Down two entering the fourth quarter, Colorado Academy girls basketball outscored Peak to Peak by 12 to get a 44-34 win.

Myles Purchase and Julian Hammond III each scored 20 points to help No. 7 Cherry Creek boys basketball knock off No. 2 Smoky Hill in a Class 5A matchup.

Chaparral boys basketball picked up a 65-50 win over Castle View on Tuesday.

(Dustin Price/dustinpricephotography.com)

INDIANAPOLIS — Revised rules for roster submissions and penalties assessed to the team bench are among the most prominent high school volleyball rules changes for the upcoming 2020-21 season.

At its annual meeting January 5-7 in downtown Indianapolis, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Volleyball Rules Committee recommended six rules changes that were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

“High school volleyball is in a great place, which is reflected in the small number of both rules proposals and rules changes this year,” said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Volleyball Rules Committee. “The NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee continues to be dedicated to finding ways to improve the administration of the game as is evident in the changes made for the 2020-21 volleyball season.”

The first notable change pertains to the consequences for late roster submissions and changes made to the roster after 10 minutes remain on the pregame clock (Rules 7-1-1, 9-9-1).

Previously, a team’s failure to submit an accurate roster to the second referee at the prematch conference warranted a loss of rally/point under Rule 7-1-1 and 7-1-1 PENALTIES. However, since the prematch conference happens well before the 10-minute mark during warmups, the requirement for total accuracy of the roster at that time has been removed, and the corresponding charge has been reduced to an unnecessary delay (administrative yellow card). The penalty for a roster correction(s) made after the 10-minute mark remains a loss of rally/point.

This modification was also noted under Rule 9-9-1, which specifies unnecessary delay scenarios, and is now listed as Rule 9-9-1a.

“The 2019-20 rules change requiring coaches to submit their rosters during the prematch conference created an unintended consequence that potentially double penalized teams if they were both late with the submission of their roster and had to make a change with under 10 minutes,” Atkinson said. “The rule change to an unnecessary delay for late submission creates a penalty progression that is more appropriate.”

Administrative leniency for an unsporting conduct situation was addressed with the second major rule change.

Under Rule 12-2-6, a yellow or red unsporting conduct card assessed to the coaching staff or team bench rescinded the head coach’s right to stand inside the libero replacement zone and forced him or her to remain seated for the remainder of the match.

The amendment to the rule lessens the severity of a yellow card in this instance and allows it to function as a warning rather than an automatic retraction of privileges. Head coaches are still required to sit immediately if a red card or second yellow card is imposed for unsporting conduct. 

“Overwhelming support came from both coaches and officials on the 2019 NFHS Volleyball Questionnaire for allowing the head coach to stand when issued a yellow card for unsporting conduct,” said Atkinson. “This change now provides the official with an opportunity to warn the head coach, when appropriate, before requiring them to stay seated for the remainder of the match.”

One further alteration was made regarding roster submissions. As part of the addendum to Rule 7-1-4, teams that list an incorrect libero number on a lineup provided during the timed interval or intermission between sets may now correct the clerical error before play begins with no penalty assessed.

A protective face mask similar to those worn in other sports is now permissible under Rule 4-1-4. Face masks must be made of hard material and must be molded to the face with no protrusions.

The final adjustment is a change to Official Signal No. 15, which now mandates that a substitution be represented with two short whistles by the official, followed by two shoulder-height rotations of the forearms around each other with closed hands.  

A complete listing of the volleyball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Volleyball.”

According to the 2018-19 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, volleyball is the second-most popular sports for girls (trailing track and field) with 452,808 participants in 16,572 schools nationwide. In addition, there are 63,563 boys participating in the sport at 2,692 schools, and 25 states conduct state championships in boys volleyball.

Limon boys basketball dominated from the opening tip to get a 58-19 win over Simla on Tuesday.

In a Class 2A top-10 showdown, No. 1 Limon girls basketball beat No. 8 Simla 49-40. It’s just the second loss of the season for the Cubs.

ThunderRidge girls basketball outscored Green Mountain by nine points in the fourth quarter to get a 35-34 win on Tuesday.

