CA extended its in-state winning streak to 43 straight games. The Mustangs haven’t loss to an in-state team since the 2015 season. CA’s last loss to a Colorado squad was against Mullen on April 2, 2015.
The Mustangs have defeated Cherry Creek in each of the last three state championship games.
Senior Lauren Russell (four goals), junior Sloane Murphy (six goals) and freshman Katharine Merrifield (four goals) led the way for CA against Chatfield.
For Chatfield, junior Ryley Caron had a pair of goals to push her season total to a dozen on the season. Senior Riley Leischner and junior Bailey Truex also scored for the Chargers.
Chatfield is looking to get back into the mix as one of the elite programs in the state. The Chargers advanced to the state semifinal in 2014. That year included a 17-game winning streak.
Chatfield hasn’t advanced that deep into the postseason since 2014. Last year the Chargers lost in the opening round to Cheyenne Mountain.
MONUMENT — It was much closer than Pueblo West would have liked, but the second-ranked Cyclones managed to hold onto a one-run lead to defeat Palmer Ridge 8-7 on Tuesday.
With heavy winds and cold temperatures, the natural elements seemed to take a toll on both teams.
“I’m not happy at all with the way our guys played with the conditions of wind and cold,” said Pueblo West baseball coach Dan Sanchez. “I was happy with our pitchers today and the way they threw in this wind and cold.”
Ty Garcia picked up his first win of the year, and relief pitcher Kaleb Woltz kept Palmer Ridge scoreless.
The game started with Pueblo West getting two runs off an error in the first inning. When Palmer Ridge came up to bat at the bottom half, Garcia struggled to find the strike zone, resulting in Palmer Ridge’s first two batters reaching base. Garcia struck out the next two batters, but a pair of singles and a double by Palmer Ridge gave the Bears a 5-2 lead.
That would prove to be Palmer Ridge’s biggest inning, though, as the Bears wouldn’t score again until the fifth inning.
Throughout the first five innings, Pueblo West consistently put up runs. The second inning included a monster home run from Zach Thomas that put the Cyclones within one run of the Bears.
Pueblo West tied the game at five in the third inning, took a 7-5 lead in the fourth, and then made it 8-5 in the fifth.
Garcia got into trouble in the fifth after Palmer Ridge drove in two runs off of a fielding error and three singles that put Palmer Ridge within one run of Pueblo West. Luckily for Pueblo West, Woltz came in and got a strikeout for the last out of the inning, taking away the momentum from Palmer Ridge.
Coming off a tournament and going 1-2, Pueblo West needed the win, as well as the opportunity to play on a dirt field.
“Our biggest issue right now is that we’ve played on nothing but turf fields,” Sanchez said. “We’re going to have to get on a natural surface because we’re just not used to it.”
“Overall our guys just need to get tougher,” Sanchez said on the natural elements that go hand-in-hand with spring sports in Colorado.
Thomas went 2-for-2 for Pueblo West with three RBIs. Brodie Blackford was 2-for-4.
Garcia threw 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs, but just one earned. Woltz struck out four in 2 2/3 innings of work.
Palmer Ridge will host Pueblo County on Thursday, and Pueblo West will host Grand Junction Central on Friday.
Well, folks, now that we’ve all had a little time to catch our breath from the action-packed Friday/Saturday hours spent at the Denver Coliseum for the 5A and 4A Final 4 end to the season.
I hope your were a part of the more than 8,000 fans who took in all the action, but if not, we have you covered with a look back, and we’ll also do our “way too early” look at next year.
And since it was so popular on Twitter, let’s take a stab at a 5A and 4A “All Tourney Team” along with a MOP (most outstanding player) from each classification. And as our post-title games Saturday night “twitter fun” reminded us, “We’re not talking about the entire season, and not lifetime achievement!” We’re just talking about the five IMPACT guys that impressed our Fever Crew. No disrespect to anyone’s game or season.
Let’s get the to good stuff!
