It’s not fair to say Valor Christian’s Ella Scott has been overshadowed by her younger Eagles teammates. But if the junior had any doubts about still being Valor’s top contender for a state championship, those were surely put to bed this past week at the Meadows.

The Class 5A defending champ always gets a thorough test when playing in the Jeffco League, and on Monday she had to be focused to fend off Ralston Valley’s Addison Hines, who also shot under par. But Scott showed her typical moxie on the front nine with five birdies and did not let off the gas pedal on her way to a 7-under-par 65. It was her best round of the season so far, once again putting Colorado on notice that she’s ready to challenge anyone that comes her way — even if it’s her own teammates.

Scott is currently ranked second in the iWanamaker listings, just behind Legend’s Scout Fitzgerald.

The Big Kahuna

It’s unclear if any state championship in prep girls golf will be played at The Pinery Country Club in the near future, but if Monday’s Mountain Vista Spring Invitational is any indication, any event there would be a welcome endeavor for the likes of the dozen players that shot in the 70s on the course.

In an amazing display of accuracy at the 5,300-yard course, five players shot even-par or better — many of them names we’ll be seeing with good numbers at this year’s state tournaments. Fitzgerald conquered the field with a 4-under 68, besting Ashley Chang (Rock Canyon) by a single stroke. Others who shot even par included Ponderosa’s Kaylee Meyering, Lutheran’s Tess Morris and Legend’s Maddie Makino.

Elsewhere

The Lone Tree Invite brought 5A and 3A stalwarts together at Lone Tree Golf Club last Thursday, and it was Lutheran that found itself on the top of the team standings ahead of Regis Jesuit, Valor Christian, Holy Family and Mullen. Seniors Chace Atkinson and Morris led the way with rounds of 73 and 76.

Timnath went 1-2-3 at its own invite Monday at Pelican Lakes, with Peyton Landon, Cheyanne Schrick and Isla Carlucci the only players in a pretty good field to shoot in the 70s.

The Cougar Classic at Kissing Camels saw a tie at the top between Air Academy’s Landry Frost and Manitou Springs’ Addison Dorsey, while four other golfers shot in the 70s. Air Academy took team honors by a single stroke past Pueblo West and Pine Creek, while Resurrection Christian was also in contention. Rez’s Addison Moreno and Pine Creek’s Henly Wilson tied for third at matching 76s, while Gabi Benfatti’s 79 led the Cyclones.

Zoe Bar-Or of Littleton shot even-par 70 at Lake Arbor on Tuesday, winning another Jeffco event.

Durango’s Jayden Craig finished first at both the Grand Junction Tiger Open on Monday and the Fruita Monument Wildcat Invite on Tuesday.

Karina Panyavong’s 73 led Riverdale Ridge’s 1-2-3 finish at the top of a league event Tuesday at Riverdale.

Acadia Curtis’ 72 led Holy Family’s 1-2-3 finish at the top of a league event Wednesday at Flatirons.

Resurrection Christian had the top four scores Wednesday at the Sterling Invite, with freshman Brittyn Goings leading the way at 79 at Sky Ranch.

Mega Bonus

(No Laying Up)

Landon’s round at Pelican Lakes — a 6-under 66 — included eagles on the 15th and 18th holes. She went 5 under over the last four holes of the course to claim the win.

Frost held on at 1-under 70 with five birdies and four bogeys. Dorsey, meanwhile, carded 70 with five birdies, two bogeys and one double.

Fitzgerald shot 31 on the front during the MV Spring Invite, while Chang put together a clean and bogey-free round to complement her three birdies.

Sophia Lee, the state’s top-ranked player this season, shot 4-under 68 at Foothills in a Metro League event to get past Denver Christian junior Aspen Murphy and her 1-under 71. Murphy’s round included four birdies and an eagle; Lee had six birdies on the day.

Reese Barnett of Eads logged yet another Mega Bonus round with her 2-under 70 at Walking Stick on Wednesday. The freshman had six birdies to overcome a 2 over start.