(Courtesy of Walsh HS)

Walsh girls basketball’s Jensen Renquist broke the state record for free throws made in a game last Friday.

Renquist, a freshman, made 24-of-26 free throws in a double-overtime loss to Wiley. The previous record was 23, set originally by Greeley West’s Lesa Morrill in 1988, and later tied by Taiylor Holland of Swink in 2014.

Renquist is just the 12th player in history to hit more than 20 free throws in a game, including Chatfield’s Grace Talbot, who was 20-of-20 in a game against Doherty earlier in January.

Renquist finished the game with 40 points, a career high, along with 13 rebounds, five blocks, four assists and a steal. Her previous career high was 21 points.

Walsh has a roster of just five players, and each of them played the entire game against Wiley.

Caleb Rillos scored 17 points to help Class 5A No. 5 Ralston Valley boys basketball get a 76-33 win over Wheat Ridge.

(Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

It was tough writing about hoops thinking of the tragic helicopter crash involving one of the greats Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and the others who passed in this accident.

A world wide superstar but we get the feeling that Kobe wouldn’t want the spotlight on him right now. I keep thinking about pushing forward with the “Mamba Mentality” … and move forward we shall! Love hard daily and attack every day with passion!

Just the way Kobe would want it…

The Look Back

Wednesday, Jan. 22

Quite a point guard treat we were treated to live as the Fever Crew joined Blake Olson and the thegameofthenight.com team for Arapahoe visiting Smoky Hill. Senior guard Bryson Stephens was on fire dropping 30 points for the Warriors but not to be outdone Smoky senior PG Quinten Rock scored in every imaginable way dropping a game high 37 points! Very entertaining game and the Centennial League is tough every night out!

Full game here.

Friday, Jan. 24

Found ourselves back at Smoky Hill for 9News Facebook Live #TGOTN action for a massive Top 5 match with Eaglecrest visiting Smoky Hill. Two of our state’s best floor generals in Zion Ruckard and Quinten Rock along with juniors Jalen Weaver and Ty Robinson who are top players regardless of classification in the region!

They didn’t disappoint folks.

Ruckard finished with 21 points, 8 assists but not enough as Weaver’s 27 points with with Rock’s 32 point, 6 assist effort lifted the Buffaloes to a 82-78 overtime win. If there was one game you want to watch if you missed it — this is the one!

Full game here.

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The Look Ahead

• There are seven new teams in this week’s rankings

Tuesday, Jan. 28

• No. 6 Fairview, now 13-3, will travel to Fort Collins. Greyson Carter continues to pace the Knights with almost 19 points per game.
• Longmont remains No. 3 in 4A after another 2-0 week. They’ll look to run away from Greeley Central who averages 40 points per game vs the Trojans 60 point pace.
• Speaking of scoring! The No. 2 Mead Mavericks are at a frantic 77 point-per-game pace and one of the most exciting “above the rim” teams to watch. They have a tough conference opponent in Windsor who Mead beat by 12 in their first match.
• Pueblo West, now up to No. 6 4A, is paced by Taylor Harris’ 15 points, 6 assists per game and face rival Pueblo County down south.
• Harrison had a 2-1 week and lost to new No. 10 Thomas Jefferson last week and they’ll look to bounce back vs. Mitchell.
• Joining Thomas Jefferson from the Denver Prep is Northfield who is now up to No. 4 in 4A and they have a league game vs. Denver West.
• Quietly rolling along is 5A No. 1 Rangeview at 15-0 and scoring a fierce 73 points per game and the show takes on Thornton Tuesday!
• Lincoln has dropped from the 4A rankings but believe they can compete any night and this will be a fun one for the City as the Lancers try to prove themselves again vs new No. 10 Thomas Jefferson. 
• Sheesh! “Monsta” season double-double average for Javonte Johnson (30 points 10 rebounds per game!) of No. 1 Cheyenne Mountain who will look to silence defending champ Lewis-Palmer, who started the season No. 1.

