The following message was sent to all CHSAA schools on Thursday morning.
All,
There are so many inspiring words and letters out there to tell us to hang in there, we are together, this will pass. Although I read them and believe, there is still this vague and hollow place that says, “What’s next?”
Many decisions to make and once made, I return to that place: “What’s next?”
I understand and want to provide you with definitive answers but many next steps are out of our control. Our state and health officials have been thoughtful at keeping us in the loop on decisions that are forthcoming which alter decisions we are making at the Association level daily — sometimes hourly.
Our goal is to keep you informed without inundating you with each new announcement. I have had more Zooms, Go-To Meetings and conference calls in the last week than I have had in the last ten years. I am grateful that others outside the athletic world understand the importance and impact of our programs to the educational decisions that are being made, and have included us in their discussions.
We will get through this because of all the attributes we espouse as education-based leaders: Teamwork, perseverance, integrity, strong character, and, above all, understanding that we must lead and make decisions for something bigger than ourselves.
We won’t have all the answers but the ones we give will be led by what we believe is best for the safety and well-being of those we are responsible to protect.
These decisions have been extremely difficult because unlike the decisions made on the professional and national level, our students and school communities aren’t faceless ticket buyers. We are connected. We have been CHSAA participants, the seniors chasing gold, coaches with a dream, the parent wanting this experience for our kids.
These are unprecedented times that require us to embrace the emotions but make the best decisions while facing the unknowns.
As dedicated and servant leaders, I know you are reaching out to take care of your staffs and students, their lives have and are being disrupted. They need to know that you are there for them. We need to be intentional on checking on them and each other.
In the times of pondering What’s next?, here’s a gentle reminder as you adjust to your new normal: Please don’t forget to take care of YOU!
On Friday afternoon, about 14 hours or so after the news that the remainder of the state basketball tournaments had been canceled, Springfield science teacher Van Walker published a letter to all Baca County basketball athletes to express admiration for their leadership.
It’s a letter which helps put the COVID-19 pandemic into perspective.
Walker wrote: “You may not be able to talk about that championship game in 2020, but you will be able to tell your children and grandchildren that you were an integral part of a far greater team that played a critical role in slowing the 2020 pandemic in Colorado, the United States, and perhaps the world.”
Baca County — located in the Southeast corner of the state, along the border with Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico — had three teams still alive in the Final 4 round: Springfield and South Baca in the Class 1A girls tournament, and Walsh in 1A boys. Springfield’s girls hadn’t made the tournament in 38 years.
The letter is addressed to Baca County’s basketball athletes, but we are sharing it here as the sentiment expressed within applies to all of our athletes across the state.
To all Baca County state basketball tournament athletes, coaches and their families:
Congratulations on your accomplishments and the numerous hours each of you has sacrificed to reach the pinnacle of your season, and perhaps, your high school athletic endeavors. Understandably, each of you is disappointed that your seasons were not able, due to circumstances far beyond any one person’s or one organization’s control, to culminate those efforts in the traditional format. No amount of words can describe what you are feeling and experiencing nor can they soothe that pain.
However, please look at yourselves as the leaders that you are. Your leadership, as part of a team, has enabled you to accomplish your basketball goals, and today you distinguish yourselves as leaders of a much larger team; the leaders of the worldwide health crisis team. Today, your selflessness, your optimism, and your strength of character demonstrate powerfully, to everyone in our state and beyond, that you, as leaders, will always choose the correct course of action, rather than despair, that you will always elect to maintain a professional, winning disposition over the louder negativity of the masses and you will persevere through this crisis and others that may assail you or any teams with which you affiliate, through your indomitable spirit. The world needs leaders like you especially today and in the midst of uncertainty; your actions are the compass that guides, reassures, and inspires others to unify, to cooperate, and to overcome.
So while you are unable to grasp the very prize that you desired and in the manner in which you had envisioned, now you have stepped into history on a much larger scale. You may not be able to talk about that championship game in 2020, but you will be able to tell your children and grandchildren that you were an integral part of a far greater team that played a critical role in slowing the 2020 pandemic in Colorado, the United States, and perhaps the world.
Your selfless actions are commendable and reflect great credit upon each of you. We look upon each of you with tremendous approbation, we extend our admiration to each of you, and we are grateful to have you as leaders in Baca County.
Well, that escalated quickly!! We’ve already been treated to a ton of action, exciting games, and of course some early upsets that none of the experts saw coming.
Let’s take a brief look and how we got here and look ahead to the 5A and 4A boys basketball Sweet 16.
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Class 5A
Chauncey Billups Region
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
We talked about Obi Agbim of the overall No. 1 seed Rangeview having a history of stepping up BIG come playoff time and he did just that scoring 25 points in the Raiders 40 point romp over Arvada West.
The Raiders will now face 16 seed Mountain Vista, who raced past Chatfield to the tune of 91-55! No need for the shot clock “call” when Rangeview and the Eagles hook up. Both squads averaging 75 points per game so the score keeper and statistician better be ready!
Vista will need all of Reece Kelly’s 18-point, nine-rebound average to have a chance of keeping up with the deep and talented roster of our top seed.
