Delta baseball was ranked No. 8 in the preseason. The Panthers have started the season 4-3 — but the Class 3A program have played two 5A teams, three 4A teams (including the defending champions), and preseason 2A No. 1 Paonia.
So the four wins include victories over 5A Loveland, preseason 4A No. 8 Erie — and, on Saturday, 4A Montrose.
The Panthers, currently ranked No. 10 in 3A, got an RBI each from Josh Reeder, Darrien Rodriguez and Rowyn Carmichael in the 5-2 win.
Drake Horn was also great on the mound, going all seven innings, and allowing just two earned runs. Horn struck out six, walked four, and allowed seven hits.
Bobby Birawer went 1-for-3 with two RBIs in the loss for Montrose, which fell to 3-3 this season.
The tough schedule will continue next week for Delta: They’ll host 2A No. 7 Hotchkiss on Monday, then play a double-header against 4A Roosevelt on Wednesday.
Longtime girls basketball coach Jim Bartok is retiring following a highly-successful 27-year career.
Bartok has coached at four different schools, including the final three at Vista PEAK. He also spent three years at Cherokee Trail, seven at Columbine, and 15 at Ponderosa.
In his career, Bartok won 416 games, which are the sixth-most in state history.
When he arrived at Vista PEAK, the Bison’s girls basketball program had never had a winning season. He led them to a school-record 18 wins in 2015-16, and they went 14-10 this season, leading them to the Class 4A state tournament each year.
“In three years at Vista PEAK, the culture of girls basketball has completely changed under Jim’s guidance,” Bison athletic director Mike Hughes said on Saturday. “The program has qualified for the state tournament the last two seasons and secured the school’s first-ever league championship in 2016.
“Jim has won over 400 games in his coaching career and was an excellent leader for our program. His dedication to our kids and his wealth of knowledge is extraordinary. He will be sorely missed.”
BRIGHTON — Liam Eddy homered and also picked up the win on the mound as Brighton baseball beat Monarch 10-1 on Saturday.
Eddy went 1-for-2 with two RBIs, two walks, and the home run, and also threw four innings, striking out six against two walks and allowing just one run.
Jose Treto also drove in three runs for the Bulldogs as part of a 2-for-4 day.
Conifer’s Kyle Curtis, left, and Ralston Valley’s Ben Takata race after a loose ball Friday at Trailblazer Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
LAKEWOOD — Scoring goals shouldn’t be much of a problem for Conifer’s boys lacrosse team this spring.
The Lobos, No. 5 in the latest CHSAANow.com Class 4A boys lacrosse poll, showed off their offensive skill Friday at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood scoring a season-high 16 goals in the non-league victory over 5A’s Ralston Valley. The 16-5 win ended a 3-game losing streak for Conifer, a 4A state quarterfinalist last season.
“Our last three games were definitely really rough for us. We couldn’t get clicking,” Conifer senior Mason Meyer said. “Today was a game where we could put everything together and play well.”
Meyer and fellow senior attacker Chase Phelps scored five goals each for the Lobos (2-3 record). Seniors Caleb Crawford, Riley Miller and junior Nick Williams each had two goals apiece for Conifer.
The Lobos grabbed a double-digit lead by late in the third quarter.
“A lot of us were feeling down after the last two games,” Phelps admitted.
There was plenty of smiles and laughing on the Lobos’ sideline as they went into spring break on a winning note. Conifer had played a challenging schedule to start the season, including suffering losses to 4A top-5 teams Valor Christian and Cheyenne Mountain.
Conifer’s Nick Williams threads a pass past a pair of defenders’ sticks. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletic)
“We love the hard schedule,” Phelps said. “Last year our schedule wasn’t too rough. We looked good, but when it came down to playing hard teams it was kind of tough for us. I think the tough schedule is a positive for us.”
Despite the losses, Conifer has demonstrated plenty of offensive firepower scoring double-digit goals in four straight games. Junior Ryan Lindsay picked up the victory in net for the Lobos against the Mustangs.
“We have been working on defense a lot and possessing the ball a lot to give the defense a break,” Meyer said. “We just need to work on balancing, scoring a lot of goal and getting possession time.”
Conifer has plenty of returning experience from last year’s team that had a program best 14-2 record. However, something that is new is first-year coach Paul Taylor.
Taylor was an assistant coach for a high school (Texas Military Institute) in San Antonio, Texas last year. He applied for the position to take over Conifer’s program and clearly has no regrets.
“It’s a beautiful place and a great school,” Taylor said. “It’s hard to say no to a successful program. It’s the best situation I’ve found. It’s been great so far. I’m excited to be here.”
The Lobos return from spring break with home games in Conifer against Eagle Valley (April 4) and Summit (April 8) before diving into 4A Foothills League play. Conifer opens conference play against No. 7 Green Mountain (4-0) on April 12 at the North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada.
