There’s a good mix of games in and out of the Top 10 rankings for girls’ basketball on Thursday as teams start to work through early conference matchups. Two good pairings top the slate as Rocky Ford welcomes Flatirons Academy and Highlands Ranch-Chaparral collide.
Final scores can be sent to Colorado Preps by text to 970.380.7737 or by email to [email protected]. Results from these games will be posted inside this story throughout the night.
Photo provided by Dwight Siverson.
CLASS 1A
FINAL: #5 Simla beat Pikes Peak Christian 53-16
FINAL: #10 Shining Mountain beat Beth Eden 51-16
FINAL: Wiley beat Genoa Hugo 40-37
FINAL: Kim/Branson beat Hoehne 35-21
NOTES: With Simla and Shining Mountain expected to earn double-digit victories, the more attractive matchups can be found outside the top 10. All four teams, Wiley, Genoa Hugo, Kim/Branson & Hoehne, have legitimate hopes of making the state tournament bracket in their respective class so each could use a victory to boost those hopes. Wiley opened the year by beating then top 10 ranked Holly (43-27) but has come up short in ensuing games to Kit Carson and Syracuse KS. Macy Rowan tops the Panthers with 12.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game and is coming off a double-double in Tuesday’s loss. Genoa Hugo (0-2) has yet to put a mark in the win column but the schedule has included losses to Kiowa and Limon. They also face Fleming on Saturday in what’s been one of the more difficult early schedules in the division. Kim/Branson is quietly 3-0 and has allowed just 57 points in wins over Crowley County, Cheraw and Holly. That defense has produced 33 steals including nine from Talara Nittler and eight from AJ Winford. The seniors also combine for 20 points a game and get plenty of help from Emmalee Buhrle (8.3 pts) and Sidney Goode (9 rebs). Hoehne has beaten Las Animas and Center but lost to Sargent and Del Norte. They also have back-to-back conference games with Rye (12th) and Rocky Ford (13th) coming up so this is a key game concerning their playoff chances. The four top scorers are either freshmen or sophomores so it’s a young group. Jessica Sakariason (8.3) tops the scoresheet and Trinity Martin (7.3) the top rebounder.
CLASS 2A
FINAL: #1 Rye beat John Mall 80-13
FINAL: #6 Cedaredge beat Moffat County 46-35
FINAL: #7 Rocky Ford beat #7 Flatirons Academy (1A) 39-37
#9 Soroco at Plateau Valley (PPD)
FINAL: Peyton beat Calhan 48-32
FINAL: Burlington beat Akron 52-37
FINAL: Grand Valley beat Meeker 52-40
NOTES: With teams staying closer to home with scheduling due to COVID, we’re a bit surprised to see Flatirons Academy make the long trek to Rocky Ford but it turns out be a very attractive matchup. Both teams are ranked in the top seven of their respective class and both have played well out of the gate. Rocky Ford finished 21-3 last year and opened this season with a 49-13 victory over Sargent. Returning all-state standout Abi Snyder finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, eight steals and three assists in the win. She was also three of five from outside the arc. Flatirons moved into the 1A rankings with their 67-40 win over Lone Star last week. The Bison returned talented Bryn and Kenlee Durrill from last year’s squad and while those two combined for 29 points in the win, the freshman class also stood out. Emma Cox debuted with 18 points and 14 rebounds while Emily Dehaan provided eight points and six rebounds. With those newcomers, they’re very much in the mix for a state championship. Another interesting non-league date has #6 Cedaredge renewing it’s 3A rivalry with Moffat County. Had the Bruins stayed in Class 3A this year, they would have likely battled the Tigers and Delta for the conference crown. Instead, they’re in 2A and favored to land the conference crown out West. Kammie Henderson and Elizabeth Gilmore each scored 13 points in the win over Olathe this week as the Bruins improved to 3-0. Moffat County has played only once and blew past Steamboat Springs 65-17. They also have tough tests with Middle Park and Grand Junction Central over the next two days. Soroco is on the court for the first time since joining the rankings. They’re favored at winless Plateau Valley. The Rams have hit on eight three-pointers in two games including three apiece from Kayedence Bruner and Peyton Parker. Meeker seeks their first win of the season against a Grand Valley squad that won it’s first two before falling to Grand Junction Central (47-28) earlier this week. The Cowgirls seeking some confidence before getting league play fully underway. Burlington and Akron could be two bubble teams for the state tournament so their head-to-head matchup will help sort that out. Burlington (2-0) must avoid looking to Saturday’s rivalry game with Burlington. Akron is 2-1 with wins against Byers and Hi Plains and a lost to highly touted Wray. Freshman Addi Kessinger paces the Rams with 12 points and 14 rebounds a game. Peyton (0-1) is struggling with injuries and Calhan (1-2) with confidence but the winner gains the early edge in the Black Forest chase. That race does not include Colorado Springs School this year as the Kodiaks are not competing in basketball due to COVID. One of their top players from the last couple of years, Whitney Richardi, is now playing with Vanguard. Top ranked Rye should get an easy win as they begin a busy weekend that also includes a showdown with 3A #1 Centauri on Saturday. Holly is also on the slate for Friday.
