CHSAANow

Month: February 2017

  • Proposed early signing period for college football could change recruiting landscape

    As Division I football considers creating an early signing period, the Colorado high school football community is split on whether or not they should do so.

    A proposal to create a second 72-hour signing period in mid-December could be voted on by the NCAA Division I Council as early as April. It has received overwhelming support from college coaches.

    The existing signing period that begins in February would remain in place, but if the December period is created, it will undoubtedly change the landscape of recruiting in college football.

    But will it be for the better?

    “I guess the question is, if it benefits colleges and kids, what’s the reasoning for it?” said Chatfield coach Bret McGatlin.

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    Why have a December period?

    Dalton Keene, center, signed early with Virginia Tech. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    That’s the thing with this proposal: It hasn’t really filtered down to the high school level yet. Many coaches and players we spoke to were just learning about it.

    At their annual conference in Nashville last month, which 100 of 128 coaches reportedly attended, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) unanimously voted to endorse the December signing period. Supporters include Colorado’s Mike MacIntyre and Colorado State’s Mike Bobo, who each confirmed their approval for the early period to CHSAANow.com this week.

    Coaches across the country voiced their support for it during National Signing Day on Wednesday, with many arguing that it could reduce the stress on both sides over December and January.

    Reasons vary, obviously, but at his press conference on Signing Day, University of Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez, the 2017 president of the AFCA, gave a glimpse to perhaps one reason why.

    Rodriguez spoke for nearly ten minutes in frustration about the “circus” that is Signing Day, and about recruits decommitting. (These sentiments were echoed by other coaches on Wednesday.) His staff did research and found that 757 recruits had decommitted from Division I programs in the 2017 class.

    “That’s 23 percent of the class. One out of every four have decommitted,” Rodriguez said.

    Then he estimated that a school will spend roughly $27,000 on a kid once they commit.

    “So all the ADs out there listening, or presidents of universities that are listening: If you want to save your program money, get out of this ridiculous circus that is National Signing Day where kids are pulling hats out of boxes and jumping out of helicopters and announcing where they’re going,” Rodriguez said.

    “You’re glorifying these kids to where they can never meet the expectation,” he added. “And I don’t blame it on the kids, and I don’t blame it on the sites that try to get rankings. But some of these young men will never live up to the hype post-today. And that’s a shame. Because they’re still young, they’re still developing. Particularly in our sport.”

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    “There’s no feeling like this”

    One man’s circus is another man’s celebration. The kids, for obvious reasons, really seem to enjoy the Signing Day experience.

    “I think it brings some cool tradition,” said Cherry Creek’s Jonathan Van Diest, who signed with Colorado on Wednesday.

    “Yes, it would be relieving for kids to sign early,” Columbine’s Mikey Griebel, a North Dakota signee, said on Tuesday, “but the point is to sign with your best buddies. Which I am doing tomorrow and I’m so thankful for it.”

    Denver South’s Signing Day ceremony. (Submitted photo)

    On Wednesday, with a Wyoming hat atop his head — he’d just signed with the Cowboys — Denver South’s Esaias Gandy had a wide smile as he relived the moment: “There’s no feeling like this,” he said. “You doubt yourself, you doubt if it’s even going to happen, but I’m just living the dream right now.”

    Of course, that feeling would still be there in mid-December. But …

    “This is the biggest Signing Day that South has ever had, so that would take away this environment,” Gandy said. “There’s no environment like this — all of our families together. That would split the families in half.”

    Valor Christian’s Christian Elliss, who signed with Idaho, said an early period would “change (Signing Day) a lot, because it would be divided and people would sign at different times.”

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    The early-deciders

    2017 Signing Day Valor Christian Dylan McCaffrey
    Dylan McCaffrey. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Athletes who had long since made up their minds would definitely benefit from a December signing period. Valor Christian quarterback Dylan McCaffrey committed to Michigan in February 2016.

    “I’ve been 100 percent Michigan since I committed. That was a big part for me,” McCaffrey said on Wednesday. “And I know a lot of other guys like that. I think (the December period) would be a really great idea. You can kind of be a part of a team earlier.”

    Dakota Ridge’s Keegan Cryder, who committed early to Wyoming, agreed.

    “I think I would have taken advantage of that opportunity,” he said of signing early. “I was offered a scholarship during (Wyoming’s) summer camp in June. I committed in July. I knew I was going to go. I don’t see the point in having the extra time to wait.”

    Chatfield’s McGatlin watched as Dalton Keene, who signed as a mid-year enrollee with Virginia Tech, dealt with a hectic recruitment towards the end.