[divider]
The Look Back:
5A Final 4
Timely “stuff” from Caleb McGill and a whole lot of Dayne Prim launched Grandview into the title game over T-Ridge, Dan Mohrmann all over it.
Coach Hammons of GW predicted it would come down to free throws and Brian Miller has this overtime thriller for the Patriots over top seed Rock Canyon.
The first one is the sweetest and Dayne Prim put in some “inside work” to propel Grandview to their first ever state title win over George Washington who couldn’t find the range from outside.
Selected players reflect the views of Thomas Trotman and feedback from the Fever Crew, not CHSAA or CHSAANow.com.
Luke Johnson, Longmont (MOP)
Joel Scott, Lewis-Palmer
Marcell Barbee, Pueblo South
Nieyeme Smeyer-Williams, Pueblo West
Matthew Ragsdale, Lewis-Palmer
[divider]
The Look Ahead
(Steve Oathout)
When you lose a state title game there’s something that obviously buts a “burning in your belly” to return as we’ve seen in recent years. Next year, we totally see Lewis-Palmer, who returns their two leaders in Joel Scott and Matt Ragsdale, having this year’s experience to lean on in getting back to the title game. Our Fever Crew looks for a return from them.
In 5A, Chaparral almost returns its full roster and does return its impact players led by Ronnie DeGray III, who will not only carry the torch for Chap’s run next year, he will literally be carrying the torch as he was recently selected to the Team USA U18 squad that will be traveling to Germany to compete next month!
I’m very excited to say I have been selected to play with the USA U18 Select Team and will be traveling to Germany at the end of this month!🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/BPU7easd5q
— Ronnie ”RD3” DeGray III❄️ (@Ronnie_DeGray23) March 13, 2018
With DeGray’s running mates Kobe Sanders, Joseph Dalton, and Bryce Matthews all returning we see them back at the Coliseum and for more than just the Great 8 this time.
Thank you players and coaches for treating us to another outstanding season of hoops! You make it so fun to follow. And none of this happens without the support of my “left” hand man, “Digitial Media Guru” Ryan Casey.
While it remains to be debated which meal is the most important of the day, there is no debating the fact that breakfast is essential for athletes who are looking to perform at their peak.
Breakfast not only provides your body with the energy and essential nutrients it needs for muscle building, maintenance and repair, but the morning meal has also been shown to help improve academic performance, focus and attentiveness throughout the day. Eating breakfast may also provide health benefits such as a reduced risk of obesity and a reduced risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Emerging research is beginning to point to the importance of evenly distributing protein intake throughout the day, with the goal of 20-30 grams of protein at each meal. And while this probably isn’t as difficult for most of us at lunch and dinner, perhaps it’s a bit more challenging to meet this goal at breakfast.
Including dairy foods as part of your morning meal is an easy way to ensure you’re getting adequate protein and other essential nutrients your body needs. Did you know that milk provides nine essential nutrients, including calcium, plus eight grams of high-quality protein, in just eight ounces?
Try some of the breakfast ideas below, each designed to meet the goal of 20-30 grams of protein…they’re sure to help you start your day right.
Yogurt Breakfast Bowl served with a Latte – 1 cup plain Greek yogurt + ¼ cup slivered almonds + ¼ cup granola + berries + a drizzle of honey; serve with a small latte made with 8 ounces of milk
Scrambled Eggs, Fresh Fruit and Chocolate Milk – 2 eggs, scrambled + ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese + handful of grapes + 1 glass of chocolate milk
Power Smoothie – combine ½ cup cottage cheese + 1 cup of chocolate milk + 1 banana + 1 tablespoon peanut butter in a blender and blend until smooth
Breakfast Burrito – 1 whole grain tortilla + 2 scrambled eggs, + ¼ cup diced Canadian bacon + diced veggies of your choice (peppers, onions, or tomatoes) + ¼ shredded cheese. Roll it up and enjoy.
