LITTLETON — Results from the 2015 Liberty Bell Cross Country Invitational are below. Sort by team or individual results.
[caspio]http://b6.caspio.com/dp.asp?AppKey=d2f23000614df32bb8234806b942[/caspio]
[caspio]http://b6.caspio.com/dp.asp?AppKey=d2f230004dcb1a5e217e4c1a9e9a[/caspio]
The 2014-15 sports season was jam-packed with memorable moments. There were buzzer-beaters (including full-court shots!), walk-offs, goal-line stands, clutch putts and even family reunions.
We saw all kinds of championship celebrations, including championship parades.
There were touchdowns, beam routines, and penalty kicks. There were ice bucket challenges. (Remember those?)
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite moments from 2014-15, in no particular order.
[divider]
Lewis-Palmer volleyball set the tone for the school year when the Rangers went unbeaten at 29-0 and claimed a second-straight Class 4A championship. In doing so, Lewis-Palmer captured national attention along the way, and was ultimately crowned national champion by MaxPreps.
“Winning a national title never entered our mind,” Lewis-Palmer coach Susan Odenbaugh told MaxPreps.
More national attention soon followed.
Grandview girls soccer, the 5A champion, finished first in MaxPreps national spring rankings.
A few weeks later, Eaton baseball was named MaxPreps’ small-school champion. The Reds captured 3A in the fall to win a state-best 11th championship.
The national attention didn’t only extend to teams, though.
In May, Mountain Vista junior Mallory Pugh was named the national girls soccer player of the year by Gatorade.
[divider]
It had already been a crazy day, with some history behind it. But it merely set the stage for one of the best endings all season.
Rye baseball had lost in the semifinals three consecutive years, and may have been feeling the weight of it on May 23.
The Thunderbolts, overwhelming favorites to win 2A this spring, trailed Hotchkiss 6-0 in the semifinals before rallying to take a lead just before a thunderstorm delayed the game and forced the teams to switch fields in the sixth inning. When they resumed, Rye pulled off a hidden-ball trick (video via KRDO) to seal its 9-8 semifinal win.
Rye pitcher Junior Ortiz faked throwing a ball away on a pickoff attempt, and his fielders reacted accordingly. The Hotchkiss runner took off toward third, but Ortiz was able to tag him out.
“We weren’t real sure if it was going to work,” Rye coach Stacey Graham said of the hidden-ball trick. “We practice it quite a bit and we ran it one time successfully, and it worked again. It’s a tough play to do and the guys executed it real well.”
Rye went on to win the 2A title later in the day after yet another rally.
[divider]
We very nearly erased the football record book and started it over after Air Academy and Sand Creek met on the football field last September.
The two teams accounted for 130 total points, and countless records, in Sand Creek’s 68-62 win. Included in the record performances were 553 yards and nine touchdowns rushing for Sand Creek’s Daniel Quin, and 589 yards passing from Air Academy’s Adam Brown.
In all, four records were set outright, and another 14 entries were made in the record book.
“At the end of the game, the kids were so tired, they could barely shake hands,” Sand Creek coach Rod Baker said. “It was like a brotherhood between them, what they’d been through. It was an amazing event. The high school spirit was amazing tonight for both teams. And they just battled.”
[divider]
Ralston Valley, a No. 1 seed, was 3.4 seconds away from being the first major upset victim in the Class 5A football playoffs.
The Mustangs had one shot at advancing, and it was slim: A 56-yard field goal.
Yet Collin Root, a senior who had made just two field goals all year, put it through to send Ralston Valley on to the quarterfinals.
“With that kind of pressure,” Ralston Valley coach Matt Loyd said afterward, “it’s just an unbelievable kick.”
[divider]
On and on and on they played. Through one overtime, the next, and the next and the next.
Cherry Creek and Dakota Ridge battled through six overtimes late into the night on March 5.
“We basically played — that was two games, right?” Dakota Ridge coach Alex Hines said after the game.
The Bruins ultimately won on Chris Nitchen’s goal to clinch a spot in the championship game.
“There’s no loser here,” Cherry Creek coach Jeff Mielnicki said. “They played so hard. We had guys completely dehydrated, drinking whatever they could, but we somehow found a way.”
Cherry Creek went on to win the state title two nights later — after three more overtimes.
The rash of OTs actually caused the hockey committee to change the overtime rules.
[divider]
Thousands of fans packed into the Denver Coliseum in early December to watch the state spirit championships. It’s often a raucous affair. But when Chaparral’s jazz team took to the stage, a hush fell across the arena.
Many knew Chaparral’s story: Taylor Llewellyn, their friend and teammate, passed in October. The Wolverines’ routine, narrated by Taylor’s mother, honored her memory.
The routine itself was a powerful moment, eclipsed only by the announcement of the team’s championship later on.
