CHSAANow

Tag: Wheat Ridge

  • Girls soccer rankings: Three new teams join each of the state’s biggest classifications

    In the latest girls soccer coaches poll, three new teams joined the top 12 in both Class 5A and Class 4A.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Girls Soccer Polls

    Coaches looking to vote should email bcochi@chsaa.org.

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Broomfield (6) 1-0 246 2
    2 Grandview (9) 2-0 236 1
    3 Cherry Creek (4) 2-0 188 5
    4 Fairview 1-0 159 8
    5 Valor Christian (3) 1-0 149 11
    6 Mountain Vista (1) 2-0 145 7
    7 Columbine (1) 1-0 107 6
    8 Arapahoe 0-1 86 3
    9 Regis Jesuit 0-0 75 8
    10 Legacy 1-0 71 –
    11 Chatfield 1-0 60 –
    12 ThunderRidge 1-0 57 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Rock Canyon 50, Rocky Mountain 32, Ponderosa 32, Cherokee Trail 31, Fossil Ridge 26, Chaparral 23, Arvada West 23, Fort Collins 23, Denver East 23, Boulder 21, Pine Creek 18, Rampart 17, Liberty 15, Ralston Valley 10, Eaglecrest 7, Horizon 5, Monarch 5, Poudre 3, Denver South 2, Mountain Range 2, Skyline 1, Far Northeast Warriors 1, Heritage 1
    Dropped out
    Ralston Valley (9)
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Evergreen (15) 1-0 244 1
    2 Cheyenne Mountain (4) 1-0 193 2
    3 D’Evelyn (2) 1-0 171 3
    4 Wheat Ridge 2-0 147 5
    5 Air Academy 1-0 130 4
    6 Sand Creek 1-0 124 6
    7 Windsor (2) 1-0 120 10
    8 Mullen 0-2 74 7
    9 Pueblo Centennial 0-0 68 11
    10 Loveland 2-0 49 –
    11 Niwot 0-0 47 –
    12 Holy Family 1-0 44 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Green Mountain 43, Mead 37, Discovery Canyon 36, The Classical Academy 35, Steamboat Springs 32, Durango 32, Golden 29, Palmer Ridge 27, Northridge 27, Palisade 27, Erie 22, Battle Mountain 17, Thompson Valley 15, Centaurus 13, Woodland Park 8, Conifer 8, Pueblo West 7, Pueblo Central 7, Glenwood Springs 6, Lewis-Palmer 6, Montrose 5, Mesa Ridge 5, Northfield 4, Mountain View 4, Frederick 4, Falcon 3, Skyview 1, Pueblo County 1
    Dropped out
    The Classical Academy (8), Battle Mountain (9)
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Colorado Academy (16) 2-0 228 1
    2 Kent Denver (4) 1-0 211 2
    3 Jefferson Academy 1-0 188 3
    4 Aspen 1-0 126 5
    5 Lutheran 2-0 92 10
    6 Salida 0-0 82 8
    7 Peak to Peak 0-2 79 4
    8 Stargate School 2-0 69 –
    9 Vail Mountain 2-0 64 11
    10 Liberty Common 0-0 51 6
    11 Prospect Ridge Academy 1-1 50 9
    12 Middle Park 1-0 46 7
    Others receiving votes:
    Colorado Springs Christian 41, The Academy 37, Eagle Ridge Academy 35, St. Mary’s 31, Manitou Springs 19, SkyView Academy 15, Jefferson 11, KIPP Denver Collegiate 11, Roaring Fork 11, Estes Park 10, Faith Christian 10, Frontier Academy 10, Bishop Machebeuf 9, Alamosa 7, Bayfield 5, Basalt 5, Valley 3, Sterling 2, St. Mary’s Academy 2
    Dropped out
    St. Mary’s (8)
    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Dawson School (6) 0-0 127 1
    2 Denver Christian (5) 0-0 126 2
    3 Telluride 1-0 98 3
    4 Crested Butte 2-0 94 4
    5 Flatirons Academy 1-0 89 5
    6 Front Range Christian 1-0 66 6
    7 Loveland Classical 1-0 51 7
    8 Ridgway 1-0 49 8
    9 Belleview Christian 0-0 38 10
    10 Colorado Rocky Mountain 1-1 29 11
    11 Colorado Springs School 0-0 24 9
    12 Clear Creek 2-0 17 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Del Norte 11, Vail Christian 10, Thomas MacLaren School 8, Grand Valley 5, Addenbrooke Classical Academy 4, Rocky Mountain Lutheran 3, Rye 3, Buena Vista 3, Nederland 1, Lamar 1, Campion Academy 1
    Dropped out

  • Girls soccer rankings: The preseason poll for Season D

    soccer generic boys girls
    (Brad Cochi)

    In the first poll of Season D, Grandview, Evergreen, Colorado Academy and Dawson are the preseason No. 1s.