Conifer’s Kyle Curtis, right, checks Ralston Valley’s Harrison Frase on Friday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Ralston Valley (1-4, 0-1 in 5A Front Range League) is in its first year with a varsity program. The Mustangs have a very young team with just one senior. Ralston Valley grabbed its first victory in the program’s history earlier this week with a 5-3 win over Denver South.
“It’s an eye-opener to these young guys,” said Ralston Valley coach Jason McNelis, who started the program last season coaching the Mustangs’ junior varsity squad. “Last year we had one loss at JV. Varsity level is a big step.”
Ralston Valley got goals a pair of goals from junior Jonas Escobar in the loss Friday in the loss. Ben Takata, Cameron McNelis and Lido Albiani also scored for the Mustangs.
Historically, the Arvada area has produced some good talent that has played for powerhouse Wheat Ridge over the years. Ralston Valley is the first boys lacrosse program in Arvada. McNelis said he has about 65 players in the program right now.
“Really having them believe in themselves and have the faith they are going to grow,” McNelis said of his goals this season. “In two or three years this is going to be a phenomenal team.”
The Mustangs return from spring break to face 4A’s No. 4 Golden on April 5 at NAAC.
Ralston Valley’s Chase Wilson (5) finds some room to run Friday at Trailblazer Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
He has been coaching for 37 years, most recently at Vista PEAK for the last three. Childress also coached at Limon, Yuma, in Washington state, Palisade and Grandview.
“What an incredible three years he has given us at VP,” Vista PEAK athletic director Mike Hughes wrote in an email to CHSAANow.com on Friday evening. “People of Gary’s values and character don’t come along very often and we were blessed to have him provide his leadership at VP. Gary’s impact on our student-athletes and our coaching staff is profound.
“Although the InsideOut Initiative is something relatively new to our CHSAA membership, Gary has been coaching and leading young people with the very principles that the concepts of Joe and Jody’s message teaches for over 30 years,” Hughes added. “His impact on high school basketball in Colorado, and more importantly on the lives of the student-athletes he coached, is legendary. We will miss him and his presence at Vista PEAK dearly.”
In his career, Childress was 512-319. His 512 wins are the ninth-most in state history for a boys basketball coach.
At Vista PEAK, Childress led the Bison to a 57-17 mark in three seasons. They reached the Class 4A state tournament each year, and made the Sweet 16 the past two seasons.
Prior to that, Childress spent 16 years as the boys basketball coach at Grandview, where his teams went 215-165.
He spent five years coaching Palisade from 1991-96, nine in Yuma (1981-90), and got his start with two seasons in Limon (1979-81). In between were two years leading Ferndale, Wash., and another as a college assistant.
COLORADO SPRINGS — The third time was the charm for Athena Keuhn. The Pine Creek senior had two chances to score, possessing the ball right in front of the Ralston Valley net. But she came up empty handed both times.
The third time she didn’t miss.
And that third opportunity made all the difference as the Eagles beat the CHSAANow.com No. 9 Mustangs in non-league action at District 20 Stadium.
“I think we had some really great teamwork out there tonight,” Keuhn said. “We really build each other up and it was a really great test of how well we worked together.”
The early chances were certainly more plentiful for the Eagles (3-0 overall). They earned the first two corner kicks of the game and Athen Keuhn had a chance right in front of the Ralston Valley net, but the ball was knocked away by a defender before it could challenge keeper Mikeila Routsala.
About halfway through the first half, the Mustangs (3-2) finally got their best look of the game off a corner. Sarah Bevington crashed the net and had a chance to in front, but her shot sailed over the crossbar.
With little ground being given up by either team, the game looked destined to head into halftime scoreless, but Madeline Alhamra had other plans for Pine Creek. She found the ball on her foot to the left of the net and fired a shot across the body of Routsala, who couldn’t deflect it away.
The lead, however wouldn’t last for long. Just over a minute later Maddie DeHerrera connected on a deep shot for Ralston Valley, putting both teams back to square one to start the second half.
“It showed the heart that these kids have,” Ralston Valley coach Kamee Morwood said. “In seasons past we’ve gotten down and not had the oomph to get it back so for Maddie to hit that within a minute I think just shows our team that they’re a great team we’re playing against and we can play with anybody.”
The Eagles pressed the attack to start the final 40 and nearly hit pay dirt again 10 minutes in. A scramble in front of the net had the ball once again on Keuhn’s foot, but the shot was deflected, forcing the Eagles to regroup.
“One of the things about playing a team like Ralston Valley is anything can change in a minute,” Eagles coach John Frederick said. “I don’t played a team that put on that much pressure. They were running hard.”
