CHSAANow

Tag: Columbine

  • All-state girls swimming and diving teams for the 2019-20 season

    The 2020 all-state girls swimming teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These teams were created based upon results at the state meet. The swimmers and divers of the year were also selected based upon the state meet.

    The coaches of the year voted on by coaches at the state meets.

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Girls state swimming Lucy Bell Fossil Ridge
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Swimmer of the year: Lucy Bell, Fossil Ridge

    Diver of the year: Isabel Gregersen, Ralston Valley

    Swim coach of the year: Tom Byorick, Heritage

    Dive coach of the year: Jacob Dunbar, Denver East

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Lucy Bell Sophomore Fossil Ridge 200 Medley Relay, 200 IM, 100 Free, 400 Free Relay
    Sophia Bradac Senior Regis Jesuit 100 Breast
    Ally Brown Senior Horizon 1 mtr Diving
    Mahala Erlandson Junior Fossil Ridge 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay
    Renee Gillilan Sophomore Fossil Ridge 200 Medley Relay, 100 Fly, 100 Back, 400 Free Relay
    Isabel Gregersen Junior Ralston Valley 1 mtr Diving
    Meghan Mulvihill Junior Chatfield 200 Free Relay
    Mia Norrid Senior Chatfield 200 Free Relay
    Emily Rinker Junior Fossil Ridge 400 Free Relay
    Catherine Rodocker   Eaglecrest 1 mtr Diving
    Kathryn Shanley Junior Chatfield 200 Free, 500 Free, 200 Free Relay
    Anna Shaw Junior Heritage 50 Free
    Emma Stahl Senior Fossil Ridge 200 Medley Relay
    Avery Turney Junior Chatfield 200 Free Relay
    Second Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Dahlia Allen Sophomore Lewis-Palmer 1 mtr Diving
    Aislyn Barnett Sophomore Heritage 100 Breast
    Megan Bergstrom   Arapahoe 500 Free
    Elizabeth Brock Sophomore Cherry Creek 400 Free Relay
    Isalina Colsman Senior Regis Jesuit 200 Free Relay
    Grace Dale Sophomore Regis Jesuit 200 Free Relay
    Grace Downing Senior Heritage 1 mtr Diving
    Megan DuMond Senior Lewis-Palmer 1 mtr Diving
    Josie Graves Junior Legend 1 mtr Diving
    Julianne Jones Sophomore Fairview 200 Medley Relay, 200 IM
    Margaret Kroening Sophomore Douglas County 200 Free
    Morgan Lukinac Sophomore Fairview 200 Medley Relay
    Ariana Mitsuoka Senior Regis Jesuit 200 Free Relay
    Jenna Reznicek Junior Fairview 200 Medley Relay, 100 Back
    Madison Saldanha Sophomore Cherry Creek 400 Free Relay
    Edith Simecek Freshman Fairview 200 Medley Relay, 100 Fly
    Jenna Smith Junior Cherry Creek 400 Free Relay
    Meredith Smithbaker Junior Rocky Mountain 50 Free
    Maya Stefanski Senior Cherry Creek 1 mtr Diving
    Teagan Steinmetz Freshman Cherry Creek 400 Free Relay
    Jada Surrell-Norwood Senior Regis Jesuit 200 Free Relay

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    4A girls swimming state Lindsey Immel Rampart
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Swimmer of the year: Lindsey Immel, Rampart