The higher seeds in the bottom half of the bracket played out just as the RPI predicted as well. But it wasn’t easy! Boulder, the 8 seed, held off a ThunderRidge squad we predicted would play tough to a two-point game, while Columbine held off their league foe Dakota Ridge by 5.
Boulder will be rooting for Luke O’Brien in the future once he joins the Buffaloes but they won’t be on this night! O’Brien was an absolute “stat-stuffer” in the Rebels’ win with 27 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists!
The Panthers will obviously have to set their defense to slow Luke down, if possible! Both squads come in with identical 20-4 records … something has to give!
Chuck Williams Region
(Marcus Gipson/Jmariahimages.com)
The No. 2 overall seed got a strong scare from a game Fountain-Fort Carson squad who outscored the Knights 19-14 in the fourth quarter but the come back attempt came up just short, losing by 1.
Greyson Carter does a little bit of everything and averages 17 points 9 rebounds per game and will likely match up at time with Vista Peak’s AJ Lacabe, who was right at his average of 12 points in the Bison’s 11-point win over visiting Windsor in Round 2. All of the higher RPI seeds advance here.
When the Smoky Hill Buffaloes are rolling it’s an absolute SHOW! They were ready Saturday as they poured in 105 points and pulled away from Fossil Ridge.
The Buffaloes have a pure point guard senior leader in Quinten Rock who paces them and the ultra athletic Jalen Weaver. Add in Anthony Harris Jr’s high flying antics with his complete game coming together more and more as sophomores, they are definitely worth the price of admission!
What could stop a deep and talented team? A team with another four-year starting point guard with Chaparral’s Kobe Sanders, who can heat up this time of year. Sophomore Jeremiah Coleman is becoming a nightly stat-stuff fixture for Chap, who put up 91 points of their own vs Douglas County in Round 2.
Back in December Smoky pulled off a five-point road win in Chap’s house during tourney play but as we mentioned last week Chap’s youth has stepped up and the team is not what they were months ago. A fun PACE and PLACE to be here!
Larry Farmer Region
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
This region brought our first “upset” as a veteran George Washington squad, led by a Kendale Johnson Jr. back to scoring in the 20s recently, who took down an up and coming young Horizon squad. This made Horizon our highest-seeded team to lose at seed 14.
The Patriots will have even more on their plate as they will have to travel to No. 3 seed Ralston Valley, who had a strong 20-point first quarter and closed with a 21-point fourth quarter to beat Arapahoe by 11.
The Fever Crew loves senior leadership this time of year and Ralston Valley had three seniors score in double figures led by big man Caleb Rillos’ 21! GW has the athletes to compete with RV’s size…this will be SWEET.
The higher-seeds prevailed in the bottom half of the Farmer Region in Valor and Eaglecrest ready to meet in the Sweet 16.
Valor is the higher seed at No. 6 and got a test from Rocky Mountain but Roger Rosengarten was 6-6 from the field for 15 total points. Armando Miller, a dynamic junior, is the Eagles usual leading scorer and they’ll need both to keep up with the Raptors 67-point-per-game average, led by Zion Ruckard’s 17 points per game.
Eaglecrest lost to Overland by 9 in early February but were able to win Saturday’s match by 12 in their third game vs the Trailblazers this year.
The Raptors and Eagles will be one of the better Sweet 16 match ups we have!
Kent Smith Region
(Kevin McNearny)
This region provided our biggest upset of 2020 in the Regis Raiders going into the Bruins den and knocking off one of the hottest teams in the state, Cherry Creek.
Many felt that the Bruins earned the No. 2 or 3 seed spot with their late-season run and winning our state’s toughest league but the 29-seed Raiders were having none of it. The Fever Crew watched Regis get their first win over GW months ago after a rare 0-9 start in- and out-of-state. We mentioned then to not let that 0-9 start fool you! Coach Shaw has found a way to get this squad playing their best ball at the right time!
Regis is loaded with juniors and Michael Wolf led the huge upset with 21 points. Not much time for Regis to celebrate as the reward for knocking off Creek is a visit to Denver East who took down Legend at home in Round 2.
The Angels don’t have the depth of East teams of the past but have a core who can play with anyone in the state when playing their pressure style game. Sophomore Quis Davis led the scoring in the win over Legend with 17 points. A true battle of contrasting styles with East averaging 85 points per game compared to Regis’ 57.
Another surprise in bottom of this region with Broomfield seizing a 1-point win on the road at Pine Creek. Gets even tougher for Broomfield, as well, with their reward being a Sweet 16 visit to Grandview.
6-foot-9 senior Ryan Collins is leading Broomfield in points and rebounds and he will likely see a lot of the Grandview big man Caleb McGill who’s averaging 17 points per game.
The Eagles score at a faster pace then the Wolves who methodically wear you down with patience offense, depth, and size. The Wolves are senior heavy with four starters who have already committed to play college ball … the Eagles will have their hands full!
