CHSAANow

Tag: Ralston Valley

  • Hockey at the break: Columbine enjoying its best start — ‘by far’

    Cherry Creek Dakota Ridge hockey
    Cherry Creek and Dakota Ridge are among a host of contenders this season. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    The 2013-14 hockey season emerges from its annual winter break on Thursday. We take a look at where things stand:

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    Ralston Valley, last season’s champion, has just about rolled through its entire 2013 schedule. So have Monarch — last season’s runner-up — Mountain Vista and Regis Jesuit.

    Those four teams are all winning games by an average of at least 6.6 goals thus far. (Monarch is winning games by an average of 10.6 goals; Mountain Vista by 9 goals.)

    These teams are dominant — so far. Regis, Monarch and Mountain Vista have only played three games; Ralston Valley has played four. Thus, these stats don’t so much reveal a trend, but rather a lack of data.

    So here’s what we’re saying: It’s early. Very early. Those four teams are very much contenders to win this season’s championship. But they aren’t alone.

    Steamboat Springs Chatfield hockey
    Steamboat Springs. (Mark Adams)

    There’s also:

    • Lewis-Palmer (7-1-0). The Rangers have a number of quality wins — Standley Lake (3-2-1), Bishop Machebeuf (3-2-1), Resurrection Christian (4-2-0) — and the lone loss came to Ralston Valley, 5-2. That was the Mustangs’ closest contest of the season thus far.
    • Cherry Creek (5-1-1). The Bruins’ lone loss came 4-3 to Mountain Vista in overtime on Dec. 20; their tie came with Dakota Ridge (4-0-2) on Dec. 11.
    • Dakota Ridge (4-0-2). As noted above, one tie came with Creek, the other with Columbine (5-0-1).
    • And others on the bubble, such as Pueblo County (5-0-2), Columbine (5-0-1), Battle Mountain (4-1-1) and Steamboat Springs (4-3-0).

    Surprise team: Columbine.

    The Rebels are unbeaten, and have already matched their win total from last season, when they went 5-14-0. Furthermore, the program was 20-69-2 (.211) from 2008-09 to last season.

    “By far the best start we’ve ever had. Absolutely,” said Columbine coach Chris Gassman, who is now in his third season at the helm. “We’ve gotten better every year I’ve been there, but this is by far the best one.

    “We are definitely a surprise to everybody.”

    At the break, Columbine is tied for second in the Foothills Conference with four points. (Only conference games count toward the point total, and the Rebels are 2-0-0. Cherry Creek leads with five points at 2-0-1.) The Rebels are ranked No. 5 in the most recent CHSAANow.com poll.

    “Would I say I saw us starting out undefeated? No,” Gassman said. “But … we feel we’re a top-5 team in the conference this year, just with the kids we’ve got coming back.”

    The difference? Prior to the season, Gassman and coaches from Cherry Creek and Regis Jesuit put together a “preseason” league. Six high school teams competed as club teams — Cherry Creek, Cheyenne Mountain, Columbine, Heritage, Regis Jesuit and Resurrection Christian. Each team played the others two times.

    Columbine’s team also played a few preseason tournaments, and ended up playing “20-something games preseason-wise,” Gassman said.

    “Instead of only having two or three weeks (together) before the season started, we had three months,” Gassman said. “It gave us basically a season before CHSAA started.”

    So now, Columbine is already in mid-season form.

    “We’ve got pretty much the same group from last season, I think we added like five kids. It’s kind of the same good, solid group for a while,” Gassman said. “Something clicked, and they’re starting to figure it out.”

    Among Columbine’s wins are Steamboat Springs, which at one point was ranked, and Heritage, which is just on the fringe of the most recent poll. There’s also the tie with Dakota Ridge. Still, there isn’t yet a defining win. They get that chance with a game against Mountain Vista on Saturday. Six days later, Ralston Valley awaits.

    “We’re right back into it, right away,” Gassman said.

    Brothers Jacob Seibold and Logan Seibold both have seven points thus far to lead the team. Jacob has five goals and two assists, Logan has three goals and four assists.

    The Rebels have also had outstanding goaltending via senior Ashton Opperman (2-0-1, 0.31 GAA), Forest Czarnecki (2-0-0, 2.68) and Evan King (1-0-0, 2.65).

    “Ashton has been the backup the last couple of years, and this year, he has just kind of taken the team by himself. He has been unbelievable,” Gassman said. “Our other two kids … they’ve both given us a chance to win in every game we’ve played.

    “Goaltending has not been any part of a discussion or issue with this team, at all. It’s been nothing to worry about at all. It’s been fantastic.”

    Gassman said Opperman will likely play the majority of the games as the season heats up.

    Looking ahead: Things are really going to start taking shape as soon as this weekend. In addition to the Columbine game, Mountain Vista also plays Regis Jesuit on Friday.

    There’s also Monarch at Battle Mountain on Friday, and Ralston Valley at Cherry Creek on Saturday.

    We’ll start to get a good idea of where each team falls with each passing week. But things will happen fast: the regular season ends Feb. 15.