    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]

    CHSAANow.com Girls Soccer Polls

    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 bcochi@chsaa.org.

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Grandview (8) 0-0 184
    2 Broomfield (3) 0-0 172
    3 Arapahoe (1) 0-0 139
    4 Rock Canyon (2) 0-0 106
    5 Cherry Creek 0-0 98
    6 Columbine (1) 0-0 92
    7 Mountain Vista (2) 0-0 91
    8 Fairview 0-0 87
    9 Regis Jesuit 0-0 82
    10 Rocky Mountain 0-0 74
    11 Valor Christian (1) 0-0 67
    12 Ralston Valley 0-0 51
    Others receiving votes:
    Fossil Ridge 40, Legacy 35, Boulder 35, Rampart 31, ThunderRidge 24, Cherokee Trail 24, Chatfield 24, Castle View 18, Brighton 11, Pine Creek 10, Northglenn 9, Legend 7, Lakewood 7, Ponderosa 7, Fort Collins 6, Liberty 5, Mountain Range 5, Denver East 5, Chaparral 4, Prairie View 3, Pomona 2, Denver South 2, Horizon 1, Vista PEAK Prep 1, Rangeview 1
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Evergreen (10) 0-0 213
    2 Cheyenne Mountain (5) 0-0 181
    3 D’Evelyn (4) 0-0 159
    4 Air Academy 0-0 108
    5 Wheat Ridge 0-0 101
    6 Sand Creek 0-0 92
    7 Mullen 0-0 86
    8 Green Mountain 0-0 76
    9 The Classical Academy 0-0 75
    10 Windsor (1) 0-0 63
    11 Pueblo Centennial 0-0 49
    12 Battle Mountain 0-0 47
    Others receiving votes:
    Niwot 40, Holy Family 39, Palmer Ridge 36, Mead 30, Erie 20, Golden 19, Northridge 15, Lewis-Palmer 14, Denver North 13, Thompson Valley 13, Vista Ridge 11, Northfield 11, Glenwood Springs 8, Standley Lake 8, Pueblo West 7, Montrose 5, Frederick 4, Durango 4, Mountain View 3, Steamboat Springs 3, Discovery Canyon 3, Roosevelt 2, Skyview 1, Pueblo County 1
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Colorado Academy (15) 0-0 191
    2 Kent Denver (2) 0-0 178
    3 Jefferson Academy 0-0 154
    4 Peak to Peak 0-0 100
    5 Aspen 0-0 89
    6 Liberty Common 0-0 77
    7 Middle Park 0-0 72
    8 Salida 0-0 62
    9 St. Mary’s 0-0 59
    10 Lutheran 0-0 52
    11 Vail Mountain 0-0 51
    12 Prospect Ridge Academy 0-0 49
    Others receiving votes:
    Eagle Ridge Academy 31, Manitou Springs 29, Stargate School 27, SkyView Academy 26, Colorado Springs Christian 17, The Academy 15, Jefferson 11, Roaring Fork 6, Sterling 5, KIPP Denver Collegiate 5, Alamosa 4, Faith Christian 3, Resurrection Christian 3, Coal Ridge 3, Frontier Academy 2, James Irwin 2, STRIVE Prep – SMART 2, DSST: Green Valley Ranch 1
    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Dawson School (5) 0-0 104
    2 Denver Christian (4) 0-0 99
    3 Telluride 0-0 75
    4 Crested Butte 0-0 69
    5 Flatirons Academy 0-0 63
    6 Front Range Christian 0-0 51
    7 Loveland Classical 0-0 43
    8 Ridgway 0-0 35
    9 Del Norte 0-0 32
    10 Belleview Christian 0-0 30
    11 Colorado Rocky Mountain 0-0 29
    12 Colorado Springs School 0-0 16
    Others receiving votes:
    Thomas MacLaren School 12, Clear Creek 11, Evangelical Christian 9, Rocky Mountain Lutheran 7, Vail Christian 7, Rye 6, The Vanguard School 3, Campion Academy 1

  • Photos: Golden boys soccer gets Jeffco League win over Wheat Ridge

    A goal in the second half broke the tie and Golden boys soccer came away with a 1-0 Class 4A Jeffco League win over Wheat Ridge.