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Class 4A
Ron Vlasin Region
(David Harvey/ImageProPhotography.com)
Our overall No. 1 seed Mead scored more than 80 points again in their Round 2 win and now take their 75-point per game average up against Silver Creek, who survived a tight 2 point win over Thomas Jefferson to reach the Sweet 16. Silver Creek and Mead will face off for the first time this year.
The Fever Crew had a chance to see Mead live this year and they are a well-oiled machine with players that know their roles and don’t try to do too much. Kudos to the coaching staff because teams with this type of talent and depth are at time hard to “mesh” but it’s clear why Mead is No. 1.
Silver Creek’s Andrew Duquette is leading his squad with 19 points per game and they’ll need that and more to keep pace with Mead.
The bottom half of the Vlasin Region brought what many thought was a possibility with No. 25 seed taking down No. 8 seed Cheyenne Mountain. Cheyenne Mountain held the No. 1 spot in our rankings for a LONG stretch this year and New Mexico bound Javonte Johnson averaged an unreal 30 points and 10 rebounds for the ENTIRE season! However, this Lincoln Lancer squad has some stud seniors of their own in TJ Bamba (Washington State commit) and Ty Foster, who led the Lancers to an 8 point win on the road.
The Lancers now travel to Montrose, who is 20-4 on the season after Round 2 two-point win over Evergreen. Don’t look past Lincoln’s 15-10 record Montrose…these guys can hoop!
Larry Brunson Region
Glenwood Springs was not tested winning by 25 over Weld Central and their Sweet 16 opponent did face a tougher match with Green Mountain’s 50-46 win over Centaurus. Both teams average right in the mid-50’s in points per game and balanced team scoring across the board.
All signs show for this one to be close and come right down to the final minutes.
The bottom half of the bracket brings us a rematch! Back in December, Pueblo West handed Harrison a loss on their home floor 65-62. All of the higher seeds in this region advanced, as well, with Pueblo West getting Sand Creek by 3 and Harrison cruising past Sierra 55-28.
Taylor Harris is the lead man for Pueblo West here and junior Donta Dawson 19 points per game paces the Panthers in this rematch.
Guy Gibbs Region
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Only one team pulled an upset in this region with Widefield taking down Conifer by a convincing 13 points. The top seed in the region, No. 3 Longmont, humbled Palisade by 28 points!
Widefield’s upset success has been powered by senior Randall Days’ 20 points, 8 rebounds per game. Longmont comes in 21-3 behind Dallas Dye’s 15 points and 7 rebounds per outing.
19-5 Skyline vs. the 18-5 The Classical Academy is our Sweet 16 match bottom half of this region. Another region with all of the RPI higher seeds advancing.
Austin Robison is the stat-stuffer for Skyline at 14 points, 6 rebounds with Micah Lambert scoring 15 points per for TCA. Another match that either team can come out on top!
Richard Tate Region
(Dennis Pleuss/ Jeffco Athletics)
Very interesting region here! Again, the higher seeds rolled right through on the top and bottom part of the region. No. 4 seed Golden and No. 5 seed Northfield look to be on a collision course in the Great 8 but Erie and Pueblo East are both teams that have big upsets under their belts already in the regular season so they’ll be no fear on the road.
Golden won a three-point game in early December tournament play over Pueblo East so these two teams are familiar with one another. “Freshman Alert!” Allen Acevedo scored 16 points for the Demons in that tourney game.
In the bottom half Ladorian Havard is leading Erie in points, rebounds, and blocks, while he’ll see a lot of Nahsyah Bolar who averages a double-double of 18 points, 11 rebounds for the Nighthawks. The cream will rise!
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Get out and enjoy, folks! The Sweet 16 is the last opportunity to get out and support our awesome student athletes in 5A at their neighborhood gym and 4A only has a couple games left before we enjoy the Coliseum for a finish that won’t let us down!
Hello, hoops fans! It’s time for the Mile High Madness to begin with our big school Class 5A and 4A boys brackets now released!
Those who follow Ball Fever also know we don’t think this is a rare time for Colorado hoops, but a result of numerous factors leading to good basketball being played on our high school courts.
We saw numerous teams hold the No. 1 spot in 5A and 4A this season which speaks to the parity and high level ball being played.
The buzz about Colorado hoops is legit and we can thank a growing basketball community for that from our peewee rec leagues to competitive club ball, increasing individual personal training opportunities, and truly dedicated high school staffs.
The basketball product hitting the Colorado hardwood is improving and colleges of all levels are taking notice!
Great time to be a part of Colorado hoops … let’s get to the Madness!
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Class 5A Preview
(Marcus Gipson/Jmariahimages.com)
Chauncey Billups Region
Don’t have to look much further than the bracket’s overall No. 1 seed in 23-0 Rangeview here. The defending champs have the depth and senior leadership needed to pull off the elusive repeat. Mountain Vista pulls the bye in the top of this region, with Boulder and Columbine getting the chance to scout their Round 2 opponent, as well.
Boulder is the highest seed at No. 8 behind Rangeview in this region but they can’t look too far ahead because if ThunderRidge can earn a win in Round 1 vs. Lakewood then Boulder will have their hands full right away with a tough Continental league foe in the Grizzlies.
