Just day three of the girls’ basketball season but it’s easily the best schedule we’ve seen thus far. Normally, matchups between Lutheran-Holy Family and Erie-Broomfield could earn top billing but both will play second fiddle to the Grandview-Mullen matchup. Both clubs there are ranked number one in their respective class and this is the first of two meetings this year.
Both clubs reached the state championship round last year but neither had the chance at the title when the season was cancelled with just two days remaining. Grandview (24-3) held off Valor Christian (49-42) in their final game while Mullen (20-7) outlasted Berthoud (64-57) in overtime in Class 4A.
Grandview features arguably the top player statewide in 6-7 junior Lauren Betts who has already totaled 818 points and 532 rebounds in her high school career. Last year, she led the Wolves in scoring (17-8), rebounds (11.2) and blocks (3.9). Grandview also returns two other double-digit scorers in Addison O’Grady (10.9) and Marya Hudgins (10.1).
Mullen returns nine players who scored at least three points a game last season and with mask guidelines in place, that depth may come in handy this year. Leading the list of returnees is the duo of Megan Pohs (11.6) and Gracie Gallegos (10.2). Another top performer will be Imani Perez who topped the Mustangs with nearly 8 rebounds a game. She also chipped in 9.3 points which was third best on the club.
Lutheran is ranked 4th in Class 3A and Holy Family #2 in 4A so both clubs are considered strong state championship contenders as well. They’re also former rivals from the rugged Metro conference so even though they’re in different divisions, there is plenty of familiarity between the coaching staffs.
The Tigers are coming off a 21-6 season where they were scheduled to face Mullen for the 4A championship. They won their final seven games including a 38-31 semifinal win over Green Mountain. Returning from that club are four seniors who were the top four scorers a year ago. That list includes Alyssa Wells (12.7), Tyler Whitlock (9.7), Dylan Sanders (6.4) and Daniella Hren (5.5). Two others; Makenna Bertsch and Cecilia Aanerud, averaged 4.5 points a game and also are expected back in the lineup.
Lutheran finished 21-3 last season but missed the 3A Great 8 following a loss to Eaton (42-36). While they lost Kaitlyn Kyle to transfer (Ponderosa), the Lions get back leading scorer and fourth-year starter Stephanie Schultz who averaged 14.5 points and three steals a game last season.
Erie-Broomfield is the third cross-classification game featuring top 10 clubs with the Tigers checking in at #4 in 4A and the Eagles 7th in 5A.
The Tigers (23-3) had a breakthrough season a year ago and is in great position for another deep run as four players who averaged between 10-15 points all return. That group helped the Tigers reach the Great Eight where they were eliminated by conference rival Berthoud (64-60) in overtime. It was the third meeting between the clubs with the Spartans two of three including the most important.
Returnees for Erie are led by Grace Moyers (14.7) and Genevieve Gudino (14.2). They were separated by just 14 points overall with Moyers earning 383 points and Gudino 369 on the season. Deb Altshuler (11.3) and Anna Hefner (10.0) also combined for 28 games in double figures.
Broomfield (18-7) was bounced by Regis (58-51) in round three of the 5A state tournament last season. They also finished second to Fossil Ridge in the deep Front Range conference. Five of their top seven scorers from last year return including top producer Courtney Wristen (14.2). She also led the Eagles with nine rebounds and over two blocks per contest.
Below is the full top 10 schedule for Wednesday.
CLASS 3A
FINAL: #1 University beat Greeley Central 54-52
FINAL: #4 Lutheran beat #2 Holy Family (4A) 59-44
FINAL: #7 Platte Valley beat Weld Central 66-31
CLASS 4A
FINAL: #4 Erie beat #7 Broomfield (5A) 65-58
FINAL: #7 George Washington beat Pueblo West 52-29
FINAL: #8 Falcon beat Lewis Palmer 46-34
FINAL: #10 Sierra beat Cheyenne Mountain 51-44
CLASS 5A
FINAL: #1 Grandview beat #1 Mullen (4A) 68-53
FINAL: Arapahoe beat #5 Cherry Creek 61-52
FINAL: #6 Regis beat Doherty 55-51