  • Pomona gymnastics coming off a historic fifth straight 5A team state title

    Pomona coach Tracey Boychuk led the Panthers’ gymnastics team to history when the Panthers claimed its fifth consecutive Class 5A team title during the Fall 2019 season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    ARVADA — It might seem like an eternity ago when Pomona’s gymnastics team celebrated its record breaking fifth consecutive Class 5A team state title on Nov. 7, 2019 at Thornton High School.

    The Panthers became the first large-school classification gymnastics program to win five straight team state titles, not to mention outgoing Wheat Ridge senior Kaylie Berens claiming her second individual all-around title competing for the Panthers to finish out her impressive high school career.

    A lot has happened world-wide since Pomona posed for pictures with that state title in hand.

    Teagan Watkins is one of six seniors for Pomona’s gymnastics squad this season. Coach Tracey Boychuk has focused of giving her seniors the best experience possible during this delayed and shorted gymnastics season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “It’s been kind of weird. I’m not going to lie,” said Wheat Ridge senior Teagan Watkins, who competes for Pomona. “It has been good. I’m glad we had a season because we’ve all been working hard not even knowing if we would have a season. The unknown is so stressful at times.”

    Tradition Fall sports — gymnastics, boys soccer, volleyball and field hockey — all were pushed back to the current Season C due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gymnastics season began with official practices on March 8 and are scheduled to wrap up on April 24 at Thornton High School with the final day of the state meet.

    “It’s been strange obviously, but it’s been good because for both coaches and athletes we’ve learned how to be really flexible,” Pomona coach Tracey Boychuk said.

    Boychuk has focused on giving her six seniors all the opportunities they can get to compete during this shortened season.

    “When I make the line-up I put my seniors in there first. I put them in the events that they are ready on,” Boychuk said. “We’ve got four seniors who can do the all-around so I’ve been putting them in there first and filling in from there. None of them will be competing in college, so I want to give them as much competition time as I can.”

    When it comes to winning that sixth straight championship, Boychuk is hopeful but realistic when it comes to extending Pomona’s championship dynasty.

    “If it was the Fall, I would say absolutely,” Boychuk said of Pomona’s chances of winning a sixth straight team title. “When you have your top four girls out because of injures — broken foot, meniscus, COVID and a back — there isn’t much you can do.”

    Mia Tims is one of those injured gymnasts that hurts Pomona’s depth. Tims placed second in the all-around behind Berens last school year as a junior. Still, never say never to this tradition rich program.

    “A lot of us have never not won the state title. You want to strive to that spot,” Watkins said. “We also have realistic expectations too. We are just going to do our best and put out who is ready.”

    Pomona closes out its regular season with the Jeffco League Championships on Friday, April 9. It will be different looking conference championship meet. Instead of one site, the nine Jeffco programs will split up to three different sites — Arvada West, Bear Creek and Evergreen — with all three triangular meets set to start at 5:30 p.m.

    The regional meets will take place next week. The 5A state meet is currently scheduled for April 22 and 24 at Thornton High School.

    “It’s been crazy and a whirlwind,” is how Ralston Valley senior Caroline Glaze described the gymnastics season. “It has been super fast and obviously with COVID everything is different, but it has been fun to be back out here together and being able to do what we love to do.”

    No matter what happens in the last few weeks of Season C, getting back on the mats, vault, beams and bars has clearly been what is most important.

    “I’m so grateful we had a season even if it didn’t go the way we exactly thought it would go,” Watkins said. “Personally, I got the opportunities this year as a senior to still get to compete. That has been special.”

    Glaze agreed with her fellow senior.

    “The main focus has been having fun and being together for our last few weeks of our last semester of high school,” Glaze said. “This is our last final ride together. We are soaking in every moment.”

  • Photos: Standley Lake boys soccer beats Wheat Ridge

    Kellen Bundgaard scored a goal and had two assists as Standley Lake boys soccer beat Wheat Ridge 5-0 on Friday.

  • Dunks and 3-pointers reign in Jeffco HS Senior Basketball game

    LAKEWOOD — Valor Christian senior Amondo Miller’s final dunk finished off a fun night Thursday at the Gold Crown Fieldhouse.