    “That (December) day is probably going to be set aside for the elite of the elite,” McGatlin said. “If you look in our state, there’s probably six or seven of those kids a year. Those are the ones that they sign early and they’re done. I think that’s good for the kid, too. Those extra two months, they’re a long two months.”

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    Time may be needed

    Even if the December signing period is created, the one in February would still exist.

    2017 Signing Day Valor Christian Noah Elliss
    Noah Elliss. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    And, for someone like Noah Elliss, a Valor Christian defensive lineman who committed in the week before Signing Day, that’s important.

    “If I did it in December, I would have kind of had to rush through it,” said Elliss, who signed with Mississippi State. “I think if you know where you want to go, and what you want to major in, then I think athletes should sign in December. And then if you’re just waiting, want to think it out with your family, you can just wait until February.”

    Said McCaffrey: “The February one is important. Because I know a lot of guys are always constantly changing their minds, and it might not be the right fit for them, so they have to change.”

    Vista Ridge lineman Jalen Sami had offers that came in very late in the process.

    “I think to have the period earlier would probably hurt him a little bit,” Vista Ridge coach Jeremi Calip said of Sami, who ultimately signed with Colorado. “But there are some kids, like (Keene) at Chatfield. He had an offer and a commitment early. If it fits you, I think it’s okay. But some kids, you just never know.”

    Sami said he “probably would’ve held off” if there was a December signing period. “January is when the big recruiting push comes in before that Feb. 1 day,” he said.

    Said Valor’s Christian Elliss, who committed 11 days before Signing Day: “I think people could miss out on opportunities that come up after December.”

    The December period may also help clarify for some kids where they stand.

    “If the Division I signing period goes earlier, does it allow those kids then to reevaluate and retarget within their schools?” said Valor Christian coach Rod Sherman. “That’s what I think the positive thing about spacing them out. There are a lot of kids who are still thinking, ‘Oh man, something might happen’ (with a Division I offer), and they don’t want to engage with the D-II school. By separating it out, I wonder if that would help the D-II and D-III schools in January.”

    Fairview coach Tom McCartney agreed.

    “I think sometimes young men really want to be Division I in the worst way, and they hold out hope,” he said. “And then all of a sudden, there’s really nothing there for them. All of the Division II schools that have been hanging in there with them, now maybe (the December period) would help with that.”

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    Coaching changes

    But there’s also this to consider: Many college coaches change jobs in December and January, including both head coaches and assistants.

    Denver South Mesa Ridge football Tony Lindsay
    Tony Lindsay. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    “Those coaches will recruit those kids, and then they’ll leave,” said Denver South coach Tony Lindsay Sr. “They’ll leave those kids sitting up there. That’s jacked up.”

    Lindsay has personal experience. His son, Tony Jr., was recruited to Oklahoma State by then-offensive coordinator Les Miles. Miles left to become the tight ends coach with the Dallas Cowboys.

    “Les Miles lived in my house. He was recruiting him. He left,” Lindsay said. “He was in my house, talking to me and he’s the one — ‘OK, (Tony Jr.’s) coming because you are here.’ And then he left. That’s not cool. And if they can’t back out of it, they’re stuck.”

    “There’s so much coaching change, whether it’s coordinators or a head coach, that happens in December and January,” said Fairview’s McCartney, “that it’s really difficult if you’ve been recruited by somebody and then there’s a change.”

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    Next steps

    (Jeffco Public Schools)

    There’s still a lot left to be figured out. The NCAA Division I Council, made up of 40 members, is set to meet in April. If they vote and approve the December signing period, it is certain to cause upheaval in football’s recruiting landscape.

    And, for a time, there may be a lot of confusion in the wake of that decision at the high school level.

    Just as there is now.

    “I’m torn,” Valor’s Christian Elliss said, laughing. “I’m actually not too sure about this.”

    Dan Mohrmann and Dennis Pleuss contributed to this story.

  • No. 7 Doherty boys basketball taken out of its comfort zone, but hangs on to beat Pine Creek

    Doherty Pine Creek boys basketball
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    COLORADO SPRINGS — Doherty is used to running the floor, getting its looks from the beyond the arc and scoring a lot of points. But that didn’t happen for them on Thursday.

    They faced a formidable triangle-and-two defense, but were able to get enough from Brevin Brimble and Kayden Washington to come away with a 50-44 win over Pine Creek.

    “They did a lot better job than last time,” Brimble said. “They took both our best shooters out of the game. They took the perimeter away and we had to force it into the bigs.”

