CHSAANow

Month: January 2016

  • Photos: No. 2 Eaglecrest boys hoops beats No. 6 Denver East

    AURORA — Behind Colbey Ross, No. 2 Eaglecrest boys basketball beat No. 6 Denver East on Monday night.

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  • Refuel, rehydrate and recover

    Did you know that nature’s sports drink is chocolate milk?

    Chocolate milk can help you to refuel, rehydrate and recover after exercise. Top athletes such as the IRONMAN® Triathlon Champions Mirinda Carfrae, Craig Alexander, Luke McKenzie and US Women’s Soccer player Kelley O’Hara recover with chocolate milk. This power house beverage contains a combination of carbohydrates and protein to refuel and repair muscle, fluids to rehydrate and electrolytes to replenish the loss in sweat.

    Let’s see what both white and chocolate milk provide:

    • Milk is 90% water and a great tasting choice after workouts, practices and games. Milk’s fluids and electrolytes, including calcium, potassium and magnesium, rehydrate the body and replenish what is lost in sweat.
    • Carbohydrates in milk refuel muscles and refills glycogen (energy) stores.
    • High quality protein aids in muscle recovery and repair.
    • Calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus build and maintain strong bones.
    • Milk provides potassium to help ward off muscle
    • B vitamins in milk help convert food to energy.

    Improve your post exercise recovery with either white or chocolate milk. Chocolate milk does provide a great carbohydrate to protein ratio (3 to 4 grams of carbohydrate for every 1 gram of protein) necessary for optimal recovery. The essential nutrients that milk provides:

    • Build and maintain strong bones and teeth (calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus)
    • Promote normal blood pressure (calcium and potassium)
    • Help convert food into energy (riboflavin and niacin)
    • Play a role in the development and maintenance of the central nervous system (riboflavin and vitamin B12)
    • Help build and maintain lean muscle (protein)
    • Help build red blood cells (vitamin B12)
    • Help regulate the balance of fluids in the body (potassium)
    • Promote good vision (vitamin A)
    • Promote healthy skin (vitamin A)
    • Promote a healthy immune system (vitamin A)

    Incorporating milk into your post-exercise regimen (within 30-60 minutes) could enhance your performance.  For more information about proper nutrition for athletic performance please visit the Sports Nutrition page at Western Dairy Association.

  • Guest column: Include the coaches polls in the new RPI formula

    Editor’s note: The use of an RPI formula to determine the postseason fields in all team sports is up for final approval at the Legislative Council on Thursday.

    Regis Jesuit Rangeview boys basketball
    Rangeview boys basketball coach Shawn Palmer. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    [dropcap]A[/dropcap]s a math teacher and boys basketball coach, statistics and formulas drive many of the decisions I make on a daily basis. Based on this, I have a genuine appreciation for planned implementation of the RPI system. I do, however, have some concerns regarding the computer rankings plan CHSAA is planning on using for postseason seeding beginning next season, for all sports.

    Entering the week of Jan 11th, the Rangeview boys basketball team was ranked No. 1 in the CHSAANow.com coaches poll, and was also No. 1 in the RPI rankings based on the formula proposed for next season. However, after two victories last week, Rangeview’s RPI ranking dropped two spots while remaining No. 1 in the referenced coaches poll.

    As the season continues, if we continue to win games against league opponents, it is likely the placement in the coaches poll will stay at, or near No. 1, while the team’s position in the RPI rankings will continue to drop — based on the records of league opponents.

    This does not have any impact to seeding for the 2015-16 season, however, my concern is that future teams in all sports could find themselves in this difficult situation.

    My recommendation is consider using a system similar to the BCS college football system, combining both human and RPI rankings. We have a trusted coaches poll already in place for boys and girls basketball. Therefore, using an average of RPI rankings and the respected opinion of our coaching colleagues would provide both integrity and valuable perspective.

    Our boys basketball players and coaches have been humbled by the tremendous support we have received this year from our school and community. Our opinion is simply that, and we understand this matter may impact some teams and sports more than others.

    I appreciate the consideration of this point of view, and trust CHSAA will continue to make the best decisions for athletes and schools as high school sports thrive in Colorado.

    Shawn Palmer is the head coach of Rangeview boys basketball, and has been since 2002.

  • Sportswomen of Colorado names award winners, Hall of Fame inductees

    DENVER — Sportswomen of Colorado will honor 45 of Colorado’s top female athletes and contributors to women’s athletics at its 42nd Annual Awards Celebration on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. Award winners are honored based on their achievements in 2015.

    U.S. Soccer phenom Mallory Pugh, NCAA champion skier Monica Huebner and the national champion Glendale Raptors women’s rugby team highlight the list.

    Susie Wargin and Marcia Neville will present the awards and MC the evening.