    Stat leaders:

    Points
    T1. Sam Horning (Palmer): 17
    T1. Jack Longenecker (Bishop Machebeuf): 17
    T3. DJ Jones (Lewis-Palmer): 15
    T3. Julain Claudio (Lewis-Palmer): 15
    5. Ryan Case (Cheyenne Mountain): 15

    Goals
    1. Sam Horning (Palmer): 13
    T2. DJ Jones (Lewis-Palmer): 10
    T2. Isaac Ruybal (Pueblo County): 10
    T4. Nick Rems (Bishop Machebeuf): 9
    T4. Cody Oakes (Cherry Creek): 9
    T4. Tim VanTuinen (Resurrection Christian): 9

    Assists
    1. Casey McMullin (Lewis-Palmer): 13
    2. Jack Longenecker (Bishop Machebeuf): 11
    T3. Julain Claudio (Lewis-Palmer): 8
    T3. Zach Lish (Resurrection Christian): 8
    T3. Nicholas Moewes (Pueblo County): 8

    Wins
    1. Brandon Crisp (Pueblo County): 5
    T2. Trent Trask (Steamboat Springs): 4
    T2. Andrew Karnes (Lewis-Palmer): 4

    GAA
    1. Marcus Smith (Lewis-Palmer): 0.00
    2. Ashton Opperman (Columbine): 0.31
    3. Bailey Aust (Monarch): 0.50
    4. Sam Gartner (Regis Jesuit): 0.67
    5. Quinton Reynolds (Cherry Creek): 0.73

    SV%
    1. Marcus Smith (Lewis-Palmer): 1.000
    2. Ashton Opperman (Columbine): .991
    3. Quinton Reynolds (Cherry Creek): .966
    4. Cody Trujillo (Chatfield): .957
    5. Jeff Hart (Dakota Ridge): .947

  • Mountain Vista makes big jump in hockey ranking

    Ralston Valley forward Evan Lukens, right, puts a hit on Cheyenne Mountain junior Casey Kosley during the second period Monday night at the Apex Ice Arena. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Ralston Valley remains atop the hockey poll this week. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Mountain Vista’s big week has made an impression on the hockey voters.

    The Golden Eagles, coming off a 3-0-0 week which included a 4-3 overtime win over then-No. 6 Cherry Creek, moved up six places to No. 2 in this week’s CHSAANow.com ranking.

    Ralston Valley continued to lead the poll, and received five of the six first-place votes. Monarch is third, Cherry Creek is fourth and Columbine rounds out the top-5.

    These polls will serve as the rankings over the winter break, and through the first part of January. The next poll will not come out until Jan. 13.

    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.

    Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

    Hockey
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Ralston Valley (5) 4-0-0 50 1 1-0-0
    2 Mountain Vista (1) 3-0-0 48 8 3-0-0
    3 Monarch 3-0-0 45 2 2-0-0
    4 Cherry Creek 5-1-1 33 6 3-1-0
    5 Columbine 5-0-1 32 4 2-0-1
    6 Lewis-Palmer 6-1-0 29 9 3-0-0
    7 Regis Jesuit 3-0-0 25 3 0-0-0
    8 Dakota Ridge 4-0-2 17 5 1-0-2
    9 Pueblo County 5-0-2 12 – 2-0-2
    10 Battle Mountain 4-1-1 9 – 2-0-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Heritage 8, Bishop Machebeuf 5, Palmer 4, Cheyenne Mountain 3, Doherty 2, Rampart 1, Standley Lake 1.
    Dropped out
    Resurrection Christian (7), Steamboat Springs (10).

  • Ralston Valley enters 5A girls basketball ranking at No. 10

    Ralston Valley senior Janelle Feldmann, far left, and junior Morgan Nishida, far right, attempt to rip the ball away from Chatfield sophomore Peyton Gibler during the Class 5A Jeffco League opener for both teams Tuesday night. Ralston Valley came away with a 60-51 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Ralston Valley is No. 10 in this week’s 5A girls basketball poll. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Ralston Valley has joined this week’s Class 5A CHSAANow.com girls basketball poll. The Mustangs, who went 2-0 last week, are No. 10.

    Elsewhere, the No. 1 teams remained the same. Those are Regis Jesuit (5A), Broomfield (4A), Holy Family (3A), Yuma (2A) and Caliche (1A).

    Mesa Ridge made the most significant jump in the 4A poll in going from No. 5 to No. 3.

    The 3A poll added Sterling (No. 6) and Peak to Peak (No. 8).

    These polls will serve as the rankings over the winter break, and through the first part of January. The next poll will not come out until Jan. 13.

    Complete rankings for all classes 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.