    Diver of the year: Maggie Buckley, Rampart

    Swim coach of the year: Susan Stone, Mullen

    Dive coach of the year: Chris Madsen, Standley Lake/Arvada West

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Caroline Bricker   Cheyenne Mountain 200 IM, 100 Breast
    Laelle Brovold Senior Rampart 200 Medley Relay, 100 Fly
    Maggie Buckley Junior Rampart 1 mtr Diving
    Claire Chahbandour Junior Mullen 200 Free Relay
    Mary Codevilla Sophomore Niwot 200 Free, 500 Free
    Chase Davison Sophomore Mullen 200 Free Relay
    Lauren Gryboski Senior Coronado 1 mtr Diving
    Sophia Hemingway   Dakota Ridge 400 Free Relay
    Kira Hobbs   Dakota Ridge 400 Free Relay
    Elsa Huebsch   Dakota Ridge 400 Free Relay
    Lindsey Immel Junior Rampart 200 Medley Relay, 50 Free, 100 Free
    Melinda Johnson   Dakota Ridge 400 Free Relay
    Katey Lewicki Senior Monarch 100 Back
    Johanna Miller Junior Rampart 200 Medley Relay
    Geneva Pauly Sophomore Arvada West 1 mtr Diving
    Lindsey Sowitch Junior Mullen 200 Free Relay
    Claire Timson Sophomore Rampart 200 Medley Relay
    Gabrielle Zinis Junior Mullen 200 Free Relay
    Second Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Madison Black Senior Silver Creek 50 Free
    Sarah Cook   Grand Junction 400 Free Relay
    Nina English   Grand Junction 400 Free Relay
    Erin Esty Senior Air Academy 1 mtr Diving
    Anelise Hedges Junior Arvada West 200 IM
    Kaelyn Hinesley Junior Cheyenne Mountain 1 mtr Diving
    Emily Kahn Senior George Washington 100 Free
    Delaney Kidd   Grand Junction 400 Free Relay
    Mary Macaulay Freshman Mullen 200 Medley Relay
    Riley Pope   Grand Junction 400 Free Relay
    Clare Sanderson   Cheyenne Mountain 500 Free
    Angeline Settle Junior Monarch 1 mtr Diving
    Ashley Van Freshman Liberty 1 mtr Diving
    Kylie Walters Sophomore Rampart 200 Free Relay
    Celia Webster Sophomore Monarch 100 Fly
    Ryley Williams Senior Thompson Valley 1 mtr Diving

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    Swimmer of the year: Elise Mishmash, Salida

    Diver of the year: Rachel Alexander, Discovery Canyon

    Swim coach of the year: Wendy Gorie, Salida

    Dive coach of the year: Josh Kinney, Discovery Canyon

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Rachel Alexander Senior Discovery Canyon 1 mtr Diving
    Hope Atkins Senior Evergreen 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay
    Caitlin Cairns Senior St. Mary’s 50 Free, 100 Fly
    Jillian Carlson Sophomore Delta 100 Breast
    Alyssa Cook Freshman Evergreen 200 Medley Relay
    Emma Diesslin Freshman Salida 200 Free Relay
    Remi Gucker Senior Evergreen 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay
    Taylor Jacobson Sophomore Evergreen 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay
    Jolie Kim Junior Kent Denver 200 IM, 500 Free
    Lily Lengerich Junior Salida 200 Free Relay
    Lucy Meinert Sophomore Green Mountain 100 Fly
    Elise Mishmash Senior Salida 100 Free, 200 Free Relay
    Hannah Rhude Junior Salida 200 Free Relay
    Victoria Sanders Sophomore Discovery Canyon 1 mtr Diving
    Abbie Scruton Junior Glenwood Springs 1 mtr Diving
    Sydney Silver   St. Mary’s Academy 200 Free, 100 Back
    Caitlin Smith Junior Evergreen 400 Free Relay
    Second Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Mackenzie Abbott   Colorado Academy 1 mtr Diving
    Caitlin Beery Junior Thomas Jefferson 500 Free, 200 Free Relay
    Alexis Behn Sophomore Durango 1 mtr Diving
    Phoebe Briney Senior Thomas Jefferson 200 Free Relay
    Amber Brooks Senior Kent Denver 400 Free Relay
    Libby Claassen Junior Glenwood Springs 1 mtr Diving
    Jamie Dellwardt Freshman Berthoud 200 IM, 100 Back
    Natalia Evans Junior Kent Denver 100 Free, 400 Free Relay
    Morgan George Senior Thomas Jefferson 200 Free Relay
    Courtney Giordano Freshman Erie 100 Fly
    Lilly Huggard Freshman Aspen 200 Medley Relay
    Payten Irwin Senior Erie 50 Free, 100 Fly
    Emily Jauch Junior Liberty Common 100 Breast
    Laila Khan-Farooqi Sophomore Aspen 200 Medley Relay
    Emily Kinney Junior Aspen 200 Medley Relay
    Kate Little Freshman Thomas Jefferson 200 Free Relay
    Juliet McGill Senior Glenwood Springs 1 mtr Diving
    Campbell Patteson Senior Kent Denver 1 mtr Diving
    Maylin Pollack Junior Kent Denver 400 Free Relay
    Kayla Tehrani Sophomore Aspen 200 Medley Relay