    The highlight of the event will be the surprise presentation of the Sportswoman of the Year Award to the Colorado’s most outstanding athlete on the basis of her 2015 achievements. More event information can be found at www.sportswomenofcolorado.org/banquet

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    2016 Sportswomen of Colorado Award Winners:

    Kylee Shook – Basketball – High School (Mesa Ridge High School)

    D’shara Strange – Basketball – College (University of Northern Colorado)

    Katie Rainsberger – Cross Country – High School (Air Academy High School)

    Erin Clark – Cross Country – College (University of Colorado)

    Jennifer Kupcho – Golf – High School (Jefferson Academy High School)

    Esther Lee – Golf – College (University of Colorado)

    Kelsey Boychuk – Gymnastics – High School (Pomona High School)

    Nina McGee – Gymnastics – College (University of Denver)

    Nicole Hensley – Ice Hockey – College (Lindenwood University)

    Bridget Sutter – Lacrosse – High School (Colorado Academy)

    Lucy Dikeou – Lacrosse – College (Stanford University)

    Kendall Chase – Rowing (University of California at Berkeley)

    Carson Saabye – Shooting Sports – Pistol (Lewis-Palmer Middle School)

    Hailee Sigmon – Shooting Sports – Rifle (Kiowa High School)

    Christy Mahon – Ski Mountaineering (Aspen, Colorado)

    Monica Huebner – Skiing – College (University of Denver)

    Mallory Pugh – Soccer (Mountain Vista High School, U.S. Soccer)

    Hannah Gerdin – Soccer – High School (Cheyenne Mountain High School)

    Janine Beckie – Soccer – College (Texas Tech University)

    Hunter Huser – Softball – High School (Mountain Range High School)

    Eryn Eddy – Swimming – High School (Thompson Valley High School)

    Samantha Corea – Swimming – College (University of Denver)

    Samantha Martinelli – Tennis (Odyssey School of Denver)

    Jordyn Colter – Track & Field (distance running) – High School (Cherry Creek High School)

    Nicole Montgomery – Track & Field (sprinting) – High School (Lewis-Palmer High School)

    Maya Evans – Track & Field (field) – High School (Vista PEAK Preparatory)

    Kiah Hicks – Track & Field (field) – College (Colorado State University)

    Megan Kimmel – Trail Running (U.S. Long Distance Mountain Running Team)

    Danielle Mack – Triathlon – Professional (Arvada, Colorado)

    Kathy Alfino – Triathlon – Amateur (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)

    Mariah Evans – Volleyball – High School (Lewis-Palmer High School)

    Haleigh Washington – Volleyball – College (Penn State University)

    Abby Farrell – Paralympic Athlete of the Year (Colorado Springs, Colorado)

    Antonya Schaffert – All-Around – Small School (Otis High School)

    Tatum Rembao – All-Around – Big School (Loveland High School)

    Glendale Raptors Women’s Rugby – Team of the Year

    Tess Johnson – Most Promising (Freestyle Moguls)

    Tracey Boychuk – Coach of the Year (Pomona High School Gymnastics)

    Love, Sweat & Gears – Perseverance (Race Across America)

    Ashley Johnson – Empowerment (PeacePlayers International)

    Junko Kazukawa – Inspiration (Ultra Running)

    Edith Lindeburg – Trailblazer (Rocky Mountain Scottish Athletes)

    Merilee Maupin – Leadership (Leadville Trail 100)

    Kailyn Forsberg – Swede Johnson Spirit Award (Eagle, Colorado)

    Mary Kolbach – Dorothy Mauk Pioneer Award (St. Mary’s Academy)

    Three of the honorees will become members of the Hall of Fame for receiving three awards in the same sport over the years from the organization:

    Kathy Alfino – Triathlon

    Nicole Hensley – Ice Hockey

    Haleigh Washington – Volleyball

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    About Sportswomen of Colorado

    Founded in 1974 by the YWCA of Metropolitan Denver, in cooperation with Gart Brothers Sporting Goods Co., Sportswomen of Colorado is a community-based organization that promotes, honors and empowers Colorado girls and women in sport. For more information, please visit www.sportswomenofcolorado.org.

  • Ball Fever: “Top dogs” rising in boys basketball

    Regis Jesuit Legend boys basketball
    (Matt Minton/JacksActionShots.com)

    It’s that team where our cream is beginning to rise to the top! We don’t expect a lot of movement in our top-10 polls this week as things played out nicely for the majority of the favorites this week.

    It’s that time of year where balance is rearing its head with a few “top dogs” controlling the top spots!

    Let’s check it out.

