Looking at 3A, 2A, 1A girls basketball teams and players rising early

Two weeks into the girls basketball season, it’s still anyone’s guess as to who is the best team in the small-school ranks. And, it should be noted, there is still lots, and lots, and lots of hoops to be played.

There are, however, a few teams and individuals that have seen their stock rise dramatically in a handful of outings. The cream rises to the top, but here are a few notable early-season standouts to keep an eye on.

Early risers

Class 3A

Team: Grand Valley

Behind senior all-state player Jaycee Pittman (18.5 points per game), the Cardinals backed up their Brenda Patch Tournament championship with a 24-point win over Gunnison last weekend. Grand Valley has allowed but 20.8 points per game. Senior Kaylae Medina is also scoring in double-figures on average so far.

Individual: Quin Lewis, Fountain Valley

A pretty good scorer throughout her career, the junior is off to a blazing start to 2023 as one of the few girls to already eclipse 100 points for the season (six games, for a 16.7 ppg average). She’s already made 19 3-pointers, which puts her on pace to shatter her own personal single-season mark (30, set last year).

Class 2A

Team: Crowley County

The Chargers’ 4-0 start was sparked by an overtime win against Rocky Ford, and the team has won in blowout fashion a couple of times, too. A win against a solid Granada team — one that was a Great Eight team last year — shows what the team is capable of.

Individual: Emaline Ealey, Plateau Valley

Four games, four double-doubles for the junior so far. Ealey had 33 points on 16-of-23 shooting in her last game against Crested Butte, and tallied 16 rebounds against Telluride.

Class 1A

Team: Prairie

The Mustangs will get a real good glimpse of where they rank at this week’s NJC Tournament, in fact facing Class 2A power Merino in the tournament’s opening round. Whatever happens there cannot take away from the 4-0 start they’ve enjoyed. Prairie has allowed just 22.3 points per game and freshman Hannah Kugler has stepped in to average 17.7 points a game per MaxPreps.

Individual: Anna Wollert, Eads

Another freshman sensation, Wollert has scored at least 18 points in every gae so far and is sitting at 21.7 points for her average. She scored 27 points on 12-of-19 shooting against Syracuse (Kan.).