  • Photos: Columbine squeaks by Dakota Ridge in 5A boys basketball tournament

    Columbine is still alive in the Class 5A boys basketball tournament after getting a close 59-54 win over Dakota Ridge.

  • Photos: Columbine girls basketball knocks off Fountain-Fort Carson

    No. 23 Columbine girls basketball upset No. 10 Fountain-Fort Carson 51-39 on Friday to advance to the 5A Sweet 16.

  • Clutch 3-pointer sends Columbine boys basketball to the Sweet 16

    LITTLETON — Columbine guard Jeff Potts had done it before, so draining a key 3-pointer in the final minute Saturday afternoon wasn’t out of the range of possibility.

    “He didn’t hesitate and knocked down obviously a huge shot,” Columbine coach Clay Thielking said of Potts sinking a 3-pointer with 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter that gave the Rebels a 55-54 lead over Dakota Ridge. “He is a great shooter and stepped up big for us.”

    No. 9-seeded Columbine would add four free throws in the final 31 seconds to hold off No. 41 seed and Class 5A Jeffco League rival Dakota Ridge. The Rebels took a 59-55 home victory to advance to the Sweet 16 of the 5A boys basketball tournament.

    “I just felt good and felt like I was in rhythm,” Potts said of the 3-pointer. “I let it fly and it went in.”

    Dakota Ridge senior Brayden Rhoades (31) is able to get a shot over the reach of Columbine senior David Hargis (15) on Saturday afternoon. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Potts nailed a 3-pointer in similar fashion a year ago. It what was actually his first 3-pointer at the varsity level, Potts hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds to lift Columbine to a road victory over Ralston Valley.

    “He (Potts) has some guts for sure,” Columbine senior Luke O’Brien said. “It paid off for us. He has hit a couple big ones for us all year.”

    O’Brien had the defensive play of the game on the other end following the 3-pointer by Potts. Dakota Ridge junior Taeshaud Jackson Jr. posted up O’Brien on the other end. Jackson Jr. elevated for a shot, but O’Brien was able to block the shot and grab the rebound.

    “That was a big play,” Thielking said of O’Brien’s block with the Eagles trailing by 1-point. “Great players make great plays. That was a big play late. That kind of kept Dakota Ridge at bay.”

    Columbine fans had to hold its breath if O’Brien would even finish the game. The future University of Colorado hoopster went down hard after a drive to the hoop with 2:22 left in the fourth quarter and the Rebels trailing 54-52.

    O’Brien admitted he rolled his ankle three or four times throughout the game, but was right back in the game after the Rebels took a timeout.

    “That dude (Jackson Jr.) is an amazing player,” O’Brien said of Jackson Jr. who had a dozen points in the second half. “The fact that I got that block was pretty good. I just had to play my hands straight up.”

    Columbine senior Luke O’Brien (0) attempts to spin past Dakota Ridge senior Adam Rodriguez during the third quarter Saturday afternoon. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Jackson Jr. fouled O’Brien after the block. It was the fifth foul for the promising junior that averaged a double-double this season.

    O’Brien made a living at the free-throw line in the second half, going 10-for-11 to help seal Columbine’s first trip to the Sweet 16 since the 2011-12 season.