[divider]
Paonia senior Jesse Reed became the 18th four-time wrestling champion in state history in February when he won the 2A 126-pound championship.
“Before my match, all I could think about is, ‘I’m one match away, I’m one match away from being up there with all the elites,’” Reed said. “It’s an honor, it truly is.”
Reed was also a member of Paonia’s football team which won the 1A championship.
[divider]
The spring championship season was disrupted in nearly every way imaginable by an unprecedented amount of bad weather.
The entire girls tennis tournament was forced to move dates, 5A girls golf only got one day of play in, baseball was delayed many multiple times, but ultimately, the rain and thunderstorms ceased long enough for play to complete.
In fact, the weather got so laughable that the 5A baseball championship was delayed by lightning in the seventh inning.
Dear #rain,
Please stop.
Thanks,
– Spring championships & postseason#copreps— CHSAA (@CHSAA) May 6, 2015
[divider]
It was a heavy-weight fight, and it very much lived up to its expectations.
Cherry Creek and Valor Christian’s matchup in the 5A football title left long lines of people waiting to get in. Once they did, they saw Cherry Creek win an epic 25-24 back-and-forth game.
The deciding moment? A two-point conversion with five minutes to play.
“It was a gamble,” Cherry Creek coach Dave Logan said after the game, “and the kids made it work.”
“I knew I could do it,” said DJ Luke, who scored the conversion. “I just wanted to help my team win. It’s the greatest feeling ever.”
[divider]
In January 2014, there was to be no more Standley Lake gymnastics program. Yet, come October, it was Standley Lake holding up the 4A championship trophy.
How?
“Coming into this year, we only had three girls and so we just kept trying to get as many girls as we could to come out,” Standley Lake coach Kristen Larrington said. “We have five seniors, one junior, and two freshman. So we fought. We wanted it from day one.”
The Gators were led by Jordan Ireland, who finished second in the all-around competition.
“The fact that we even got enough girls to compete is still unbelievable,” Ireland said. “Actually winning is even better.”
[divider]
In January, Chaparral and Denver East boys basketball met in a highly anticipated game.
The Wolverines would win in two overtimes — but only had four players at the end of the game.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that,” Chaparral coach Rob Johnson said the morning after the game. “There were so many crazy things that happened just to even go to that point.”
The last Wolverine (Peter Wilson) fouled out with 25 seconds to play in the second overtime.
“I said, ‘Peter, you cannot foul, we don’t have any players left on the bench.’ He goes in there and gets a foul,” Johnson said, laughing.
Chaparral won 82-78.
[divider]
Kyle Goodwin was marked for stardom before he even began his high school career. By the time it was over? Well, he had accomplished more than any other male diver in state history.
Goodwin became the first-ever four-time champion in the event when he won the title in May.
“I came in looking to get that fourth title,” Goodwin said. “It feels pretty good to come out on top for four years in a row.”
[divider]
A total of five classification records were set in the 800-meter run at this year’s state track meet.
Included: The boys’ all-classification record going down twice in 45 minutes.
Cheyenne Mountain’s William Mayhew ran 1:50.74 to win the 4A event on May 15. That broke the record of 1:51.20, which was set by Smoky Hill’s Blake Yount two weeks earlier.
“Records are meant to be broken,” Mayhew said after his race.
That they are.
Less than an hour later, Yount went 1:50.59.
“Time means more to me,” he said. “There’s kids in other classifications, like Mayhew and (Lyons’ Paul Roberts) — there are people who can race fast across the state. Time is a universal measurement to compare everyone.”
[divider]
Chatfield volleyball didn’t even host a region during the 2014 season. But the Chargers, a No. 17 seed, advanced out of their region to make the state field of 12.
Once there, Chatfield rallied from down 0-2 in its second match of pool play to force a tiebreaker against Eaglecrest and Cherry Creek, their poolmates.
The Chargers had to beat Cherry Creek in a winner-moves-on set (they did, 25-22), and then Eaglecrest (they did, 25-21) to reach the semfinals.
The crowd only kept buzzing when Chatfield beat Rampart 3-1 in those semifinals to advance to the title game — the lowest seed to ever do so. Ultimately, Grandview ended Chatfield’s run there when the Wolves repeated as champion.
“I loved watching Chatfield progress through the tournament,” said Grandview senior Haley McLaren. “They fought their way through.”
“I couldn’t be more proud of my team. They never gave up,” Chatfield coach Stephanie Schick said. “The believe my girls have shown this day has been amazing and a memory forever.”
[divider]
Longmont, for all intents and purposes, was the favorite to win the 4A boys basketball title this season. And, in fact, the Trojans rolled to a 27-0 record en route to the title game in March.