    The Blue squad took a 130-124 victory in the boys’ Jeffco High School Senior Basketball Game. The annual game featuring the top seniors in the Class 5A and 4A Jeffco Leagues didn’t take place last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    While dunks and optional defense was in full force, the 3-point shooting was particularly sharp by the co-MVPs. Columbine senior Garrett Rogers and Wheat Ridge senior Westin Miller poured in seven 3-pointers each to lead both of their teams in scoring.

    Valor senior Amondo Miller goes up for a dunk Thursday night. Miller had 25 points for in the Blue’s 130-124 victory. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “I was just shooting and having a good time,” said Rogers, who had a game-high 29 points. “I appreciate Gold Crown for putting this on. It was amazing.”

    The Blue squad actually trailed 97-91 heading into the final 10-minute quarter. However, the Blue team scored 39 points in the final quarter to win going away. Green Mountain senior Austin Peterson got hot from 3-point range hitting a trio from long range in the final quarter.

    Valor’s Miller and AJ Kula combined for 14 points in the final quarter and Rogers canned a pair of 3-pointers for good measure to pull out the come-from-behind victory.

    “It was just really fun playing with all the guys. You play them during league and you know them because of club,” Rogers said. “It is always a great time getting out there and playing together.”

    Wheat Ridge senior Westin Miller watches the ball after releasing a 3-pointer Thursday night. Miller had seven 3-pointers on his way to MVP honors for the White squad. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Wheat Ridge’s Miller started the game off with a 3-pointer in the opening seconds. The Farmer has being getting ready for the upcoming high school baseball season, but getting one last chance on the hardwood with fellow Wheat Ridge teammate Dominic Cross was special.

    “It was awesome. I got to play one more basketball game,” said Miller, who has signed to play baseball next school year at Regis University. “I’ve been practicing baseball, so it was nice to get back out on the court. Most of us are competitors, but when it comes to this they are your teammates now.”

    There were more than 40 3-pointers made in the game. Almost every time down the court it was either a bomb from long range or a driving dunk.

    “It was a good shooting night for both of us,” Miller said of him and Rogers combining for 14 3-pointers. “I had no idea who he was at first, but he was ripping every shot he took.”

    Green Mountain senior Austin Peterson tries to beat Evergreen senior Griffin Lauritano (13) off the dribble Thursday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Lakewood’s Michael Bennett, Dakota Ridge’s Gino Corridori, Bear Creek’s Liam Franks, Evergreen’s Griffin Lauritano and Jared Stiller, Cross along with Westin Miller were all in double-digits for the White squad coached by Evergreen’s boys basketball coach Jeff Dolan.

    Rogers and Amondo Miller combined for over 50 points. Ralston Valley’s Blake Butvidas, D’Evelyn’s Luke Kjellsen, Kula and Peterson all reach double-digit points for the victorious Blue team.

    It marked the end of the prep basketball season in Jeffco that had its challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “It shows how much we have progressed through this tough time,” Rogers said of having the game return to close out the basketball season.

    Columbine senior Garrett Rogers was the leading scorer pouring in 29 points, including seven 3-pointers, during the boys’ Jeffco High School Senior Basketball Game on Thursday night at the Gold Crown Fieldhouse. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Wheat Ridge boys soccer impressive in win versus No. 7 Alameda International

    Wheat Ridge sophomore Marco Neswadi (3) tries to cut off Alameda senior Jose Martinez’s path toward the goal as the snow falls Tuesday night at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LAKEWOOD — Alameda International was actually the last high school boys soccer team to play at historic Lakewood Memorial Field … that was 507 days ago.

    The Pirates suffered a 2-0 loss in the opening round of the Class 4A boys soccer state tournament back on Nov. 2, 2019. The loss marked the end of an outstanding 14-2 record for Alameda. Little did anyone know then that the COVID-19 pandemic would leave Lakewood Memorial nearly dormant until Tuesday night.

    “We all cherished that first step,” Wheat Ridge senior Jace Sandler said about returning to Lakewood Memorial Field. “It feels good to be back out here. This is our home. We love it.”