    “Breaking the ice here is really good for us,” O’Brien said. “Whoever we play it doesn’t matter. We’ll just play as hard as we can.”

    Columbine (20-4 record) faces the winner of No. 25 ThunderRidge and No. 8 Boulder on Wednesday, March 4. ThunderRidge and Boulder were scheduled for a 6 p.m. game Saturday night.

    Dakota Ridge wrapped up a season where it finished 11-14. Coach Sean Kovar graduates just three seniors and showed what the Eagles are capable of with Jackson Jr. and fellow junior Gino Corridori on the court at the same time.

    Corridori missed a lot of the season with a wrist injury.

    “Sean does a great job with those kids,” Thielking said. “With Gino (Corridori) back that changes everything. It changes match-ups and their rotation. He is a really good player. Dakota Ridge was unbelievable today.”

    Corridori finished with nine points in the second half.

    “We let them (players) know that our school, our community and coaches are just absolutely so proud of them,” Kovar said of what he told his team after the season-ending loss. “Credit to Columbine. They were better than us today. They made some huge plays late.”

    Dakota Ridge and Columbine faced off three times this season. The Rebels came away with wins in all three, but be sure the Eagles will be motivated with a solid returning cast next year.

    “I think I go into every year super excited,” Kovar said of looking ahead to next season. “I told them this was a great learning for them. If it doesn’t get them hungry to get better and work hard I don’t know what does.”

    Dakota Ridge senior Quincy Alexander, left, handles the ball while being guarded by Columbine junior Tristan Alward (1) during the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon at Columbine High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Video: Jeffco Preps With Pleuss (March)

    Jeffco Preps With Pleuss is a monthly roundup of Jeffco prep highlights hosted by Dennis Pleuss, Jeffco Public Schools’ sports information director. This month’s edition features the girls swimming state championship at VMAC in Thornton. Evergreen captured another Class 3A team title. Ralston Valley diver Izzy Gregersen won the 5A diving state championship and Chatfield junior Kathryn Shanley swam to two individual titles. Ralston Valley and Columbine locked up in a big Class 5A Jeffco boys basketball game that came down to the wire. Before the postseason started, Wheat Ridge took a non-league victory over Bear Creek on the hardwood. Green Mountain’s girls basketball continued its historic season. The big National Letter of Intent Signing Day on Feb. 5 was celebrated by several Jeffco schools.

  • Photos: Columbine girls basketball tops Rocky Mountain in 5A tourney

    Columbine is into the second round of the Class 5A girls basketball tournament after beating Rocky Mountain 71-42 on Tuesday.

  • The lasting legacy of the legendary and loved wrestling coach Ray Barron

    DENVER — Columbine wrestling coach Ray Barron was a popular person during the 3-day 2020 state wrestling tournament.

    Wrestlers, coaches, referees and officials gave the legendary Colorado wrestling coach plenty of handshakes, hugs and well wishes. Barrow was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer less than two months ago.

    Columbine junior Jack Forbes give up thumbs up to the Rebels’ fans after his victory over Grandview senior Joe Renner. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “It’s nice. It’s real nice,” Barron said of all the support he has got from the Colorado wrestling community.

    Barron has spent the past five years — the last four as the head coach — at Columbine High School. Before coming to Columbine the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame member spent 45 years coaching wrestling.

    The majority of that time at Heritage High School in Littleton.

    While just spending the past handful of years at Columbine, Barron has clearly touched many. Juniors Jack Forbes (182-pounder) and Zach Schraeder (285-pounder) — the lone state qualifiers for the Rebels — made it a point to give Barron the longest ride possible at what could be his final state tournament.

    “After we first heard about it I just kept it in my mind to keep grinding and keep getting better,” Forbes said about his motivation after learning about Barron’s cancer. “When I got to hop into his arms it was one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt.”

    Forbes jumped into Barron’s arms after taking a 13-8 victory over Grandview senior Joe Renner, who had defeated Forbes in their pervious two meeting this season.