Yet Air Academy had some championship experience in their corner. Five players, including three cousins, had helped the Kadets win the 4A boys soccer title in the fall. And Air Academy jumped out to a 26-8 lead.
Longmont did rally, tying the game at 34 late in the third quarter. Ultimately, the two teams went to overtime, where Air Academy pulled out a 64-59 win.
“Most of us had already played in two state championships,” said Air Academy star David Louthan. “I think it helped us stay more composed. We were used to the pressure.”
[divider]
Colorado Academy won a third-straight field hockey championship last fall. In the process, the Mustangs extended their winning streak to 41 games, as well as an unbeaten streak to 52 (50-0-2).
Colorado Academy went 17-0-0 during the 2014 season, and outscored opponents 7-0 during the postseason.
“They’re a damn good team,” said Palmer Ridge coach Paul Lewis, whose team faced CA in the final.
[divider]
Girls soccer is growing in Colorado. That necessitated the creation of a fourth classification — 2A — this season.
Vail Mountain scored the game-winning goal with 3:25 remaining to beat Dawson School for the first-ever 2A girls soccer championship in May.
It wasn’t only the first-ever 2A title contested. It was also the first girls championship of any kind for Vail Mountain.
“This has been a season of a lifetime,” said Vail Mountain’s Tess Johnson, who was later named 2A player of the year.
[divider]
Mike Croell is an iconic girls basketball coach in Colorado. And what better sendoff for an icon than a title?
Broomfield beat ThunderRidge in March to claim the 5A crown, and give 20-year coach Croell another championship just before his retirement.
“It means so much,” said Broomfield senior Brenna Fankell. “Being Croell’s last year, we wanted to win it for him.”
[divider]
It was a group of boys who started playing lacrosse together for the first time 10 years ago. According to their coach, Mike Goerne, “They were the first kids to have lacrosse sticks in Aspen.”
In May, they became the first with a title, too.
Aspen beat Valor Christian 17-12 to win the 4A championship behind a barrage of early goals.
“They’ve been fighting for this the last 10 years,” Goerne said. “This is the final piece.”
[divider]
Chaparral junior Emily Moore hatched a plan to donate softball equipment to less fortunate players in the Dominican Republic during the 2014 season.
The effort culminated at the state tournament, where Moore, her teammates, and her family, set up a booth to gather donations from across the state.
“I’ve never done anything like this,” Moore said.
Ultimately, all kinds of bats, cleats, helmets, catcher’s gear and softballs were sent down to the Dominican.
[divider]
Two freshmen rose to the top of the girls tennis world this spring. Fairview’s Amber Shen won No. 1 singles in 5A and Steamboat Springs’ Tatum Burger did the same in 4A.
“Even now, I don’t believe I won,” Shen said after her match. “Even at match point I wasn’t sure if I was going to win or not.”
Said Steamboat Springs coach John Aragon of Burger: “She’s like a little pitbull. She’ll fight to the end.”
[divider]
Late during the 5A boys swimming and diving championships in May, Fossil Ridge needed a win in the 200-yard freestyle relay to secure a title.
The Sabercats got just that, edging out Cherry Creek by one-hundredth of a second, and beating Regis Jesuit — the team they were battling for the title — by 17-hundredths of a second.
“We knew we needed to win one of the two free relays,” Fossil Ridge coach Mark Morehouse said. “We didn’t know which one, but what we knew is that we couldn’t make a mistake.”
Fossil Ridge’s girls also won the 5A championship in the winter.
The 2014-15 all-state girls basketball teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a week-long vote of coaches.
A specific player of the year vote was held in each class, as was a vote for coach of the year.
Use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.