Wednesday, Jan. 29

• 5A Top-10 action gets Wednesday started in previously not ranked Valor Christian coming in this week at No. 8 tangling with 13-2 and fifth-ranked Ralston Valley. The Eagles recently notched an impressive 18-point win over Denver Eastm who was undefeated at the time. Can they take down another Top-5 squad?
• Speaking of Top-10 action we have another that will be worth the price of admission! Smoky Hill has moved up to No. 2 after last week’s electric performances. And don’t look now but Cherry Creek is finding their groove, to down Eaglecrest last week, and join the 5A Top 10 at No. 7. High level guard play here on both sides … young men who are great friends and teammates in club ball but rest assured they will attack each other like strangers! Smoky won two tremendous games at home last week, anxious to see what happens at Creek.
• Highlands Ranch is traveling to Parker to face Legend in some Continental League fun!
• After an 0-2 week Eaglecrest only fell one spot in 5A poll to No. 4. The Fever Crew thinks that’s deservedly so … a loss at Creek and at Smoky could happen to any team in the state and the Raptors are very good. They look to get back on track vs. league foe Cherokee Trail who won’t be easy either.
• Golden split games last week and fell two notches in our recent poll to No. 9. They’ll play the first of two games vs D’Evelyn this season. Keep an eye on Kevin Mullingan who leads Golden in EVERY statistical category.
• Mullen still looking for it’s first “CentennialTough” league win and it won’t be easy vs. No. 3 Grandview who was 2-0 last week and up two notches in our poll. Nice match up inside with Caleb McGill and Brayden Carter both leading their teams in scoring. The pace of Grandview will likely keep this game close but the Wolves execute well late.

Thursday, Jan. 30

• Some early 5:30 p.m. action in the city. Denver South vs. No. 10 Thomas Jefferson!
• Oooooohhhhhh we feel some “Gameofthenight.com” action here! Vista Peak is 13-2 on the season and have a huge league game in their place as No. 1 Rangeview is coming over for a visit! Someone must get their first league loss…the Bison will lean heavily on leading scorer AJ LaCabe vs the Raiders DEEP roster of athletes we’ve discussed many times.
• Some nice late-January non league play here Luke O’Brien leading the Columbine Rebels down south to face Doherty.

Friday, Jan. 31

• We have a new squad out west in the 4A Top 10. Glenwood Springs was not ranked but now 12-3 and have jumped in as No. 6 this week. A team to keep an eye on as we creep towards the post-season.
• No. 4 in 4A Northfield has a fun one against DPL perennial top team George Washington. An opportunity for Northfield to show, again, that they belong in the conversation of top city teams.
• Boulder was 3-0 last week, 12-3 overall, and caught the attention of our voters to grab the No. 9 ranking in 5A. They travel to Poudre for league play.
• No. 3 Longmont faces tough Thompson Valley.
• Skyline is playing solid ball with overall record of 11-4 and they play a bit of a slower pace than lights out No. 2 Mead. We’ll see how the contrasting styles play out!
• Friday nights in the Continental league always seem to be special. Chaparral and Highlands Ranch have dropped from 5A rankings but this is a solid match up. 
• Cheyenne Mountain, No. 1 and King of the Hill in 4A, travel over to Vista Ridge.

Saturday, Feb. 1

• A few too many Saturday 2:30 p.m. options, folks. Top Spot is No. 2 Smoky Hill visiting No. 3 Grandview … this will be EPIC — just take our word for it and we’ll have a full report on this one!
• #SaturdayCentennialTough Stuff baby! Don’t think Coach Danny Fisher is going to quit coaching his squad HARD because of the loss of big Graham Ike to injury. The Trailblazers shocked us all with a win over hot Smoky Hill recently and now look to protect home court vs. No. 3 Eaglecrest and the “firm” of Robinson, Ruckard, and Wilson coming for a 230 p.m. Saturday visit!
• Continuing the Centennial league Saturday Cherry Creek gets it on with Cherokee Trail!
• Need some 5 p.m. action? Arapahoe travels to Mullen! 
• Haven’t seen this Valor squad that’s kicking in gear? They play 7 p.m. at Lakewood!
• More 7 p.m. rivalry action brings Columbine and Pomona! Pomona is no stranger to “upsets” after taking down Denver East by 2!

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Final Thought

“Everything negative — pressure, challenges — is all an opportunity for me to rise.” — Kobe Bryant