If the opening night of the Class 4A Jeffco League girls basketball season is as good as it looks on paper, then the next two months are going to be a lot of fun.
With six teams already sitting with at least six wins, the league slate kicks off Thursday evening  with a handful of great games worth watching.
It all starts with undefeated Golden (8-0) hosting D’Evelyn (7-2) at 6 p.m. The Demons rolled through December, including a non-league rout of fellow Jeffco League foe Littleton. Standout seniors Makena Prey and Abby Garnett have led the way, with Prey leading 4A with 24.9 points a game. Prey has also averaged 11.6 rebounds. Garnett is right there as well at 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds.
The Jaguars haven’t had standout Bailey Marvel since the first week of the season. Marvel was averaging 13.8 points and 9.8 rebounds through the first four games. Senior Angi Reed picked it up in Marvel’s absence though, including a 20-point effort in the team’s victory over Faith Christian before the break. D’Evelyn nearly upended No. 2 Pueblo West in the Sweet 16 last February.
Later that same night, Standley Lake (8-1) visits defending state champion Evergreen (7-1) at 7 p.m. The Gators’ only blemish was a seven-point loss to Thomas Jefferson in a tournament at Centaurus. Standley Lake is allowing only 37 points a game, and senior Savannah Martin’s 15.2 points a game, 12.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists make her a tough matchup.
Evergreen counters with stud junior Claudia Dillon, who has a near double-double through eight games at 18.1 points and 9.5 rebounds. The Cougars have had their way with opponents, with the exception of a four-point loss to Holy Family early in December. Evergreen visits D’Evelyn on Saturday.
Finally Thursday night, Littleton (6-2) visits Valor Christian (7-2). The Lions’ only losses have come to Golden and Thomas Jefferson, and three players are averaging right around nine points a night. Senior Rebekah Sandstrom has been a force inside at nine points and 11.4 rebounds. Littleton draws Standley Lake on Saturday night.
Valor Christian is coming off a 3-1 showing in the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, and the only loss came in overtime. Freshman Kendyll Wetta leads the team at 11.9 points a game, and senior Abby Wright is just behind at 11 points.
Elsewhere in 4A girls action this week:
Air Academy and Discovery Canyon tip off Wednesday night in the 5A/4A Pikes Peak League opener. The Kadets (7-1), who were the No. 4 overall seed a year ago, have won four in a row since a loss to Pueblo County in the Holiday Hornet tournament. That remains the only game that Air Academy has allowed an opponent to score more than 40 points. Senior Mary Parchinski leads a balanced lineup at 10.9 points.
Discovery Canyon (6-2) is coming off victories over Rock Canyon and Ponderosa before the break. Junior Ashten Prechtel is taking opponents by storm with a double-double of 17.8 points and 12 rebounds.
Frederick, which won only six games all of last season, has already matched that victory total through eight games. The Warriors (6-2) visit 2016-17 semifinalist Windsor at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday and a strong Holy Family (7-2) team on Friday.
Frederick junior Tori Dufour (10.8 points) and senior Aspen Dufour (10.6 points, 9.5 rebounds) have led the way. For Windsor (5-3), the last two losses came by a combined seven points. The Wizards closed December with a 61-60 victory over state runner-up Pueblo South behind 26 points from junior Hollie Hoffman.
Holy Family senior Izzy Hren is averaging 15.6 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and 4.3 steals.
Pueblo West (8-0) has a tough week ahead at the Rampart Tournament at the Broadmoor World Arena. The Cyclones play 3A undefeated Colorado Springs Christian on Thursday, followed by 5A Fruita Monument (8-1) on Friday and then Rampart on Saturday.
Also on Friday, Centaurus (7-2) visits Greeley Central (6-2) at 6:30 p.m. in Northern League play. Centaurus has won seven of its past eight games, with junior Helen Gover averaging 12.2 points.
Greeley Central junior Naomi Hidalgo has averaged 19.3 points in six games.
One more game to watch Saturday features Mesa Ridge (4-2), a quarterfinalist a year ago, taking on The Classical Academy (6-1), at 2:30 p.m. in Colorado Springs Metro League play.
Mesa Ridge has dropped games to 5A Horizon and Denver East, but closed December with consecutive victories. Senior Chloe Welch leads a prolific offense with 20 points a game and 10.7 rebounds. Junior Ashley Bowen also averages a double-double at 10.3 points and 11.5 rebounds.
TCA’s only loss came to Air Academy before the break. Three players score in double figures, paced by senior Raegan Bervig with 14.3 points. Senior Raeann Qeener averages 13 points and eight rebounds.
Brian Miller has joined the Colorado Preps writing staff and will author weekly updates on Class 4a girls and boys basketball throughout the season. The stories will be published Tuesday or Wednesday each week.
Scores can be sent to Colorado Preps via email to [email protected] or by text to 970.380.7737.