Player of the year: Callie Kaiser, Broomfield
Coach of the year: Mike Croell, Broomfield
| First team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Brenna Chase | Broomfield | Senior | W/PG |
| Callie Kaiser | Broomfield | Senior | W/PF/P |
| Michaela Onyenwere | Grandview | Sophomore | W/G |
| Raegen Rohn | Monarch | Senior | PG/SG |
| Taylor Rusk | ThunderRidge | Junior | SG/W/F |
| Second team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Sydni Brandon | Grand Junction | Senior | G |
| Jennah Knafelc | Arapahoe | Senior | SG/PG |
| Annika Lai | Fairview | Senior | – |
| Jess Lewis | Regis Jesuit | Senior | PG |
| Molly Rohrer | Cherry Creek | Senior | PF |
| Courtney Smith | Legacy | Senior | C |
| Symone Starks | Highlands Ranch | Junior | PG |
| Third team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Kennede Brown | Grandview | Sophomore | – |
| Nicea Eliely | Rampart | Junior | – |
| Alyssa Rader | Horizon | Senior | PF/C |
| Tatum Rembao | Loveland | Sophomore | PG/SG |
| Jon’nae Richardson | Denver East | Senior | – |
| Jenn Urbaniak | Palmer | Senior | W |
| Kellee Willer | Fossil Ridge | Senior | – |
| Jessica Zweifel | ThunderRidge | Senior | PG/SG/F |
Player of the year: Kendall Bradbury, Valor Christian
Coach of the year: Jessika Caldwell, Valor Christian
| First team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Nicole Archambeau | Canon City | Senior | – |
| Kendall Bradbury | Valor Christian | Senior | F/SG |
| Kylee Shook | Mesa Ridge | Junior | C |
| Haley Simental | Pueblo West | Senior | PG |
| Oliana Squires | Sand Creek | Junior | G |
| Second team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Katie Chavez | Holy Family | Junior | PG/SG |
| Liah Davis | Sand Creek | Junior | F/P |
| Morgan Ducklow | D’Evelyn | Senior | G |
| Madison McCoy | Valor Christian | Junior | G |
| Sydney Wetterstrom | Longmont | Junior | C |
| Third team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Christa Brown | Palisade | Sophomore | – |
| Jaylyn Duran | Pueblo South | Senior | SG |
| Alysa Manicone | Windsor | Senior | PG |
| Jailen Minich | Pueblo East | Junior | – |
| Madi Spence | Glenwood Springs | Senior | F/P |
| Maggie Spitzer | Holy Family | Senior | C/SF |
| Rylee Ward | Mead | Senior | SG |
Player of the year: Payton Shahan, Pagosa Springs
Coach of the year: Wes Lewis, Pagosa Springs
| First team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Jenna Knudson | Sterling | Junior | G |
| Shelby Megyeri | Manitou Springs | Sophomore | PG/SG |
| Kaleigh Paplow | Lutheran | Senior | – |
| Payton Shahan | Pagosa Springs | Senior | – |
| Chandler Sturms | Lutheran | Senior | – |
| Second team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Kylie Chavez | Sterling | Sophomore | G |
| Kenzie Chrisman | Sterling | Senior | F |
| Taylor Hammer-Lee | Pagosa Springs | Junior | – |
| Morgan Schaaf | Pagosa Springs | Senior | – |
| Jonni Smith | Bishop Machebeuf | Junior | – |
| Third team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Kyra Chenoweth | Grand Valley | Senior | SG |
| Katharine Kia | Peak to Peak | Senior | – |
| Maya Love | Kent Denver | Junior | – |
| Lauren McDonald | Salida | Senior | – |
| Halley Miklos | Liberty Common | Sophomore | P/PF/F |
| McKenzi Petricko | Manitou Springs | Junior | G/SG |
| Bailey Schumacher | Eaton | Junior | G |
Player of the year: Jordan Baer, Akron
Coach of the year: Alan Baer, Akron
| First team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Jordan Baer | Akron | Senior | PG |
| Logan Hixon | Yuma | Junior | G |
| Cydney Kreutzer | Hoehne | Senior | SG/PG |
| AJ Miller | Akron | Junior | G/P |
| Katrina Terrell | Yuma | Senior | F |
| Second team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Victoria Goodman | Peyton | Senior | SG/G |
| Emily Green | Peyton | Senior | PG/G/PF |
| Sydney Hughes | Meeker | Senior | G |
| Bailee Jones | Hoehne | Senior | F/W |
| Anna Schwecke | Clear Creek | Senior | F |
| Third team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Aspen Anderson | Hoehne | Senior | F/W |
| Bryna Burns | Rye | Senior | PG |
| Shayln Johnson | Caliche | Senior | G/F |
| Sarah Logar | Peyton | Senior | G/PG |
| Peighton Roth | Yuma | Junior | G |
Player of the year: Jordan Williams, Norwood
Coach of the year: Sara Crawford, Kit Carson
| First team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Karleigh Cooley | Sangre de Cristo | Junior | – |
| Micayla Isenbart | Kit Carson | Freshman | G/F |
| Aurelia Isenbart | Kit Carson | Senior | C |
| Reagan Shaffer | Idalia | Junior | – |
| Jordan Williams | Norwood | Senior | W/G/F |
| Second team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Darian Hale | Briggsdale | Junior | G |
| Susana Herarra | Idalia | Junior | – |
| Jackie Saunders | Ouray | Senior | SF/PG/SG |
| Abbey Stagner | Sangre de Cristo | Senior | – |
| Shaelynn Wood | South Baca | Junior | – |
| Third team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Allie Beiriger | Sangre de Cristo | Senior | – |
| Audrey Rose Kachin | Plateau Valley | Senior | G |
| Sierra Reynolds | Plateau Valley | Senior | F |
| Sofia Schneider | La Veta | Senior | G |
| Rena Trujillo | La Veta | Senior | SF |
The 2014-15 all-state boys basketball teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a week-long vote of coaches.