Favorites: Very easy to be tempted to type in Rangeview straight across this region with their well-documented talent of the Speller twins and veteran roster who has been here before. Senior Obi Agbim is actually the Raiders leading scoring on the season at 12 points per game on this balanced squad and stepped up big at the Coliseum one year ago.
Watch out for: Speaking of scoring look no further than Luke O’Brien’s 25 points and amazing 12 rebounds per game for the No. 9 seed Columbine. The CU-bound guard has the ability to help the Rebels pull off an upset on any given night! Should that Rangeview/Columbine match up happen as the Fever Crew predicts for this region the Rebels will have to score to keep up with the Raiders 73 points per game. A lot has to happen before we get there…can’t wait!
Chuck Williams Region
A little RPI controversy is to be expected and here it is with Fairview coming in as the No. 2 overall seed. The Knights haven’t lost since December, are 12-0 league champs, and riding a 14-game win streak into this Region. Chaparral, Vista PEAK, and Smoky Hill are the others who earned Round 1 byes here.
All four top seeds in region have been in our 5A top 10 poll at some point this season! Chaparral is the highest seed outside of Ralston Valley at No. 7 here. The young Wolverines have strong sophs in Jeremiah Coleman and Joel Speckman along with their senior leader Kobe Sanders who can heat up. The Wolverines are on a high after winning the Continental League.
Favorites: Fairview and Chap are the highest seeds as mentioned but not sure either has the depth to take down Smoky Hill in this region. Smoky’s #CentennialTough schedule and myriad of athletes has them as the Fever’s crew favorite to come out of this region.
Watch out for: One thing we’ve learned over the years is to not count out that “sweet sweet left” hand of Kobe Sanders when we get late in the post season. The Wolverines suffered a five-point loss in early December tourney play to Smoky Hill but they are a much improved and cohesive squad than they were two months ago should that match up present itself again and we think it will! Tough Region Here!!
Larry Farmer Region
Well, it just continues to be tough. Just the way we like it in this region! Another RPI surprise for many is Ralston Valley rolling in at the 3rd overall seed. League champs with an overall 20-3 record have been battled tested but do they ever have some strong company in the Farmer Region with Valor, Eaglecrest, and Horizon the others waiting for Round 2 action with a bye.
The Fever Crew believes Eaglecrest has top 5-team in the state type talent and have kept a close eye on the Raptors this season. They had ups and downs in the Centennial League but don’t let that 11 seed fool you. The “Firm” of Ruckard, Robinson, and Wilson can flat out play.
Speaking of not overlooking teams, Overland can ruin anyone’s day as they’ve proven over and over this season. Possible Round 2 match up of Overland/Eaglecrest could be a heavyweight bout.
Favorites: Valor hasn’t lost since its two-point loss to Ralston Valley and are on a seven-game win streak. Valor is balanced with four players average at least 10 points per game led by Roger Rosengarten’s 12 points and 6 rebounds. Fever Crew saw the Centennial League the most this season and that may be why the prediction here is for the Raptors of Eaglecrest to get on a run late season.
Watch out for: So much to watch in this region! Round 1: Pomona has an upset over Denver East this season and would love to do nothing more to add GW to the upset list! Whoever survives will face a TALENTED young Horizon squad with numerous sophomores contributing and Brock Wisne is a “super soph” the whole state will be aware of soon…complete game averaging a double-double of 16 points, 10 rebounds. No. 3 seed Ralston Valley will have their hands full of Arapahoe’s guards Bryson Stephens (recent 50 point game!) and Korey Hess.
Kent Smith Region
Many felt that the run Cherry Creek has been on was certainly worthy of a No. 2 seed in the bracket but they came out as No. 4. Early season some had them predicted to finish fourth in the Centennial League but they only had one league loss and are on an eight-game winning streak with a ton of confidence.
Joining the Bruins with Round 1 bye are Grandview, Denver East, and Pine Creek. The Wolves have four college-bound seniors in their starting line up and have depth to go far. Denver East was rolling until they ran into GW at the ThunderDome Saturday for a loss in final game of season. The Angels will be hungry.
Favorites: Don’t have to look much further than Julian Hammond and Myles Purchase of Cherry Creek for a favorite. A dynamic duo that impacts the game on both sides of the floor. When senior Sebastion Cole is contributing on the offensive end and the big men down low put in work, the Bruins are hard to beat! Grandview would love another shot down the line to avenge last week’s loss to Creek that sealed the Centennial title for the Bruins.
Watch out for: With Pine Creek playing down south the Fever Crew hasn’t had a chance to see them live. Senior guard Kenny Pham is leading Creek with 10 points, 4 assists, 3 steals per game and they’ll be motivated to show their 20-3 record is legit. Senior Peyton Westfall handling the lead scoring duties at 14 points per game.
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Class 4A Preview
(@MeadAthletics/Twitter)
Ron Vlasin Region
Deservedly so Mead comes in as the overall NO. 1 seed. They are a fun, high paced, above-the-rim crew to watch! Inside power with the soph James Shiers and senior leadership that may be unmatched. The next highest seed here is Cheyenne Mountain who is limping into this one with an end of season loss to Lewis-Palmer.