    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 Regis Jesuit (15) 6-1 150 1 2-1
    2 Highlands Ranch 7-1 124 2 3-0
    3 ThunderRidge 7-2 108 3 2-2
    4 Fossil Ridge 8-0 97 5 2-0
    5 Grandview 7-1 96 4 2-1
    6 Lakewood 8-0 54 7 2-0
    7 Rock Canyon 4-2 47 6 2-1
    8 Castle View 6-1 37 8 4-0
    9 Cherry Creek 7-1 24 9 4-0
    10 Ralston Valley 6-2 21 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Pine Creek 20, Denver East 11, Rampart 11, Grand Junction 5, Arapahoe 4, Monarch 4, Mountain Vista 4, Horizon 3, Legend 3, Dakota Ridge 1, Poudre 1.
    Dropped out
    Monarch (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Broomfield (13) 6-0 148 1 1-0
    2 Pueblo South 7-1 126 2 3-0
    3 Mesa Ridge (2) 7-0 118 5 4-0
    4 Valor Christian 7-2 92 3 2-2
    5 Elizabeth 7-1 73 6 2-1
    6 Pueblo West 6-1 68 4 2-1
    7 Palmer Ridge 6-1 57 8 2-0
    8 D’Evelyn 4-3 34 7 0-0
    9 Sand Creek 3-2 33 9 0-0
    10 Silver Creek 5-2 23 10 1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Glenwood Springs 21, Pueblo East 10, Palisade 8, Pueblo County 5, Thompson Valley 3, Air Academy 2, Mullen 2, Eagle Valley 1, Longmont 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Holy Family (8) 7-1 116 1 1-1
    2 Pagosa Springs (4) 6-0 102 2 2-0
    3 Lamar 6-0 77 5 2-0
    4 Centauri 6-0 73 3 1-0
    5 Bishop Machebeuf 5-1 61 6 1-0
    6 Sterling 6-1 50 – 3–1
    7 Eaton 5-1 35 4 1-1
    8 Peak to Peak 5-1 25 – 2-0
    9 Strasburg 6-0 24 10 2-0
    10 Coal Ridge 5-1 14 9 1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Trinidad 11, Kent Denver 9, The Classical Academy 8, Frontier Academy 8, Valley 7, Brush 6, Olathe 6, The Academy 6, Aurora West 5, Middle Park 4, St. Mary’s 4, The Pinnacle 3, Florence 2, Manitou Springs 2, Jefferson Academy 1, Sheridan 1.
    Dropped out
    Estes Park (7), St. Mary’s (8).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Yuma (9) 4-0 108 1 1-0
    2 Peyton (2) 6-0 94 3 2-0
    3 Lutheran 4-0 80 4 2-0
    4 Akron 4-1 67 2 2-1
    5 Liberty Common 7-0 58 6 0-0
    6 Simla 5-0 40 7 1-0
    7 Hoehne 3-1 32 9 0-0
    8 Paonia 4-2 31 8 2-0
    9 Meeker 3-1 26 – 0-0
    10 Sangre de Cristo 3-3 18 5 0-3
    Others receiving votes:
    Heritage Christian 14, Kiowa 12, Crowley County 7, The Vanguard 7, Del Norte 5, Wray 2, Highland 1, Hotchkiss 1, Limon 1, Springfield 1.
    Dropped out
    Kiowa (10).

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Caliche (4) 5-0 49 1 1-0
    2 Norwood (1) 5-0 44 3 2-0
    3 Idalia 5-0 38 4 1-0
    4 Eads 5-1 36 2 2-1
    5 Kit Carson 4-2 30 6 2-1
    6 Prairie 6-0 25 7 2-0
    7 McClave 4-1 17 10 1-1
    8 Cheraw 5-0 10 9 2-0
    9 Dove Creek 6-0 8 5 2-0
    10 Liberty/Stratton 3-3 7 8 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Hi-Plains 4, Holly 3, Walsh 3, Belleview Christian 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

  • Photo gallery: Girls swimming’s Coaches Invite

    THORNTON — Fairview won girls swimming’s annual Coaches Invite at VMAC on Saturday. The Knights’ 271 total team points bested second-place Cherry Creek (238) and third-place Regis Jesuit (217).

    Team results are below. Find complete results on MaxPreps.

    Coaches Invite: Team scores
    Place Name Dive Total Total
    1 Fairview 271
    2 Cherry Creek 238
    3 Regis Jesuit 31 217
    4 Heritage 155
    5 Ralston Valley 147
    6 Fossil Ridge 9 145
    7 ThunderRidge 125
    8 Mountain Range 13 120
    9 Mountain Vista 112
    10 Chaparral 98
    11 Niwot 83
    12 Arapahoe 60
    13 Broomfield 53
    14 Monarch 6 45
    15 Rock Canyon 7 39
    T16 Highlands Ranch 36
    T16 Grandview 36
    T18 Silver Creek 35
    T18 Boulder 35
    20 Lakewood 2 33
    21 Mullen 28 28
    22 Brighton 26
    23 Pine Creek 1 25
    24 Windsor 24
    25 Legend 20
    26 Chatfield 19 19
    T27 St. Mary’s Academy 17 17
    T27 Smoky Hill 17
    29 Castle View 15 15
    30 Greeley West 14
    31 Golden 9
    32 Thompson Valley 8
    33 Northglenn 7
    34 Dakota Ridge 6
    35 Fort Collins 3 3
    36 Legacy 2
    37 Skyline 1

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  • Ralston Valley girls basketball wins league opener against Chatfield

    Ralston Valley senior Janelle Feldmann, far left, and junior Morgan Nishida, far right, attempt to rip the ball away from Chatfield sophomore Peyton Gibler during the Class 5A Jeffco League opener for both teams Tuesday night. Ralston Valley came away with a 60-51 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Ralston Valley senior Janelle Feldmann, far left, and junior Morgan Nishida, far right, attempt to rip the ball away from Chatfield sophomore Peyton Gibler during the Class 5A Jeffco League opener for both teams Tuesday night. Ralston Valley came away with a 60-51 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)

    LITTLETON — Staying at the top of the heap is never easy.

    Ralston Valley girls basketball team knows its will be a marked team every time it takes the court during the Class 5A Jeffco League schedule. The Mustangs are attempting to win their fourth straight conference title.

    It wasn’t trouble-free, but Ralston Valley (5-2) took care of business Tuesday night in its league opener with a 60-51 road victory against Chatfield (2-4).