A specific player of the year vote was held in each class, as was a vote for coach of the year.
Use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.
Player of the year: De’Ron Davis, Overland
Coach of the year: Danny Fisher, Overland
| First team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Brian Carey | Denver East | Senior | PG |
| De’Ron Davis | Overland | Junior | C/PF |
| Jake Holtzmann | Chaparral | Senior | SF |
| Thomas Neff | Arvada West | Senior | W |
| Zach Pirog | ThunderRidge | Senior | C |
| Second team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Blend Avdili | Eaglecrest | Senior | F/W |
| Austin Conway | Overland | Senior | PG |
| Mitch Lombard | Rock Canyon | Senior | G |
| Ryan Quaid | Fossil Ridge | Senior | – |
| Colbey Ross | Eaglecrest | Sophomore | PG/SG |
| Brady Subart | Mountain Vista | Senior | PG/SG |
| Third team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Nathan Davis | Mullen | Junior | PG/SG |
| Malik Hart | Warriors (Montbello) | Senior | PG/G |
| Taylor Kallsen | Regis Jesuit | Senior | – |
| Chris Moody | Chaparral | Senior | SF |
| Monroe Porter | Legend | Junior | – |
| Jonah Radebaugh | Northglenn | Senior | G |
| Elijah Ross | Eaglecrest | Senior | PG |
| Michael Sparks | Lincoln | Senior | PG |
| Ryley Stewart | Highlands Ranch | Senior | PG/SG |
| Tristan Von Nieda | Fort Collins | Senior | – |
Player of the year: Justinian Jessup, Longmont
Coach of the year: Barry Clark, Air Academy
| First team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Justinian Jessup | Longmont | Junior | – |
| David Louthan | Air Academy | Senior | G |
| Michael Ranson | Pueblo Central | Junior | PG/SG |
| Jonathan Scott | Lewis-Palmer | Junior | G |
| Ryan Thistlewood | Golden | Senior | SG/PG |
| Second team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Khameron Davis | Valor Christian | Junior | SG/PG/G |
| Charles Gavin | Denver South | Senior | C |
| Luke Golter | Holy Family | Senior | G |
| Chris Helbig | Holy Family | Junior | PG/SG |
| Tevion Thompson | Sierra | Senior | SG/SF |
| Grant Witherspoon | D’Evelyn | Senior | G/SG |
| Third team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Cameron Horning | Glenwood Springs | Junior | G |
| Ke’andre Lewis | Sierra | Senior | SF/PF |
| Josh McNair | Thomas Jefferson | Senior | – |
| D’Shawn Schwartz | Sand Creek | Sophomore | – |
| De’Aundre Twilley | Mitchell | Junior | PF |
Player of the year: Justin Bassey, Colorado Academy
Coach of the year: Mark Engesser, Colorado Springs Christian
| First team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Justin Bassey | Colorado Academy | Junior | G/F |
| Spencer Bazz | Faith Christian | Senior | SG |
| Samuel Howard | Colorado Springs Christian | Junior | – |
| Sam Parker | Grand Valley | Senior | G |
| James Willis | Lutheran | Senior | – |
| Second team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Joe Camilletti | Moffat County | Senior | – |
| Justin Engesser | Colorado Springs Christian | Sophomore | – |
| Grant Harkness | Faith Christian | Senior | C/PF |
| Chris Hildenbrand | Colorado Springs Christian | Senior | – |
| Ethan Rose | Sterling | Senior | – |
| Third team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| T Blackbear | Ridge View Academy | Senior | G |
| Josh Brown | The Pinnacle | Senior | SF |
| Ben Carpenter | Roaring Fork | Senior | – |
| Isaak Cirone | Estes Park | Senior | G |
| Christian Hyatt | Colorado Academy | Junior | G |
| Jaydn Michael | DSST-Green Valley Ranch | Junior | SG/SF |
| Joe Raff | Jefferson Academy | Senior | SG/SF |
Player of the year: Miles Caldon, Sanford
Coach of the year: Rhett Larsen, Sanford
| First team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Miles Caldon | Sanford | Junior | SG |
| Luke Fick | Resurrection Christian | Junior | G |
| Tito Fierro | Holyoke | Senior | G |
| Wyatt Hayes | Ignacio | Junior | PG |
| Cody Norris | Simla | Senior | G |
| Second team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Chance Canty | Sanford | Junior | PF |
| Jared Clarkson | Akron | Senior | PG/G |
| Kadyn Hicks | Highland | Senior | – |
| Adison Jones | Ignacio | Senior | SF/SG |
| Michael Stevenson | Resurrection Christian | Sophomore | G |
| Third team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Connor Fiscus | Merino | Senior | G/PG |
| Kyler Hamacher | Simla | Senior | G |
| Raul Lopez | Meeker | Senior | – |
| Clayton Peterson | Sanford | Senior | SF |
| Josh Rocha | Swink | Senior | – |
Player of the year: Bryan Ortiz, Holly
Coach of the year: Tom Hessler, Fleming
| First team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Ethan Caton | Sangre de Cristo | Senior | – |
| Tristan Nelson | Holly | Senior | – |
| Bryan Ortiz | Holly | Senior | – |
| Tanner Smith | Jim Elliot Christian | Senior | G |
| TJ Trujillo | McClave | Senior | – |
| Second team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Cory Cooley | Sangre de Cristo | Senior | SG |
| Matthew Crane | South Baca | Senior | F |
| Jaxon King | Fleming | Sophomore | G |
| Austin Littlefield | Prairie | Senior | – |
| Blake Meredith | Fleming | Junior | F |
| Third team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | School | Year | Pos. |
| Casey Barrett | Peetz | Senior | SG/SG |
| Rhett Eskew | South Baca | Senior | G |
| Trent Leoffler | Arickaree/Woodlin | Junior | – |
| Justin Self | Springfield | Senior | – |
| Joey Stahley | Fleming | Junior | G |
BOULDER â The championship games of Class 4A and 5A girls basketball are on Saturday at the Coors Events Center.