    Brimble scored a game-high 18 points, which isn’t uncommon for the senior. But he only knocked down three 3-pointers. Those were the only triples the Class 5A CHSAANow.com No. 7-ranked Spartans (15-3 overall, 9-0 Colorado Springs Metro League) hit all night.

    So the only other option, as Brimble mentioned, was taking the game to the paint. Washington added 12 in the effort and was vital to Doherty being able to maintain a lead for the majority of the night.

    “Kayden’s a finisher, that’s what he does,” Spartans coach Jarris Krapcha said. “He finishes at the rim, he cleans up some missed shots, he catches dump off passes from the guards and I’m glad he stepped up and was able to get 12 points tonight.”

    And if the Eagles (9-9, 3-5) were going to lose, that’s how they were going down. Their goal wasn’t really to slow Doherty down, it was to take away the outside shots and force them to take their game inside.

    For the most part, they were able to do that with their triangle-and-two.

    “If they were going to beat us, we wanted them to have to do it in the lane,” Pine Creek coach Joe Rausch said. “That’s crazy for as small as we are, but when they’re hitting threes, they’re impossible to stop.”

    The Eagles turned out to be much better from long range. Quentin Gutierrez and Dawson Thomas combined to sink eight 3-pointers. Gutierrez led Pine Creek with 17 points and Thomas was nearly even with him, scoring 16.

    Thomas cut the Doherty lead to 37-35 by knocking down one of his triples at the end of the third quarter. The Eagles tied the game up on a Grant Wilkinson basket, but he missed the ensuing free throw that would’ve given the Eagles the lead.

    The Spartans responded with a 5-0 run, but just couldn’t put themselves in a position to take control of the game.

    Doherty Pine Creek boys basketball
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    “It was really annoying,” Washington said. “It made me kind of angry. We’d go and do something really well and they would hit a big shot like Dawson at the end of the third quarter. We just had to push through and know that if we kept playing and stayed level, we’d be able to take the win.”

    And a win is win. Even if on the rare occasion that the Spartans are taken out of their kind of game, Krapcha has shown that his boys are capable of grinding out those victories when they need to.

    His record shows that he’s able to adjust on the fly and make any game plan work for them this year.

    “I hope it helps,” he said. “It’s obviously not the first time they’ve seen triangle-and-two, I think it’s the sixth or seventh. I thought we had gotten better at it, but tonight we couldn’t knock down any outside shots and that hurt.”

    But a win cures all injuries.

    The Spartans will have a chance to wrap-up the CSML title in a week when they travel to Rampart. They beat the Rams 89-87 in overtime back on Jan. 17.

  • This week’s wrestling rankings from On The Mat

    Below are this week’s wrestling rankings from On The Mat.

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    On The Mat Wrestling Rankings

    Tim Yount of On The Mat provides weekly wrestling rankings for teams and individuals in all weight classes. To see individual rankings, you can subscribe to On The Mat’s full rankings.

    To subscribe via PayPal, choose your subscription option on this page click on the corresponding PayPal button. To subscribe by mail or fax and pay by personal check, click here for a printable subscription form. Email Tim Yount at tim@onthematrankings.com with questions.

    To purchase individual weeks of the rankings (as opposed to the entire season), you will need to use the printable subscription form and pay by check. The season ranking subscriptions are offered at a discounted rate.

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    Class 2A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Rocky Ford 1
    2 Meeker 2
    3 Hotchkiss 3
    4 Norwood/Nucla 4
    5 Paonia 5
    6 Highland 6
    7 John Mall 7
    8 Limon 9
    9 Ignacio 10
    10 Wray –
    Dropped out
    Sedgwick County/Fleming (8).
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Alamosa 1
    2 Valley 2
    3 Centauri 3
    4 La Junta 4
    5 Platte Valley 6
    6 Jefferson 5
    7 Buena Vista 8
    8 Sheridan 9
    9 Eaton 7
    10 Lamar 10
    Dropped out
    None.
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Pueblo County 1
    2 Pueblo East 2
    3 Greeley Central 3
    4 Windsor 4
    5 Cheyenne Mountain 5
    6 Pueblo West 6
    7 Mesa Ridge 7
    8 Grand Junction Central 8
    9 Discovery Canyon 9
    10 Pine Creek –
    Dropped out
    Canon City (10).
    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Pomona 1
    2 Grand Junction 2
    3 Brighton 3
    4 Poudre 5
    5 Grandview 4
    6 Adams City 6
    7 Castle View 7
    8 Ponderosa –
    9 Coronado 8
    10 Monarch 9
    Dropped out
    Cherokee Trail (10).

