CHSAANow

Month: January 2017

  • Defense leads No. 6 Rock Canyon boys hoops over Columbine

    Columbine's Marcus Tait, right, is able to get a pass off while falling down Monday night in a loss to No. 6 Rock Canyon. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
    Columbine’s Marcus Tait, right, is able to get a pass off while falling down Monday night in a loss to No. 6 Rock Canyon. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LITTLETON — Rock Canyon took the court at Columbine High School on Monday night with a purpose.

    The Jaguars (11-2 record) had dropped from No. 2 to No. 6 in the CHSAANow.com Class 5A boys basketball rankings released earlier in the day. A 2-point loss to Mountain Range and a narrow overtime victory against Rangeview since winter break ended wasn’t sitting well with the Jaguars.

    “Tonight we kind of came in with the mindset that we had to jump on them from the start,” Rock Canyon senior Sam Masten said after a 59-37 victory over Columbine. “We had to throw the first punch and I think we did that tonight.”

    The key from the opening tip was defense. The Rebels (8-2, 1-1 in 5A Jeffco) was held to 13 points in the first half. Rock Canyon went on a 14-0 run in the first quarter and pushed its lead to nearly 20 points by halftime.

    Rock Canyon's Jack Bley gets a shot off between Columbine's Braxton Baum and Buck Ramming. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
    Rock Canyon’s Jack Bley gets a shot off between Columbine’s Braxton Baum and Buck Ramming. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “It’s hard to simulate that in practice,” Columbine coach Clay Thielking said of the Jaguars’ defensive pressure. “They are very good defensively and made everything tough. The good shots we did get didn’t go down early and it was kind of a snowball effect on us.”

    Columbine junior Braxton Baum was the lone Rebel to reach double-digit points, finishing with 10 points. Rock Canyon’s lead hovered around 20 points throughout the second half.

    “We just dug ourselves too big of a hole early,” Thielking said.

    Despite the loss Monday night, Columbine has nearly matched its win total from last season. The Rebels finished 7-16 last season and didn’t make the 48-team field for the 5A state tournament.

    “It will help us a lot. That’s why you schedule these teams,” Thielking said moving forward. “You schedule the best to see what it’s like and learn. We’ll use it as a learning tool and get better because of it.”

    The Rebels get back into conference play when they host Lakewood (7-3, 1-1) at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Tigers had a huge non-conference win Monday night taking down No. 2 Denver East.

    Rock Canyon has a week break from games before it starts the journey through the Continental League. The Jaguars host Regis Jesuit on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

    Rock Canyon's Tyson Gilbert (1) drives on Columbine's Buck Ramming. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
    Rock Canyon’s Tyson Gilbert (1) drives on Columbine’s Buck Ramming. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    The Jaguars will get plenty of practice time with junior Tyson Gilbert who played in just his second game of the season Monday night after becoming eligible to play. Gilbert, a transfer from Highlands Ranch, scored 16 points through the first three quarters against the Rebels.

    “He is going to be phenomenal for us,” Rock Canyon coach Kent Grams said of Gilbert, who led Highlands Ranch in scoring last season averaging 12.7 points per game as a sophomore.

    Gilbert, Masten (18 points) and senior Colin Rardin (17 points) was the three-headed scoring monster for the Jaguars on Monday night. The trio combined for all but eight of Rock Canyon’s points.

    “We’re happy with the win, but we’ve got to keep getting better,” Grams said.

    Knowing his team has plenty of offensive firepower, Grams had put a huge focus on defense.

    “We’ve been talking about creating an identity since last May,” Grams said. “We want to be the best defensive team in the state.”

    There couldn’t be much of a complaint from Grams about the defensive effort holding Columbine to a season-low 37 points.

    “Coach (Grams) always talks about it before every game. We’ve got to make an identity for ourselves on defense,” said Masten, who is averaging 23 points per game. “We did a good job tonight locking down on shooters and helping out each other. I think it was a really good effort defensively by the team.”

    Columbine junior Braxton Baum (4) led the Rebels with 10 points Monday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
    Columbine junior Braxton Baum (4) led the Rebels with 10 points Monday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Subcommittee will explore options outside of enrollment for classification structure

    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    AURORA — The structure that determines CHSAA classification is getting an in-depth look.

    During an initial meeting of the reclassification subcommittee on Tuesday at the CHSAA office, a decision was reached to explore new ways of classifying schools.

    Since classifications were first implemented in 1933, the main determining factor for splitting schools has been enrollment. But the subcommittee, a 13-member offshoot of the Classification and League Organizing Committee which is tasked with looked at the current alignment system, reached a consensus that enrollment alone isn’t enough to determine classifications.

    “I’m hearing from everybody (on the subcommittee) is that the straight enrollment number may not work,” said subcommittee chair Mike Schmidt, the principal and football coach at Platte Canyon. “Can we build a better system that has fewer anomalies, and is fairer?”

    Said subcommittee member Larry Bull, the district athletic director at Cherry Creek Schools: “I don’t believe it’s a true reflection — that number — of schools.”