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    Week in review

    Tuesday, Jan. 9:

    Sierra Harrison boys basketball
    CJ Jennings had quite the night for Sierra on Monday. (Josh Watt/CHSAANow.com)
    • This week gets started with No. 1 Rangeview battling adversity and surviving Aurora Central. Check out Stephen Priest’s complete report.
    • Last week’s No. 5 ThunderRidge got a big-boy 18-point, 9-rebound effort from Clay Verk in a league win over Castle View.
    • The Fever Crew made it out to FNE (Montbello) hosting No. 4 Regis on Tuesday, where Jack Eberhard was snapping the shots. Montbello received a tremendous boost late in the game from a Sekou Cisse SportsCenter-style And-1 dunk with 3 minutes to play, but missed free throws and late miscues stopped the Warriors from beating Longmont and Regis in back to back games.
    • Isaac Hirsh’s 18-point, 7-rebound night for No. 7 Rock Canyon helped secure the 6-point road win at Heritage.
    • This kid may be our favorite “stat-stuffin” candidate of the year! We’ve talked about Sierra’s CJ Jennings before and check out the show he put on vs. Harrison. Josh Watt took in one of the best performances of the season.
    • Jacob Pfaffinger led four Fort Collins players in double figures with 20 as they got a big 16-point league win over Monarch.
    • Chaparral having a tough year with a very young squad got 10 points each from freshman Ronnie DeGray and Bryce Matthews in a win over Highlands Ranch. The lone senior on the squad, Dominic Coleman, led the way with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal!
    • Longmont no longer our 4A No. 1 but they start week strong with 20-point win over a good Thompson Valley squad. Justinian Jessup with 23 and Kolton Bachman 21.
    • Windsor is gaining on top-10 votes in our poll and get another strong win 72-56 at Roosevelt behind a 14-point, 11-assist, 8-rebound effort from Noah Baldwin and 21 points from Jimmy Mitchell.
    • A little Ball Fever “dig” in the stats revealed a Greeley West team that’s playing the ball under the radar a bit at 13-2. They took down Fairview this night and Cordell Gillingham scored 25 points in the impressive win.
    • Vista Ridge, our 4A No. 9, made a fourth quarter comeback and won by 2 at Palmer Ridge with Hunter Maldonado scoring 19.

    Wednesday, Jan. 20:

    Overland Cherry Creek boys basketball De'Ron Davis
    De’Ron Davis had a double-double against Cherry Creek. (Matt Minton/JacksActionShots.com)
    • Sand Creek lefty D’Shawn Schwartz was named to ESPN’s top juniors in the country last week and celebrated scoring 21 points, 5 rebounds in a home win over Cheyenne Mountain.
    • The new No. 2 Eaglecrest again proved they are worthy marching to a 13-0 mark with tough road win at Cherokee Trail. Dan Mohrmann is all over it!
    • No. 1 Pueblo South took on 5A Liberty and pulled away in fourth quarter for the 5-point win.
    • Big De’Ron with the double-double on Wednesday night vs. Creek and Matt Minton snapped the shots.
    • Great to see Nathan Davis’ return to the court for Mullen scoring 12 points but wasn’t enough to take down Grandview, whose Lechaun Duhart scored 20 for the Wolves.
    • Big man Dallas Walton with a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double for A-West but not enough to take down No. 8 visiting Chatfield.
    • No. 5 Golden making it tough for Evergreen to get back in the top-10 holding them off 59-55.
    • Manel Ayol’s 14 points helped the FNE Warriors bounce back from the heartbreaker vs. Regis and got a 5-point road win at Prairie View.
    • No. 2 Lewis-Palmer was looking the part with a 29-point win over Discovery Canyon fueled by Jonathon Scott’s 14 points.
    • Conifer playing well and receiving top-10 votes last week ran into the Valor Eagles losing by 26 as stud Jalen Sanders scored 21 in the win.

    Thursday, Jan. 21:

    • Doherty cruised on this night with SIX, yes SIX players in double figures led by Dalven Brushier’s 17 as they throttled Coronado.
    • Fountain-Fort Carson with a much needed road win at Palmer Ridge behind TJ Lucero’s 19 points.
    • Really expected this one to be tight but Lakewood won by 26 over visiting Rampart.
    • What a week for CJ Jennings, who has another 30-plus-point performance as Sierra routed Canon City.
    • No. 1 Rangeveiw had numerous players in double figures as they did what they were expected — win big — at Northglenn. Perhaps more impressive than the points the Raiders scored was the one point they allowed in the second quarter! Yes, the EMAC not the strongest league to test Rangeview the rest of the way but give props to Coach Palmer for taking all comers in their aggressive non-league schedule!