    Columbine junior Zach Schraeder, left, finished the season with a 42-2 record and the Class 5A heavyweight title. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “Knowing that he (Barron) is fighting through something helped me push through things even harder,” Forbes said.

    Schraeder was the favorite in the heavyweight final and didn’t disappoint. The junior took a 5-2 win over Cherokee Trail senior Julian Williams.

    “They are both special,” Barron said of Forbes and Schraeder. “I’m so happy for both of them.”

    It was clear both wrestlers were just at thrilled to give their coach a few more state championship victories to his long and impressive coaching career.

    “It just means so much. It meant the world to me,” Schraeder said after winning what will likely be Barron’s final match he’ll ever coach. “When I looked at the scoreboard and was up with 1 second left I knew my hard work in the wrestling room for him had paid off.”

    The 5A coaches saluted Barron in voting him the 2019-20 5A Coach of the Year. He we presented the award shortly after Barron set a pair of his wrestling shoes on the center of the mat at the end of Schraeder’s match that concluded the state tournament late Saturday night.

    “It’s going,” Barron said of his battle. “It’s not good, but I will make it as far as I can.”

    Columbine junior Jack Forbes and Ray Barron celebrates after Forbes won the Class 5A 182-pound state title Saturday night at Pepsi Center. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • The state wrestling tournament’s championship matchups

    (Dustin Price/dustinpricephotography.com)

    The state wrestling finals are on Saturday night at Pepsi Center. The matchups in each weight class are below.

    Find complete live results from the tournament here.

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    • 106 pounds: Frankie boy Sanchez (Grandview) vs. Derek Glenn, Jr. (Cherokee Trail)
    • 113 pounds: Alec Beltran (Horizon) vs. Kenny Sailas (Brighton)
    • 120 pounds: Dawson Collins (Grand Junction) vs. Armando Garcia (Denver East)
    • 126 pounds: Vince Cornella (Monarch) vs. Jakob Romero (Pomona)
    • 132 pounds: Jaron Mahler (Ponderosa) vs. Kieran Thompson (Grand Junction)
    • 138 pounds: Dean Noble (Poudre) vs. Daniel Cardenas (Pomona)
    • 145 pounds: Antonio Segura (Regis Jesuit) vs. Joey Joiner (Legacy)
    • 152 pounds: Cody Ginther (Fossil Ridge) vs. Hudson Cropp (Fort Collins)
    • 160 pounds: Gage Bernall (Pomona) vs. Nathan Fitzpatrick (Monarch)
    • 170 pounds: Tyson Beauperthuy (Doherty) vs. Draygan Colonese (Pine Creek)
    • 182 pounds: Joe Renner (Grandview) vs. Jack Forbes (Columbine)
    • 195 pounds: Alec Hargreaves (Rocky Mountain) vs. Franklin Cruz (Pomona)
    • 220 pounds: Sam Hart (Cherokee Trail) vs. Dylan BravoPacker (Brighton)
    • 285 pounds: Zach Schraeder (Columbine) vs. Julian Williams (Cherokee Trail)

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    • 106 pounds: Kobi Johnson (Loveland) vs. Logan Novara (Longmont)
    • 113 pounds: Dominic Castro (Pueblo Centennial) vs. Rudy Lopez (Erie)
    • 120 pounds: Boden White (Pueblo County) vs. Weston Dalton (Pueblo East)
    • 126 pounds: Angel Flores (Coronado) vs. Malachi Contreras (Mountain View)
    • 132 pounds: Dominick Serrano (Windsor) vs. John Beau Hostler (Broomfield)
    • 138 pounds: Vance Vombaur (Windsor) vs. John Nicholas (Longmont)
    • 145 pounds: Darren Green (Broomfield) vs. Aaden Valdez (Pueblo East)
    • 152 pounds: Jaxon Garoutte (Pueblo County) vs. Isaias Estrada (Thomas Jefferson)
    • 160 pounds: Cody Eaton (Windsor) vs. Chase Engelhardt (Thompson Valley)
    • 170 pounds: Tristian Perez (Windsor) vs. Marcelo Espinoza Diaz (Loveland)
    • 182 pounds: Isaiah Salazar (Windsor) vs. Cole Simmons (Montrose)
    • 195 pounds: Miles Beam (Roosevelt) vs. Bryce Garcia (Pueblo County)
    • 220 pounds: Jared Volcic (Mesa Ridge) vs. Bryant Walker (Broomfield)
    • 285 pounds: Andy Garcia (Pueblo East) vs. Matthew Moore (Mesa Ridge)