    So the group will explore models used by other states which classify based upon criteria that either builds upon the enrollment numbers, or use another system entirely. Other systems, such as one where schools apply for a classification, could also be explored.

    “This is just the first step,” said Schmidt, adding that the classification system may not even have to change after looking at other options. “I just want to see, ‘What would it look like?’”

    Additionally, a survey of member schools will be conducted to explore factors that should be considered when classifying schools.

    A big topic of conversation within the subcommittee on Tuesday was whether or not any change should apply to all classes, big and small, and all regions, metro and rural.

    “We’re at the point where one size doesn’t fit all anymore,” said Randy Holmen, the superintendent at Geno-Hugo School District.

    Ultimately, the group has a big eye on competitive balance, and ensuring that high school athletics continue to grow.

    “I see the charge of this group as saving programs for kids,” said Doherty athletic director Chris Noll.

    A little while later, CHSAA commissioner Paul Angelico added, “What we’re trying to do is to encourage as many kids as possible to participate in high school athletics. … What can we do to help schools provide programs that will entice as many kids as possible to be involved?”

    But, the tone of the meeting was ultimately careful, measured and tempered. It was clear that the subcommittee wants to take its time exploring what next step would be best, rather than jump into a change just to change. Any potential change wouldn’t take effect until the 2020-21 school year.

    “One thing we need to keep in mind as we’re looking at restructuring is we don’t water down what it means to be a state champion,” said Rick Macias, the district athletic director at Pueblo City Schools.

    “We have to be careful, because we’re not going to fix it all. It’s impossible to fix it all,” added Jim Thyfault, the district athletic director of Jeffco Public Schools. “Schools differ gender to gender, and sport to sport. So how are you going to fix that? You’re not going to fix it entirely.”

    The subcommittee will next meet in February, and then again in June.

  • Chatfield football’s Dalton Keene enrolls early at Virginia Tech

    Chatfield's Dalton Keene is surrounded by former teammates and coaches during his sendoff to Virginia Tech on Jan. 6. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
    Chatfield’s Dalton Keene is surrounded by former teammates and coaches during his sendoff to Virginia Tech on Jan. 6. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LITTLETON — It was a celebration and a bit of a goodbye for Chatfield football standout Dalton Keene last Friday.

    There was a couple of dozen students, coaches, faculty and family that were on hand on the final day of winter break for students to give Keene a sendoff before he moves on. While National Letter of Intent Signing Day is next month on Feb. 1, Keene will already be enrolled and taking classes at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Va. by then.

    Keene — a football standout who led the Chargers in rushing (171 carries for 1,175 yards and 18 touchdowns) and tackles (85) this past season — left Tuesday for the next stage of his educational and football career.

    “It’s really a great opportunity to for me,” said Keene about leaving Chatfield and enrolling at Virginia Tech this semester. “I’ve got a chance to go in early and possibility get some playing time my freshman year. That was the thinking behind it.”

    Chatfield's Dalton Keene will play football at Virginia Tech. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
    Chatfield’s Dalton Keene will play football at Virginia Tech. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    The two-way football player and state track qualifier in both Class 5A hurdle events his junior year, inked during the early signing period in November to play football for the Hokies. Keene will have the chance to have a step up on his incoming freshman class by being able to participate in spring football since he is enrolled at the Atlantic Coast Conference school.

    Keene, who helped lead the Chargers to the 4A state semifinals in the fall, already has an idea of what he will do whenever his football career ends. He plans on studying building construction at Virginia Tech.

    “I went out and did a few camps over the summer and kind of fell in love with Blacksburg,” Keene said. “The environment it brings, you can’t go wrong.”

    Coaches at Virginia Tech have told Keene that they are looking at him to play a tight end/H-back roll on the offensive side of the ball.

    Virginia Tech won the ACC Coastal division and played eventual NCAA National Champion Clemson in the ACC championship game. The Tigers just edged the Hokies 42-35 for the ACC title.

    The Hokies finished their season with a remarkable victory in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, NC.

    “That was crazy,” Keene said of watching Virginia Tech’s come-from-behind victory Dec. 29. “That showed me how much fight those guys have in them. That was super impressive.”

    The Hokies trailed 24-0 at halftime against Arkansas, but rallied in the second half to take a 35-24 victory. Virginia Tech finished the season with a 10-4 record under first-year head coach Justin Fuente.

  • Ball Fever: Boys hoops kicks off 2017 with a bang

    As if we needed more fireworks in our 2016-17 hoops season, the first week of 2017 provided just that!

    How? Our Class 5A and 4A No. 1 squads both took tough losses, teams have been strengthened by mid-season additions, and eye-popping individual performances continue to rule the day.

    Speaking of “eye-popping” performances, this week’s Ball Fever “Chat” caught up with a young man, Daylen Kountz, of Denver East who will provide many jaw dropping plays over the next couple years.

    Let’s get to this first week of 2017 that offered heated league play setting the stage for what’s to come!