    Friday, Jan. 22:

    Regis Jesuit Legend boys basketball
    Regis Jesuit beat Legend on Friday. (Matt Minton/JacksActionShots.com)
    • Top-10 match-up in the “Centennial Tough” league Friday night as Overland beat Cherokee Trail! Check out Stephen Priest’s report.
    • Continental league top match was captured by Matt Minton, where Regis held off Legend.
    • Jack Eberhard took in the Arapahoe/Cherry Creek Friday night fest.
    • The East Angels, currently No. 5, took care of business vs. JFK as expected but great to note the return of Samba Dioum for East who had 14 points, 6 rebounds. With the addition of Alex May, as well, East looks to be getting strong!
    • No. 7 Rock Canyon continues to impress with balance and defense. This time only allowing 38 points to Chaparral while the Jags rang up 71.
    • Close early but huge second half run by the No. 2 Raptors lifted Eaglecrest over Grandview, with Colbey Ross scoring 17.
    • Aurora Central entered league play with a bang beating Prairie View soundly and Elijah Coleman scoring 21.
    • The Front Range league beating each other up early and it was Mountain Range’s turn to mix things up as Mike Polson’s 19 help lift them over Fort Collins.
    • Scorekeeper may be looking for a sub or day off after Pueblo West ran it up 102-78 on Pueblo County.
    • Arvada West played Chatfield tough and followed that up with a 23-point win over Lakewood. A healthy Luke Neff, who scored 20, is big for the Wildcats.
    • Wheat Ridge has been playing strong ball which makes Golden 17-point on the road all the more impressive.
    • Joe Golter scored 17 as Holy Family cruised against Berthoud. Holy Family holding steady at No. 8 in 4A.
    • No. 1 Pueblo South continues it’s southern dominance with 24-point victory at Pueblo Centennial.
    • Must have felt like déjà vu for Denver South and TJ as they played a classic game last week only to repeat the down to the wire action in a 80-77 win that the Rebels pulled off again. How about Connor Nelson dropping 30 for D. South along side Chudier Bile’s 22-point, 12-rebound double-double? FRESHMAN ALERT: Bright spot for the Spartans as Jodaun Dotson contributed 12 points in a huge game.
    • Lewis-Palmer took a scare from defending champ Air Academy needing overtime to get the win 75-67. Jonathon Scott with the huge 30-point night!
    • Vista Peak earned a few top-10 votes and Te’Rae Johnson’s 12 points led to road victory at Skyview.

    Saturday, Jan. 23:

    • Kyle Rynearson scored 19 as Bromfield ended the week on a high not pulling the upset in overtime over Holy Family.
    • ThunderRidge started strong 24-12 in first quarter and never looked back as they took bragging rights from Highlands Ranch 74-55.
    • Golden has been hot in 4A but a road trip to 5A Fort Collins brought on a 59-46 loss as Brian Read scored 19 for Fort Collins.
    • Two of our top 2017 guards put on a Saturday night show as Braxton Bertolette (19 points) and Isaac Essien (23 points) for Mountain Vista lead the Eagles to a home win over Fossil Ridge.
    • Our first DPL battle at the historic Thunderdome was GW and FNE (Montbello) Warriors! The Patriots were hitting on all cylinders as Jon’il Fugett could not miss piling up 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The Warriors were led by Aaris Bonds who scored 20 and Sekou Cisse added 14. Both these squads will have fun tilts with Denver East for the DPL title this year!
    • No better week than CJ Jennings who finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals in Sierra’s 3-point win over Discovery Canyon.
    • Five players in double figures as Lewis-Palmer rolled up 98 points at Elizabeth. The Rangers 14-1 now!

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    A look ahead to this week’s top games:

    Chatfield Denver East boys basketball Rudy Carey
    Denver East has a big game against Eaglecrest on Monday. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    Monday, Jan. 25:

    • Get to Denver East at Eaglecrest early! This top-5 match up will be a bang!
    • Castle View ad Dakota Ridge

    Tuesday, Jan. 26:

    • Highlands Ranch at Legend is our pick in Continental play.
    • Greeley West at Fossil Ridge if you are north.
    • Fairview at Boulder rivalry.
    • Lincoln at Montbello.
    • No. 1 Rangeview hosts Adams City.
    • Holy Family at Windsor.
    • GW at TJ in the city!
    • Green Mountain at Golden.
    • Pueblo East at No. 1 Pueblo South
    • Longmont at Silver Creek

    Wednesday, Jan. 27:

    • Cherokee Trail at Arap is our Centennial battle of the night.
    • Regis at Denver East…time to make up a big one!
    • Chatfield at Pomona
    • Lewis-Palmer at Palmer Ridge

    Thursday, Jan. 28:

    • Loveland at Legacy
    • Grand Junction at Grand Junction Central rivalry out west.
    • Pine Creek at Doherty
    • No. 1 Rangeview takes the show to Thornton
    • Valor at D’Evelyn in the old coach’s visit!
    • Centaurus visits Longmont

    Friday, Jan. 29:

    • Cherokee Trail at Cherry Creek will be the game in Centennial this night!
    • Oh, Rock Canyon at ThunderRidge will tell us a lot about both!
    • Fossil Ridge at Broomfield
    • Denver South at GW
    • Chatfield at Lakewood
    • Frederick at Holy Family
    • Sand Creek at Lewis-Palmer
    • Some scoring going down in Pueblo Central and Pueblo West.
    • Pueblo County at No. 1 Pueblo South

    Saturday, Jan. 30:

    • Thunderdome Battle No. 2 is Denver East vs. FNE (Montbello)
    • Doherty at Palmer
    • Sand Creek at Rampart

    We will learn some things this week in league play folks! Get out and support your squad.