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    • 106 pounds: Roberto Estrada (Weld Central) vs. Matthew Medina (Eagle Valley)
    • 113 pounds: Davion Chavez (Alamosa) vs. Angelo Lozado (Jefferson)
    • 120 pounds: Brady Hankin (Woodland Park) vs. Isaiah Gamez (La Junta)
    • 126 pounds: Jacob Duran (Fort Lupton) vs. Johnny Masopust (Florence)
    • 132 pounds: Zane Rankin (Lamar) vs. Zach Marrero (Strasburg)
    • 138 pounds: Lucas Comroe (Eagle Valley) vs. Isaiah Rios (Valley)
    • 145 pounds: Zander Condit (Jefferson) vs. Ryan Dirksen (Eaton)
    • 152 pounds: Cameron Lucero (Pagosa Springs) vs. Nick Gallegos (Jefferson)
    • 160 pounds: Jaziah Whaley (Valley) vs. Tanner Baumgartner (Weld Central)
    • 170 pounds: Cole Gray (Woodland Park) vs. Mac Copeland (Bennett)
    • 182 pounds: Brian Paxton (Fort Morgan) vs. Cody DuBois (Bennett)
    • 195 pounds: Nick Wellen (Brush) vs. Jeremiah Garcia (Platte Valley)
    • 220 pounds: Cody Ponce (Eagle Valley) vs. John Foutz (Bayfield)
    • 285 pounds: Emanuel Munoz (Alcala ) vs. Tanner True (Eaton)

    [divider]

    Class 2A

    • 106 pounds: Michael Romero (Swink) vs. Brady Collins (Wray)
    • 113 pounds: Cade Rockwell (Wray) vs. Lane Hunsberger (Cedaredge)
    • 120 pounds: Michael Atencio (Rye) vs. Michael Maldonado (Rocky Ford)
    • 126 pounds: Trey Geyer (Cedaredge) vs. Oran Huff (Lyons)
    • 132 pounds: Blaze Brophy (Yuma) vs. Lain Yapoujian (Byers)
    • 138 pounds: Wyatt Yapoujian (Byers) vs. Clint Brown (Peyton)
    • 145 pounds: Wesley VanMatre (John Mall) vs. David Gardner (Lyons)
    • 152 pounds: Tyler Collins (Wray) vs. Zeb Etter (Paonia)
    • 160 pounds: Grey Neal (Paonia) vs. Micah Hertrich (Buena Vista)
    • 170 pounds: Adam Schulz (Crowley County) vs. Luis Chafino (Holyoke)
    • 182 pounds: Hunter Planansky (Hayden) vs. Colby Clatterbaugh (Meeker)
    • 195 pounds: Karson Bean (Lyons) vs. Fabian Lopez (Sedgwick/Fleming)
    • 220 pounds: Jesse Tapia (Rocky Ford) vs. Jose Molina (Wray)
    • 285 pounds: Peyton Froman (Rocky Ford) vs. Remi Lucero (Centauri)

  • Boys basketball rankings: Kit Carson moves up to No. 1 in 1A

    Kit Carson has taken over as the top-ranked team in Class 1A boys basketball this week.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.

    Complete rankings are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Boys Basketball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    First-place votes are in parentheses.