The Mustangs were finally able to put the ball into the Pine Creek zone and after a deflection off an official, Ariana Castro was able to fire a shot at the Eagles net, but keeper Jade Odom was able to haul the ball in.
With 12 minutes, 17 seconds left in the game, a Mustang corner kick resulted in a scrum in front of the net, but the Eagles were able to clear it, leaving Ralston Valley empty-handed on their best chance in the half.
And missing that chance would come back to haunt the Mustangs. Keuhn finally connect on a chance, putting the ball in the net off yet another scramble resulting in a Pine Creek corner kick.
The win is a big one for the Eagles who will look to crack into the Class 5A rankings and then come back from spring break with a tough stretch of games against Chatfield and Cheyenne Mountain.
The win Thursday night helped, but it didn’t change the way the Eagles would have approached the upcoming games if the result had gone the other way.
“I think (the approach) would’ve been the same,” Keuhn said. “We would’ve just picked up in practice and kept going.”
Regis junior Celia Jotte attempts to get a shot on Columbine goalie Madeline Samuelson, far right, during the first half Thursday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
LAKEWOOD — It was a Class 5A girls soccer top-10 showdown Thursday night at Lakewood Memorial Field.
Regis Jesuit, No. 7 in the latest CHSAANow.com 5A girls soccer rankings, knocked in a pair of second-half penalty kicks to defeated top-ranked Columbine 2-0.
“It’s been a tough five games. We’ve played some very talented teams,” Regis coach Will Cropper said of his Raiders. “Today we closed out. The girls played with their heads. Penalty kicks, you will take what you can take. We were in the right place at the right time to create those opportunities.”
After a scoreless first half, Regis senior Sydney Pulver was taken down in Columbine’s box and awarded a penalty kick. Pulver buried the PK past Rebels’ goalie Madeline Samuelson in the 48th minute to take a 1-0 lead.
Regis added a second goal on another penalty kick in the 51st minute. Columbine was called for a handball in its goalie box. Junior Abby Kassal kicked in the PK for the 2-0 lead.
Columbine junior Skylar Alward (7) battles Regis junior Celia Jotte (3) for possession. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“It was definitely a relief because we have really struggled once we’ve got one goal to be able to get another one to put it away,” Kassal said. “It was a good feeling to put the game away.”
After back-to-back victories over Castle View and defending 5A state champion Grandview, Regis had to settle for a pair of 1-1 ties against Smoky Hill and Cherokee Trail.
“Our girls hustled with the unit we had. I’m very proud of them,” Columbine coach Brian Todd said. “We didn’t manage many great scoring chances either, but we battled and played decent soccer.”
Several of the top 5A teams in the state scheduled very tough non-league schedules. Columbine (3-3 record) is in the same boat having played the likes of 5A powers Cherokee Trail, Mountain Vista and Arapahoe before facing Regis.
“It’s a good test and a good foundation we are all building on. We are also beating each other up, which is the bad part about it,” Todd said about scheduling tough teams for its non-league schedule. “I think we all did it because we weren’t sure what RPI means. You don’t know if doing it like this is the right way. We’ll learn this first year through. Ultimately, I think it’s good because you’ll be tested.”
In 5A this season, the top two teams in pretty much every conference receive automatic bids to the 32-team state tournament. The Rating Percentage Index (RPI) will be used to fill the remainder of the bracket and determine the seeding.
“There is no one team that is really bulldozing through,” Cropper said. “I’ve got girls who have played five games in six days with high school and club games. I don’t know how they are still standing. They will take a good break next week. They deserve it.”
Freshmen Ava Laden, left, and Teagan Marshall chase after a loose ball. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Columbine and Regis have nearly a 2-week break from games with spring break on the horizon.
The Rebels return to the field against rival Dakota Ridge in a 5A Jeffco League opener April 6 at Lakewood Memorial Field. Columbine is attempting to win its fourth straight conference title.
“It’s for sure motivating,” Columbine junior Skylar Alward said about the Rebels having lost back-to-back games this week. “I think we are going to work super hard over spring break. I think this give us a little fire to come out and do really good in league.”
The Rebels also hope to get healthy.
“We just had a huge bout of strep and flu going around,” Todd said about missing three starters Thursday. “It’s part of the journey.”
Columbine won the 2014 5A state championship, but has been able to return to the title game over the past two years despite a 27-8-2 combined record over the previous two seasons.
Regis (3-0-2, 1-0 in 5A/4A Continental League) continues its league schedule when the Raiders host ThunderRidge on April 4. Regis is the defending conference champion in the always competitive Continental.
“This was a good ending to our first part of the season,” Kassal said. “Now we get a little break and then we’ll be back at it.”
Columbine Tessa Barton, right, attempts to get past Regis senior Gabbie McWilliams. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
