State semifinal berths are up for grabs tonight and Tuesday as the girls’ basketball schedule moves into the Great 8. A total of 20 matchups will be played across the five divisions and Colorado Preps gives you a quick glance at each one of them.
Photo by Vibrant Valley Photography.
CLASS 1A
SOUTH BACA AT BRIGGSDALE: After surviving a COVID scare last week, Briggsdale rolled past Haxtun 57-29 in the Sweet 16 to remain unbeaten on the season. They’ve outscored opponents 815-406 on the season but have been tested twice; an overtime victory over Flatirons Academy (65-60) and conference clinching win over Fleming (55-50). Both those opponents remain alive in the bracket this week. South Baca’s only in-state loss is against Eads (39-37) but that setback may have cost them a top four seed and home game in this round. Alissa Hebberd has had a strong year with 17 points and 12 rebounds a game in leading the Patriots.
KIM/BRANSON AT FLATIRONS ACADEMY: The Mustangs have won six in-a-row following a mid-season loss to South Baca that served as the only blemish on a 14-1 record. Patience on offense and a stingy defense has gotten them this far as they score only 43 points a game but allow just 24. That defense has limited seven opponents to 20 points or less this season. Flatirons is in the Great 8 for the first time but a strong schedule should have them ready for the challenge. Losses are against playoff teams in Rocky Ford, Wray, Briggsdale and Fleming with all four still playing this week. They’ve also posted quality wins over the likes of Lone Star, Shining Mountain, Evangelical Christian and Merino; beating the Rams 82-39 in the Sweet 16 last Thursday.
DOVE CREEK AT KIT CARSON: Of the 20 matchups Monday or Tuesday across the Great 8, this is the only pairing featuring two unbeaten clubs. Kit Carson is 14-0 but escaped the round of 16 with a come-from-behind 38-36 win over Lone Star last Thursday. Freshman Sedonia Isenbart triggered that rally as she hit a basket to tie it, got a steal and the two game-winning free throws in the final minute. She finished with 12 points, her fifth straight game in double figures. Dove Creek rolled past McClave 53-33 in their first playoff game of the year. Grace Hatfield averages 21 per game and is closing in on 1,500 career points.
FLEMING AT SANGRE DE CRISTO: Ranked number two in the pre-season, Fleming sputtered through the early going but they’ve gotten healthy and red hot at the right time. The Wildcats have won eight of nine with the lone loss by five points to top ranked Briggsdale. Kally Kirkwood’s return from injury has boosted the offense as she’s provided seven points and nearly six rebounds in the seven games she’s played. Sangre has rolled past 1A competition with losses coming against 2A top eight seeds Sanford and Rocky Ford. Their two best regular season wins against 1A opponents came against Cotopaxi (39-28) and Sierra Grande (53-20) plus they’re coming off a strong effort in beating Elbert 54-37 last Thursday.
CLASS 2A
WRAY AT HOLYOKE: The Lower Platte league matchup went to the Dragons as they rallied from a halftime deficit to knock off the Eagles 61-55. Holyoke won the second half 36-26 as Kristin Vieselmeyer and Lauren Herman combined for 44 points and 20 rebounds. Taby Jones led Wray with 17 with Riley George and Karly Godsey each adding 10. Wray has won three straight since that loss; averaging 73 points a game in doing so. Holyoke is 15-0 overall but has yet to see the court in the playoffs. As the top overall seed, they earned a first-round bye and then earned a forfeit over Lotus School in the Sweet 16.
ROCKY FORD AT RYE: Rocky Ford returns to Rye for the second time this year hoping to avenge a narrow 52-48 loss to the Thunderbolts. A better start will be needed. The Meloneers fell behind 25-6 in the first quarter but somehow managed to tie the game at 42 midway through the fourth. Rye though regrouped to score 10 of the game’s final 16 points to stay unbeaten. Abi Snyder netted 29 for the Meloneers including seven three-pointers. Rye picked up 14 from Jolee Ortiz and 10 from Jordan Holgerson-Rahl. Rye also collected 14 steals and forced 23 turnovers. Rye’s lone loss is against 3A power Centauri by just two points (59-57).