CLASS 3A
FINAL: Weld Central beat #3 University 54-43
FINAL: #8 Pagosa Springs beat Sargent 44-20
FINAL: Basalt beat Roaring Fork 35-26
NOTES: A quick turnaround following a second straight tough loss for University. The Bulldogs lost to Lutheran on a buzzer-beater last week and last night came up short at home to Brush in their Patriot league opener. Less than 24 hours later, they must face a solid Weld Central club that will pose another challenge. University was tied with Brush at halftime (23-23) but was outscored 39-33 in a high scoring second half. The Bulldogs forced 20 turnovers defensively but also allowed eight three-pointers in the loss. For the Rebels (3-1), the game marks a third battle with a Patriot league member. They topped Strasburg 38-26 but fell to Platte Valley (66-31). Their strength is on the inside with the tandem of Kaydee Sims (19.8 pts / 12.8 rebs) and Sydnie Pevler (9.8 pts / 11.8 rebs). Pagosa Springs (3-0) collected an important IML win over Alamosa on Tuesday (36-17) and will now finish the week against two quality 2A programs in Sargent and Del Norte (Friday). The Pirates allowed seven first quarter points to Alamosa but only ten the rest of the way in the 36-17 decision. They also played the game without leading scorer Adelyn Dozier. Molly Graham, with 10 points, picked up the slack and she got help from Beatrice Carpenter (8) and Kori Lucero (7). Sargent downed Hoehne (38-33) in their opener but needs to rebound from a 49-13 loss at Rocky Ford over the weekend. Mary Willis (12) and Lexxi Aguilar (11) have combined for 23 points in those two games. Basalt (3-0) is off to a hot start and looks to be a factor in the Western Slope chase. Despite sitting under five hundred (1-2), Roaring Fork will be a good test as they pushed Coal Ridge before falling 38-30 on Tuesday. Maya Lindgren totaled 17 points in that loss and averages nearly 13 for the season. Gracie Reardon (15.0) is the lone double-digit scorer for the Longhorns with support coming from Riley Dolan (9.3).
CLASS 4A
FINAL: #1 Mullen beat Overland 92-15
FINAL: #7 Falcon beat Classical Academy 50-47
FINAL: Sand Creek beat Sierra 57-43
NOTES: A share of the early conference lead inside the CS Metro goes to the winner between Falcon and Classical Academy. The clubs share the top spot with Sand Creek (all are 1-0) so the winner could be alone in first if the Scorpions also fall on the road tonight. Falcon is favored but the Titans are 3-0 and coming off a dominating 51-16 win over Elizabeth in the league opener. Ten different Titans scored in the win; a group led by Brooka Jones with 10. Jones and Katharine Roach each had four steals as TCA forced 32 turnovers overall. Falcon took out Sierra rather easily on Tuesday (70-30) as Hannah Burg finished with 18 points, four assists and four steals. Kilee Wood added 15 points, four assists and two steals. Each player drilled a pair of three-pointers. Sierra is playing their third game in as many days as they also came up short to Fountain Fort Carson (55-30) on Wednesday. Sand Creek dropped Mitchell 63-27 on Tuesday night; balancing their mark at 1-1 following an opening loss to Pine Creek. Mullen should get an easy win over Overland tonight and they need the W to stay one game back of Grandview in the Centennial chase. They lost the first meeting with the Wolves (68-53) but play them a second time on the 19th.
CLASS 5A
FINAL: #1 Grandview beat Eaglecrest 87-36
FINAL: #3 Highlands Ranch beat #6 Chaparral 59-35
FINAL: #4 Regis beat Castle View 60-24
FINAL: #5 Arapahoe beat Cherokee Trail 61-48
FINAL: #10 Cherry Creek beat Smoky Hill 80-28
NOTES: We could see some lopsided scores in 5A tonight but there is a great game on tap between Highlands Ranch and Chaparral. This outcome and future games with Regis should determine the order of the top three inside the Continental. And all three teams are serious contenders for a top eight seed in the state bracket. Highlands Ranch has sandwiched wins over Denver East and ThunderRidge around a tough loss to Valor Christian this season. Against Valor, the Falcons were outshot from the field (45-34%) and outscored from both the three-point (27-21) and free throw (10-3) lines. All three stats were reversed in the easy win over ThunderRidge earlier this week. Chaparral opened league play by beating Castle View 47-38 on Tuesday. It was the Wolverines’ first game decided by less than 29 points. Castle View, which dropped to 0-2, will try to rebound against a high-level Regis team that handled Ponderosa 56-18 in their Continental opener. Arapahoe vaulted into the top 10 by beating Cherry Creek in their opener and the Warriors have since clubbed both Smoky Hill and Overland by a combined 111 points. Sam Crispe (21.3) is their leading scorer including 20 points in the win over Creek. Grandview and Eaglecrest are both 3-0 but the Wolves have played the stronger schedule in beating Mullen and Cherry Creek. Eaglecrest’s best win came against Cherokee Trail (58-22) two nights ago. Nia McKenzie had 13 and Jaedyn Martin a dozen to lead the Raptors. Creek, with three league losses, is likely out of the championship picture already but should get their first win of the season this evening.