  • Photos: No. 7 Doherty boys basketball stays unbeaten in league play with win over Pine Creek

    COLORADO SPRINGS — Brevin Brimble led with 18 points as Doherty came away with a close 50-44 win over Pine Creek on Thursday.

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  • Vista Ridge’s Jalen Sami was the benefit of a late football offer from CU

    Vista Ridge signing day Jalen Sami
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    COLORADO SPRINGS — University of Colorado defensive line coach Jim Jeffcoat was visiting with Vista Ridge football coach Jeremi Calip about any players that a fit for the Buffs’ 2018 recruiting class.

    Wolves defensive lineman Jalen Sami just happened to be sitting Calip at the time.

    “He looked when he sat down and said ‘Coach, who is this kid,’” Calip recalls. “I told him it was Jalen Sami. He was on your recruit board, you guys came to watch a few games but no one sent anything back.”

    Jeffcoat told Calip that he had yet to see any film of Sami.

    By the time Monday rolled around around, Jeffcoat must’ve finally been able to watch some, and he clearly liked what he saw.

    The Buffs offered the 6-foot-5, 325-pound d-lineman and sooner after, Ole Miss followed suit.

    Prior to those scholarship offers, Sami was looking at either the University of Northern Colorado or CSU-Pueblo.

    “A week ago today, it was just Greeley,” Sami said. “CU had been in contact with me all year and then Coach Jeffcoat actually popped up at the school.”

    Sami is a family-oriented guy. When he got the offer from Boulder, the offer that Calip said was the one he wanted, he discussed it with his family. Even with Ole Miss coming in late, there was going to be no changing his mind.

    When he started his football career at Vista Ridge four years ago, he told Calip that it was his goal to play Division I football.

    In front of a crowd that included family, friends and teams Sami listed as Calip told the story that all the kid had to do was put in the effort and keep his grades up.

    “You take care of your end of the deal and I’ll hold up mine,” Calib said.

    The promise was kept on both ends. But with CU being the team that had been paying the most attention, there was really no question as to the decision Sami would make when it was time to put pen to paper.

    “He stayed firm,” Calip said. “I explained the difference to him between the two universities and what he was looking for. Jalen has really good family values and being around his family is very good for him.”

    For the last several years, it feels like the Springs and most of southern Colorado has navigated toward CSU-Pubelo. There might be one or two standouts in each recruiting class, so Sami knows that what he experienced on Wednesday is not something a lot of kids that live in his area get to go through.

    “This isn’t a state that football is as big in,” he said. “Just having me and my brothers and friends sign on National Signing Day and go to big schools to continue football is a blessing.”

  • Photos: Signing Day around the state for the Class of 2017

    Athletes from the Class of 2017 celebrated their college choices around the state on Wednesday during National Signing Day.

    To submit a photo from your ceremony, use this form.

    Follow all of the 2017 college commitments in our recruiting database.

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  • More than 100 Jeffco student-athletes sign on National Letter of Intent Signing Day

    Jeffco Public Schools had more than 100 student-athletes sign with colleges on National Letter of Intent Signing Day on Feb. 1. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletic)

    The list just kept on growing on National Letter of Intent Signing Day for Jeffco student-athletes.

    Just more than 100 future college student-athletes signed Wednesday. Fourteen different high schools in Jeffco Public Schools had celebrations for either students who are moving on to the next level.

    The likes of football standouts Dalton Keene (Chatfield) and Jake Moretti (Pomona) have already enrolled in classes at Virginia Tech University and the University of Colorado. Eight football players from Pomona’s Class 5A state runner-up team will play in college.

    While Division I football players might be the headliners, there were a number of sports that were represented Wednesday. Jeffco student-athletes received basketball, baseball, soccer, diving, volleyball, softball, cross country, track, lacrosse and swimming scholarships.