    [divider]

    A Look Back

    Monday, Jan. 2

    • That sound you heard coming from down south? That was D’Shawn Schwartz starting the year off with a 43-point BANG! Dan Morhmann was on the spot with photos as well.
    • A different team won each quarter which was not surprising as these squads looked evenly matched in Rangeview’s impressive win over Arapahoe 63-57.

    Tuesday, Jan. 3

    Chatfield Doherty boys basketball
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
    • Speaking of starting the year off hot: Dennis Pleuss is all over the 5A top-10 match-up where Chatfield charged to a 25-3 lead over Doherty.
    • Heritage held Fairview to seven points or fewer in three of the four quarters leading to a 52-43 defensive win.
    • 33, 7, & 5!! Jalen Sanders was straight “stat-stuffin” in Valor’s 2017 debut and Matt Mathewes was on the scene.
    • Niwot senior Adam Barber was hot shooting 10-13 from the field scoring 23 points in the 63-48 victory for Niwot over Greeley Central.
    • The Action Shots from Jack Eberhard caught Sam Bannec’s 27 points in Regis’ home win over Lincoln.
    • Junior Tyler McGinnis scored 15 as Windsor came out the gate strong with 59-38 win over Frederick.
    • Legacy’s youth looks strong as junior Caden Sehr led scoring with 18 points along with soph Jack Olson’s 12-point, 10-rebound double-double in win over Horizon.
    • Fort Collins and the FNE (Montbello) Warriors are two squads who can cause fits and the Lambkins pulled of the 55-50 win in this tale of two halves. The “Bellos” were up 28-22 at the half but J. Pfaffinger’s 16 points helped Fort Collins complete the comeback.
    • Corey Seng brought his hot streak right on into 2017, scoring 23 at Overland leading No. 3 ThunderRidge to a win in a week they will also visit No. 1 George Washington.
    • Sophomore Kyle Helbig’s 14 points leads No. 7 Holy Family to the win over Skyline.

    Wednesday, Jan. 4

    Lewis-Palmer Sand Creek boys basketball
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
    • Top-10 4A ALERT! Dan Mohrmann was on the scene as Sand Creek got “three-point happy” vs. Lewis Palmer to open league play.
    • Big man Jake Belknapp came out strong 2017 scoring 23 points and pulling down 8 rebounds in Mountain Vista’s 8-point win at Boulder.
    • Our first “monsta” double-double of the year didn’t take long as Grandview’s big man Gage Prim scored 31 points and had 12 rebounds in the Wolves first conference win over young Smoky Hill. The Wolves are hot but unfortunately their stud-point guard suffered an injury in this one.
    • “Action Shots” Jack Eberhard caught the Bruins first league win as Dimitri Stanley scored 18 for Cherry Creek in win over Cherokee Trail.
    • Eaglecrest is a senior-led squad and Colbey Ross went into Overland and scored 20 points to lead the Raptors to first league win.
    • Watch out for sophomore Connor Jones! Mountain Range putting folks on notice early 2017 as they are on a nice run and on this night upset 5A No. 2 Rock Canyon 52-50. Jones led all scorers with 17 in the upset.
    • Vista Ridge starts league play getting defensive holding Falcon to 7 total points in the second and third quarters while Hunter Maldonado led the scoring with 20.
    • The shooting duo of Connor Nelson and Tucker Cargile poured in 22 and 19 points respectively as Denver South won an overtime shootout at Castle View!

    Thursday, Jan. 5

    D’Evelyn Evergreen boys basketball
    (Katie Pickrell/CHSAANow.com)
    • Golden enters 2017 as our No. 3 4A squad and won by 17 over Wheat Ridge.
    • Chatfield doesn’t just “rip n run” offensively … they can lock down with pressure on defense as well holding Pomona to 53 while scoring a blazing 92!
    • No. 4 Valor’s two big guns Jalen Sanders and Kayle Knuckles both scored over 20 points as the Eagles took down Green Mountain leading up to their top 5 showdown vs. Golden on Saturday.
    • No. 9 D’Evelyn got 27 big ones from CJ Olson in a win over Evergreen and Katie Pickrell has the photos!