    Alameda sophomore Jair Perez, left, and Wheat Ridge junior Kevin Estacuy fight for the ball during the Class 4A Jeffco League game Tuesday night. The Farmers won 5-2. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Wheat Ridge faced off against Alameda — No. 7 in this week’s Class 4A CHSAANow.com rankings — in a 4A Jeffco League match. The night belonged to Sandler, who scored four goals and an assist in the Farmers’ 5-2 victory over the Pirates (3-1, 2-1 in league)

    “It’s been awhile,” Sandler said when asked if he had ever scored four goals in a single game. “It was a lots of fun. Anytime you get to go out there with your team and have success. I’m not putting in those goals without the center-mid giving me that perfect pass on my foot.”

    Sandler scored goals on breakaways in the 13th and 39th minutes of the first half, giving the Farmers (2-0-1, 2-0-1) a 2-0 lead at the break.

    Alameda senior Jose Martinez got the Pirates right back in the game with a hard shot that was deflected into the goal in the 43th minute. However, Sandler answered with a nifty turn in front of Alameda’s goal to create some space and complete his hat-trick in the 44th minute.

    “He is just a stud,” Wheat Ridge coach Nate Flack said of Sandler. “The coolest thing about Jace is he is such a team player. He loves this family and loves his team. He is the first guy out and last one to leave. I’m glad he got reward tonight with some goals.”

    Alameda responded with a direct free-kick goal by senior Jonathan Serrano in the 50th minute to make it a 3-2 game.

    Wheat Ridge freshman Alden Reeves (17) looks to advance the ball up the field Tuesday night at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    It was Sandler again giving the Farmers back the 2-goal lead, but this time with an assist. The senior slid a pass over to senior Jack Francis in the 62nd minute. Sandler finished off the scoring with his fourth goal in the 65th minute on a tight angle shot.

    Wheat Ridge remained undefeated with Evergreen and Golden in 4A Jeffco. The Farmers’ lone blemish was a 1-1 tie against Littleton over the weekend.

    “We were just really antsy and the guys have been working really hard,” Flack said. “We just focus on what we can control. You can’t the regulations or the weather. We can just control coming out and working.”

    The Farmers hadn’t won a conference game since the Fall 2017 season, but already have two league wins under their belt.

    “You look at this league and there are a lot of great opponents. A lot of great coaches,” Flack said. “We know what we have here is special. They are a tight family and group of kids. We are excited to keep working and going after it.”

    Wheat Ridge is scheduled to face Standley Lake in another league game Friday, March 26, at the North Area Athletic Complex before Spring Break.

    “League is wide open. We are looking to take it,” Sandler said. “We’ll go forward from here. Each game is a worthy game. It’s one game at a time. We want league for sure.”

    Alameda is still in the thick of the conference race despite the loss. The Pirates return to action against Golden on Friday night at the NAAC.

    Alameda senior Jonathan Serrano (19) puts his foot into one during the first half Tuesday night at Lakewood Memorial Field. It was the first boys soccer game at LMF in 507 days. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Wheat Ridge boys basketball finds its range in win versus Standley Lake

    WESTMINSTER — Wheat Ridge senior Dominic Cross had a memorable night on the basketball court Monday at Standley Lake High School.

    Cross dropped a career-high 27 points as the Farmers defeated the Gators 70-42.

    “I don’t remember ever scoring 27 points in a game,” Cross said. “This year I’ve struggled shooting. Tonight I really wanted to get to the rim and get my rhythm going. It was a great team win. My teammates got me going feeding me the ball early.”

    Cross carried a heavy load in the first half scoring 18 points by halftime. The Farmers (7-4 record) held a 27-18 lead going into the break with the senior guard doing it on both ends of the court.

    Wheat Ridge senior Scotty Kingman puts in a layup during the Farmers’ 26-point fourth quarter Monday against Standley Lake. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “He (Cross) can get us going. He has the energy to do it,” Wheat Ridge coach Tommy Dowd said. “He is just a smart player. He shot the ball really well and destroyed them (Standley Lake) defensively.”

    Standley Lake (3-8) was still hanging around through three quarters trailing 44-33, but Wheat Ridge really got going offensively in the fourth quarter. The Farmers outscored the Gators 26-9 in the final 8 minutes to grab a third straight victory for Wheat Ridge.

    The Farmers finished Class 4A Jeffco League play last week with a 5-3 conference mark, good enough for tied for fourth in the league that features three teams — Evergreen, Golden and Green Mountain — ranked in the top-12 in 4A.

    “We always want to win. We want to have great momentum going into the tournament,” Cross said. “I would love to go on the road and beat some good teams, stun some people and make some noise in the tournament.”