Favorites: Our favorites are the two teams already discussed. Mead’s unselfish brand of team ball and that MAN Javonte Johnson for Cheyenne Mountain who is averaging a crazy 30-point, 10-rebound average for the ENTIRE season.
Watch out for: Lincoln has two seniors in TJ Bamba and Ty Foster who are capable of putting the Lancers on their back and upsetting any team in the region.
Larry Brunson Region
With a 20-3 overall record and unbeaten league title under their belt, Glenwood Springs comes in as an unknown to many of us hoop followers but not to folks out West. Harrison, which had its ups and downs this season, is hungry to show that their early top three ranking was not a fluke and they come in as the No. 7 seed.
Favorites: John Iuele and Mitchell Burt are senior guards from Glenwood who combine for 25 points per game. Donta Dawson is the lead man for Harrison and averaging 18 points per game for a Harrison squad eager to prove they belong in March.
Watch out for: Pueblo West has big wins on their resume, including an early-season win over Harrison on their home floor. Watch out for this 10 seed who will likely rekindle some fire with Sand Creek in round 2.
Guy Gibbs Region
Longmont comes in as the No. 3 seed in this region followed by Skyline as RPI No. 6 seed. Longmont is 20-3 overall and losses to Erie, Mead, and Silver Creek can happen to any 4A squad.
Favorites: Skyline has a football stud senior to be dealt with in senior Austin Robison who’s at 15 points, 6 rebounds per session for the season. Speaking of big fellas! Longmont has 6-foot-4 Dallas Dye and 6-foot-8 Eddie Kurjac who are combining for 30 points every night out!
Watch out for: Classical Academy has a “stat-stuffer” in senior Micah Lamberth who averaged 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals during the regular season. Let’s see how the young man from the Springs shows up tourney time!
Richard Tate Region
No. 4 Seed Golden and No. 5 Northfield are solid squads leading the way in this region. The Fever Crew got its first chance to see Northfield recently vs a tough game vs Denver East but foul trouble was a factor in that one.
Favorites: Golden seems to be right there every year in 4A. Seniors McLaughlin and Mulligan both scoring 12 points per game along with a “Freshman Alert!” of Alan Acevedo’s 11 points, 5 rebounds per game.
Watch out for: Coach Ocansey and Nahsyah Bolar’s 18 points per game woke up the DPL in a major way this year! Northfield has three other players averaging minimum 10 points per game so that balance puts them in the mix 4A, folks! None of the Ball Fever Crew would be surprised if Pueblo East or Erie makes noise in Gibbs Region … they’ve already surprised this season.
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Ok, hoop fans! Wednesday it all starts.
The RPI/Human Element/Better System debate is always interesting and no system will be perfect.
The Fever Crew is just happy that our young basketball stars now have the chance to quiet the rhetoric and settle things on the court … the way it should be.
DENVER — Columbine wrestling coach Ray Barron was a popular person during the 3-day 2020 state wrestling tournament.
Wrestlers, coaches, referees and officials gave the legendary Colorado wrestling coach plenty of handshakes, hugs and well wishes. Barrow was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer less than two months ago.
Columbine junior Jack Forbes give up thumbs up to the Rebels’ fans after his victory over Grandview senior Joe Renner. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“It’s nice. It’s real nice,” Barron said of all the support he has got from the Colorado wrestling community.
Barron has spent the past five years — the last four as the head coach — at Columbine High School. Before coming to Columbine the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame member spent 45 years coaching wrestling.
The majority of that time at Heritage High School in Littleton.
While just spending the past handful of years at Columbine, Barron has clearly touched many. Juniors Jack Forbes (182-pounder) and Zach Schraeder (285-pounder) — the lone state qualifiers for the Rebels — made it a point to give Barron the longest ride possible at what could be his final state tournament.
“After we first heard about it I just kept it in my mind to keep grinding and keep getting better,” Forbes said about his motivation after learning about Barron’s cancer. “When I got to hop into his arms it was one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt.”
Forbes jumped into Barron’s arms after taking a 13-8 victory over Grandview senior Joe Renner, who had defeated Forbes in their pervious two meeting this season.
Columbine junior Zach Schraeder, left, finished the season with a 42-2 record and the Class 5A heavyweight title. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“Knowing that he (Barron) is fighting through something helped me push through things even harder,” Forbes said.
Schraeder was the favorite in the heavyweight final and didn’t disappoint. The junior took a 5-2 win over Cherokee Trail senior Julian Williams.
“They are both special,” Barron said of Forbes and Schraeder. “I’m so happy for both of them.”
It was clear both wrestlers were just at thrilled to give their coach a few more state championship victories to his long and impressive coaching career.
“It just means so much. It meant the world to me,” Schraeder said after winning what will likely be Barron’s final match he’ll ever coach. “When I looked at the scoreboard and was up with 1 second left I knew my hard work in the wrestling room for him had paid off.”