    Friday, Jan. 6

    George Washington ThunderRidge boys basketball
    (Katie Pickrell/CHSAANow.com)
    • The Fever Crew was having a little fun on Twitter reminding folks, “You got Seng’d” when ThunderRidge’s Corey Seng poured in the points. No team felt Seng’s sting like No. 1 George Washington as the Grizzlies were fearless coming into the city for the upset covered by our digital guru Ryan Casey.
    • The long awaited arrival of 2018 star Daylen Kountz sporting the Angels red and white was NO DISAPPOINTMENT as the junior led Denver East to a tough road win over fiesty Chaparral scoring 31 points, pulling down 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. This lefty is for real folks! We were able to catch up with Kountz for our Ball Fever “Chat” this weekend and the junior is cool and composed off the court as he is on! Regarding his long awaited return, “It was great to be on the court with my team. Finally able to have all our weapons playing together,” said Kountz. He was not the only to play his first game for the Angels and only time will tell how good this team can be with new additions. “We have high expectations for this team … I’m also excited because we have a big team with a lot of threats so we can create a lot of issues for teams trying to match up with us,” Kountz added. This Angels star will shine bright if this stellar first performance in any sign!
    • When you pick a squad as your Ball Fever 5A favorite you better see them often! The Fever Crew made it out to the Eaglecrest gym on this night as they led Mullen from beginning to end. We have stated before the belief that this Raptor squad is much deeper than folks think and the 13 players in the stat sheet on this night speaks to that. Colbey Ross and crew cruised on this night … looking forward to seeing them against tougher Centennial competition.
    • Monarch was in search of a signature win and got just that. Fossil Ridge’s Braxton Bertolette scored 22 points but not enough as the Coyotes finished strong to win by 4!
    • No. 7 Grandview came in undefeated and as hot as any squad but the Warriors are hard to beat in Sitting Eagle Gym where Arap pulled off the upset.
    • Rock Canyon couldn’t suffer another loss after the surprise to Mountain Range but the young Rangeview Raiders almost pulled it off leading stretches of the game in the Jags house but steady Sam Masten paced the Jags with 30 points in the overtime win, including 16-18 from free throw line. Senior-point guard Matt Johnson Jr. scored 16 and sophomore Jodaun Dotson 12 for the Raiders in the overtime effort.
    • Many have been waiting for a Rampart “explosion” and Dan Morhmann caught it vs. Fruita Monument.
    • When you have eight contributing seniors you can do some damage in high school ball. Cherry Creek has rode their senior led crew to a 10-1 record to start the season and Jalen Meeks 23 points led them this night to 10-point win over Overland in league play.
    • We see you up there Michael Ward! The Mead senior scored 32 to lead No. 6 Mead to win over Erie on the road in league start.
    • University of Wyoming loves to see commit Hunter Maldonado’s BIG TIME “stat-stuffin”: 32 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals in Vista Ridge win over Lewis Palmer.
    • Twelve players hit the scoring column as No. 7 Holy Family shut down Frederich. Cameron Miller with 12 in the balanced effort!
    • Denver South gets another nice win this week by 3 over Heritage. Connor Nelson and Courtney Dean were in double figure scoring.
    • Durango is earning votes in our 4A poll and has started this season hot. K Kilpatrick led with 17 points on this night over Montezuma-Cortez.
    • Smoky Hill jumped into our top-10 but ran into a buzz saw named Gage Prim early in the week. They impressively bounce back to beat Cherokee Trail on the road who was without their star Jaizec Lottie. Even with Lottie missing this is a big win for the Buffaloes as road wins in Centennial are tough!
    • 4A No. 1 Pueblo West continues to roll with 62-57 tournament win over Fruita Monument.

    Saturday, Jan. 7

    Valor Christian Golden boys basketball generic
    (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)
    • Chatfield continues its “Jeffco dominance” and Dennis Pleuss is all over it.
    • Valor is out for league “revenge” and Dennis Pleuss covers this portion of the revenge tour.
    • Rampart got 23 points, 6 rebounds from Jackson Erhlin in their convincing win over Fruita Monument by 19.
    • Monarch used a strong 11-point third quarter advantage to string a couple wins together and beat Gateway 75-67 at home.
    • Junior Garrett Martin scored 28 points but wasn’t enough to help Standley Lake get the win vs. Green Mountain losing by 15 in the league game.
    • FRESHMAN ALERT: As noted earlier, this young Chaparral team was a game opponent vs. power Denver East this week and they finished with a win over Hinkley with a freshman leading the way as Kobe Sanders scored 19 points!
    • D’Evelyn finished a strong week blowing out Wheat Ridge 73-47 in the league game. Senior Jason Gardner scored 19 in this one.
    • Fossil Ridge sharp shooter Braxton Bertolette dropped 33 big ones but not enough as the Sabercats lost to Highlands Ranch by 2. Impressive win for the Falcons who are playing without stud senior-point guard McKale Williams due to injury.
    • Our 4A No. 1 Pueblo West has suffered their first loss to Rampart. The Rams have been looking for that signature win and Dawson Carper’s 21 points was a big part of the Cyclones first loss.
    • Everyone got in the scoring column as No. 6 Doherty got back on track and ran away from Coronado to close the first week of 2017!

    [divider]

    A Look Ahead

    ThunderRidge George Washington boys basketball gym generic
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Monday, Jan. 9

    • Denver East continues to fine tune roster at Lakewood.
    • Rock Canyon vs. Columbine is nice as well!

    Tuesday, Jan. 10

    • Monarch continues to turn the corner vs. Horizon.
    • Mountain Range impressive of late must pass Fairview test.
    • Expect Denver South to roll at A Central.
    • Mead and Frederick say “hello” again.
    • Overland and Rangeview with some A-Town Pride on the line!
    • ThunderRidge takes their roll to Palmer.
    • Chaparral’s young guns will give George Washington fits!