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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Rangeview (11) 21-0 128 1 3-0
    2 Grandview (2) 16-5 103 2 1-1
    3 Cherry Creek 17-4 88 4 3-0
    4 Ralston Valley 18-3 80 5 2-0
    5 Smoky Hill 17-4 79 3 3-0
    6 Fairview 17-3 67 6 2-0
    7 Columbine 17-3 48 7 2-0
    8 Valor Christian 15-6 42 8 3-0
    9 Boulder 18-3 29 9 3-0
    10 Chaparral 15-6 21 10 1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Eaglecrest 17, Denver East 8, Pine Creek 5.
    Dropped out
    None.
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Mead (12) 20-1 120 1 3-0
    2 Longmont 18-3 91 3 3-0
    3 Northfield 17-4 89 2 1-1
    4 Cheyenne Mountain 20-1 83 4 3-0
    5 Glenwood Springs 18-3 59 6 3-0
    6 Golden 15-6 56 7 1-0
    7 Harrison 15-4 55 5 1-1
    8 Skyline 16-5 23 – 2-0
    9 Pueblo West 15-6 18 8 2-1
    10 Erie 16-4 16 9 1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Montrose 14, Pueblo East 12, Green Mountain 10, Thomas Jefferson 9, Silver Creek 5.
    Dropped out
    Montrose (10).
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Resurrection Christian (15) 18-0 167 1 3-0
    2 Lutheran (1) 16-2 152 2 1-0
    3 Sterling 16-3 125 3 2-0
    4 The Vanguard School 16-1 113 4 3-0
    5 Faith Christian 15-3 107 5 2-0
    6 DSST: Byers (1) 16-1 56 7 2-0
    7 Alamosa 15-4 53 10 2-0
    8 Manitou Springs 15-3 43 9 2-0
    9 Eaton 15-3 38 8 2-0
    10 Centauri 16-2 37 6 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Gunnison 14, DSST: College View 6, Manual 6, DSST: Montview 5, St. Mary’s 3, University 3, Coal Ridge 2, Eagle Ridge 2, Jefferson Academy 2, DSST: Green Valley Ranch 1.
    Dropped out
    None.
    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Highland (14) 16-1 149 1 2-0
    2 Yuma (1) 15-2 133 2 2-0
    3 Limon 16-2 109 4 3-0
    4 Fowler 16-2 94 5 2-0
    5 Denver Christian 13-3 79 3 0-1
    6 Ignacio 14-2 66 6 2-0
    7 Mancos 14-3 55 7 2-0
    8 Sedgwick County 17-1 51 8 2-0
    9 Sanford 13-4 31 9 1-0
    10 Crested Butte 15-2 23 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Vail Christian 21, Holly 7, Wray 4, Dawson School 1, Heritage Christian 1, Peyton 1.
    Dropped out
    Vail Christian (10).
    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Kit Carson (5) 16-1 70 2 2-0
    2 De Beque (3) 16-2 67 1 1-1
    3 Sangre de Cristo 16-1 63 3 3-0
    4 Walsh 15-2 57 4 2-0
    5 Flatirons Academy 14-4 37 6 2-0
    6 Mile High Academy 12-2 36 9 4-1
    7 Briggsdale 15-2 33 7 1-0
    8 Kim/Branson 14-3 30 5 1-1
    9 Evangelical Christian 14-3 20 8 1-1
    10 Denver Waldorf 11-4 11 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Ouray 10, Fleming 4, Cotopaxi 2.
    Dropped out
    Ouray (10).

  • Columbine’s Luke O’Brien lifts No. 7 Rebels over rival Dakota Ridge

    LITTLETON — Columbine senior Luke O’Brien wasn’t happy sitting on the bench before the start of the second half Friday night.

    The Rebels — No. 7 in the current CHSAANow.com Class 5A boys basketball rankings — were clinging to a 30-28 halftime lead against area-rival Dakota Ridge. The future University of Colorado hoopster did something about it.

    “I was just staring at the ground and picturing myself just taking over,” O’Brien said about what was going through his mind before the start of the third quarter. “Sometimes that all it takes.”