LIMON AT CEDAREDGE: A couple of league champions for a berth in the Final Four. Limon won the Union Pacific league without a loss while Cedaredge was crowned the overall Western Slope champion with their win over Soroco in the final week. The Badgers are 13-3 following their road overtime win at Heritage Christian last Thursday. They’ll look often to Trista Marx who averages 17.5 points a game; a dozen more than any other Badger. Cedaredge reached the Sweet 16 in Class 3A last year and has already gone a step farther in 2A this year. They handled Del Norte last Thursday (60-28) getting a combined 43 points from Kammie Henderson, Paige McGovern and Megan Gastineau.
YUMA AT SANFORD: In winning three of the last four state championships in Class 2A, it’s difficult to see Yuma as the Cinderella but that’s the case in 2021. Seeded just 22nd in the 24-team bracket, the Indians upset #11 Soroco in round one and then did the same to #6 Paonia last Thursday. Now they hit the road for another long trip hoping to unseat #3 Sanford in the San Luis Valley. They had just four wins in the regular season but a strong schedule got them into the pairings. Losses this year are against playoff teams Brush, Limon, Holyoke, Sedgwick County, Merino, Haxtun, Burlington, Wray and Platte Valley. Sanford’s lone blemish is against 3A #2 Centauri (64-45) and they also recorded quality wins over Ignacio, Sangre De Cristo, Fowler, Sargent, Center and Del Norte. They opened their playoff run by beating Olathe (52-35) as they limited the Pirates to just 14 made field goals.
CLASS 3A
BRUSH AT VANGUARD: Brush goes in as the underdog but they hope playing a tough Patriot league that still has four teams left in the bracket will help them upset the top seeded Coursers. The Beetdiggers have losses to Great 8 qualifiers Eaton and Platte Valley but also beat University during conference play. Vanguard is unbeaten (14-0), has outscored opponents by 540 points and has played just one game decided by single digits as they edged Centauri 62-58 on February 16th. Neither program has ever reached the state semifinals.
DELTA AT LUTHERAN: The Panthers are in the state quarterfinals for a third straight year and hope the third time is the charm as they were beaten in their previous two attempts. The chore this year is a big one as they face a Lutheran club that is unbeaten against 3A teams with a lone loss coming to Chaparral which remains alive in the 5A bracket. The Lions have won seven straight since that loss and are giving up only 27 points a game on the season. They’ve held 10 of their 15 opponents below 30 points including six during the current winning streak. Delta’s lone 3A loss came against Centauri very early and they’ve won three in-a-row since a double overtime loss to 4A state quarterfinalist Grand Junction Central. Their offense totals 59 points a contest.
UNIVERSITY AT CENTAURI: The Bulldogs and Falcons pair up in the Great 8 for the second straight year and both could be playing their best basketball of the season. Centauri’s win over Coal Ridge (64-44) on Tuesday was their 10th straight since a tough road loss at Vanguard. University’s victory over Academy (59-41) last Tuesday was their seventh straight. Many key players from last year’s game return for the rematch. Courtney Hamilton scored 16 to lead Centauri while sisters Kylie and Taryn Kravig each netted eight for the Bulldogs. Centauri though won the rebound battle 27-14.
EATON AT PLATTE VALLEY: If the rematch is as good as the first meeting, then this has a chance to be the best game of the state quarterfinals in any class. Platte Valley edged Eaton 47-46 on overtime back on March 3rd so that game is still very fresh in the mind of every player and coach. The game was back and forth; Platte Valley led 23-14 at halftime but Eaton outscored the Broncos 21-7 in the third. Platte Valley forced the extra session by winning the fourth quarter 13-8. Bree Bunting (17) and Cora Schissler (12) combined for 29 points for Platte Valley and Ahana Leffler pacing Eaton with 19. Both teams made six three-pointers with Eaton having the edge on the boards (38-31).
CLASS 4A
GRAND JUNCTION CENTRAL AT HOLY FAMILY: Holy Family did not play well in a season opening 59-44 loss to Lutheran but since that game, the Tigers have been dominant; outscoring 12 opponents 833-378. Only two games during that stretch have been decided by less than 20 points including a high-quality overtime win over Windsor (65-63). Central has taken a different route to the state quarterfinals with nine games decided by single digits including two by one point and two in overtime. A Warriors upset gives them their first-ever trip to the semifinals.