    Wednesday, Jan. 11

    • Chatfield will continue to defend and run vs. Arvada West.
    • Cherry Creek continues its streak vs. Mullen.
    • Smoky Hill looking to make Centennial step vs. Overland.
    • Pueblo South and Vista Peak in 4A!
    • Top-10 4A! D’Evelyn and Valor.
    • Will Duhart or Lottie return for Grandview/Cherokee Trail?
    • Centennial tough Arapahoe and Eaglecrest!

    Thursday, Jan. 12

    • Pueblo East and Denver South! 4A renewed…
    • A. Central at Lincoln.
    • Prairie View and Northglenn.

    Friday, Jan. 13

    • Mountain Range vs. Boulder.
    • Legacy, quietly 8-2, faces Monarch.
    • Rangeview vs. GW!
    • Sand Creek and Falcon down south.
    • Mountain Vista and Chap in early Continental!
    • It’s big already in Eaglecrest/Grandview.
    • Valor looks to roll vs. Wheat Ridge.

    Saturday, Jan. 14

    • Northridge and Vista Peak rekindle!
    • Holy Family & Denver South.
    • Longmont vs. Mead.
    • ThunderRidge and Regis!

    Plenty of hoops to choose from folks … see you at a gym soon!

  • Hockey rankings: Castle View joins poll at No. 10

    Castle View hockey team
    (Josh Watt/CHSAANow.com)

    Castle View dropped a heartbreaker to No. 5 Valor Christian on Friday, but rebounded with a 9-0 win over Mullen on Saturday which was good enough to get the Sabercats into the CHSAANow.com hockey rankings.

    The Sabercats come in at No. 10 this week.

    Castle View is the only new team in the first set of rankings since the holiday break.

    Regis Jesuit hangs on to the No. 1 spot after shutting out Valor and winning a state championship rematch against Monarch.

    Undefeated Fort Collins maintains its spot at No. 2.

    Cherry Creek (No. 3), Ralston Valley (No. 4) and Valor (No. 5) also held their positions from the previous rankings.

    Monarch jumped one spot to No. 6 as Dakota Ridge fell one spot to No. 7.

    Mountain Vista and Resurrection Christian also held their spots at No. 8 and No. 9 respectively.

    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 Regis Jesuit (9) 8-0-0 90 1 2-0-0
    2 Fort Collins 11-0-0 79 2 4-0-0
    3 Cherry Creek 7-1-0 73 3 2-0-0
    4 Ralston Valley 5-2-0 57 4 0-1-0
    5 Valor Christian 9-1-0 49 5 4-1-0
    6 Monarch 5-3-0 40 7 1-1-0
    7 Dakota Ridge 6-1-1 33 6 3-1-0
    8 Mountain Vista 4-2-1 30 8 1-1-0
    9 Resurrection Christian 3-3-0 30 9 2-1-0
    10 Castle View 5-3-0 4 – 1-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Battle Mountain 3, Cheyenne Mountain 2, Heritage 2, Steamboat Springs 2, Aspen 1.
    Dropped out
    Battle Mountain (10).

  • Boys basketball rankings: ThunderRidge, Valor Christian new No. 1 teams

    ThunderRidge boys basketball team
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Corey Seng’s career night paid dividends for ThunderRidge this week.

    With a 71-61 win over George Washington, the Grizzlies enter this week as the new No. 1 team in the Class 5A CHSAANow.com boys basketball rankings.

    The Patriots fall just one spot, taking over at No. 2.

    Chatfield made the big jump of the week, clearing three spots to land at No. 4.

    At No. 7, Cherry Creek was the only new team in the 5A poll.

    Valor Christian boys basketball team
    (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    There was also a new top team in 4A as Valor Christian takes over the position formally held by Pueblo West.

    The Cyclones were edged by Rampart in overtime on Saturday.

    Sand Creek jumped three spots from the previous rankings to come in at No. 3.

    Northridge (No. 9) and Pueblo South (No. 10) are the two new teams to the 4A rankings.

    Despite a 16-point loss to Rampart on Friday, Colorado Springs Christian remains the top team in the 3A poll. Resurrection Christian maintains its spot at No. 2 and Manitou Springs holds firm at No. 3.

    Overall, the top seven teams from the previous rankings went unchanged.

    DSST-Green Valley Ranch (No. 8) and Basalt (No. 10) are the two new teams to break into the 3A rankings this week.

    At 7-0, Sedgwick County remains the No. 1 team in 2A. Like the 3A rankings, the top seven teams in 2A are unchanged from the previous rankings.

    Fowler jumped two spots to land at No. 8 this week while Sargent (No. 9) and Hotchkiss (No. 10) are the 2A newcomers.

    Holly received seven of 10 first-place votes to hold on to the top spot in 1A. 

    Sierra Grande jumped one spot to land at No. 4 and at No. 7, Kit Carson is two spots better than the previous rankings.

    Sangre de Cristo is the lone newcomer in 1A at No. 9.

