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Tag: Green Mountain

  • 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)

  • Windsor girls basketball punches its ticket to 4A state title game

    LAKEWOOD — Windsor will play for the Class 4A girls basketball state championship Sunday at the World Arena in Colorado Springs.

    The No. 3-seeded Wizards defeated No. 2 Green Mountain 70-44 on the Rams’ home court Thursday night. It’s the first girls basketball title game appearance for Windsor since the program won the 4A championship in 1994.

    “This means so much. We were so ready and excited,” Windsor junior Alexis Backhaus said. “We’ve been ready since June. We’ve been doing things since then to prepare. This is what we were meant to do this season.”

    Windsor senior Kylie Sanger (3) bring the ball down the court while being guarded by Green Mountain sophomore Jayda Maves. Sanger poured in four 3-pointers to help the Wizards to a 70-44 victory in the Class 4A state semifinal. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Windsor faces No. 4 Mullen (16-2 record) in the championship game scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. The Mustangs dominated No. 2 Holy Family 75-50 in the other semifinal.

    “Mullen is a really good team,” Windsor junior Olivia Reed said about the title game Sunday. “We are just going to do what we’ve been doing. We’ll stay together and take it on as a team.”

    The Wizards (16-1) took on the previously undefeated Rams on Green Mountain’s home court. Green Mountain led 9-8 through a sluggish first quarter for both teams offensive, but Windsor turned it on in the second quarter.

    Backhaus poured in a pair of early baskets in the third quarter. Reed powered her way inside to put Windsor up 14-11 with 4:55 left in the second quarter. Then it was senior Kylie Sanger’s turn to get going offensively with a pair of 3-pointers before the midway point of the second quarter.

    “We are super in shape,” Backhaus said of the Wizards outscoring the Rams 43-26 in the second and third quarters. “We just kept running and pushing. We kept running our offense like we do every game.”

    Backhaus (23 points), Sanger (14 points) and Reed (20 points) carried the load offensively combining for 57 points. Backhaus and Sanger poured in three 3-pointers each during the middle quarters. Reed dominated down low to help the Wizards to an eighth straight victory.

    “My teammates do a really good job of getting me good looks,” said Reed, who scored most of her points in the paint. “It was awesome.”

    Green Mountain’s lone senior — Courtney Hank (33) — played her final game of her prep career Thursday night. Hank finished with more to 1,000 points and 600 rebounds during her stellar 4-year career with the Rams. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) 

    It was a heartbreaking loss for Green Mountain (17-1). The Rams were undefeated going into the state semifinal game. Green Mountain’s last loss came a year ago when the Rams lost in the 4A state semifinal against Holy Family.

    “Windsor is on a different level for now,” Green Mountain coach Darren Pitzner said. “It’s something our next senior class and our underclassmen can emulate and shoot for. I’m excited about where Green Mountain is going.”

    The Rams have a 41-4 record over the past two seasons that included the program’s first state semifinal appearances.

    “I’m really excited about the whole Green Mountain community that they’ve got a program from our 2nd-graders all the way up to our seniors to be proud of and motivated to see what they can accomplish,” Pitzner said.

    Green Mountain graduates just one senior in Courtney Hank. Last year’s 4A Jeffco League MVP finished her career with more than 1,000 points and 600 rebounds.

    “I’ve been lucky to coach a special senior in Courtney,” Pitzner said. “She has been the foundation of the turnaround of this program and the face of this program.”

    Green Mountain senior Courtney Hank, left, and Windsor junior Olivia Reed tip things off during the Class 4A state semifinal game Thursday night at Green Mountain High School. Windsor got the road victory to set-up a showdown against Mullen in the 4A state championship game Sunday, March 21, at the World Arena in Colorado Springs. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Photos: Windsor girls basketball heads to 4A championship following win over Green Mountain

    Windsor girls basketball beat Green Mountain 70-44 in the 4A Final 4, and now heads to the championship game.