Find photos from each game below.
More coverage:
BOULDER — The Valor Christian girls basketball team has supremely gifted scorers.
Kendall Bradbury and Caroline Bryan, versatile 5-foot-10 forwards equally capable in the post and perimeter, and Madison McCoy, a knockdown shooter and distributor, capped off a nightmarish playoffs for the opposition with an impressive 73-47 blowout of Sand Creek (23-4) in the Class 4A state final on Saturday.
The win at the Coors Events Center earned Valor (26-3) their first state championship in program history.
Two days after Sand Creek’s defense seemed invincible in a 59-31 handling of Longmont in the Final 4, Valor outscored Longmont’s game total in the first half alone as they took a 38-29 lead. Those weapons knifed the heart of the Scorpions’ defense.
Liah Davis, Sand Creek’s enormous 6-foot-2 post who dominated as an intimidating rim protector this season, was forced out of her comfort zone Saturday. The junior had to guard both Bradbury and Bryan.
Bradbury got started inside with 11 of Valor’s first 13 points. Then, the tandem’s shooting touch forced Davis out to the perimeter and opened up the lane for the Eagles’ slashers. Valor moved the ball well and found their many deep threats burying 9-of-18 shots from beyond the arc.
“I knew I had to start quick the whole tournament,” Bradbury said. “I had to get inside and get my rhythm that way first. Then, when I knocked down that three, I was just feeling it. When they switched Liah on me, Caroline was open. She took over in the post. I had to get going early and I knew the team could take it from there.”
A small early lead turned into Valor drowning Sand Creek’s hopes as the Scorpions only scored 18 points after halftime.
More than anything, Valor’s offense executed to perfection, just as they had throughout the state tournament.
“Our offense is designed for inside and out,” Valor coach Jessika Caldwell said. “One of our keys to victory was that we had to go inside in order to go outside. We wanted to get Kendall touches, we wanted to get Caroline touches. That’s what opened up the rest of the game for Heidi and Caroline and Madison from the outside.”
The seniors Bryan (22 points, 16 rebounds) and Bradbury (20 points), after combining for 53 points in the Eagles’ easy Final 4 win over Pueblo West on Thursday, looked unstoppable again.
Bradbury, averaging over 22 per game, and company also blistered Denver North 92-23, Windsor 70-25, Holy Family 53-37, and Pueblo West 87-64 in the playoffs during one of the more dominant postseason runs in recent memory.
Valor certainly had motivation after losing to Broomfield 67-46 in last year’s state semis, and losing the Jeffco crown to D’Evelyn as the Jags won twice, once when Bryan was out with injury and once when Valor had to forfeit due to scheduling too many games. Plus, Valor earned a No. 2 seed in the state tournament after they felt a No. 1 was deserved.
“When we figured out we were a two seed, I think coach was pretty upset,” Bradbury said. “She wanted to be a one seed. We just had that mindset that we wanted to destroy teams. We played our best team basketball when we needed to and it was so nice when we got Caroline back.”
Valor proved its worth when it counted.
“It’s just joy,” Caldwell, in her first season as the Valor coach after spending several years as a college assistant, said. “We just wanted to enjoy every moment. I believe our girls did that.”
Heidi Hammond chipped in 16 points for Valor in the state finals. Madison McCoy had 13. Both players are juniors.
Liah Davis finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds for Sand Creek. Moriah Ceballes scored 10.