    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.

    [divider]

    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 ThunderRidge (16) 11-1 178 3 4-1
    2 George Washington 10-2 136 1 2-2
    3 Denver East (1) 9-3 135 4 1-2
    4 Chatfield 9-1 108 7 4-0
    5 Eaglecrest 8-2 107 5 4-0
    6 Rock Canyon 10-2 81 2 1-1
    7 Cherry Creek 10-1 80 – 5-0
    8 Grandview 10-1 70 8 3-1
    9 Doherty (1) 7-3 34 6 2-2
    10 Smoky Hill 8-3 17 10 3-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Cherokee Trail 6, Mountain Vista 6, Regis Jesuit 6, Chaparral 5, Rampart 5, Mountain Range 4, Lakewood 3, Legend 3, Columbine 2, Fort Collins 2, Vista Ridge 2.
    Dropped out
    Cherokee Trail (9).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Valor Christian (7) 8-3 144 4 4-1
    2 Pueblo West (7) 8-1 143 1 4-1
    3 Sand Creek (2) 10-1 122 5 3-0
    4 Vista PEAK 8-1 106 2 1-1
    5 Golden 9-2 97 3 1-1
    6 Mead 8-2 66 6 2-1
    7 D’Evelyn 8-2 47 9 2-0
    8 Holy Family 7-3 30 7 2-2
    9 Northridge 7-2 29 – 1-1
    10 Pueblo South 7-4 25 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Sierra 20, Silver Creek 18, Durango 16, Thompson Valley 8, Lewis-Palmer 7, Evergreen 2.
    Dropped out
    Lewis-Palmer (8), Sierra (10).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Colorado Springs Christian (8) 6-1 159 1 1-1
    2 Resurrection Christian (5) 9-0 146 2 2-0
    3 Manitou Springs (3) 7-0 145 3 0-0
    4 Sterling (1) 6-1 110 4 0-0
    5 Alamosa 6-1 109 5 1-0
    6 Faith Christian 6-2 87 6 1-0
    7 Kent Denver 7-2 53 7 1-1
    8 DSST-Green Valley Ranch 5-3 32 – 1-0
    9 DSST-Stapleton 5-1 31 8 1-0
    10 Basalt 6-1 19 – 0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Strasburg 17, Bayfield 10, Machebeuf 10, Frontier Academy 9, Jefferson Academy 8, Lutheran 8, Buena Vista 6, Colorado Academy 6, Roaring Fork 6, Lotus 5, Manual 5, La Junta 3, Weld Central 3, Ridge View Academy 2, Rye 1.
    Dropped out
    Colorado Academy (9), Frontier Academy (10).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Sedgwick County (4) 7-0 81 1 2-0
    2 Highland (3) 7-0 78 2 1-0
    3 Paonia (1) 7-1 75 3 2-0
    4 Del Norte 7-1 69 4 1-0
    5 Peyton (1) 7-0 49 5 1-0
    6 Akron 7-0 47 6 2-0
    7 Holyoke 5-2 38 7 2-0
    8 Fowler 6-1 27 10 2-0
    9 Sargent (1) 4-2 26 – 1-0
    10 Hotchkiss 6-3 12 – 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Center 9, Crowley County 8, Byers 7, Dawson 6, Dolores Huerta 5, Dayspring Christian 4, Ignacio 4, Burlington 3, Crested Butte 1, John Mall 1.
    Dropped out
    Dayspring Christian (8), Ignacio (9).

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Holly (7) 8-0 93 1 0-0
    2 Weldon Valley 8-0 69 2 3-0
    3 Cheyenne Wells (1) 7-0 68 3 2-0
    4 Sierra Grande (1) 5-1 65 5 0-0
    5 Peetz (1) 7-1 57 4 1-1
    6 Flagler 7-1 53 6 2-0
    7 Kit Carson 4-2 32 9 1-0
    8 Fleming 3-3 25 7 1-2
    9 Sangre de Cristo 4-4 17 – 0-2
    10 Rocky Mountain Lutheran 7-1 16 10 1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Cotopaxi 10, Creede/Lake City 9, Front Range Baptist 7, La Veta 7, Wiley 7, ThornCreek Christian 5, Jim Elliot 4, South Baca 4, Longmont Christian 3, Heritage Christian 2, Genoa-Hugo/Karval 1, Otis 1, Shining Mountain 1, Walsh 1.
    Dropped out
    Front Range Baptist (8).

  • Girls basketball rankings: Pueblo South moves up to No. 1 in 4A

    Pueblo South Holy Family girls basketball
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    Pueblo South is the team to beat in the Class 4A girls basketball rankings. At least for this week.

    The Colts are the new No. 1 team in the 4A poll, uprooting Evergreen, which fell one spot to No. 2.

    Other Pueblo-area schools shot up the rankings as well with Pueblo East coming in at No. 4 and Pueblo West going from unranked to No. 6.

    Grandview holds its spot at No. 1 in the 5A poll, taking all 15 first-place votes.