    Here is a list and photos of Jeffco’s signers (find a database of all of the Class of 2017 here):

    Bear Creek High School
    Neil Vanlerberghe, Western State Colorado University, Football
    Barry Wesley, Colorado State University, Football
    Brian Sanchez, Chadron State, Football
    Dominic Encinas, Presentation College, Football
    Brandon Schoengarth, Eastern New Mexico, Baseball
    Jack Redford, Southern Illinois, Baseball
    Jakob Pigati, Iowa Western, Baseball
    Walker Rumsey, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, Baseball

    Chatfield High School
    Michael Ardourel, Richmond International Academic, Men’s Soccer
    Jenelle Crozier, University of Minnesota, Women’s Diving
    Haley Fuller, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Volleyball
    Natalie Gaber, Carroll College, Softball
    Haley Jacobsen, McCook Community College, Volleyball
    Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech University, Football
    Abigail Oglesby, Colorado Mesa University, XC/Track
    Peyton Wayment, California State University, East Bay, Swimming
    Jack Winkler, University of San Francisco, Baseball
    Kylie Yang, University of Tampa, Women’s Lacrosse
    Tanner Barnes, Augustana College, Baseball

    Green Mountain High School
    Danielle Lord, Biola University, Women’s Soccer
    Dylan Jacob, Western State Colorado University, Football

    Wheat Ridge High School
    Alexandra Nillen, Clemson University, Women’s Soccer
    Cori Wing, Fresno Pacific University, Women’s Soccer
    Zane Ortiz, Metro State University, Track

    Standley Lake High School
    Jonah Staton, United States Military Academy, Men’s Swimming
    Sophia Brown, University of Colorado-Colo Springs, Women’s Soccer
    Camille Garcia, University of Colorado-Colo Springs, Women’s Soccer
    Terrell Starks, Fort Hays State University, Football
    Miya Vasquez, Frank Phillips College, Softball

    Arvada West High School
    Delaney Fletcher, Otero Junior College, Softball
    Casey Southwick, Central Christian College, KS, Baseball
    Ethan Weslar, Colorado College, Men’s Soccer
    Brittany Phillips, Adams State College, Softball
    Jacob R. Angelopulos, Adams State College, Baseball
    Sara Catherine Mitchell, Butler Community College, KS, Softball
    Ava Flow Kopperschlager, Williston State College, ND, Softball
    Tyler Michael Norris, Western Nebraska Community College, Baseball
    Ian M. Forbes, William Penn University, IA, Baseball
    Cody Fatzinger, Western State, Wrestling
    Chase Dixon, Western State, Football
    Garrett Shipman, University of Wyoming, Football

    Evergreen High School
    Ben Setlak, Willamette University, Baseball
    Brandon Swenson, Adams State University, XC/Track
    Ryan Wilson, Colorado School of Mines, Soccer
    Sofia Weiner, University of Virginia, Soccer
    Marissa Hoerman, Concordia University of Nebraska, Volleyball
    Alex Rupe, Cornell College, Football

    Columbine High School
    Mikey Griebel, University of North Dakota, Football
    Lyndsie Pratt, Brock Port, Women’s Lacrosse
    Maggie Allen, John Brown, Women’s Soccer
    Ashton Mansur, Arizona Western, Baseball
    Chase Anderson, Garden City Community College, Baseball
    Jackson Block, University of Northern Colorado, Football
    Amanda Porter, University of Arizona, Women’s Soccer
    TJ Callahan, Colorado Mesa University, Football
    David Solis, Air Force Academy, Men’s Soccer
    Bradley Kinzer, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Football
    Tanner Rivera, Duray College, Cross Country
    Garrett Gilleland, Garden City Community College, Football
    Tim Mullin, Western State, Football

    Ralston Valley High School
    Tori Maydew, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, Soccer
    Megan Schuster, Wayne State College, Soccer
    Sierra Perez, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Soccer
    Sarah Bevington, Baylor University, Soccer
    Cade Peratt, Indiana State University, Football
    Anne Rouleau, Indiana University, Swimming
    Sage Heffley, Colorado Mesa University, Soccer
    Brock Downing, Eastern Arizona College, Baseball
    Jeffrey Cyr, Nova Southeastern University, Baseball
    Henrik Barndt, Indiana State University, Football
    Salvetti D’Ascoli, Fresno City College, Football
    TreVaughn Rhodes, Western State Colorado University, Football
    Tyler Shannon, University of North Dakota, Football
    Shayne Whitmyer, South Dakota School of Mines, Football

    Pomona High School
    Jake Moretti, University of Colorado, Football
    Garrett Zanon, Colorado Mesa University, Football
    Devin Madrid, Otero Junior College, Baseball
    Ashley Madden, Colorado Mesa University, Basketball
    Lauren Sale, Boise State University, Swimming
    Abriana Ramirez, Western Nebraska Community College, Softball
    Bryan Gallegos, Doane University, Football
    Isaiah Hirtler, Black Hills State University, Football
    Uriah Vigil, Colorado Mesa University, Football
    Cameron Gonzales, Colorado Mesa University, Football
    Jeremy Gonzales, South Dakota School of Mines, Football
    Isaac Lopez, South Dakota School of Mines, Football
    Julia Trujillo, Los Angles Southwest College, Basketball