  • Girls swimming rankings: Valor Christian back to No. 1 in 4A

    This week’s girls swimming rankings are below.

    These team rankings are created from the top marks of the season so far which have been entered in MaxPreps. They are compiled by PrepSwimCo.com.

    In addition, the top individual marks of the season to date are compiled here.

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    PrepSwimCo.com Girls Swimming & Diving Rankings

    Go to: 5A | 4A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Fairview 1
    2 Regis Jesuit 2
    3 Fossil Ridge 3
    4 Heritage 8
    5 Arapahoe 7
    6 Rock Canyon 5
    7 Grandview 4
    8 Chaparral –
    9 Rocky Mountain 6
    10 Cherry Creek 9
    Dropped out
    Lewis-Palmer (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Valor Christian 2
    2 Cheyenne Mountain 1
    3 Evergreen 4
    4 Manitou Springs 3
    5 Silver Creek 5
    6 Windsor 6
    7 St. Mary’s Academy 7
    8 Aspen 8
    9 Fountain Valley 10
    10 Air Academy 9
    Dropped out
    None.

  • Boys basketball rankings: DSST-Stapleton new No. 1 in 3A

    The Denver School of Science and Tech (Stapleton) is the new top team of the Class 3A CHSAANow.com boys basketball rankings.

    The Knights, who sit at 13-1 overall on the season, have rising in the ranks all year and have been knocking at the door of the top spot. A St. Mary’s win over previous No. 1, Colorado Springs Christian, is all they need to finally begin their reign at the top of the 3A poll.

    As a result of the loss to St. Mary’s, the Lions dropped one spot to No. 2. A similar situation happened last year when CSCS was toppled by St. Mary’s and fell out of the top spot, but then went undefeated en route to winning the 3A state title.

    Grand Valley is the lone newcomer to the poll this week. The Cardinals come in at No. 10 after falling out of the rankings a few weeks ago.

    Regis Jesuit Legend boys basketball
    Legend is No. 10 in this week’s boys basketball rankings. (Matt Minton/JacksActionShots.com)

    The 5A poll looks very similar to what it did last week. Rangeview escaped a scare from Aurora Central and was able to hang on to the top spot. The only change from a week ago is that the Legend Titans rejoin the rankings, landing at No. 10.

    The same consistency applies to this week’s 4A rankings. Since grasping the No. 1 spot, Pueblo South held on to the position, going 2-0 last week.

    Windsor was the only team to play their way into the 4A poll as they debut at No. 9.

    Undefeated Sanford still sits atop the 2A poll, taking eight of the 10 first-place votes this week. Crowley County joins the 2A top 10 at No. 7.

    Fleming remains the team to beat in 1A after winning both of their games last week. Shining Mountain joins the 1A rankings, landing at No. 10.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.

    Complete rankings are below.

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    CHSAANow.com Boys Basketball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    First-place votes are in parentheses.

    Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Rangeview (15) 14-0 159 1 2-0
    2 Eaglecrest (1) 14-0 141 2 2-0
    3 Overland 12-2 123 3 2-0
    4 Regis Jesuit 12-2 112 4 2-0
    5 ThunderRidge 14-2 92 5 2-0
    6 Denver East 10-4 75 6 1-0
    7 Rock Canyon 14-2 56 7 2-0
    8 Chatfield 13-2 50 8 2-0
    9 Doherty 13-2 45 9 1-0
    10 Legend 11-4 15 – 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Greeley West 7, Cherokee Trail 4, Aurora Central 1.
    Dropped out
    Cherokee Trail (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Pueblo South (17) 13-0 194 1 2-0
    2 Lewis-Palmer (1) 14-1 165 2 3-0
    3 Longmont (2) 13-1 161 3 2-0
    4 Valor Christian 12-1 146 4 2-0
    5 Pueblo West 13-2 110 6 1-0
    6 Golden 10-4 95 5 2-1
    7 Denver South 11-4 64 7 2-0
    8 Rifle 12-1 36 10 2-0
    9 Windsor 11-4 33 – 4-0
    10 Vista Ridge 11-4 25 9 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Holy Family 24, Conifer 14, Evergreen 7, Mead 6, Sierra 6, Skyview 4, Air Academy 3, Pueblo Central 2, Sand Creek 2, Thompson Valley 2, Thomas Jefferson 1.
    Dropped out
    Holy Family (8).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 DSST-Stapleton (6) 13-1 113 2 2-0
    2 Colorado Springs Christian (1) 8-4 107 1 2-1
    3 Lutheran (2) 9-2 101 3 1-0
    4 Faith Christian (3) 9-4 95 6 2-0
    5 DSST-Green Valley Ranch (3) 11-0 83 5 3-0
    6 Eaton 11-2 71 4 1-1
    7 Sterling 9-3 59 7 1-1
    8 Alamosa 9-4 52 9 2-0
    9 Manitou Springs 11-1 34 10 3-0
    10 Grand Valley 9-2 28 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Colorado Academy 23, Pagosa Springs 13, Bennett 11, St. Mary’s 8, Liberty Common 5, The Pinnacle 5, Bayfield 4, Manual 3, The Vanguard 3, Peak to Peak 2, Strasburg 2, Basalt 1, Kent Denver 1, SkyView Academy 1.
    Dropped out
    Colorado Academy (8).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Sanford (8) 12-0 96 1 3-0
    2 Resurrection Christian (1) 13-0 85 2 2-0
    3 Sedgwick County (1) 11-0 79 3 2-0
    4 Ignacio 9-1 64 4 1-1
    5 Paonia 11-1 51 5 2-0
    6 Rye 10-2 39 8 2-0
    7 Crowley County 11-1 27 – 2-0
    8 Center 9-2 25 6 2-1
    9 Holyoke 8-3 19 7 1-1
    10 Dayspring Christian 9-2 17 9 2-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Ellicott 13, Highland 11, Haxtun 6, Meeker 6, Simla 6, Akron 4, Evangelical Christian 1, Ridgway 1.
    Dropped out
    Simla (10).