BOULDER â The Final 4 of Class 4A and 5A girls basketball is on Thursday at the Coors Events Center.
Find photos from each game below.
More coverage:
(2) Valor Christian 87, (1) Pueblo West 64
(2) Sand Creek 59, (6) Longmont 31
(1) Broomfield 71, (2) Cherry Creek 42
(1) ThunderRidge 46, (1) Monarch 31
BOULDER — Defense wins championships, or so the cliché goes.
For the Sand Creek Scorpions, the old saying might just ring true after they defeated the Longmont Trojans 59-31 Thursday night at the Coors Event Center in Boulder to advance to the Class 4A girls basketball championship game this weekend.
One year after falling in the Great 8, Sand Creek never let this semifinal be in doubt. Behind the strong work of junior forward Liah Davis, the Scorpions defense tightened the noose early on the overmatched Trojans.
Davis finished with six blocks and a steal, and her presence down low allowed the rest of Sand Creek’s energetic defenders stay in the face of Longmont’s ball-handler, even when they overcommitted.
“Even sometimes when we over-played, we still got back into position,” said Davis. “I think we’re a really good defensive team where we can be out of position, and still have that second line helping out.”
Despite both sides turning the ball over in the first, it was the Scorpions defense that was really bearing down, and there was just no room for the Trojans to breath — much less advance the ball or get a shot off. The only Trojan who found any room to work with was junior Sydney Wetterstrom, had eight of Longmont’s nine points in the first.
Wetterstrom finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, the only Trojan in double-figures by a wide margin.
The Scorpions defense didn’t let up as the game went on either. The Trojans wound up turning the ball over 24 times and shot just 24.1 percent on the night. Already up 15 points at the half, Sand Creek shut out the Trojans completely in the third quarter, putting any doubts about their dominate performance to rest.
“Compliments to number 15 (Wetterstrom). She scared me when I watched video. So we had to try to do something to neutralize her. Our goal was to defend the passer and front her, because they love to lob it to her,” said Sand Creek first-year head coach Frank Haist. “Fortunately, it worked.”
Meanwhile, on the offense end, the Scorpions spread their attack around.
Leading the way again was Davis, who finished with 10 points and added 17 rebounds for good measure. The 6-foot-2forward was often the first one down the court for either squad, and worked her way into great position using not just her size, but her speed.
“She runs the court for a big girl very well, and the thing is, she’s getting rebounds and then she’s running to the low post most possessions,” said Haist. “And I didn’t take her out much. For being a big strong girl and having that type of cardio, where she can stay in the game and be effective, that’s a testament to her.”
Junior guard Oliana Squires also had a big night for Sand Creek, finishing with a team-high 16 points in just over 15 minutes after getting in early foul trouble. Just as importantly, all of Sand Creek’s guards kept finding Davis, who kept getting in perfect position.
“Sometimes guards don’t see opportunities to give it to the big girl. Our guards see it and are looking to get her touches,” said Haist. “So in that context, it creates an unselfish game where guards know she needs touches if we’re going to be successful, and Liah knows that when she’s triple-teamed to kick it out and get better shots.”
The win means the Scorpions will take on the Valor Christian Eagles — the team that defeated them 67-60 in last year’s quarterfinals, ending their season — Saturday night in the 4A title game. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. at the Coors Event Center in Boulder.
Longmont, a No. 6 seed in the Class 4A girls basketball state tournament, upset No. 1-seeded Canon City on its home court on Friday night.
The Trojans led 23-16 at the break, and then used a 9-0 run late in the third quarter to go up 34-23. It was 39-29 after three quarters
Canon City did cut the lead to 39-33, but that was as close at the Tigers would get.
Longmont’s Sydney Wetterstrom finished the game with 28 points and 16 rebounds, according to Brad Cochi of BoCoPreps.com.
Longmont returns to the Final 4 for the first time since 2011.
The semifinals are next Thursday at CU’s Coors Events Center.
[divider]
A close game throughout, Sand Creek was able to pull out the win in the final minute.
The Scorpions held a five-point lead at 54-49 with 1:53 to play, but a quick 5-0 D’Evelyn run tied the game with 44 seconds remaining.
Sand Creek had lost in the Great 8 each of the past three seasons. This is the program’s first-ever trip to the Final 4.
[divider]
Pueblo West held just a slim 27-25 margin at the break, but a massive 26-5 advantage in the third quarter proved to be the difference as the Cyclones advanced to the Final 4.
The lead got as wide as 53-30 before a 7-0 Mullen run in the fourth closed the gap a little.
Pueblo West was last in the semifinals in 2013, when it lost to D’Evelyn. This marks the third time the Cyclones have been to the Final 4 in four seasons.
[divider]
On the road, Valor Christian went in and upset Holy Family.