    D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School
    Nolan Balbin, University of Nebraska-Kearney, Football
    Zach Berry, South Dakota School of Mines, Football
    Sarah Cerrone, Colorado Mesa University, Track

    Lakewood High School
    Brynne Davis, St. Olaf College, Girls Soccer
    Casey O’Neill, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, Baseball
    Kolton Peterson, Colorado Mesa University, Men’s Basketball
    Wayne Rodgers, Central Methodist University, Softball

    Dakota Ridge High School
    Carter Akerfelds, Iowa Western, Baseball
    David Brandt, Black Hills State University, Football
    Keegan Cryder, University of Wyoming, Football
    Derick Demgen, Presentation College, Football
    Miranda Goepfert, Cornell College, Softball
    Dawson Gorton, Presentation College, Football
    Hannah Krats, Fresno State University, Women’s Lacrosse
    Carlye Levy, Eastern Utah State, Softball
    Nick Scott, Illinois Wesleyan, Men’s Lacrosse
    Amber Sharshel, Gordon College, Women’s Soccer
    Brendan Williams, Adams State College, Men’s Lacrosse
    Brynn Martin, University of Alabama, Women’s Soccer

    Golden High School
    Rylie Wehner, Wayne State, Women’s Soccer

    Conifer High School
    Mark Ness, Trinity International University, Baseball

  • Lewis-Palmer boys basketball overcomes foul trouble to beat Vista Ridge

    Lewis-Palmer Vista Ridge boys basketball
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    COLORADO SPRINGS — Lewis-Palmer had two major problems on Wednesday night: Josh Scott and Angelo Battistelli found their way into foul trouble and Hunter Maldonado was on the other team.

    But a hot-shooting night from Eli Burkett and lockdown third quarter helped the Class 4A CHSAANow.com No. 8-ranked Rangers came away with a 65-56 win over Vista Ridge.

    “We feed off getting some run-outs and getting a big stop,” Lewis-Palmer coach Bill Benton said. “That fires this team up more than a dunk does.”

    They came away with zero dunks on the night, but they’ll take that all day if it means they get the win. The Rangers (14-4 overall, 7-2 Pikes Peak Athletic Conference) jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead to start the game, doing their best to take the air out of the Vista Ridge gym.

    That was easier said than done. Joel Scott was assessed two fouls in the first three minutes of the game, forcing Benton to put him on the bench for the remainder of the first half.

    The Wolves (13-5, 8-1) took advantage with a 15-4 run to take a 15-8 lead late in the first quarter. But a 3-pointer from Burkett and a basket from Battistelli cut that lead to just two heading into the second.

    Maldonado was limited to only six points in the quarter, with Billy Cook doing everything possible to slow down the Wyoming commit.

    Lewis-Palmer Vista Ridge boys basketball
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    “It’s definitely tiring,” Cook said. “He’s one heck of a player, but it gives me good experience. I’ve guarded these guys, Hunter and D’Shawn (Schwartz) so the guys I have to guard in the future, it’s a little easier.”

    Maldonado would go on to score a game-high 29 points. But that was about the best news of the night for the Wolves.

    The Rangers held a one-point lead in the final 30 seconds of the first half, but a Burkett triple before the clock expired proved to be the beginning of the end for Vista Ridge.

    “That was huge,” Burkett said. “We were punching back and forth all half, so to hit that, it gave us a lot of momentum heading into the second half.”

    Burkett came and out scored seven of his team-high 22 points in the third quarter, but what most impressed his coach was what he was able to do at the other end of the floor.

    “Eli had a great game on the defensive end,” Benton said.

    He was also quick to point that Noah Baca and Carter Kreischer also stepped up and provided big minutes when the team needed them.

    In the third quarter, the Rangers only surrendered two field goals to the Wolves, both coming at the hands of Maldonado.

    Vista Ridge made a push to cut the Lewis-Palmer lead down in the fourth. Raymon Harper scored to make it a 57-53 game, but back-to-back field goals from Battistelli and Cook torpedoed any hope the Wolves had at a comeback.

    While it would be easy for Lewis-Palmer to ride the wave of handing Vista Ridge its first loss, the players know that their work is far from over and they need to continue their solid play down the final stretch of the season.

    “We have five more games left,” Burkett said. “We have to come out and play. We have to win them all.”