    “It wasn’t the win we wanted to come out with, but with it just being out of the way we can build on it to improve,” said Ralston Valley junior Morgan Nishida, who led the Mustangs with a team-high 16 points.

    Ralston Valley freshman Sarah Bevington looks for an open teammate through traffic during the first half Tuesday night at Chatfield High School. The Mustangs opened their conference season with a 60-51 victory over Chatfield. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Ralston Valley freshman Sarah Bevington looks for an open teammate through traffic during the first half Tuesday night at Chatfield High School. The Mustangs opened their conference season with a 60-51 victory over Chatfield. (Dennis Pleuss)

    The Mustangs held a single-digit lead for the majority of the game until a 3-point play by senior Chantal Jacobs early in the fourth quarter gave Ralston Valley a 49-39 lead. Jacobs had a strong second half scoring all 12 points after halftime.

    Nishida and Jacobs combined to go 8-of-9 from the free-throw line in the final quarter to seal the victory. Freshmen Ashley Van Sickle (13 points) and Sydney Prey (12 points) had solid games for the Mustangs.

    Ralston Valley coach Jeff Gomer was happy to take the victory to open league play, but saw plenty of areas for improvement.

    “We played like we were young,” said Gomer, who started a pair of freshmen and a sophomore. “We just weren’t very patient. We are talented. We are just young, but we’ve got to learn fast.”

    Gomer was without the services of seniors Sierra Galbreath and Amanda Lefholz. Galbreath has an injury that will keep her out for about a month. Lefholz was ill Tuesday and didn’t make the trip up to Chatfield High School.

    “We are going to need (Galbreath and Lefholz) later in the season,” Nishida said. “I think we came in timid and scared tonight without them. We’ve just got to build our confidence.”

    Ralston Valley freshman Ashley Van Sickle (5) brings the ball up the court on Chatfield senior Kate Gelston on Tuesday night at Chatfield High School. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Ralston Valley freshman Ashley Van Sickle (5) brings the ball up the court on Chatfield senior Kate Gelston on Tuesday night at Chatfield High School. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Chatfield had some confidence after taking a 10-8 lead after the first quarter. Seniors Emily Lachenmayer and Katie Glander each scored 10 points to lead the Chargers.

    An attacking offensive style for Chatfield paid off with several trips to the foul line. The Chargers finished 16-of-27 from the charity stripe. Ralston Valley on the other hand made just three trips to the foul line before the fourth quarter.

    “If you are aggressive and attack you never know,” Chatfield coach Mike Deutsch said of the Chargers’ advantage at the line. “You let the officials make the call. That was encouraging.”

    Deutsch also doesn’t mind the fact that his team faced Ralston Valley and goes up against undefeated Lakewood at 7 p.m. Friday before winter break. The Tigers are undefeated on the season and entered the CHSAANow.com 5A girls’ hoops rankings this week at No. 7.

    “I like going into January knowing kind what we have to do and what we are up against,” Deutsch said of facing the two favorites to win the conference title. “I think it’s an advantage. We can talk over winter break about what we need to work on.”

    Chatfield senior Jaelyn Gonzales, left, and Ralston Valley junior Morgan Nishida battle for a loose ball Tuesday during a Class 5A Jeffco League opener at Chatfield High School. Nishida scored a game-high 16 points in the Mustangs' 60-51 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Chatfield senior Jaelyn Gonzales, left, and Ralston Valley junior Morgan Nishida battle for a loose ball Tuesday during a Class 5A Jeffco League opener at Chatfield High School. Nishida scored a game-high 16 points in the Mustangs’ 60-51 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)

    While Gomer wants this year’s squad to write its own chapter, he admits the conference success has put a target on its back.

    “I know this,” said Gomer after the Mustangs stretched it conference-winning streak to 17 games dating back to last season. “Every time we step on the floor somebody wants a piece of us. That’s tough.”

    To say Ralston Valley has dominated the 5A Jeffco League in recent years is an understatement. The Mustangs have a 31-1 conference record over the previous two seasons, only dropping their league finale to rival Arvada West during the 2011-12 season.

    Ralston Valley rolled to a 16-0 league mark last year to claim its third straight 5A Jeffco championship.

    Ralston Valley will continue its league journey on the road 7 p.m. Friday at Columbine.

  • Resurrection Christian, Lewis-Palmer are newcomers to hockey poll

    Cherry Creek Dakota Ridge hockey
    Dakota Ridge is ranked fifth in this week’s hockey poll. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    Resurrection Christian and Lewis-Palmer have joined this week’s CHSAANow.com hockey poll.

    Resurrection Christian, now 3-1-0, is No. 7 this week. The Cougars went 3-0-0 last week, including a 5-2 win over then-No. 8 Steamboat Springs on Friday. Steamboat dropped to No. 10 this week.

    Lewis-Palmer, meanwhile, is No. 9. The Rangers beat then-No. 10 Standley Lake and Bishop Machebeuf last week.

    Ralston Valley continued to hold the top spot. The Mustangs were idle last week, as was the No. 2 team, Monarch.

    Regis Jesuit jumped up from No. 6 to No. 3 after winning its first three games of the season. Columbine is fourth this week, and Dakota Ridge rounds out the top 5.

    Aspen (No. 9) and Standley Lake (No. 10) dropped out this week.