FALCON AT MULLEN: Mullen’s two playoff wins over Durango and Canon City are their first games against 4A teams this year. Their entire regular season schedule involved home and away contests with the 5A Centennial so they are battle tested as always. They’ve made quick work of playoff opponents; outscoring Durango 53-10 in the first half and Canon City 36-9. Falcon rallied for a tough 60-57 win over Mead in their first playoff game. The Falcons stayed alive by outscored the Mavericks 25-15 in the fourth quarter. It also kept them unbeaten against 4A teams as their lone loss came against 5A Columbine. Hannah Burg dropped in 25 points.
ERIE AT GREEN MOUNTAIN: This stacks up to be a very good game as both offenses average right at 70 points per game. The Rams though have a huge advantage on the defensive end as they’ve allowed just 29 points a contest compared to 50 for the Tigers. Erie though played a slightly more difficult schedule as opponents had a .548 winning percentage compared to .513 for Green Mountain. Erie’s 4A losses are against Windsor and Holy Family who are remain the chase for the state championship.
GEORGE WASHINGTON AT WINDSOR: Windsor is the third team from the rugged Northern conference playing for a spot in the state semifinals. They finished second in the race with only a 65-63 overtime loss to Holy Family keeping them from the top trophy. The Wizards can score. They average 79 points a game and in eight games surpassed the 80-point mark including a 108-point effort against Longmont. George Washington lost to 5A Highlands Ranch but won their 14 games including narrow victories over Denver East (62-55) and Denver South (62-54) to win the DPL crown. They’re very young as underclassmen represent six of their top seven scorers.
CLASS 5A
RANGEVIEW AT VALOR CHRISTIAN: Early wins over Highlands Ranch and Ralston Valley set the stage for great season at Valor Christian and the Eagles have overwhelmed opponents since. Those wins came in games two and three of the year and over the last 13 games, no opponent has come within 20 points of Valor. That includes a playoff win over Castle View (68-35) last Tuesday. Rangeview is arguably having their best season in school history and is in the Final 8 for the first time. Their lone blemish is a high-quality overtime loss to Chaparral (62-61) late last month. They cruised to the East Metro crown; outscoring eight opponents 598-195.
RALSTON VALLEY AT HIGHLANDS RANCH: This is the last playoff run for two of the best players in Colorado over the past four years. Sydney Bevington has scored at least 14 points in every game while Ralston Valley back into the Great 8. She totaled 17 in the first playoff win against Pueblo west and then added 21 in the Sweet 16 win over ThunderRidge. Falcon senior Payton Muma went over 1,000 career points this season and finished the regular season with 30 points in a win over Pueblo West. Ralston’s losses overall are against highly ranked Windsor and Valor Christian. The Falcons also lost to Valor Christian early and then fell to Regis in conference play.
6-7 Junior Lauren Betts paces Grandview with 18 points and 11 rebounds per game. She hopes to lead Grandview into the state finals for a fourth straight season. PHOTO BY STEVE ABEYTA
CHAPARRAL AT GRANDVIEW: Hard to believe Grandview is only seeded third in the bracket after spending the entire year ranked number one by coaches. They’ve also played in the last three state finals and are favored to get back there later this week. Wins over Mullen came by 15 and 16 points but those were their narrowest margin of victory all season. Chaparral dropped a very early battle with Highlands Ranch (59-35) but has won but is 10-1 since with a overtime loss to Regis (53-47) their only blemish. They hope that 6-2 junior sisters Payton and Avery Bang can offset the huge size advantage of Grandview junior Lauren Betts who stands 6-7.
ARAPAHOE AT REGIS: A good matchup of a resurgent program against a team that routinely battles for a state championship. Regis has played in seven state finals since 2006 with titles coming in both 2013 and 2014. A win also gets them to the semifinals for a fourth straight year. Arapahoe last reached the semifinals in 2013 but put together a strong third place showing in a Centennial league that features championship favorites Grandview and Mullen. Regis has won four straight since the loss to Regis. Arapahoe closed the regular season with losses to Grandview and Mullen but has responded with tight playoff wins over Broomfield (60-47) and Doherty (46-43).