Breakfast Sandwich and Milk – 2 slices of Canadian bacon + 1 egg (cooked in a cup in the microwave) + 1 slice of cheddar cheese + 1 bagel, toasted + 1 glass of milk
Oatmeal “Plus” – ½ cup of oats prepared with 1 cup of milk + 1 tablespoon unflavored whey protein powder + 1 teaspoon of brown sugar + 1 teaspoon of cinnamon + ¼ cup of raisins + ¼ cup diced walnuts + 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Shane Ott of Regis Jesuit. (Renee Bourcier/bourcierphoto.com)
The 2017-18 all-state and all-conference hockey teams are a joint project between the Colorado High School Ice Hockey Coaches Association and CHSAANow.com.
These teams were created following a meeting of coaches. The player and coach of the year was a separate vote.
[divider]
All-State
Player of the year: Shane Ott, Regis Jesuit
Coach of the year: Marty Wittmer, Kent Denver
First Team
Pos
Name
School
F
Shane Ott
Regis Jesuit
F
George Kandel
Kent Denver
F
Luke Wheeler
Valor Christian
D
Nathaniel Benton
Standley Lake
D
Rowan Barnes
Regis Jesuit
G
Gage Redman
Aspen
Second Team
Pos
Name
School
F
Tyler Montoya
Rampart
F
Kolby Donovan
Resurrection Christian
F
Leo Felt
Monarch
D
Jake Eickelman
Dakota Ridge
D
Cole Cavey
Valor Christian
G
Trey Hirschfield
Valor Christian
Honorable mention: Connor Akerson, Monarch; Chase Allen, Rampart; Drew Bauer, Columbine; Hunter Beckett, Chatfield; Nathanial Benton, Standley Lake; Greg Bileck, Fort Collins; Zach Booth, Battle Mountain; Cole Cavey, Valor Christian; Anthony Chambers, Valor Christian; Corbin Divita, Heritage; Tim Debord, Valor Christian; Kolby Donovan, Resurrection Christian; Jake Eickelman, Dakota Ridge; Leo Felt, Monarch; Dalton Giesbrecht, Air Academy; Jared Goodmen, Mountain Vista; Gavin Gray, Air Academy; Max Harlan, Regis Jesuit; Theodore Havner, Resurrection Christian; Trey Hirschfield, Valor Christian; George Kandel, Kent Denver; Reese Kelly, Monarch; Connor Kilkenny, Regis Jesuit; Trey Konsella, Dakota Ridge; Dominic Lanese, Aspen; Breyton Laskey, Standley Lake; Luke Lonneman, Valor Christian; Max Malinski, Valor Christian; Brennan McFarland, Resurrection Christian; Tyler Montoya, Rampart; Matt More, Heritage; Zach Noyes, Columbine; Jake Pacheco, Pueblo County; Henry Raabe, Cherry Creek; Gage Redman, Aspen; Dale Richards, Dakota Ridge; Dixson Root, Pueblo County; Broc Schindler, Pueblo County; Ryan Smith, Cheyenne Mountain; Peyton Tritz, Steamboat Springs; Alex Walsh, Chaparral; Luke Wheeler, Valor Christian; Mikey Wilson, Liberty; Brian Wittmer, Kent Denver; Ty Yocum, Aspen; Ben Zimmerman, Kent Denver.