    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.

    Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

    Hockey
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Ralston Valley (4) 3-0-0 49 1 0-0-0
    2 Monarch (1) 1-0-0 45 2 0-0-0
    3 Regis Jesuit 3-0-0 37 6 3-0-0
    4 Columbine 3-0-1 33 3 0-0-1
    5 Dakota Ridge 3-0-2 25 7 1-0-2
    6 Cherry Creek 2-0-1 24 5 1-0-1
    7 Resurrection Christian 3-1-0 15 – 3-0-0
    8 Mountain Vista 0-0-0 14 4 0-0-0
    9 Lewis-Palmer 3-1-0 12 – 2-0-0
    10 Steamboat Springs 3-1-0 10 8 1-1–1
    Others receiving votes:
    Battle Mountain 4, Aspen 3, Air Academy 2, Heritage 1, Pueblo County 1.
    Dropped out
    Aspen (9), Standley Lake (10).

  • Ralston Valley escapes rival Arvada West to claim tournament title

    Arvada West junior Thomas Neff (15) scramble after a loose ball as Ralston Valley junior Andrew Wingard hits the floor Friday night during the Ralston Roundup tournament championship game. The host Mustangs beat the Wildcats 48-45. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Arvada West junior Thomas Neff (15) scramble after a loose ball as Ralston Valley junior Andrew Wingard hits the floor Friday night during the Ralston Roundup tournament championship game. The host Mustangs beat the Wildcats 48-45. (Dennis Pleuss)

    ARVADA — Ralston Valley boys basketball team prides itself on defense, but in facing Arvada West junior Thomas Neff on Friday night, the Mustangs were realistic.

    “Our main focus was to contain (Neff), not stop him or shut him down,” Ralston Valley senior Zac Stevens said of the Mustangs’ defensive mindset. “(Neff) is going to score points.”

    Neff, who game in averaging 23 points per game, had a game-high 22 points. However, Ralston Valley held on for a 48-45 victory in the championship game of the Ralston Roundup tournament. It was the third title for the host Mustangs over the past four years.

    “We knew were we going to win it on our defense and how we guarded (Neff),” Ralston Valley coach Mitch Conrad said. “He is a great player. We made it difficult for him. He had to earn it.”

    Ralston Valley sophomore Dallas Walton, left, drive on Arvada West junior Thomas Neff during the championship game of the Ralston Roundup tournament Friday night at Ralston Valley High School. Ralston Valley edge its 5A Jeffco rival 48-45. Walton and Neff were both named to the all-tournament team. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Ralston Valley sophomore Dallas Walton, left, drive on Arvada West junior Thomas Neff during the championship game of the Ralston Roundup tournament Friday night at Ralston Valley High School. Ralston Valley edge its 5A Jeffco rival 48-45. Walton and Neff were both named to the all-tournament team. (Dennis Pleuss)

    The game came down to the final seconds where the Wildcats (3-1) weren’t able to give Neff the opportunity to hit a game-tying 3-pointer. A-West junior Dhillon Greene purposely missed a free throw with three seconds left and the Wildcats trailing by three.

    A-West was able to get the rebound, but the kickoff to Neff was off the mark and the ball sailed toward midcourt as time expired.

    “I just wish the outcome was a little different, but I’m glad we go to play them before league,” said Neff, who was named to the all-tournament team for the runner-up Wildcats.

    Greene was the only other A-West player to reach double-digit points. He finished with 10.

    Junior Andrew Wingard led Ralston Valley (5-2). The star tailback on the Mustangs’ football team finished with 15 points, including four 3-pointers.

    Ralston Valley senior Rane Hornecker, middle, drives on Arvada West senior Marcus Culhane, left and sophomore Luke Neff during the first half Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Ralston Valley senior Rane Hornecker, middle, drives on Arvada West senior Marcus Culhane, left and sophomore Luke Neff during the first half Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss)

    “Wingard, the last two games, has really big clutch for us,” Conrad said. “That’s really good to see from one of the young guys.”

    Steven pitched in nine points and senior Rane Hornecker had seven points, including a key free throw with 10 seconds left in the game to give the Mustangs a 48-44 lead.

    A-West and Ralston Valley will get very familiar with each other by the end of the hoops season.

    The Arvada-area rivals and Class 5A Jeffco League foes schools separated by 3.4 miles will square off against at least twice more this season in conference games. A-West and Ralston Valley are scheduled for league games Jan. 23 (at Ralston Valley) and Feb. 21 (at A-West).

    “We want to play the best to make ourselves better,” Conrad said of the quality of the tournament that featured 5A’s No. 3 ranked squad in Rangeview that placed fifth. “Three Jeffco teams in here and hopefully it will make us all better so Jeffco can make a deeper run in the state tournament.”

    The Wildcats and Mustangs will both dive into league play next Tuesday, Dec. 17. A-West will hit the road to face a strong Lakewood squad. The Mustangs host defending 5A League champion Chatfield. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.

    [divider]

    D’Evelyn wins third place

    D'Evelyn senior Ty McGee, left, threads a pass over Montbello junior Troy Green (0) and Karamoka Cisse (10) during the third-place game of the Ralston Roundup tournament at Ralston Valley High School. D'Evelyn defeated Montbello 79-70. (Dennis Pleuss)
    D’Evelyn senior Ty McGee, left, threads a pass over Montbello junior Troy Green (0) and Karamoka Cisse (10) during the third-place game of the Ralston Roundup tournament at Ralston Valley High School. D’Evelyn defeated Montbello 79-70. (Dennis Pleuss)

    The D’Evelyn Jaguars won the third-place game with a 79-70 victory against Montbello.