    Doherty made a significant climb, land three spots better at No. 5.

    Fossil Ridge rounds out the rankings at No. 10 and is the only new team in the 5A poll.

    Sterling and St. Mary’s each remain undefeated and have yet to relinquish their spots at No. 1 and No. 2 in 3A. 

    The Pirates looked strong in a win over Lamar on Friday and Sterling was able to edge out No. 10 Manitou Springs on Saturday.

    Liberty Common made a four-spot jump to land at No. 3 this week. There are no new teams in the 3A poll.

    Paonia is still the unanimous No. 1 team in 2A. There were no significant jumps this week, but Del Norte (No. 4), Haxtun (No. 5), Evangelical Christian (No. 7) and Highland (No. 9) are all one position better than the previous rankings. 

    There are no new teams in the 2A poll.

    Kit Carson remains the No. 1 team in 1A with Fleming and Antonio also holding strong at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.

    South Baca improved by two spots to land at No. 7.

    La Veta (No. 8), Briggsdale (No. 9) and Holly (No. 10) are the three new teams to crack the 1A rankings.

    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.

    [divider]

    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 Grandview (15) 9-1 150 1 5-1
    2 Ralston Valley 9-1 128 2 4-0
    3 Highlands Ranch 11-2 122 3 5-1
    4 Horizon 8-2 96 4 4-2
    5 Doherty 9-1 52 8 3-1
    6 Fairview 10-2 47 7 5-1
    7 Cherry Creek 6-4 43 5 4-3
    8 Lakewood 6-4 40 6 1-2
    9 Fruita Monument 12-1 38 10 2-1
    10 Fossil Ridge 8-4 28 – 2-2
    Others receiving votes:
    Pine Creek 23, Regis Jesuit 21, Rocky Mountain 13, Monarch 11, Arapahoe 7, Castle View 6.
    Dropped out
    Pine Creek (9).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Pueblo South (12) 10-1 192 2 3-0
    2 Evergreen (8) 10-0 186 1 5-0
    3 Golden 9-1 104 5 2-0
    4 Pueblo East 7-0 102 8 2-0
    5 D’Evelyn 9-2 99 3 1-1
    6 Pueblo West 9-1 98 – 5-0
    7 Mesa Ridge 5-2 83 6 1-0
    8 Air Academy 8-2 69 10 2-0
    9 Valor Christian 6-5 53 4 3-2
    10 Holy Family 6-4 29 7 2-2
    Others receiving votes:
    Palisade 27, Mullen 20, Falcon 9, Windsor 8, George Washington 6, Sand Creek 4, Thomas Jefferson 4, Littleton 3, Silver Creek 3, Sierra 1.
    Dropped out
    Mullen (9).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Sterling (7) 7-0 115 1 1-0
    2 St. Mary’s (5) 7-0 104 2 2-0
    3 Liberty Common 7-0 84 7 2-0
    4 Lamar 6-1 74 3 1-1
    5 Centauri 8-1 69 5 2-0
    6 Pagosa Springs 5-1 66 4 1-0
    7 Colorado Springs Christian 6-1 50 6 1-1
    8 Moffat County 8-1 30 9 2-0
    9 Eaton 6-2 12 8 0-1
    10 Manitou Springs 2-4 9 10 0-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Delta 8, St. Mary’s Academy 8, Trinidad 8, Olathe 7, Faith Christian 6, Kent Denver 5, Colorado Academy 3, Brush 2.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Paonia (13) 8-0 130 1 2-0
    2 Wray 5-1 114 2 0-1
    3 Yuma 6-2 76 3 1-0
    4 Del Norte 6-2 68 5 1-0
    5 Haxtun 7-1 63 6 2-0
    6 Soroco 7-1 55 4 2-0
    7 Evangelical Christian 6-0 41 8 1-0
    8 Lyons 7-1 37 7 1-0
    9 Highland 6-2 36 10 1-0
    10 Swink 6-2 24 9 3-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Akron 20, Peyton 10, Sargent 10, Center 8, Calhan 6, Dawson 5, Simla 4, West Grand 4, Sanford 3, Clear Creek 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Kit Carson (8) 6-0 102 1 1-0
    2 Fleming (2) 6-0 91 2 2-0
    3 Antonito (1) 5-0 83 3 0-0
    4 Kim/Branson 6-0 71 4 1-0
    5 Heritage Christian 5-0 70 5 1-0
    6 Kiowa 5-1 36 6 1-0
    7 South Baca 4-2 27 9 0-0
    8 La Veta 6-2 25 – 2-0
    9 Briggsdale 6-2 20 – 2-0
    10 Holly 6-2 14 – 1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Cheyenne Wells 11, Idalia 9, Primero 8, Springfield 8, Creede/Lake City 7, Cheraw 5, Jim Elliot 5, Sangre de Cristo 4, Sierra Grande 3, Wiley 3, Pikes Peak Christian 2, Caliche 1.
    Dropped out
    De Beque (7), Arickaree/Woodlin (8), Idalia (10).