Valor led 27-21 at halftime, and then 38-32 after three quarters, but widened the gap in the fourth.
Kendall Bradbury had 29 points in the win.
With the win, Valor Christian returns to the Final 4. The Eagles lost to Broomfield in Boulder last season.
Find a complete recap of the game here.
[divider]
Thursday, March 12 at CU’s Coors Events Center, times TBD (Bracket)
Defending champions are on top of three of CHSAANow.com’s four preseason girls soccer rankings. The fourth? Well, it’s a new classification this season.
Columbine (5A), Cheyenne Mountain (4A) and Colorado Academy (3A) are all coming off of titles last season, and all opened the year at No. 1 when the poll was released on Monday.
Front Range Christian leads the first-ever 2A poll. The Falcons made the 3A state tournament field last season.
In 5A, Columbine got four of the 10 first-place votes to edge No. 2 Mountain Vista. Mountain Vista, Rock Canyon (No. 3) and Pine Creek (No. 5) each received two first-place votes.
Ralston Valley, last year’s runner-up, is No. 4 in 5A’s preseason poll.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association.
Complete rankings for all classes are below.
[divider]
Voted upon by coaches and select 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.
| Class 5A | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RK | TEAM | W-L | PTS |
| 1 | Columbine (4) | 0-0-0 | 92 |
| 2 | Mountain Vista (2) | 0-0-0 | 84 |
| 3 | Rock Canyon (2) | 0-0-0 | 64 |
| 4 | Ralston Valley | 0-0-0 | 60 |
| 5 | Pine Creek (2) | 0-0-0 | 58 |
| 6 | Fossil Ridge | 0-0-0 | 47 |
| 7 | Cherry Creek | 0-0-0 | 44 |
| 8 | Fort Collins | 0-0-0 | 32 |
| 9 | Arapahoe | 0-0-0 | 30 |
| 10 | Smoky Hill | 0-0-0 | 18 |
| Others receiving votes: | |||
| Broomfield 16, ThunderRidge 13, Doherty 12, Fairview 12, Liberty 7, Legacy 6, Denver East 3, Grandview 3, Cherokee Trail 2, Legend 2. | |||
| Class 4A | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RK | TEAM | W-L | PTS |
| 1 | Cheyenne Mountain (10) | 0-0-0 | 100 |
| 2 | Green Mountain | 0-0-0 | 63 |
| 3 | Lewis-Palmer | 0-0-0 | 56 |
| 4 | Sand Creek | 0-0-0 | 47 |
| 5 | Niwot | 0-0-0 | 44 |
| 6 | Evergreen | 0-0-0 | 39 |
| 7 | Battle Mountain | 0-0-0 | 38 |
| 8 | Valor Christian | 0-0-0 | 29 |
| 9 | Air Academy | 0-0-0 | 20 |
| 10 | Palmer Ridge | 0-0-0 | 19 |
| Others receiving votes: | |||
| Wheat Ridge 18, Montrose 10, Ponderosa 8, Silver Creek 8, Longmont 6, Centaurus 5, D’Evelyn 5, The Classical Academy 5, Glenwood Springs 4, Pueblo Centennial 4, Discovery Canyon 3, Mullen 3, Thompson Valley 2, Standley Lake 1, Steamboat Springs 1, Weld Central 1. | |||
| Class 3A | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RK | TEAM | W-L | PTS |
| 1 | Colorado Academy (9) | 0-0-0 | 99 |
| 2 | Kent Denver | 0-0-0 | 77 |
| 3 | Jefferson Academy | 0-0-0 | 70 |
| 4 | St. Mary’s | 0-0-0 | 62 |
| 5 | The Academy | 0-0-0 | 53 |
| 6 | Coal Ridge (1) | 0-0-0 | 48 |
| 7 | Frontier Academy | 0-0-0 | 39 |
| 8 | Manitou Springs | 0-0-0 | 22 |
| 9 | Liberty Common | 0-0-0 | 20 |
| 10 | Sterling | 0-0-0 | 19 |
| Others receiving votes: | |||
| Faith Christian 9, Denver Science & Tech – Stapleton 7, Grand Valley 7, Fountain Valley 6, SkyView Academy 5, Machebeuf 2, Roaring Fork 2, Alamosa 1, St. Mary’s Academy 1. | |||
| Class 2A | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RK | TEAM | W-L | PTS |
| 1 | Front Range Christian (7) | 0-0-0 | 35 |
| 2 | Denver Christian | 0-0-0 | 23 |
| 3 | Dawson School | 0-0-0 | 16 |
| 4 | Cornerstone Christian | 0-0-0 | 12 |
| 5 | Evangelical Christian | 0-0-0 | 7 |
| Others receiving votes: | |||
| Telluride 5, Resurrection Christian 4, Vail Mountain 3. | |||