Ralston Valley is the lone ranked team to hit the floor on the first night of girls’ basketball in Colorado. The Mustangs are ranked fourth in Class 5A and begin on the road to Windsor in non-league play.
Expectations are very high for the Mustangs who return their top four scorers from last year’s 20-6 club. That team finished their season with a tough loss to eventual state champion Cherry Creek in the state quarterfinals. Sydney Bevington returns for her senior year after leading Ralston in points (16.1), rebounds (9.6), steals (2.8) and blocks (1.7) a year ago. She’s joined by junior Saya Sabus (10.2), Brooklyn Seymour (8.9) and McKenna Nichols (7.0) who combined 26 points per game as well. They alos pulled down 14 rebounds combined.
Windsor (13-12) also returns a strong nucleus including top three scorers Kylie Sanger (13.5), Mykaela Moore (9.4) and Jolie Jiricek (7.5).
Greeley West also heads to Loveland in a battle of two teams that finished right around 500 last season. Both hope to take the next step and make the 32-team post-season bracket. West won last year’s contest 37-27 and will be led by Juanita Arago (10.8) while Loveland returns double figure scorers Kajsa Borrman (11.0) and Avery Buhler (10.3).
The 3A Patriot league always churns out good programs and this year is no different as four clubs (University, Platte Valley, Eaton and Brush) are ranked in the preseason top 12. Two teams hoping for an upper division finish face off on opening night as Estes Park heads to Frontier Academy. Estes Park won 14 games last season including a 45-32 decision over the Timberwolves. Bree Wilkerson (11) and Mala Kinley (10) combined for 21 points as Bobcat freshman and they could be the scoring leaders in 2021. Eden Pope scored 17 for Frontier Academy last year; one of just three games in double figures all season. She returns for her junior year.
Dove Creek (1A) has an unusual season opener as they meet Monticello UT this evening. Unusual in the fact that Monticello has already played 11 games. They’ve won just one but still might be favored because of all the actual game experience. Dove Creek though won 18 games last year and hopes to push for a state tournament berth in 2021 as they return Grace Hatfield (20.5 points / 6.5 rebounds) and Kobie Beanland (5.7).
24 teams qualify for the altered playoff bracket in Classes 1A, 2A and 3A. District tournaments won be played in those three divisions. Classes 4A and 5A welcome 32 state qualifiers.