  • Green Mountain girls hoops returning to Class 4A state Final 4

    LAKEWOOD — Green Mountain’s girls basketball team found itself in a situation Tuesday night it hasn’t been all season.

    The No. 2-seeded Rams were locked in a tied game midway through the fourth quarter against No. 7 Erie in the Class 4A state quarterfinal. Green Mountain (17-0 record) had won every game by double-digits this year, but the Tigers were giving the Rams their toughest test of the season.

    “Erie is so well-coached, so tough and so good at so many things,” Green Mountain coach Darren Pitzner said. “They have counters to everything. They have so many weapons.”

    Green Mountain senior Courtney Hank, right, is fouled going up for a shot Tuesday night against Erie. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Erie junior Grace Moyers converted a 3-point play with 4:54 left in the fourth quarter to tie things up 44-44, but with 3:30 left in the final quarter Green Mountain sophomore Jayda Maves hit maybe the biggest 3-pointer of her prep career to put the Rams ahead for good.

    “I just want to thank Connie (Green Mountain assistant coach Connie Ireland),” an emotional Maves said after the Rams took a 58-50 victory to advance to the 4A state semifinals for the second straight season. “She is always lifting me up and always there for me. I missed four 3s and she just said, ‘Keep shooting. We need you.’ There just are words to describe how much she means to me.”

    Maves had struggled with her shot not scoring in the second or third quarters, but the sophomore came through in crunch-time.

    “She probably takes more shots in practice than anyone else in Jeffco,” Pitzner said of Maves. “That is the result. You hit those shots that help us advance to the Final 4. I’m extremely proud of her.”

    Junior Avery Oaster (16 points) and senior Courtney Hank (12 points) both had a pair of baskets in the final three minutes to keep the Tigers (13-4) at bay. Green Mountain made seven free-throw in the final minute and held Erie to just two points in the final 2:41 of the game.

    Junior Shea Murphy (12 points) poured in a pair of free-throws for good measure in the closing seconds before the Rams celebrated another history victory during their current remarkable two-year run.

    “I think deep down that we would respond,” Oaster said of playing in a tight game for the first time this year. “I was pretty confident we would have our runs.”

    Erie senior Anna Hefner, front, and Green Mountain junior Avery Oaster battle for a loose ball during the Class 4A state quarterfinal game Tuesday night at Green Mountain High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Oaster did most of her damage offensively in the first half. The junior scored a dozen points before halftime to counter Erie’s hot shooting from outside. Moyers, junior Deb Altshuler and Genevieve Gudino combined for six 3-pointers on the night for the Tigers.

    Erie just couldn’t knock down big shots late in the fourth quarter and Green Mountain’s pressure defense forced some turnovers to allow the Rams to punch their ticket to another Final 4.

    “We just kept our composure,” Maves said. “I think that is what helped us in the fourth quarter. We just kept calm and played our game that we know how to play.”

    Green Mountain knows its state semifinal opponents will be another huge test. No. 3 Windsor (15-1) throttled No. 6 George Washington 75-35 in another quarterfinal Tuesday. A COVID-19 benefit for the Rams will be that all state semifinals will be played at the higher-seed this season instead of down at the Denver Coliseum.

    The Rams lost to Holy Family down at the Coliseum last season in the semifinals.

    “Having home-court advantage is one of the biggest things,” Maves said. “We know how Windsor just beat George Washington by 40 points. We know we are going to have to step up our game.”

    Last season was the Rams’ first trip ever to the state semifinals. To earn a return trip is something Pitzner is extremely proud of what his girls, coaching staff and Green Mountain family has achieved.

    “What they have accomplished is historic for this program,” Pitzner said of the back-to-back state semifinal appearances. “They believed the whole time that we could go back to the Final 4.”

    Green Mountain sophomore Jayda Maves spots up for a 3-pointer in front of the Erie bench. Makes hit a pair of key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help lift the Rams to a 58-50 victory and a spot in the Class 4A state tournament semifinals. Green Mountain will host Windsor on Thursday night with a spot in the 4A championship game on the line. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Photos: No. 2 Green Mountain edges No. 7 Erie in 4A girls basketball Great 8

    No. 2 Green Mountain fought to a close 58-50 win over No. 7 Erie to advance to the Class 4A girls basketball Final 4.