The 5A coaches saluted Barron in voting him the 2019-20 5A Coach of the Year. He we presented the award shortly after Barron set a pair of his wrestling shoes on the center of the mat at the end of Schraeder’s match that concluded the state tournament late Saturday night.
“It’s going,” Barron said of his battle. “It’s not good, but I will make it as far as I can.”
Columbine junior Jack Forbes and Ray Barron celebrates after Forbes won the Class 5A 182-pound state title Saturday night at Pepsi Center. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
THORNTON — Ralston Valley junior Izzy Gregersen will attempt to claim her first diving state championship during the Class 5A girls swimming and diving state finals Friday night.
Gregersen already has a pair of top-10 finishes — 3rd in 2019 and 7th in 2018 — under her belt. While she admits there is a bit of pressure being the favorite heading to the finals at the VMAC in Thornton, the junior’s main focus is clear.
Ralston Valley junior Izzy Gregersen holds a slim lead over Heritage senior Grace Downing heading into the Class 5A dive finals scheduled for Friday night at VMAC in Thornton. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“I want to do well,” Gregersen said of the finals Friday. “We’ll see how it turns out. I’ll come in, do my best and have fun with everybody.”
During the prelims and semifinals held Thursday morning Gregersen was in the center of the action at the VMAC. She had a chair set up right in the middle of the pool deck between the three diving boards talking to many of the other 43 divers that qualified to the 5A state meet during the eight rounds of dives.
Gregersen finished the semifinals first with a point total of 351.1. Heritage senior Grace Downing is a close second with 348.6 going to the finals tomorrow.
“It’s really just fun to be out here. I’m used to diving club,” said Gregersen, who is ranked nationally. “I find it more fun and laid back.”
Ralston Valley had the largest contingent of divers than any 5A program. The Mustangs qualified six — Gregersen, Jordan Okamoto, Payton Roberts, Kelly Heald, Gigi Borghi and Sophie Trudell — to the state meet.
Okamoto and Roberts both finished in the top-20 to join Gregersen in the finals.
Ralston Valley junior Izzy Gregersen preforms a dive during the Class 5A prelims Thursday morning at the VMAC in Thornton. Gregersen placed third at state as a sophomore and seventh as a freshman. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“I love hanging out with Payton (Roberts) and Jordan (Okamoto). They make diving more fun,” Gregersen said. “I also enjoy hanging out with the other teams and getting to know them.”
Roberts a senior and three-sport athlete — gymnastics, diving and track — has already signed to dive at the University of Idaho. Okamoto has a bright future ahead as just a sophomore.
Whatever happens after the finals, Gregersen has one more season diving for Ralston Valley before heading onto the college ranks. Gregersen says that she has talked to a few schools, but hasn’t narrowed down her list of colleges yet.
When asked, Mead boys basketball coach Darin Reese doesn’t need to think to recall his team’s leading scorer this year.
It’s Trey Ward at 15.2 points per game.
It’s curious, because the number itself isn’t overly flashy. It doesn’t scream that Ward is a dominant player for Class 4A’s top-ranked hoops squad.
But Reese knows it. And right after that, he’ll start rattling off names of other kids and how they stand out on the team.
“Will Maher, JP Shiers and Elijah Knudson are all big-time contributors as well,” Reese says. “They added some real depth.”
That’s what he loves about his roster. This team acts like a team. Not to say that no other team in the state does, but as the Mavericks (19-1 overall, 13-0 Tri-Valley) continue to win game after game, it’s very apparent that the team-first approach that that they’ve taken is generating the desired results.
“We go nine deep and there’s not a lot of drop-off,” Reese said. “Our seniors have experienced high-level games and some great atmospheres and the added depth we’ve gained this year has become a big separator for us.”
Mead opened the season at the Paul Davis Classic at Green Mountain and dropped its season opener 94-91 to Palmer in overtime. Since then they haven’t lost. And they’ve played at a level that forced voters to make them the No. 1 team in the state a couple weeks ago, taking the top spot away from then-undefeated Cheyenne Mountain. Cheyenne Mountain has since lost its first game of the year, validating the Mavericks’ spot as the top team in the classification.
A big catalyst behind their rise is the play of the veterans like Ward. Maher is second on the team with 13.7 points per game and Nick Jacobs is also scoring in double figures.
“Our senior guards either started as sophomores or saw big minutes,” Reese said. “Last year they all started and again this year. That’s our number one this is our senior leadership.”
Reese is able to blend some youth in with his veterans and each game, it’s hard not to notice Shiers, who towers everyone at 6-foot-11. He pulls down nearly seven rebounds a game and is good for at least one blocked shot.
As the regular season heads into its final week, Reese and his boys are all excited about what the postseason will bring. Perhaps one of the most underrated factors in this team is that it made a bit of a run last year, falling to Holy Family in the 4A Great 8.
“The playoff game at Holy Family, that atmosphere was as good as it gets,” Reese said. “Having been there and been through that gives me and gives them a lot of confidence moving forward.”
The Mavericks got a taste of vengeance on Jan. 23 by beating the Tigers at home. They’ll meet again in the regular season finale on Feb. 21.