  • No. 3 Chatfield boys hoops grinds out win over Lakewood

    Chatfield senior Alex Beckley, right, drives on Lakewood junior Ezekiel Sundberg. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LITTLETON — If there is anything like the ‘dog days’ of the prep boys basketball season it was on display Wednesday night at Chatfield High School.

    It wasn’t the most impressive victory for Chatfield, No. 3 in the CHSAANow.com Class 5A boys hoops rankings, but it was a 67-55 win against a dangerous Lakewood squad.

    “We feel it and we had to come over a lot of adversity with Joe (Miks), Landon (Rodgers) and Keland (Rumsey) was actually injured,” Chatfield coach Stephen Schimpeler said of all three nursing injuries. “It’s part of the season.”

    While the Chargers (17-1, 9-0 in 5A Jeffco) were a little banged up, Lakewood (12-5, 6-3) was without one of the best pure shooters in the state in senior Kolton Peterson. The guard, who is averaging 16.7 points per game, was out sick with strep.

    Chatfield senior Landon Rodgers, right, drives to the bucket. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “It was a big loss,” Lakewood senior Jacob Storey said of playing without Peterson. “One of the worst days of the year to get sick, but I think our team came out and was definitely fired up. We played hard.”

    The Tigers — led by Storey and senior Dallas Bailey — actually had a 6-point lead on Chatfield late in the first quarter. Storey poured in nine of his game-high 23 points in the first eight minutes. Bailey had a six-point first quarter to give the Chargers a test on Chatfield’s home court.

    Despite beating Lakewood by 32 points in their first league meeting on Jan. 7 and without Peterson on the court for the Tigers, the Chargers knew they would be in for likely their toughest conference test so far this season.

    “Kolton is a very good play and when he gets hot he is hard to stop, but Lakewood has plenty of guys who can make plays,” Chatfield senior Michael Vrabel said. “Jacob and Dallas are both animals on the inside and can shoot.”

    Chatfield got things going with an 11-0 run in the second quarter to take a 27-19 lead midway through the quarter. The Chargers would never surrender the lead on the way to its 16th straight win and 25th consecutive conference win dating back to the 2014-15 season.

    Vrabel (20 points), along with follow seniors Lucas St. Germain (15 points) and Alex Beckley (11 points) led the way. Rumsey also pitched in 11 points.

    “It’s just one of those times where we have to pull through. It’s our league,” said Vrabel, who added the goal for this year’s squad is a second straight season with an undefeated conference record. “Hopefully we’ll be able to pick up some of our sloppy play because that is what it’s going to take to make a (state playoff) run.”

    Chatfield junior Keland Rumsey (30) goes up strong. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    The Chargers have a 3-game advantage on Lakewood. Chatfield is four games ahead of Arvada West and Dakota Ridge that are tied for third in 5A Jeffco with five league games left.

    Chatfield can take one step closer to repeating as league champs when the Chargers host Arvada West at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3.

    “We are just starting to get sloppy with the little things,” Vrabel said. “We aren’t taking it as serious as we should sometimes. We aren’t as focused as we should be at times. We’ve just got to sharpen up.”

    Schimpeler added that he thought his guard-play was good against Lakewood, but needs to be great. He praised the Tigers for giving the Chargers their closest conference game of the season despite being shorthanded.

    “Give Lakewood credit,” Schimpeler said. “I think they did a good job at really trying to raise their level of play. I give Lakewood a lot of credit.”

    Lakewood returns to action when the Tigers host Columbine at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4.

    With Chatfield well in control of the conference title, the Tigers are focused on getting healthy and playing as well as possible heading into the postseason later this month.

    “It really has been a rollercoaster, up and down,” Storey said of the Tigers’ season that includes a win over No. 9 Denver East and losing No. 1 ThunderRidge in overtime. “It is that consistency that we are looking for. I think the biggest thing for us is coming together as a team. We’ve got to unite a little bit more.”

    Lakewood senior Jacob Storey (1) had a game-high 23 points in the Tigers’ loss Wednesday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • State’s leading scorer Robert Williams stars for Sheridan boys basketball

    Sheridan senior Robert Williams is leading the state in scoring. Williams is the only Colorado athlete averaging 30-plus points per game – good for 21st in the nation.

    “He’s an explosive athlete. It’d be nice if he was 6-1 doing this,” Sheridan coach Rex Terry said. “This is my 25th year coaching and he’s the best point guard I’ve ever had as far as a combination of passing, speed, scoring ability.”