[divider]
All-Conference
Foothills Conference
First Team
Pos
Name
School
F
Leo Felt
Monarch
F
Shane Ott
Regis Jesuit
F
Connor Akerson
Monarch
D
Jake Eickleman
Dakota Ridge
D
Rowan Barnes
Regis Jesuit
G
Max Harlan
Regis Jesuit
Second Team
Pos
Name
School
F
Jared Goodmen
Mountain Vista
F
Dale Richards
Dakota Ridge
F
Connor Kilkenny
Regis Jesuit
D
Henry Raabe
Cherry Creek
D
Trey Konsella
Dakota Ridge
G
Reese Kelly
Monarch
Honorable mention: Yuta Young, Monarch; Jonathan Tanji, Dakota Ridge; Amir Kalani, Dakota Ridge; Drew Eickelman, Dakota Ridge; Neal Sklar, Cherry Creek; Colton Holub, Cherry Creek; Blake Benson, Cherry Creek; Andreas Fuentes, Ralston Valley; Armando Fowler, Ralston Valley; Tanner Colson, Lewis-Palmer; Addison Zeich, Lewis-Palmer; Justin Lico, Regis Jesuit; Anders Erickson, Regis Jesuit; Paxton Erickson, Regis Jesuit; Kale Lone, Regis Jesuit; Nolan Sargent, Regis Jesuit; Wyatt Verity, Regis Jesuit; Sam Miller, Denver East; Christian Backes, Denver East; Matt Pence, Denver East; Chad Kashiwa, Denver East.
[divider]
Peak Conference
First Team
Pos
Name
School
F
Kolby Donovan
Resurrection Christian
F
Zach Booth
Battle Mountain
F
Brennan McFarland
Resurrection Christian
D
Corbin Divita
Heritage
D
Ryan Smith
Cheyenne Mountain
G
Gage Redman
Aspen
Second Team
Pos
Name
School
F
Drew Bauer
Columbine
F
Dominic Lanese
Aspen
F
Matt More
Heritage
D
Ty Yocum
Aspen
D
Theodore Havner
Resurrection Christian
G
Zach Noyes
Columbine
Honorable mention: Nick DiPonio, Heritage; James Purse, Heritage; Trevor Taylor, Cheyenne Mountain; Chayse Heffler, Cheyenne Mountain; Dominic Lanese, Aspen.
[divider]
Pinnacle Conference
First Team
Pos
Name
School
F
Greg Bileck
Fort Collins
F
Dalton Giesbrecht
Air Academy
F
George Kandel
Kent Denver
D
Alex Walsh
Chaparral
D
Nathanial Benton
Standley Lake
G
Breyton Laskey
Standley Lake
Second Team
Pos
Name
School
F
Ben Zimmerman
Kent Denver
F
Gavin Gray
Air Academy
F
Hunter Beckett
Chatfield
D
Mikey Wilson
Liberty
D
Brian Wittmer
Kent Denver
G
Peyton Tritz
Steamboat Springs
Honorable mention: Paden Clark, Fort Collins; Connor McIlhany, Liberty; Cameron Lattemore, Liberty; Ryan Eichsteadt; Sean Gurlea, Summit; Ben Carlson, Summit; Luke Gosnell, Summit; Max Bonenberger, Summit; Isaac Eland, Summit; Will Caulkins, Kent Denver; Colby Moore, Kent Denver; Dalton Giesbrecht, Air Academy; Luke Borgerding, Steamboat Springs; Quinn Morton, Steamboat Springs; Jeremy Grove, Standley Lake; Ryan Iwanski, Standley Lake; Justus Aragon, Standley Lake; Dylan Riddley, Standley Lake; Phil Crespin, Standley Lake; Breyton Laskey, Standley Lake; Kayden Dormer, Chatfield; Calvin Knight, Chatfield.
[divider]
Highland Conference
First Team
Pos
Name
School
F
Luke Wheeler
Valor Christian
F
Tyler Montoya
Rampart
F
Tim Debord
Valor Christian
D
Jake Pacheco
Pueblo County
D
Cole Cavey
Valor Christian
G
Trey Hirschfield
Valor Christian
Second Team
Pos
Name
School
F
Dixson Root
Pueblo County
F
Broc Schindler
Pueblo County
F
Luke Lonneman
Valor Christian
D
Anthony Chambers
Valor Christian
D
Max Malinski
Valor Christian
G
Chase Allen
Rampart
Honorable mention: James Adams, Rampart; Trevor Jesse, Rampart; Garrett Cunfer, Rampart; Colten Criettendon, Pueblo County; Kaden Hardesty, Pueblo County; Andrew Burton, Coronado; Ian Wark, Coronado; Trevor Gordon, Coronado; Cole Brooker, Coronado; Nate Bradley, Woodland Park; Lou Levy, Woodland Park; Zack Swain, Palmer; Kyle Moore, Palmer; Andrew Rush, Palmer; Brandon Herd, Palmer; Dane Smith, Palmer; Blake Buchanan, Valor Christian; Mason Hoehn, Valor Christian; Colton Carslon, Valor Christian; Colten Crittendon, Crested Butte; Kaden Hardesty, Crested Butte; Michael Hensley, Crested Butte; Connor Mahon, Mullen; Matt Byerly, Mullen.