  • No. 2 Green Mountain girls hoops begins playoff journey with win over Battle Mountain

    Green Mountain senior Courtney Hank (33) scored eight points in the final 2 and 1/2 minutes of the first half to extend the Rams’ lead to 39-11 at halftime over Battle Mountain. Green Mountain went on to win 55-32 in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LAKEWOOD — Green Mountain’s girls basketball knows how to deal with things being taken away from them.

    It was pretty clear Tuesday night in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament that No. 31-seeded Battle Mountain wasn’t going to allow the Rams’ inside duo of senior Courtney Hank and junior Avery Oaster to have their way in the paint.

    Green Mountain junior Shea Murphy (14) helped get the Rams’ offense going in the first half pouring in a dozen points and three 3-pointers in the first half. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “Great job by Battle Mountain to work hard and collapse on the inside and make us beat them from the outside,” Green Mountain coach Darren Pitzner said after the No. 1 Rams took a 55-32 first-round victory over the Huskies. “Luckily we have the kind of balance that can do that. They made us earn it. Congrats to Battle Mountain on a great season.”

    Green Mountain (15-0 record) continued it season thanks to some early 3-point shooting by junior Shea Murphy and sophomore Jayda Maves. The two combined for six 3-pointer in the opening half with both pouring in a dozen points by halftime.

    “We knew (Battle Mountain) was going to play a 1-3-1 zone defense,” said Maves, who finished with a game-high 15 points. “We were open and we take our shots when we are open.”

    Murphy came into Tuesday’s playoff game with just six 3-pointers on the season. She put in a little extra time working on her shooting from long range for the Rams’ playoff run.

    “I’ve built more confidence with my shot this season,” Murphy said. “I went and did some shooting on my own to get prepared for the playoffs so I could knock those down.”

    Green Mountain junior Avery Oaster (24) is guarded by Battle Mountain senior Gabriela Caballero (14) during the first half Tuesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Hank dropped the hammer on Battle Mountain (8-6) to end the first quarter. Last year’s 4A Jeffco League MVP scored eight straight points in the final 2 and 1/2 minutes of the opening half to extend Green Mountain’s lead to 39-11 at halftime.

    “When we are more discipline in our possessions that is when you see those nice inside, outside, cutting and dynamic possessions,” Pitzner said. “When we are rushed we get impatient with our shots.”

    The Rams were able to work in some time for their bench in the second half. Green Mountain will have a quick turnaround to face No. 15 Thompson Valley in the round of 16 Thursday night at Green Mountain High School.

    “Thompson Valley is very quick getting to the basket,” said Pitzner of the Eagles that defeated Evergreen 42-27 on Tuesday night. “They are a tough match-up.”

    While Pitzner had his team zeroed in on Thompson Valley, the Rams can draw from their experience last year when Green Mountain advanced all the way to the 4A state semifinals.

    “After what we did last year and saw what it took, this year we are so excited and we know what is there,” Murphy said. “We are excited to do it.”

    Green Mountain junior Olivia Sears (2) guards Battle Mountain junior Mia Betts in front of the Warriors’ bench Tuesday night in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Green Mountain boys basketball clamps down on Frederick in first-round victory

    Green Mountain senior Blake McKibbin (1) soars to the basket during the first-round playoff game. The Rams joined fellow Class 4A Jeffco League members Golden and D’Evelyn to advance to the Sweet 16 of the 4A state tournament. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LAKEWOOD — Green Mountain boys basketball team didn’t want its season to end Tuesday night on its home court.

    The No. 14-seeded Rams dominated No. 19 Frederick to the tune of 64-32 in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament.