    Wheat Ridge senior Westin Miller has been making plenty of noise this season. The future Regis University baseball player is the leading scorer in 4A Jeffco. Miller is averaging 20.4 points per game.

    However, it took awhile for Miller to find his shot against Standley Lake. The senior guard didn’t score in the first half.

    “It did come to me a little bit,” Miller said when asked if he had any thoughts of hanging up his basketball shoes for his baseball cleats at halftime after going scoreless in the opening half. “You just have to keep shooting. I just needed to get some confidence back and keep shooting. I knew they would go in.”

    Standley Lake junior Silas Von (42) goes up to block the shot of Wheat Ridge senior Kale Kissell (10) in the first half Monday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Miller got on track driving to the basket and getting fouled early in the third quarter. He made both free throws and then preceded to drain a trio of 3-pointers to finish with 11 points.

    “Just keep shooting. You’ll never make it until you shoot the next one,” Dowd told Miller at halftime. “He is one of the best shooters we’ve ever had at Wheat Ridge.”

    With the start of the high school baseball season getting pushed out until early May during this COVID-19 year, Miller can focus on the hardwood before moving onto the diamond.

    “I’ve always loved playing basketball,” Miller said. “It is always a great team sport. I love playing with my teammates and my coaches. It’s always a good time.”

    Wheat Ridge has three regular-season games left starting with No. 7-ranked Evergreen on Wednesday night on the Farmers’ home court. The Cougars took a 55-41 win over Wheat Ridge in their league match-up back on Feb. 8.

    “We hope to move up a couple of stops and see where we are at,” Dowd said of the upcoming state tournament that begins with first-round games March 5. “It’s nice to be one of the top seeds, but we’ve been pretty good going on the road and beating somebody. I’d love to go out west (Western Slope).”

    Standley Lake (3-8) was 51st in the RPI rankings to start this week. The Gators close out their regular season at Conifer on Friday night before a pair of home games next week against the 4A Jeffco League champions — Evergreen — and Alameda International.

    The Gators did have nine different players score against the Farmers. Senior Louis Ortega (9 points) and junior Silas Von (8 points) led the way for the Gators.

    Wheat Ridge senior Westin Miller (3) drives on Standley Lake defenders during the second half Monday. Miller, leading scorer in 4A Jeffco, was held scoreless in the first half, but rebounded with a trio of 3-pointers in the second half. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Lakewood girls hoops shakes off the rust against Wheat Ridge

    LAKEWOOD — It took a half, but Lakewood’s girls basketball team found what it needed to get the victory Wednesday night over old rival Wheat Ridge.

    The Tigers and Farmers were actually tied 12-12 midway through the second quarter at Lakewood High School before the Tigers were able to pull away in the second half. Lakewood ended up winning 56-21 in the season opener for both squads.

    Lakewood junior Logan Watson, right, puts defensive pressure on Wheat Ridge senior Angelina Quezada in the season opener for both teams Wednesday night at Lakewood High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “People talk about ugly games. Tonight, ugly was pretty good,” Lakewood coach Chris Poisson said. “We couldn’t throw it in the ocean to start. With this team we are either going to score a lot or none.”

    Lakewood had issues hitting shots in the first half. The Tigers made just six field goals in the opening 16 minutes. Junior Briana Robles was a big reason why Lakewood was able to hold a 18-12 lead at halftime.

    Robles came off the bench to score nine points in the first half to pace the Tigers.

    “She (Robles) is an energy player,” Poisson said.

    The rest of the Tigers started to find their range after halftime. Junior Juliette Fillion finished with a game-high 13 points. Lakewood made seven 3-pointers in the second half to outscore Wheat Ridge 38-9 after halftime.

    Lakewood junior Juliette Fillion swings a pass into the corner during the Tigers’ 35-point victory Wednesday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “It was just a drive to win,” Fillion said of the difference between the first and second half. “We needed to make our shots. Our energy got a lot better.”

    Lakewood graduated its two big outside shooting threats — Nadia Trevizo-Medina and Aaliyah Sabala — from last season. Trevizo-Medina and Sabala combined for nearly 100 made 3-pointers last season.

    Finding scorers to step into those shoes is something that Poisson is concerned about heading into a big match-up at the end of the week.

    Lakewood will have a tough challenge at home on Friday night against one of the favorites to challenge for the 4A state title. Green Mountain — No. 3 in the CHSAANow.com 4A girls basketball preseason rankings and a 4A state semifinalist last season — squares off against the Tigers.