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Fleming (4) 9-2 81 1 2-0
    2 Holly (3) 11-2 76 3 2-0
    3 Wiley 10-2 65 5 2-0
    4 Ouray 9-1 57 4 0-1
    5 Kit Carson (1) 9-3 49 2 0-2
    6 South Baca 10-2 48 6 3-0
    7 Sierra Grande (1) 9-2 39 8 2-0
    8 Longmont Christian 6-4 25 7 0-2
    9 Rocky Mountain Lutheran 9-2 18 9 2-0
    10 Shining Mountain 8-2 10 – 3-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Front Range Baptist 7, Arickaree/Woodlin 6, Otis 5, Cheyenne Wells 3, Manzanola 3, Norwood 2, Faith Baptist 1.
    Dropped out
    Arickaree/Woodlin (10).

  • Girls basketball rankings: Highlands Ranch firms up No. 1 spot in 5A

    Highlands Ranch girls basketball team
    Highlands Ranch cemented itself atop the 5A girls basketball rankings this week. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    It seemed like Highlands Ranch was poised to get knocked off the top spot of the Class 5A CHSAANow.com girls basketball rankings.

    But the Falcons had other ideas.

    They trailed at halftime Friday night against ThunderRidge but rallied to take down the Grizzlies, cementing their status as the No. 1 team in state. The ThunderRidge effort only dropped them one spot, setting up a potential high-profile rematch in the state playoffs.

    The 5A rankings saw only one new team join this week as Horizon comes in at No. 9.

    Sand Creek remained the top team in the 4A poll, a position they have held all year. Evergreen and Windsor each jumped one spot to come in at No. 8 and No. 19 respectively. There were no new teams in the 4A rankings.

    Pagosa Springs remains the top team in 3A rankings after winning both their games last week. Manitou Springs jumped one spot to land at No. 2.

    Like 4A, there were no newcomers to the 3A poll.

    Yuma is still the No. 1 team in 2A, getting 14 of 16 first-place votes. Highland made the biggest jump of the week by landing at No. 7, up three spots from where they were in the previous rankings. No new teams made 2A poll this week.

    Although three teams remain undefeated in 1A, Sangre de Cristo is still the team holding the top spot in 1A. McClave is the only newly ranked team this week, coming in at No. 10.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.

    Complete rankings are below.

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    CHSAANow.com Girls Basketball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    First-place votes are in parentheses.

    Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Highlands Ranch (14) 15-1 166 1 2-0
    2 Grandview (2) 13-0 148 3 2-0
    3 ThunderRidge (1) 13-2 142 2 1-1
    4 Lakewood 11-3 106 5 2-0
    5 Broomfield 12-2 105 4 3-0
    6 Ralston Valley 12-2 83 6 2-0
    7 Cherry Creek 10-5 52 10 2-0
    8 Poudre 12-3 36 9 1-0
    9 Horizon 11-5 32 – 3-0
    10 Rocky Mountain 13-3 23 8 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Regis Jesuit 17, Pine Creek 12, Fairview 4, Rampart 4, George Washington 3, Fossil Ridge 2, Doherty 1.
    Dropped out
    Regis Jesuit (7).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Sand Creek (13) 10-1 164 1 1-0
    2 Mesa Ridge (3) 13-1 144 2 2-0
    3 Valor Christian 12-1 134 3 2-0
    4 Longmont (1) 13-1 120 4 2-0
    5 Holy Family 10-4 78 5 2-1
    6 Pueblo West 12-3 65 6 1-0
    7 Pueblo East 9-4 54 7 1-0
    8 Evergreen 12-2 53 9 2-0
    9 Windsor 13-1 32 10 2-0
    10 Centaurus 13-1 29 8 3-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Durango 21, Montrose 16, D’Evelyn 8, Mullen 6, Thomas Jefferson 5, Pueblo South 4, Berthoud 2.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Pagosa Springs (9) 11-0 134 1 2-0
    2 Manitou Springs (4) 13-0 113 3 3-0
    3 Sterling (1) 11-1 95 2 1-1
    4 St. Mary’s 13-1 89 5 3-0
    5 Eaton 12-1 86 4 2-0
    6 Centauri 11-2 63 6 1-1
    7 Moffat County 9-2 39 7 2-1
    8 Lutheran 9-4 36 10 2-0
    9 Monte Vista 9-3 35 9 2-0
    10 Lamar 10-3 30 8 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    La Junta 23, Grand Valley 10, Trinidad 9, Liberty Common 6, Faith Christian 2, Olathe 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Yuma (14) 11-1 152 1 2-0
    2 Paonia (1) 11-1 140 3 2-0
    3 Cedaredge 11-1 94 2 1-1
    4 Akron (1) 10-2 92 4 1-1
    5 Wray 7-3 89 5 1-0
    6 Soroco 11-1 66 7 2-0
    7 Highland 9-3 48 10 2-0
    8 Haxtun 8-2 44 6 0-1
    9 West Grand 12-1 39 9 3-0
    10 Ignacio 7-3 34 8 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Ellicott 23, Kiowa 17, Simla 12, Union Colony 8, Hoehne 6, Del Norte 4, Peyton 4, Evangelical Christian 3, Calhan 2, Caliche 1, Sanford 1, Swink 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Sangre De Cristo (9) 8-0 104 1 1-0
    2 Kit Carson (1) 12-0 97 2 2-0
    3 Fleming (1) 11-0 75 5 2-0
    4 Idalia 10-1 71 3 2-0
    5 South Baca 11-1 64 4 3-0
    6 Jim Elliot 11-0 54 6 1-0
    7 Heritage Christian (1) 11-0 53 8 2-0
    8 Kim 10-2 29 9 2-0
    9 Otis 10-2 22 7 2-0
    10 McClave 9-2 20 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Briggsdale 18, Norwood 17, Prairie 9, Sierra Grande 8, Antonito 4, Eads 3, Flagler 3.
    Dropped out
    Prairie (10).

  • Hockey rankings: Ralston Valley, Dakota Ridge, Mountain Vista move up

    Monarch hockey team
    Monarch remains No. 1 in this week’s hockey poll. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Monarch is still the top dog of Colorado high school hockey. The Coyotes remain the No. 1 team in the CHSAANow.com hockey rankings, following an impressive 9-2 win over Cherry Creek on Saturday.

    No new teams were added to this week’s poll, but there were some shifts in positions due to the outcomes of last week’s games.

    Ralston Valley (No. 3), Dakota Ridge (No. 4) and Mountain Vista (No. 5) all jumped a spot from their positions in the previous set of rankings.

    Steamboat Springs and Denver East also made jumps, but they each bettered their position by two spots rather than one. The Sailors come in at No. 7 and the Angels land at No. 8.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, the poll will release each Monday.

    Complete rankings are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Hockey Poll

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    First-place votes are in parentheses.

    Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

    Hockey
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Monarch (7) 9-0-0 87 1 1-0-0
    2 Regis Jesuit (2) 11-0-0 77 2 3-0-0
    3 Ralston Valley 11-0-0 72 4 2-0-0
    4 Dakota Ridge 9-3-0 66 5 2-0-0
    5 Mountain Vista 8-1-0 45 6 1-0-0
    6 Cherry Creek 11-1-0 41 3 1-1-0
    7 Steamboat Springs 8-3-0 32 9 1-0-0
    8 Denver East 6-3-1 29 10 1-1-0
    9 Resurrection Christian 9-4-0 25 8 1-0-0
    10 Lewis-Palmer 7-3-0 13 7 0-2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Aspen 5, Battle Mountain 2, Cheyenne Mountain 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

  • Pomona takes 2016 Top of the Rockies wrestling title

    Pomona wrestling
    Pomona’s Tomas Gutierrez (red) goes for the pin during the Top of the Rockies. (Brian Miller/CHSAANow.com)

    LAFAYETTE – It’s no secret why Pomona and Pueblo County are the top-ranked wrestling teams in the state’s two biggest classifications.

    The Panthers and Hornets put their depth and talent on display at the Top of the Rockies tournament Saturday night at Centaurus High School. Both schools sent five individuals into the finals, with Class 5A Pomona coming away with the team trophy with 209 points and one champion.