Mead swept the regular season series last year before falling to Holy Family on the road in the playoffs. This year’s team is different and will the unselfishness that it employs, it is emerging as one of the favorite to claim a state title.
But in order to get it done, Reese knows that his team has to rely on something they bring to the court on a regular basis that can’t be seen on a MaxPreps statsheet.
“You can see our balance,” Reese said. “But that really does make us who we are is the unselfish way we play. On any given night we can have up to four, five or six guys score 20 points. It’s that type of team.”
The type of team that fans get excited to see in a playoff atmosphere. And the wait for that experience is almost over.
Tosjanae Bonds has been stuffing the stat sheet of late, and it has resulted in two state records and one amazing quadruple-double for the senior girls basketball player from Far Northeast.
Bonds, who is averaging 24.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 8.8 steals per game, began her most recent tear by setting the single-game steals mark with 21 against Kennedy on Jan. 31. The previous record was 20 — a mark she herself set last season.
The next game, on Feb. 8, Bonds popped off for 40 points and 18 rebounds (both career highs) against Denver East — and 10 assists and 10 steals. No records are kept of quadruple-doubles, but it is surely a short list in Colorado high school girls basketball history.
Her streak continued the very next game, on Feb. 10, when Bonds set the career steals record. Bonds entered the year 11th on the all-time steals list with 423 through her first three seasons, needing 116 to break the career record of 539, set by Conifer’s Alison Gorrell from 2007-11.
On Monday — one steal shy of the record with 115 so far in the 2019-20 season — Bonds broke through with 18 steals against Denver North, giving her 556 career steals. She added 17 more to her career total in a win over Prairie View, meaning she now has 573 (and counting) steals in her career.
This season, Bonds has recorded 10 double-doubles and three triple-doubles. Her 24.8 points per game lead the state, regardless of classification.
Welcome back hoops fans! Mother Nature took control of things last week and slowed our pace but we’re heading into the home stretch of the regular season, last week’s games will be made up, and league titles are on the line! Let’s get after it:
The Look Back
Monday, Feb. 10
C-R-A-W-L-E-D up 1-25 North last night to Mead to check out our 4A No. 1 for the first time this season. They didn’t let The Game of the Night crew down as Ball Fever got to join Blake Olson on the call once again.
Frederick did what they could to slow the game’s pace with some long possessions playing keep away and not letting Mead get out and “go”! Worked well at times and Mead had 31 first-half points but then exploded for a 41-point second half walking away with a 72-35 win.
Mead is stacked, folks! Young super sophs Shiers and Knusen along with Ward, Jacobs, and Maher’s leadership will make this team a tough “out” come tournament time for sure.
Discovery Canyon, who gave Cheyenne Mountain their first loss of the season last week, look for another big league win vs Lewis Palmer getting the big one’s started at 6pm!
Boulder dropped a couple spots to No. 9 and face a talented Horizon squad. The Panthers will have to attempt to contain Horizon’s super soph Brock Wisne, who’s averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds per game.
No. 6 Fairview didn’t get to play a game last week due to weather and they hope there’s no rust against 12-7 Rocky Mountain.
Pueblo West did win their sole game last week but fell a couple notches in the 4A Top 10 poll and get a Pueblo South squad who’s hungry for a win at 3-15.
Christopher Speller, of No. 1 Rangeview, picked up a college offer from Mesa Univ this week and the Raiders talented roster is home vs. Brighton this night.
A little A-Town “braggin rights” with Vista Peak and Gateway! Another fun atmosphere in D-Town will be Denver South and Lincoln…
The “show” know as the No. 1 Mead Mavericks head to Fort Morgan. The Mavs won round one of this match by more than 30!
Is it possible to a “quiet” 15-3 and No. 3 ranking in 4A? Well that’s exactly what Longmont is doing and they rolled Centaurus by 20 in the first game earlier this season.
A little late 7:30pm action down south in No. 2 Cheyenne Mountain facing Sand Creek for round two of their tangle…Cheyenne Mountain won the first game by only 5. This will be good!
Wednesday, Feb. 12
No. 3 Smoky Hill gets us started this night vs. league foe Mullen. The Mustangs will try to slow down the high flying Buffaloes.
Golden, 4A No. 7, has a big league game against Green Mountain who won the first match in an upset by 4 points at home. Golden will look for revenge on home floor!
Eaglecrest has dropped from our Top 10 sitting at No. 11 and they will try to prove they belong vs. No. 2 league foe Grandview. The Raptors are 5-5 in league play so no shot at the Centennial title but they’d love to play spoiler to the Wolves who have only one league loss.
In more #CentennialTough action the Arapahoe Warriors are riding high after a big weekend upset of Eaglecrest who the Fever Crew watched the Warriors play tough on the road earlier in the season. There was no surprise Arap played tough in the 1-point win at home. But this time Arap travels to hot Cherry Creek who is now up to No. 4 in 5A.
Ralston Valley dropped two notches to No. 5 after a last second loss last week to Columbine on the road and now they look to bounce back vs. Lakewood.
Valor, who remained at No. 8 in 5A, have a big one against Dakota Ridge who is unbeaten in league play and Valor has one loss…can’t afford another!