    Williams is also leading the state in confidence.

    “When I’m playing, I feel like no one can stop me,” Williams said. “If I drive right and they don’t stop me, then I’m just gonna keep driving.”

    And for good reason. Williams recorded a quadruple-double against Platte Canyon with 46 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals on Jan. 17. He added another 40-point game this season with 41 against Arvada in December.

    “It was just one of those nights,” Williams said. “When I have the ball, I don’t want to overdo it, I don’t want the game to control me, I control the game.”

    At just 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, Williams has changed his game to combat his size and the results are showing.

    “Height doesn’t mean anything,” Williams said, mentioning players like Nate Robinson and Isaiah Thomas. “I can be in their shoes. Height doesn’t intimidate me.”

    One change in Williams’ game is an increase in shots, mainly from 3-point range. Last year, Williams took 64 3-pointers. This year, he has taken 93 so far, making 36.

    “Last year, I didn’t shoot that many shots – I’ve always been afraid to shoot until I realized I can’t just drive all the time,” Williams said. “What changed is I’m not afraid. I had to learn to develop my jump shot.”

    Williams molded his jump shot into a formidable weapon over the offseason that is giving opposing defenses fits in combination with his uncanny ability to drive to the rim.

    (Courtesy photo)

    “He’s expanded his range, and if they come out on him, he gets to the rim as well as any guard I’ve coached,” Terry said.

    Williams has stepped into the leadership role as one of just three seniors on the Sheridan roster. Last year, the team had seven seniors.

    “I feel like I’ve been a leader not only on the court, but off the court,” Williams said. “I tell my teammates, ‘Hey, pick your head up, stay positive,’ stuff like that.

    “It’s hard to have a young team, I have to keep playing and stay positive. I want to make a good example for them, so when I leave, someone else steps up. I’m just trying to lead by example.”

    Williams has shouldered the load that has been put on him this season because of the youth of the team.

    “He stays after and works on his ball handling, and that has the freshmen stay after and work on their ball handling. When he came here, he didn’t have anyone doing that for him,” Terry said. “We’ve put everything on his back, and I think with that, he’s learning to be that leader. This year, I’ve asked a lot more out of him. Sometimes he looks at me like I’m a little crazy.”

    Expectedly, the Rams, who are 7-9 in Class 3A, go as Williams goes.

    “He impacts the team because we ride off him,” Terry said. “When he’s having a tough night, we all seem to have kind of a tough night. If I need a basket, I spread it out and give him the ball.”

    Both player and coach have grown from this season.

    “With Robert, It’s been a growth for both of us,” Terry said. “Him learning to trust me and I trust him with the ball. I trust he’ll make the right decision.”

    Part of the growth has come on the defensive side of the ball.

    “I just wanna change my game, because when it comes to college, I know that they’re bigger, faster, stronger,” Williams said. “My defense has improved. If I’m on someone just using their right hand, I’m going to force them left.”

    The result is 5.1 steals per game. This ranks second in the state and 39th in the nation.

    The outstanding year has Terry and Williams thinking about the next level.

    “I think when I first got here, he wasn’t sure he could go play in college,” Terry said. “I think now he’ll tell you that he knows he can play in college.”

    “I just want to go to a college that will accept me and make me a better player on and off the court,” Williams said. “I put my heart out into it and show them that at 5-7, I can still play at that level. My confidence is so high I feel like I could play at any college level.”

    As of yet, Williams is uncommitted, but Terry is working on getting the word out about his unique talent at point guard.

    “Anybody that wants to push the pace and pressure the ball, I think Robert can play for,” said Terry, mentioning Williams’ 6.8 rebounds per game. “He holds his own with the big guys. At his size, that’s a lot of rebounds.”

    Williams meditates before every game to calm his nerves and focus on the task ahead.

    “I meditate and that nervousness goes away,” Williams said. “After I make that first layup, I feel comfortable for the rest of the game. Nothing can go wrong.”

    (Courtesy photo)

    Terry reflected on the relationship the two have.

    “We’ve had our ups and downs because of the pressure that I’ve put on him, but I think he’s grown a lot mentally,” Terry said. “He hasn’t reached his peak yet. I wouldn’t trade him for anyone else.”

    Williams isn’t done with the success, he’s looking further down the road than just this season.

    “If I want a goal, I’m gonna get that goal. The thing that keeps me strive and keep going with basketball is my mom,” Williams said. “She’s always there telling me if you got a dream, you gotta chase it. If you wanna be great, you’re gonna be great.”