    Pueblo County took second with 189 points, with Grant and Hunter Willits finishing first for the Hornets. Legacy had two champions and placed third. Grandview and Poudre rounded out the top five.

    “It feels good, but it’s just preparation for the state tournament,” said Pomona’s two-time defending state champion Tomas Gutierrez. “I come here every year and we compete every year, and it’s just that stepping stone to the tournament in February.”

    Gutierrez downed another defending state champion in 3A’s Jody Sandoval II of Fort Lupton by an 8-3 decision at 120 pounds.

    The Panthers are on a mission after finishing second to Arvada West in the 5A team standings at the state tournament in each of the previous two years.

    “We have one goal in mind right here and we’re putting ourselves in the best positions to see the best competition,” Pomona coach Sam Federico said. “We have all year, for one tournament – that’s the state tournament. We’re pushing hard. We’ve been second two years in a row and we don’t like it.”

    Colton Yapoujian (106 pounds), Theorius Robison (126), Jason Romero (145) and Brandon Micale (220) placed second for Pomona.

    The Willits twins were on top of their game Saturday night. Grant pinned Robison in three minutes, 11 seconds and Hunter posted a hard-fought 8-5 decision over Cherry Creek’s Matt Finesilver in a match-up of defending state champions.

    “Matt Finesilver is such a great wrestler. As you can see he has a tank like no other. He can wrestle for hours it seems like,” Hunter Willits said. “That pushes me right there.”

    Josiah Nava (113), Justin Davis (132) and Chris Sandoval (138) were runners-up for Pueblo County. The Hornets were without Donovan Rincon, currently ranked first in 4A at 195 pounds, who is working his way back from injury.

    “It’s a great tournament to go to as a team – great competition for the state tournament, which is around the corner,” Hunter Willits said. “It’s perfect timing and the perfect tournament to prepare us for state.”

    Legacy’s Ryan Deakin was the tournament’s outstanding lower-weight wrestler after finishing first at 138 pounds. Deakin scored a late takedown to break a tie and earn an 8-6 decision over Chris Sandoval.

    Weld Central’s Dalton Robertson was the outstanding upper-weight wrestler. The top-ranked wrestler in 3A at 182 pounds and a two-time state champion, Robertson took down another undefeated wrestler in Legacy’s Matt Hebel, 10-1.

    “My friends always give me a hard time because I’ve won state and go undefeated, but they always say I don’t go to any tough tournaments,” Robertson said. “They always say how they come here and get their matches where they lose at, so it means a lot to come in here and finally prove them wrong.”

    Robertson and Jody Sandoval were the only 3A wrestlers from Colorado in the finals.

    “There’s tough wrestlers everywhere,” Robertson said. “5A gets all the credit for being tough, and they are pretty stout there too, but every now and then there’s some 3A wrestlers that come in and make a point.”

    Other winners included Pueblo East’s Andrew Lucero at 106; Mountain Range’s Louie Romero (113) and Zach Martinez (145); Poudre’s Jacob Greenwood (132); Thompson Valley’s Parker Simington (160); Broomfield’s Connor Ventura (170); Legacy’s Nolan Funk (195); and Ponderosa’s Cohl Schultz (220).

    In a battle of defending state champions at heavyweight, Fort Morgan’s Toby McBride scored a 6-2 decision over Pueblo East’s Jacob Robles.

    [divider]

    Individual Results: 106 – Andrew Lucero, Pueblo East, maj. dec. Colton Yapoujian, Pomona, 12-2; 113 – Louie Romero, Mountain Range, dec. Josiah Nava, Pueblo County, 5-4; 120 – Tomas Gutierrez, Pomona, dec. Jody Sandoval II, Fort Lupton, 8-3; 126 – Grant Willits, Pueblo County, pin Theorius Robison, Pomona, 3:11; 132 – Jacob Greenwood, Poudre, maj. dec. Justin Davis, Pueblo County, 13-5; 138 – Ryan Deakin, Legacy, dec. Chris Sandoval, Pueblo County, 8-6; 145 – Zach Martinez, Mountain Range, dec. Jason Romero, Pomona, 7-4; 152 – Hunter Willits, Pueblo County, dec. Matt Finesilver, Cherry Creek, 8-5; 160 – Parker Simington, Thompson Valley, tech. fall Seth Green, Cheyenne East, 20-5; 170 – Connor Ventura, Broomfield, dec. Jeremiah Ellerd, Brighton 8-7; 182 – Dalton Robertson, Weld Central, maj. dec. Matt Hebel, Legacy, 10-1; 195 – Nolan Funk, Legacy, pin Kevin Doughty, Cheyenne East, 2:25; 220 – Cohl Schultz, Ponderosa, pin Brandon Micale, Pomona, 2:26; 285 – Toby McBride, Fort Morgan, dec. Jacob Robles, Pueblo East, 6-2.