  • Valor wins 4A boys hoops top-5 showdown against Golden

    Valor senior Jalen Sanders (22) scored a game-high 25 points in the Eagles' 68-53 road victory Saturday over Golden. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
    Valor senior Jalen Sanders (22) scored a game-high 25 points in the Eagles’ 68-53 road victory Saturday over Golden. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    GOLDEN — Valor Christian’s boys basketball coach Troy Pachner called it a “revenge tour”.

    Losses to Golden and D’Evelyn cost at least a share of the Class 4A Jeffco League title last season. A 68-53 victory over Golden, ranked No. 3 in the current CHSAANow.com 4A boys hoops poll, gave No. 4 Valor (8-3, 2-0 in league) an early inside track to dethroning the two-time defending conference champion Demons (9-2, 1-1).

    “These are the two games we lost in league,” Pachner said of Golden and D’Evelyn. “We are pretty committed not to let that happen again. We had to get this win here.”

    Valor’s full-court defensive pressure helped limit Golden to just 18 points in the first half.

    Golden junior Riley Stoner, right, get off a shot over Valor senior Keisan Crosby. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
    Golden junior Riley Stoner, right, get off a shot over Valor senior Keisan Crosby. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “We knew the press was coming. We practiced against it for a long time,” Golden coach John Anderson said. “We have to be aggressive against it. We were kind of passive and not attacking.”

    The Eagles led by double-digits for most of the second half. The Demons did cut Valor’s lead to nine points midway through the fourth quarter, but Valor made 13-of-15 free throws in the final quarter to seal the victory.

    “That’s why we play them twice. We can beat them the second time,” said Golden junior Adam Thistlewood, who led the Demons with 23 points in the loss. “We’ve got to settle down, focus and super grind these next couple of weeks.”

    Saturday night featured two of the most dynamic duos in 4A. Valor seniors Jalen Sanders and Kayle Knuckles came in combining for nearly 40 points and 15 rebounds per game. Golden senior Kayden Sund and Thistlewood came in averaging nearly 35 points and a dozen rebounds per game.

    Sanders (25 points) and Knuckles (21 points) won the first go-around.

    “I told our guys that we can’t guard him (Sanders) with one guy, but he is good enough and long enough to find open people at the rim,” said Anderson, who saw his team’s seven-game winning streak come to and end.

    One of the only errors the Eagles’ tandem had was a missed dunk by Knuckles in the closing minutes of the game. Sanders said — with a smile — that he would give some grief to Knuckles for missing a dunk.

    “That’s got to be the best one-two punch is the state, I think,” Pachner said of Sanders and Knuckles. “There are some great combos out there, but they are as good as anybody. I love how they share in the paint. It’s pretty special.”

    Golden junior Jack Moore (3) drives the lane on Valor senior Kayle Knuckles (10). (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
    Golden junior Jack Moore (3) drives the lane on Valor senior Kayle Knuckles (10). (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Pachner was also happy with performance of his supporting staff. Seniors Karsten Michael (eight points) and Keisan Crosby (seven points) helped fill the void of the Eagles not having senior Dylan McCaffrey.

    McCaffrey played football on Saturday in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

    Foul trouble kept Golden junior Joe Madsen on the bench for a good part of the game. Madsen was having a strong game in the middle for the Demons, but he picked up a second foul with 4:40 left in the first quarter. Madsen was tagged with his fourth foul early in the third quarter and eventually fouled out late in the fourth quarter with 10 points.

    Golden and Valor split their two meetings last season. The second conference go-around is scheduled for Feb. 1 at Valor in Highlands Ranch.

    “Next time we play we don’t have a chance unless (Thistlewood), Kayden and Joe get double-digit points at least,” Anderson said.

    Golden hosts Standley Lake on Wednesday, Jan. 11, as the Demons’ league schedule continues.

    Pachner faces his former team No. 9 D’Evelyn (8-2, 2-0) on next Wednesday on Valor’s home court.

    “We know that Golden and us aren’t the only two big dogs in our league,” Sanders said. “We have to play like we did tonight every game and come out 100 percent.”

    The Jaguars grabbed a 49-44 victory on the Eagles’ home court last year before Valor made its run to the 4A state title game and state runner-up finish.

    “D’Evelyn clipped us at our place last year,” Pachner said. “We aren’t going to let that happen again.”

    Golden junior Adam Thistlewood (15) scored 23 points in the loss to Valor on Saturday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
    Golden junior Adam Thistlewood (15) scored 23 points in the loss to Valor on Saturday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Photos: No. 4 Valor Christian boys basketball beats No. 3 Golden

    GOLDEN — Valor Christian boys basketball, ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, beat No. 3 Golden 68-53 on Saturday.

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  • Photos: Prey lifts No. 5 Golden girls hoops over No. 4 Valor Christian

    GOLDEN — Makena Prey led four Golden girls basketball players in double figures as the fifth-ranked Demons beat No. 4 Valor Christian 70-62 on Saturday.

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