DENVER — The pain of a 55-40 loss to Class 4A Jeffco rival Valor Christian two years ago is now a distance memory for Evergreen’s girls basketball program.
“I try to think about it, but it seems so long ago,” Evergreen junior Claudia Dillon said of the 4A title game loss to Valor on March 12, 2016. As a freshman, Dillon fouled out on an offensive foul call with 5:49 left in the fourth quarter in a 6-point game at the time. “I do have a picture in my room of that last foul that I sometimes look at, but it’s OK. I got these two.”
What Dillon and the Cougars have now are back-to-back 4A state titles with consecutive championship victories over Pueblo South in 2017 and 2018. After never advancing to a state championship game in the program’s history, Evergreen has now played in three straight title games and racked up a remarkable 75-9 record under coach Amy Bahl during the three-season run.
Evergreen’s Kristina Schreiber (4) is one of seven graduating seniors for the Cougars. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Another eye-popping fact is the Cougars have lost just one game over the past three years to a non-Jeffco team. Holy Family defeated Evergreen early this season in a non-league game.
“We like the unfamiliarity a little bit,” Bahl said explaining how her team has just one loss to a non-Jeffco team over the past three years. “Playing teams that might not know us that well and we are able to execute our stuff a little bit better. Honestly, I don’t do anything differently or crazy. We do the little things good.”
Playing in the tough 4A Jeffco League has also been a tool used toward Evergreen’s success. A team in the conference has won the 4A state title the past four years and a Jeffco team has played in the 4A title game in 6-of-7 championship games dating back to the 2012 title game.
“It’s definitely shocking,” Evergreen senior Meriel Hahn said of Evergreen’s success against non-Jeffco teams. “We know we have a really competitive conference. Winning our conference this year really prepared us for this tournament and another state championship.”
Hahn, who had strong games in both championship games the past two years, believes the loss to Valor in Boulder two years ago motivated this group of seven seniors to go out as back-to-back state champions.
Evergreen’s stellar defense didn’t allow any opponent to reach 40 points in all five playoff games. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“It helped a lot,” Hahn said of the loss to Valor in 2016. “It definitely sucks to get this far and lose. Hardly anybody gets the chance to win your last game (senior year). That is what we really wanted. We wanted to show that we could go out with a win.”
Bahl also used the final prep game for Evergreen’s seven seniors in her pregame speech.
“I told the seniors, ‘This is your last game. You know when your last game is. A lot of seniors don’t get a chance to do that. How do you want to end your last game?’” Bahl said. “And they came out on point and on fire.”
Evergreen never trailed against Pueblo South. The Cougars showed their determination and heart by out-rebounding the Colts 49-18. Dillon and Hahn both put up double-doubles in points and rebounds.
Senior guards Kristina Schreiber and Gaylee Galan-Browne added nine points each to seal the victory.
“I’ve played with these girls since middle school. To be able to bring this home to our fans, family and the city of Evergreen is amazing,” Galan-Browne said while clutching the 4A state trophy. “This is a crazy experience. Who would have thought this? Everyone wanted to beat us and we beat everyone when it counted.”
Evergreen’s girls basketball coach Amy Bahl has guided the Cougars to a 75-9 record over the past three seasons. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