The Fever Crew took in the Columbine upset of Ralston Valley and that win likely earned the Rebels the votes to jump back in our Top 10 at No. 7. They travel to Bear Creek to keep the momentum going.
Out late in A-Town??? No. 1 Rangeview puts the unbeaten overall and league record on the line on the road at 13-5 Aurora Central 7:30 p.m. late one!
Thursday, Feb. 13
Pueblo East, who took down 4A No. 8 Pueblo West in a big way Monday night, looks to keep their league run going vs. Pueblo Centennial.
No. 3 Longmont hosts Mountain View and looks to keep their streak alive.
This time Roosevelt will get their shot on the well documented No. 1 Mead Mavs!
Pueblo West will be angry after Monday’s loss to P West and host Pueblo County.
Friday, Feb. 14
Early 5:30 p.m. Denver action in Thomas Jefferson at East and Lincoln heading over to FNE (Montbello). The Spartans will try to handle East their first league loss in that one.
No. 9 Boulder travels to Loveland and No. 6 Fairview to Greeley West in our northwest squads who want to prove they belong and should stay in the 5A Top 10 convo!
Air Academy was down 34-7 the first time they lost to No. 2 Cheyenne Mountain earlier this season. They’ll need a much more confident start at home in order to stay in this one!
No love lost in this one! No. 10 Chaparral beat Thunder Ridge by 2 in early tournament play and they both come into this one with one league loss…Continental League title implications here!
No. 5 Ralston Valley gets league foe Bear Creek.
In its second huge game this week Dakota Ridge will try to make a Jeffco statement this time vs No. 7 Columbine.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Northfield, now up to No. 2 in 4A, has an intriguing games as 14-1 DSST Byers pays a visit at 2:30pm.
Beware Smoky Hill! Arapahoe is playing some of its best ball at the right season and this will be a tough game with great guard play once again!
Undersized Vista Peak gave all they had in Round 1 vs. No. 1 Rangeview at their place and they’ll have to dig even deeper if they stand a chance at the Raiders house Saturday afternoon.
No. 2 Grandview won their visit to Overland by 3 points and once again this will be a Centennial heavy weight bout.
The Raptors are a rare 5-5 in league play and No. 4 Cherry Creek is looking to stay in the Centennial title hunt…huge battle here!
In our night cap for Saturday No. 3 Longmont travels to Niwot to close out the week!
The league play is hot and coming down to the wire, folks! This week will tell us a lot and next week we’ll identify some league champs!
When Shining Mountain Waldorf girls basketball coach Mike Hawkes looks at what his team is capable of this season, it’s hard to not think about how last year ended.
A 43-30 loss to Idalia prevented the Lions from advancing to its first state tournament in program history. After going 17-5 to that point, the sixth loss of the year turned out to be a season ender for Shining Mountain.
“That one stuck with us for a while,” Hawkes said. “Looking back at the stats on that game, I feel that we played a really good game and we just had a difficult time scoring. I think a lot about that one for these girls.”
These girls are ready to put that one way in the rear-view mirror. The Lions are putting together a solid 2019-20 and have ambitions of getting that elusive state tournament berth.
It isn’t the team with the most depth, but it’s a team that uses the talents of all of its players to score more than 43 points and pull down over 26 rebounds per game.
“They talk about it at almost every practice that they have really come together in a way that’s not ever happened before,” Hawkes said. “They’re really close with one another and while they push one another, they really work hard for one another, too.”
That shows with the results on the court. Lola Conaway has become a bit of a catalyst in that regard. She leads the team in scoring with 12.7 points per game.
But that’s not the only way in which she leads. Her mindset and her work ethic is paramount to what the Lions are trying to accomplish this year. Results don’t come on their own and Conaway is a living breathing example of that.
“I think last year I think she was a little bit frustrated with her own play,” Hawkes said. “She really worked hard in the offseason and has come in and just had a very steady mindset and emotionally she’s just been kind of the rock of this team.”
And sets a good example in the process. On the seven-player roster listed on MaxPreps, Conaway is the only senior on the team. Her support system consists of two juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen.
Sophomore Kalea Zeender is giving the team a lot of hope for future as she averages 10.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Her contributions play right into what Conaway is able to do for the team and as just a sophomore she can look toward the senior when it comes to developing and maintaining a team-first mindset.
“She’s a great athlete and has tons and tons of upward potential,” Hawkes said. “Being able to look at the upperclassmen like Lola and see how they kind of settle down into the game I think is key for her.”
The Lions are set to conclude their regular season in less than two weeks before moving into districts and regionals. Hopefully those roads will lead to the program’s first state tournament berth.
But championships can’t be won through polls. What Hawkes knows and sees on a daily basis is these girls don’t just have the talent to win, they have the drive and the passion for the game that makes any team dangerous come playoff time.
“My two juniors and my two sophomores have been all-in since they were in sixth grade,” Hawkes said. “They have, they put in so much work behind the scenes and they are the kids that you almost have to chase out of the gym. It’s been a swing in the program to see them put in that kind of work consistently and inspire the younger girls.”