    “Montbello is really talented. I think they will be really good later in the year,” D’Evelyn coach Troy Pachner said. “That was a great win for us.”

    Ty McGee (23 points) and Grant Witherspoon (20 points) led the way for the Jaguars.

    D’Evelyn, ranked No. 9 in this week’s CHSAANow.com 4A boys basketball poll, has had a rollercoaster of a season so far. The Jaguars slipped to 4A Jeffco rival Golden last week in the D’Evelyn/Golden Preview Classic championship game, but rebounded quickly with a victory against 5A’s No. 3-ranked Rangeview in the first round of the Ralston Roundup.

    A loss Thursday to A-West in the semifinals of the tournament moved the Jaguars into the third-place game.

    “It’s been peaks and valleys,” said McGee, who was named to the all-tournament team. “We’ve just need to keep going steady.”

    [divider]

    All-Tournament Team

    D’Evelyn senior Ty McGee
    Rock Canyon junior Mitchell Lombard
    Rangeview senior Jeremiah Paige
    Arvada West junior Thomas Neff
    Ralston Valley sophomore Dallas Walton

  • Ralston Valley on top of first hockey ranking, Monarch second

    Ralston Valley is atop the hockey poll. (Evan Gustafson/The Review)
    Ralston Valley is atop the hockey poll. (Evan Gustafson/The Review)

    Ralston Valley, the defending champion and off to a 3-0-0 start this year, leads the first CHSAANow.com hockey poll of the season.

    The Mustangs are outscoring opponents 25-3 thus far. They received all five first-place votes this week.

    Monarch, last season’s runner-up, is second. The Coyotes own a 12-1 win over Liberty to open the season.

    Columbine, also off to a 3-0-0 start, is No. 3 this week. The Rebels did not make the postseason last year after going 5-14-0.

    Mountain Vista, yet to play a game, is No. 4, and Cherry Creek rounds out the top 5. Regis Jesuit is sixth, and is followed by Dakota Ridge, Steamboat Springs, Aspen and Standley Lake.

    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.

    Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

    Hockey
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Ralston Valley (5) 3-0-0 50
    2 Monarch 1-0-0 44
    3 Columbine 3-0-0 34
    4 Mountain Vista 0-0-0 31
    5 Cherry Creek 1-0-0 26
    6 Regis Jesuit 0-0-0 24
    7 Dakota Ridge 2-0-0 17
    8 Steamboat Springs 2-0-0 15
    9 Aspen 2-0-0 12
    10 Standley Lake 1-0-1 7
    Others receiving votes:
    Battle Mountain 5, Lewis-Palmer 4, Air Academy 3, Heritage 3.

  • 5A girls basketball ranking adds Fossil Ridge, Ralston Valley

    Regis Jesuit continues to be atop the 5A girls basketball ranking. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
    Regis Jesuit continues to be atop the 5A girls basketball ranking. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    Fossil Ridge and Ralston Valley have joined this week’s CHSAANow.com 5A girls basketball poll.

    Fossil Ridge is off to a 4-0 start, including in-state wins over Chaparral and Fruita Monument, as well as a 2-0 showing in Wyoming. The SaberCats are No. 9 this week.

    Ralston Valley is No. 10 in the poll. The Mustangs went 2-1 last week with a loss to Rock Canyon, but beat Cherry Creek and then-No. 3 Arapahoe. Arapahoe dropped out this week.

    The No. 1 teams from last week all stayed put. So Regis Jesuit (5A), Broomfield (4A), Holy Family (3A), Yuma (2A) and Caliche (1A) all continue to lead their respective polls.

    Complete rankings for all classes 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.