    “Right now I’m just worried about how we are going to score against Green Mountain,” Poisson said. “If we shoot like we did in the first half we are going to be in trouble. If we shoot like we did in the second half it could be a heck of a game.”

    The Tigers — No. 14 in the CHSAANow.com Class 5A girls basketball preseason poll — finished third in 5A Jeffco last year behind No. 2 Valor Christian and No. 4 Ralston Valley. The conference should be tough against with the Eagles and Mustangs the favorites to lead the pack in 5A Jeffco again.

    “We haven’t had much time to work on our stuff,” Fillion said of the shortened COVID-19 season. “It has been nerve-racking, but I think we’re handling it pretty well.”

    Wheat Ridge will attempt to rebound under new head coach Cindy Wirth after a rough run in 4A Jeffco League play last season. The Farmers went 1-11 in conference play last year.

    Wheat Ridge sophomore Sydney McCullum, middle, finds herself trapped by Lakewood senior Jade Atencio (5) and junior Briana Robles (10) during the first half Wednesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Lakewood boys basketball impressive in season opener

    Lakewood senior Michael Bennett (3) drives the lane Wednesday night against Wheat Ridge. Bennett scored a game-high 22 points in the Tigers’ 20-point victory over the Farmers. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LAKEWOOD — Lakewood’s boys basketball team is focused on opening up some eyes this season.

    “I think we have seriously been slept on this year,” Lakewood senior Michael Bennett said after the Tigers took a 65-45 season-opening victory Wednesday night against Wheat Ridge. “We’ve got 10 seniors and we are super motivated. We all know this is our last run. We are all super dedicated to this. I’ve never be around a group of guys who are so focused on one goal to win.”

    Lakewood coach Daryl Johnson returns nearly his entire varsity squad from last season. Bennett (17.6 points per game) and Kyle Wisniewski (11.3 points per game) lead a strong senior group that hopes to improve on its 10-14 record from last season.

    The Tigers made the state tournament last season, but were bounced in the opening round by ThunderRidge by a score of 71-23.

    The tough loss to end last season, along with not getting a single vote in the CHSAANow.com Class 5A boys basketball preseason poll clearly has the Tigers motivated.

    “They have a little chip on their shoulder,” Johnson said. “They weren’t recognized in the preseason (rankings). That doesn’t mean anything, but every kids wants some love and they got none. Maybe they deserved it for what happened at the end of the season in the playoffs.”

    Lakewood led most of the way Wednesday night on its home court. The Tigers slowly grew its lead to double-figures early in the second half on the way to the 20-point victory.

    Wheat Ridge senior Westin Miller (3) scored 19 points for the Farmers, including five 3-pointers. However, it wasn’t enough as Wheat Ridge fell to Lakewood in both teams’ season opener. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “It couldn’t have gone really any better,” said Bennett, who led all scorers with 22 points. “Obviously we had a lot of turnovers and mistakes, but that is what you expect. A lot of us haven’t played in real basketball game for seven or eight months.”

    Wisniewski contributed 14 points and Lakewood big-man John Rugh poured in a cool dozen as the Tigers showed off its versatility to play good defense, control the boards, run the court and shoot the 3-pointer.

    “We’ll make some noise,” Bennett said. “I know we’ll make some noise. I can’t wait.”

    Lakewood won’t have to wait long for its next game. The Tigers host Green Mountain on Friday night.

    Wheat Ridge coach Tommy Dowd also has a senior-laden squad this season. The Farmers will lean heavily on seniors Westin Miller, Dominic Cross and Scotty Kingman. Miller proved to be one of the best 3-point shooters in 4A Jeffco last season shooting 62-for-132 (47 percent) from behind the arc last year.

    Miller finished with a team-high 19 points, including five 3-pointers in the loss.

    “I thought we did some good stuff,” Dowd said. “We just couldn’t cover them. If you can’t play defense it’s going to be hard. We’ve got to play better defense.”

    Wheat Ridge is scheduled to have its home opener Friday against Pomona.

    “That is what the first game is going to give you. Sometimes you look good but you aren’t a good team. Sometimes you look bad and you’ll be a good team,” Dowd said. “Hopefully it is the latter. I’m optimist. We’ve got some good kids. We just have to find out what we are good at.”

    Wheat Ridge senior Scott Kingman (20) and Lakewood senior John Rugh (13) jump on the opening tip Wednesday night at Lakewood High School. The Tigers took a 65-45 victory on their home court. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)