The top 10 battle between #3 Highlands Ranch and #10 Denver East in Class 5A along with some interesting rivalry games across the state headline the Tuesday girls’ basketball schedule.
Denver East is again favored to land the City league crown but the Angels hope for better post-season success this year after falling to Doherty in overtime in their first state tournament game a year ago. That success may hinge on the play of senior Jordynn Conner who returns after pacing the Angels in scoring (12.7), rebounding (9.5) and assists (9.5) last season. She’ll get help from sophomore Navaeh Golden who was second in scoring (10.6) as a freshman.
Highlands Ranch has great tradition and hopes to use a win over East to give them confidence heading into matchups with Valor Christian (Saturday), ThunderRidge (Tuesday) and Chaparral (Thursday). The Falcons (21-6) feature one of the best players statewide in Payton Muma who led the Falcons in scoring (15.2), assists (4.1) and steals (3.1) as a junior. Taylor Ray (13.4) is a second double digit scoring returnee.
#8 Del Norte (2A) and Alamosa are both coming off recent success but must replace key players as they collide in the San Luis Valley this evening. Over the last four years, Del Norte won 87 games but begins a new era without Kendra Parra. She graduated last Spring after scoring nearly 2,000 points in her career. She averaged at least 15 points a game each season including at least 21 over her last two. Another key loss is Gabby Jones who transferred to Sargent after providing nearly nine points and eight rebounds as a sophomore.
That leaves seniors Kaeci Madrid (9.9) and Lynnea Valdez (3.7) as the top returnees for the Tigers who hope to battle Sanford for the 2A Southern Peaks crown.
Alamosa has posted 35 wins over the past two seasons and should again be in the 3A IML chase with top 10 rivals Centauri and Pagosa Springs. The Moose graduated four of their top six scorers including Lily Lavier (10.5) but they also return Emily Lavier (14.2) and Terese Chavez (6.9).
Staying in the region, #9 Pagosa Springs opens their season at home against Monte Vista. Normally a league game, this game is of the non-conference variety as Monte Vista has dropped into the Class 2A ranks for this season. Pagosa, now led by former assistant Charles Rand, is coming off yet another 20-win season, will be led by key returnees Adelyn Dozier (8.3) and Molly Grahm (5.3).
In Class 4A, #5 Berthoud and #9 Severance prep for their head-to-head battle on Friday with games against Loveland area opponents tonight. Berthoud (24-3) missed the state finals by just one game last season when they lost to Mullen (64-57) in overtime. Breanna Fowler (21) and Ally Padilla (14) combined for 35 points in that loss and both return this season. Severance is competing in their first year of varsity basketball but the JV won 18 of 19 games last year to draw top 10 interest this season. Juniors Natalie Puchino, Kelsey Koza and Anastastia Zelenko combined for 39 points in JV play last year.
Below is the full top 10 schedule for Tuesday. Colorado Preps will provide such a schedule and a preview of the top games every day of the regular season. Scores can be sent to us by text to 970.380.7737.
CLASS 2A
FINAL: #4 Holyoke beat Perkins County NE 45-29
#6 Rocky Ford vs Calhan (cancelled)
FINAL: #8 Del Norte beat Alamosa 44-39
CLASS 3A
FINAL: #9 Pagosa Springs beat Monte Vista 61-24
FINAL: #10 Eaton beat Highland 61-22
CLASS 4A
FINAL: #5 Berthoud beat Mountain View 61-39
FINAL: Thompson Valley beat #9 Severance 63-54
#10 Sierra vs Cheyenne Mountain (PPD)
CLASS 5A
FINAL: #3 Highlands Ranch beat #10 Denver East 76-23
