possession of first in the Southwestern League.  Playing their fourth straight home game to open league play, they’re favored to beat Durango.  The Demons entered conference play at 7-2 but have dropped two of their first three league battles.  Delta, coming off a great win over Rifle last night, plays host to Battle Mountain.  An expected win will keep the Panthers alone in first in the Western Slope.

Below is the schedule for today.  Final scores can be reported to Colorado Preps by text at 970.380.7737 or by email to kevin@coloradopreps.com.

CLASS 5A

FINAL:  Grand Junction beat Montezuma Cortez 62-17

FINAL:  George Washington beat Montbello 55-38

 

CLASS 4A

FINAL:  Roosevelt beat #9 Elizabeth 59-58

FINAL:  #10 Montrose beat Durango 62-20

FINAL:  Canon City beat Sierra 64-53

FINAL:  Valor Christian beat Ponderosa 75-51

FINAL:  Silver Creek beat Erie 50-38

FINAL:  Mead beat Longmont 54-44

FINAL:  Palisade beat Summit 49-34

FINAL:  Glenwood Springs beat Steamboat Springs 51-41

FINAL:  Delta beat Battle Mountain 82-25

 

CLASS 3A

FINAL:  #1 St Mary’s beat La Junta 42-34

FINAL:  #7 Moffat County beat Grand Valley 57-37

#10 Lamar at Dolores Huerta

FINAL:  Ellicott beat Pueblo Centennial 44-26

FINAL:  Trinidad beat James Irwin 39-26

FINAL:  Olathe beat Cedaredge 44-31

FINAL:  Gunnison beat Basalt 52-26

FINAL:  Bennett beat Arrupe Jesuit 54-18

FINAL:  Sterling beat Weld Central 46-44

 

CLASS 2A

FINAL:  #1 Akron beat #5 Yuma 69-53

FINAL:  #3 Vanguard beat Kiowa 80-24

FINAL:  #4 Simla beat #6 Peyton 66-59

#7 Paonia at North Park

FINAL:  #8 Meeker beat Plateau Valley 67-22

FINAL:  #9 Las Animas beat Fowler 68-25

FINAL:  #10 Sangre De Cristo beat Antonito 83-15

FINAL:  Rye beat Hoehne 40-33

Crowley County at John Mall

Rocky Ford at Swink

FINAL:  Hotchkiss beat West Grand 65-38

Hayden at Vail Mountain

FINAL:  Crested Butte beat Cripple Creek 47-38

FINAL:  Center beat South Park 47-29

FINAL:  Del Norte beat Sanford 32-30

FINAL:  Custer County beat Sierra Grande 48-37

FINAL:  Burlington beat Goodland KS 49-35

FINAL:  Chase County NE beat Haxtun 44-30

Dove Creek at Ridgway

FINAL:  Mancos beat Ridgway 40-37

FINAL:  Ignacio beat Sargent 46-32

FINAL:  Front Range Christian beat Liberty Common 58-48

FINAL:  Heritage Christian beat Denver Christian 43-39

FINAL:  Alexander Dawson beat Lyons 37-20

Calhan at CIVA Charter

FINAL:  Colorado Springs beat Miami Yoder 37-21

FINAL:  Byers beat Woodlin 57-33

 

CLASS 1A

#3 Norwood at Dolores

FINAL:  #5 Kim beat Des Moines NM 62-50

FINAL:  #6 Eads beat Granada 51-30

FINAL:  #7 Hi Plains beat Arickaree 58-21

FINAL:  Prairie beat #8 Fleming 42-24

#9 McClave vs Springfield

FINAL:  #10 Jim Elliot beat Rocky Mountain Lutheran 42-34

FINAL:  Kit Carson beat Holly 40-32

FINAL:  Cheyenne Wells beat Genoa Hugo 38-37

Walsh at South Baca

Cheraw at Edison

FINAL:  Centennial beat La Veta 62-33

FINAL:  Cotopaxi beat Primero 41-36

Evangelical Christian at Pikes Peak Christian

FINAL:  Idalia beat Otis 38-30

Flagler at Elbert

FINAL:  Peetz beat Weldon Valley 47-36

Nucla at Ouray

Soroco at Vail Christian

FINAL:  Shining Mountain beat Beth Eden 41-12