Even though the girls’ basketball schedule for the week is limited to just three days, it’s not short on top matchups. Several highly ranked teams could get pushed as the 2019-20 resumes this weekend.
Thursday: #4 Valor Christian (7-1) at Chaparral (6-1)
After spending most of December competing in out of state tournaments, Valor Christian should remain in Colorado for the rest of the season. They’ve played just one game against an in-state rival; beating Columbine 71-29. They missed out on a perfect December by falling to a New York opponent (52-40) in the final game before Christmas.
The duo of Raegan Beers (16.9) and Kindyll Wetta (15.0) provide most of the scoring for the Eagles. Beers, with 10 per game, is also the top rebounder.
Chaparral has not played the same level of schedule as their best win is likely against Lakewood (42-33) with a lone loss to Mountain Range (40-38). The Wolverines are very busy to open the second half as they also face Arapahoe on Saturday and then Fort Collins and Denver East next week.
Thursday: Montrose (8-1) vs Thoreau NM (6-2)
This is game one of three for the Indians this week as they compete at the Aztec Rumble in New Mexico. Montrose carries a six-game winning streak into January and over that stretch, the defense has not given up more than 38 points. Only two of the six opponents have totaled more than 30. Kennadie Minerich (13.6) is the lone double figure scorer but four others pick up between four and eight points a night. Caraline Burwell leads the Indians with seven rebounds per game and as a team, they’ve netted 33 treys including 14 apiece from Minerich and Josie Eccher.
Thoreau is a 3A school with wins in six of their eight first games. MaxPreps has them ranked as the 35th best team overall in the state.
Friday: Ponderosa (8-0) at #10 Vista Peak (7-0)
Saturday: Fruita Monument (9-1) at #10 Vista Peak (7-0)
Ranked 10th in Class 5A, Vista Peak will face their most difficult back-to-back stretch of the season to date and the Bison look to avenge a tough 55-52 loss to Ponderosa a year ago. The scenario this year is virtually the same as a year ago as Vista Peak entered the game unbeaten (9-0). In last year’s win, Liberty Line (24) and Katherine Higgins (15) combined for 37 points and both return for another run with the Bison. Line averages a team best 18.4 points per game and Higgins sits at 17.1. Together they also pull down nearly 17 rebounds per game.
The Bison have outscored opponents by 177 points this year but three of their contests have been decided by single digits. They’ve beaten Thompson Valley (55-47), Brighton (60-52) and Liberty (52-42). Saierra Hughes, with a team best 17.7 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, is the top player. She and Kaya Evans combined for 25 points in last year’s loss to Ponderosa. Evans scores 13.1 points per game this season.
Even with a win over Ponderosa, Vista Peak is not guaranteed to stay unbeaten through the weekend as they face a good Fruita Monument club the next day. The Wildcats feature five players scoring at least six and a half points a game. The list is led by Callie Allen (16.0) and Lila Dere (11.8). Their only loss came against Cheyenne Central WY in round two of the Greeley Gojo Classic last month.
Friday/Saturday: Pagosa Springs Tournament
It’s a very good field at this two-day event as the 2nd ranked team in Class 3A welcomes in two other top 10 rivals in #5 Eaton and #9 Colorado Springs Christian. Roaring Fork is the fourth team in the field and won’t be a pushover as all eight of their games have been against 4A clubs.
For Pagosa Springs (3-2), the stretch continues a brutal early season slate as they’ve already faced and lost to top ranked St Mary’s (50-31) and #3 Lutheran (38-36). The Pirates meet Eaton on Friday and then CSCS on Saturday as both games will boost their RPI numbers. The games also get them ready for what should be a tremendous IML chase against the likes of Centauri and Alamosa.
The loss to Lutheran was a tough one as Pagosa Springs led 31-25 on the road after three but was outscored 13-5 over the final eight minutes. Lutheran also hit eight three-pointers in the win. The Pirates feature a veteran lineup with seniors Taylor Lewis, Hannah Griego and Teagan Stretton leading the way.
A comparison score gives Pagosa Springs the edge on Colorado Springs Christian (3-2). The Lions have also played Lutheran but fell by 22 points (54-32). Their second loss came against Rocky Ford. Corrie Anderson and Elleah Hoekert are two very good outside threats for the Lions.
Eaton (6-1) has won their last five following a 49-47 loss to Academy in the opening week. They’ve allowed just 78 total points over their last four games and the most allowed in that stretch is 26 to Kent Denver. The Reds pick off 16 steals per game with Addie Randel (4.7) and Jennifer Jarnigan (3.1) topping that list. Randel is also the top scorer (10.3) and passer (4.0 assists). Three others average seven points per game and four more total either three or four.
Roaring Fork (4-3) opened with four straight wins but dropped three of their final December games. Maya Lindgren (12.9) and Emily Broadhurst (9.5) are their first two options on offense.
Saturday: Rocky Ford (7-0) at Center (3-2)
The Meloneers were not ranked in the final December poll but should enter the 2A top 10 next Monday as they scored wins over Colorado Springs Christian and Limon to finish out the month. The Lions are #9 in Class 3A with Limon the top team in the most recent 2A poll.
Abi Snyder leads Rocky Ford in almost category with 18 points, five rebounds, five steals and four assists per game. She totaled 12 points with two rebounds, five assists and two steals against Colorado Springs Christian and upped those numbers to 21, 6, 7 and 3 the next night against Limon. Lily Hancock also added 12 points and Meghan Saltzman three treys in the 55-54 overtime win.
For Center, this is a tough matchup but one that will help their RPI and get them ready for the post-season in late February. The Vikings are coming off a big loss to Cotopaxi (61-28) but still hope to finish third behind Sanford and Del Norte in the Southern Peaks chase.
Saturday: #6 Centauri (8-0) at #2 Sanford (3-2)
We may have saved the best game for last as both the Falcons and Indians are strong contenders for state titles in the respective class. The neighbors, who are separated by about four miles, have already played once with Centauri picking up a 38-24 win in the semifinals of the La Junta Holiday Shootout.
Mia Garcia, with 15 points, led Centauri in the win. Brenna McDaniel, Brynli Sowards and Courtney Hamilton all added six points. Sanford was led by Harmony Peterson with nine and Riley Canty with five. The Indians made just nine of 35 field goal attempts including just 1 of 14 from beyond the arc but playing at home this week, we can expect better numbers in the rematch.
Another key for Centauri in the win was defense. They recorded 18 steals and forced the fundamentally sound Indians into 20 turnovers.
In addition to winning the La Junta tournament, Centauri closed the first half schedule with a quality road win at #4 Delta (48-40). Ashtyn Haslett totaled 19 points and McKenna Bagwell dropped in three treys.
Others of Note
The first week schedule also includes several other attractive matchups.
- Friday: Windsor (2-3) at #2 Pueblo West (8-0)
- Friday: Eaglecrest (7-1) at Fountain Fort Carson (6-0)
- Saturday: Mead (4-3) at #3 Berthoud (7-0)
- Saturday: Deer Trail (4-0) at Belleview Christian (4-2)