    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 Regis Jesuit (22) 2-0 220 1 2-0
    2 Highlands Ranch 4-1 181 2 4-1
    3 ThunderRidge 3-0 152 8 3-0
    4 Grandview 2-0 149 4 2-0
    5 Castle View 1-0 87 7 1-0
    6 Monarch 0-0 81 6 0-0
    7 Poudre 3-0 80 10 3-0
    8 Rock Canyon 2-1 78 5 2-1
    9 Fossil Ridge 4-0 45 – 4-0
    10 Ralston Valley 2-1 34 – 2-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Horizon 28, Lakewood 18, Cherry Creek 15, Arapahoe 14, Rampart 9, Chaparral 6, Bear Creek 4, Pine Creek 4, Denver East 3, Grand Junction 1, Palmer 1.
    Dropped out
    Arapahoe (3), Cherry Creek (9).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Broomfield (10) 2-0 125 1 2-0
    2 Pueblo South (3) 1-0 118 2 1-0
    3 Mesa Ridge 2-0 106 4 2-0
    4 Pueblo West 3-0 63 6 3-0
    5 Palmer Ridge 3-0 50 8 3-0
    6 Sand Creek 1-1 48 5 1-1
    7 Valor Christian 3-0 45 – 3-0
    8 D’Evelyn 2-2 44 3 2-2
    9 Silver Creek 3-0 41 – 3-0
    10 Elizabeth 1-0 36 – 1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Montrose 21, Conifer 4, Longmont 4, Pueblo County 4, Delta 2, Canon City 1, Mullen 1, Thompson Valley 1, Windsor 1.
    Dropped out
    Montrose (7), Canon City (9), Air Academy (10).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Holy Family (13) 2-0 130 1 2-0
    2 Pagosa Springs 1-0 100 2 1-0
    3 Centauri 3-0 86 5 3-0
    4 Lamar 1-0 74 4 1-0
    5 Eaton 3-0 64 7 3-0
    6 St. Mary’s 0-0 56 6 0-0
    7 Peak to Peak 1-0 35 9 1-0
    8 Valley 0-0 34 8 0-0
    9 Kent Denver 3-0 33 – 3-0
    10 Sterling 2-1 24 10 2-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Bishop Machebeuf 23, Olathe 16, Faith Christian 7, Clear Creek 6, Grand Valley 5, Jefferson Academy 4, Manitou Springs 4, Estes Park 3, Coal Ridge 2, Denver Science & Tech 2, Platte Valley 2, Salida 2, Brush 1, Classical Academy 1, Trinidad 1.
    Dropped out
    Denver Science & Tech (3).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Yuma (7) 2-0 88 1 2-0
    2 Akron (1) 1-0 76 2 1-0
    3 Peyton 1-0 63 4 1-0
    4 Lutheran (1) 1-0 57 3 1-0
    5 Holyoke 1-0 45 6 1-0
    6 Sangre de Cristo 3-0 37 5 3-0
    7 Meeker 1-0 25 10 1-0
    8 Paonia 1-1 20 7 1-1
    9 Simla 1-0 18 – 1-0
    10 Liberty Common 4-0 16 – 4-0
    Others receiving votes:
    The Vanguard 15, Wray 9, Highland 6, Hoehne 5, Del Norte 4, Limon 4, Rye 3, Heritage Christian 2, Kiowa 1, Springfield 1.
    Dropped out
    Rye (8), The Vanguard (9).

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Caliche (5) 2-0 67 1 2-0
    2 Eads 1-0 57 2 1-0
    3 Norwood (2) 2-0 55 5 2-0
    4 Idalia 2-0 43 4 2-0
    5 Stratton 0-0 41 3 0-0
    6 Kit Carson 0-0 34 6 0-0
    7 Dove Creek 2-0 23 – 2-0
    8 Hi-Plains 0-0 15 7 0-0
    9 Belleview Christian 3-0 14 – 3-0
    10 Holly 2-0 9 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Wiley 6, Briggsdale 5, Prairie 5, Walsh 4, McClave 3, Centennial 2, Jim Elliot Christian 1, South Baca 1.
    Dropped out
    Kim (8), Pawnee (9), Walsh (10).

  • Day 1 results from the state spirit championships

    DENVER — The first day of the state spirit championships is in the books, and five champions were crowned on Friday night.

    Grandview captured the 5A pom competition; Rock Canyon won 5A cheer; Dakota Ridge won 4A/5A co-ed cheer; Mountain Vista won hip hop; and Heritage won jazz.

    Below are the complete results, including the finalists and their order of finish.

    [divider]

    Class 5A poms

    Grandview won the 5A poms competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Grandview won the 5A poms competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Prelims
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Grandview 94.83 471.00
    2 Thunderridge 94.50 470.50
    3 Cherry Creek 93.33 466.50
    4 Ralston Valley 92.67 461.50
    5 Legacy 92.50 461.50
    6 Arapahoe 92.00 462.00
    7 Chatfield 90.17 450.00
    8 Regis 89.33 445.50
    9 Fairview 89.17 440.00
    10 Fruita Monument 87.33 437.50
    11 Horizon 86.50 431.50
    12 Prairie View 84.50 422.00
    13 Eaglecrest 83.33 419.00
    14 Rocky Mountain 83.17 417.50
    14 Doherty 83.17 414.00
    16 Boulder 83.00 417.00
    17 Arvada West 82.00 408.50
    18 Dakota Ridge 81.17 404.50
    19 Littleton 80.33 400.00
    20 Brighton 79.50 399.50
    21 Grand Junction 79.17 394.00
    22 Fossil Ridge 79.00 399.00
    23 Denver East 78.67 393.00
    24 Central (Gj) 76.33 380.00
    25 Mountain Range 76.17 384.50
    26 Bear Creek 70.67 357.00
    Finals
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Grandview 95.00 473.00
    2 Thunderridge 94.67 472.50
    2 Legacy  94.67 468.00
    4 Arapahoe 93.83 468.50
    5 Cherry Creek 93.33 468.00
    6 Ralston Valley 92.50 462.00

    [divider]