    Columbine junior Tristan Alward (1) attempts to get a shot off between Dakota Ridge junior Taeshaud Jackson Jr. (10) and senior Brayden Rhoades during the Rebels’ 68-48 win Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    O’Brien took over scoring a dozen points in the first three minutes of the second half to bolt Columbine (17-3, 5-1 in 5A Jeffco League) out to nearly a double-digit lead. The Rebels pulled away in the fourth quarter to take a 68-48 home victory over the Eagles.

    “He is so good,” Dakota Ridge coach Sean Kovar said of O’Brien. “For us he was basically unguardable. We threw a bunch of different looks and guys at him. He is a stud.”

    The senior finished with 34 points. The second highest scoring output of the season for O’Brien. His season-high is 38 points scored against Poudre back before Winter Break.

    “I had to get our team going. We were kind of slow at the beginning,” O’Brien said. “Whatever the team needs … that’s what I’m there for.”

    Senior Jeff Potts, along with juniors Tristan Alward and Garrett Rogers combined for 26 points to help Columbine out offensively. The Rebels were shorthanded with senior center Justin Lohrenz not in the line-up.

    “We’ve played without J-Lo (Justin Lohrenz) before. He is obviously a big missing piece,” Alward said of Lohrenz, who is expected to be back on the court next Wednesday when the Rebels are at Arvada West. “It’s just grit, focusing on the defensive end, finding open shots and get Luke O’Brien downhill. We found a way.”

    While O’Brien scored 23 points in the second half, Dakota Ridge (9-12, 4-2) could only muster up 20 points after hanging with Columbine through the first half.

    Dakota Ridge junior Ben Gultig, left, elevates for a shot while being guarded by Columbine junior Elisha Bryant during the Class 5A Jeffco League game Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Junior Taeshaud Jackson Jr. scored a team-high 16 points, including an impressive breakaway dunk for the Eagles’ lone field goal in the fourth quarter. Senior Brayden Rhoads contributed 14 points in the second straight conference loss after starting 4-0 in league play.

    “Defensively they were awesome,” Kovar said. “They took us out of what we like to do. They played better than us tonight.”

    Columbine coach Clay Thielking agreed that defense is what turned it around in the second half.

    “We challenge them as a group to toughen it up on defense and dig a little deeper,” Thielking said of the talk at halftime. “I thought our defense was the key. That led to some offense on the other end. I though Luke had a good night.”

    Despite a 7-game winning streak, Columbine still doesn’t control its own destiny when it comes to claiming a second straight 5A Jeffco League championship. It was a logjam atop the conference standings before action Friday night.

    No. 5 Ralston Valley, No. 7 Columbine, No. 8 Valor Christian, Dakota Ridge and Arvada West all had just one loss in conference play with the end of the league season in sight. There are still several different scenarios heading into the final week of the regular season.

    Dakota Ridge is likely out of the mix for a league title, but Kovar knows it’s important to close strong before the playoffs.

    “We are just worried about Ralston Valley on Wednesday,” Kovar said. “It’s all about RV and they are another great team.”

    The Rebels close out their regular season with a non-league home game against Douglas County on Monday before league games at Arvada West (Wednesday) and at home against Chatfield (Friday).

    “It’s going to be a really tough week. Those are three really good teams,” Thielking said. “You want to be healthy going into the (state) tournament and riding some momentum going into it.”

    Despite the chance to have a 20-win regular season, O’Brien believes Columbine hasn’t peaked yet when it comes to its play on the court.

    “I think we have a lot more in us,” O’Brien said. “We didn’t shoot the ball well tonight. We turned the ball over on careless mistakes. Our ceiling is still up there. We haven’t hit our full potential. Come playoff time we are going to be there.”

    Columbine junior Garrett Rogers spots up for a 3-pointer Friday night. The No. 7 Rebels close out their regular season next week with games against Douglas County, Arvada West and Chatfield. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)