    Class 5A cheer

    Rock Canyon won the 5A cheer competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Rock Canyon won the 5A cheer competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Prelims
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Rock Canyon 91.47 457.00
    2 Grandview 88.63 445.00
    3 Douglas County 88.53 441.10
    4 Eaglecrest 87.70 435.70
    5 Chaparral 85.83 428.20
    6 Rocky Mountain 83.67 419.10
    7 Arapahoe 83.17 411.20
    8 Pine Creek 81.70 407.20
    9 Fossil Ridge 79.10 397.70
    10 Regis 76.63 388.60
    11 Prairie View 73.93 366.80
    12 Horizon 73.83 369.50
    13 Legacy 71.37 354.60
    14 Monarch 71.27 356.80
    15 Standley Lake 70.83 348.10
    16 Highlands Ranch 70.83 355.30
    17 Loveland 69.93 347.90
    18 Cherry Creek 69.63 349.70
    19 Bear Creek 68.87 335.20
    20 Poudre 68.67 342.00
    21 Heritage 68.40 339.90
    22 Denver East 68.07 343.30
    23 Smoky Hill 67.93 340.60
    24 Grand Junction 66.87 331.60
    25 Rangeview 65.73 331.60
    26 Brighton 62.90 317.50
    27 Columbine 62.73 312.20
    28 Rampart 59.47 293.20
    29 Littleton 58.87 288.70
    30 Greeley West 57.90 291.50
    31 Thornton 54.40 269.70
    32 Boulder 53.97 275.70
    33 Northglenn 52.33 274.40
    34 George Washington 48.07 249.90
    35 Overland 45.77 231.80
    36 Chatfield 44.73 230.30
    37 Hinkley 35.00 182.40
    38 Gateway 0.00 0.00
    Finals
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Rock Canyon 93.23 466.80
    2 Eaglecrest 91.10 456.50
    3 Grandview 89.70 447.30
    4 Pine Creek 87.53 431.80
    5 Rocky Mountain 83.40 417.80
    6 Douglas County 83.23 418.50
    7 Arapahoe 83.13 421.80
    8 Chaparral 80.87 404.50

    [divider]

    Class 4A/5A co-ed cheer

    Dakota Ridge won the co-ed cheer competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Dakota Ridge won the co-ed cheer competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Prelims
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Dakota Ridge 88.53 440.60
    2 Mountain Vista 84.23 421.80
    3 Thunderridge 76.63 385.30
    4 Castle View 76.40 379.10
    5 Cherokee Trail 74.93 372.40
    6 Palisade 72.80 366.00
    7 Air Academy 71.47 357.00
    8 Falcon 70.50 355.50
    9 Legend 70.37 353.30
    10 Ralston Valley 69.67 342.30
    11 Fruita Monument 68.30 339.50
    12 Fountain-Ft. Carson 66.80 332.10
    13 Centaurus 65.27 326.60
    14 Liberty 63.90 317.30
    15 Greeley Central 60.90 311.10
    16 Doherty 59.07 297.00
    17 Arvada West 58.13 296.80
    18 Westminster 56.27 285.20
    19 Montrose 55.43 282.10
    20 Steamboat Springs 53.17 276.50
    21 Abraham Lincoln  52.33 261.70
    22 Central (Gj) 51.47 261.50
    23 Pomona 50.30 252.40
    24 Pueblo County 48.97 247.40
    25 Denver West 48.10 239.50
    26 John F. Kennedy 47.73 243.30
    27 Arvada 44.43 228.00
    28 Aurora Central  44.37 215.00
    29 Adams City 43.93 224.80
    30 Denver South 41.90 214.30
    31 Skyview 0.00 0.00
    31 Sierra 0.00 0.00
    Finals
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Dakota Ridge 93.80 465.60
    2 Mountain Vista 83.17 414.20
    3 Castleview 78.20 391.50
    4 Thunderridge 74.30 375.00
    5 Cherokee Trail 72.43 358.00
    6 Palisade 57.77 288.30

    [divider]

    Hip hop

    Mountain Vista won the hip hop competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Mountain Vista won the hip hop competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Prelims
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Mountain Vista 94.67 472.00
    2 Overland 91.33 457.00
    3 Monarch 90.33 452.00
    4 Greeley West 87.67 435.00
    5 Smoky Hill 86.00 431.00
    6 Thornton 84.67 425.00
    7 Northglenn 84.17 423.50
    8 Sand Creek 83.67 417.50
    9 Northridge 82.67 414.00
    10 Montezuma-Cortez 82.00 408.00
    11 Weld Central 80.33 399.00
    12 Pueblo Central 78.83 389.50
    13 Skyline 72.00 359.00
    14 Pomona 70.67 353.00
    15 Greeley Central 62.33 312.00
    16 Rampart 58.00 292.00
    Finals
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Mountain Vista 96.00 476.00
    2 Overland 93.33 466.50
    3 Greeley West 92.00 457.50
    4 Monarch 91.50 458.50

    [divider]

    Jazz

    Heritage won the jazz competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Heritage won the jazz competition at state spirit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Prelims
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Heritage 91.17 454.00
    2 Rock Canyon 90.67 449.00
    3 Ponderosa 90.50 453.00
    4 Golden 90.33 449.50
    5 Legend 90.00 448.50
    6 Chaparral 88.00 439.00
    7 Columbine 87.00 434.00
    8 Standley Lake 85.50 428.50
    9 Rangeview 84.50 423.50
    10 Douglas County 84.33 423.00
    11 Castle View 83.67 420.00
    12 Palmer Ridge 82.33 410.00
    12 Silver Creek 82.33 409.50
    14 Thompson Valley 81.50 407.50
    15 Pueblo West 81.33 408.50
    16 Gateway 78.50 391.50
    17 Niwot 77.67 388.50
    18 Highlands Ranch 71.83 360.50
    19 Cherokee Trail 71.33 357.00
    Finals
    Rank Team Score Tie break
    1 Heritage 93.33 465.00
    2 Ponderosa 93.17 465.50
    3 Golden 93.00 463.00
    4 Rock Canyon 91.83 459.00