    “I put a lot on them when it comes to this might be the last time we are together,” Green Mountain coach Mike Puccio said of his Rams that entered the state tournament on a 2-game losing streak. “It’s the nostalgia of why we coach high school basketball. It is a beautiful thing. You play for that guy next to you. We were good tonight.”

    Green Mountain senior Allen Ortiz (33) was one of four Rams to reach double-digit points in the postseason win over Frederick. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    The six Green Mountain seniors for sure didn’t want to lose a third straight game and end their high school career with a loss on their home court.

    “Those two losses were probably the two most sour losses I’ve ever experienced,” Green Mountain senior Allen Ortiz said of back-to-back losses to 4A Jeffco League rivals Golden and Evergreen last week to close out the regular season. “For me personally, there was no way we were coming out of here with a loss.”

    Green Mountain (11-4 record) methodically built its lead to 20 points by midway through the third quarter. Extending it to 30 points when senior Austin Peterson heated up with a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

    Frederick (10-5) was held to a season-low 32 points, scoring single-digit points in the final three quarters. Junior Bryce Conniver led the Warriors with 11 points.

    The Rams had tremendous scoring balance with seniors Blake McKibbin, Darius Padilla, Dylan Green, Ortiz, Peterson and junior Corbin Jantzer all scoring between 9 and 12 points on the night.

    Big the biggest story was Green Mountain’s defense and rebounding.

    “We knew if we could control the boards we would definitely come out on top,” Ortiz said. “Dylan Green is phenomenal on the boards. We just try to do our part.”

    Green finished with 22 rebounds on the night to go with his eight points. He actually was double-digits in offensive (10) and defensive (12) rebounds as the Rams had 50 total rebounds on the night.

    Green Mountain senior Austin Peterson (2) battles for the ball with Frederick junior J.J. Heil (3). Peterson heated up with 11 points in the second half. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “That was the focus and that was the focus all year,” Puccio said of rebounding. “Sometimes we execute and sometimes we don’t.”

    Padilla had an outstanding final game on the Rams’ home court with a game-high 12 points. It has been a long road for the multi-sport athlete.

    Padilla had an emergency appendectomy after his appendix ruptured during the middle of the basketball season last year. Then had to deal with an infection after the surgery. He missed more than a month of action dealing the medical issues.

    “I call him the Comeback Player of the Year,” Puccio said of his starting point guard. “The kid was 105 pounds last year after the second infection. He is the toughest kid we have had here in a long time. He is our engine.”

    Padilla was Green Mountain’s starting quarterback this past football season and will transition over the baseball field this spring to conclude his high school career.

    “Honestly, I didn’t think I would recover as well as I did,” Padilla said. “It was a rough, rough six weeks. To be able to play this year is a blessing. You have to be appreciative of everything. That is how I was raised and have been coached.”

    Next up for Green Mountain is a trip to undefeated Montrose (15-0) to face the No. 3 Indians on Thursday night in the Sweet 16.

    “We are looking forward to it,” Puccio said. “Those are great moments to remember forever and great bounding. I don’t mind going over the pass. We’ll have some fun with it.”

    The Rams hope this year’s playoff experience on the Western Slope goes better than last season.

    “Last year we went over the pass,” Padilla said of the Rams’ playoff loss to Glenwood Springs last year. “This year we are ready.”

    Green Mountain junior Corbin Jantzer, left, attempts to get a shot off despite the effort of Frederick junior Alex Sturn during the first half Tuesday night. The Rams doubled-up the Warriors 64-32 in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Final boys basketball coaches poll released

    (Austin Hogan-McCool)

    The final boys basketball coaches polls of season are out as part of the process for seeding the state basketball tournaments.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association. They are a factor in the postseason. Each vote went through an audit process.

    Complete rankings are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Boys Basketball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches around the state.

    First-place votes are in parentheses.

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Cherry Creek (20) 14-0 314 1 3-0
    2 Rangeview (1) 13-0 271 3 2-0
    3 Regis Jesuit 12-1 269 2 1-1
    4 ThunderRidge 8-2 231 4 3-0
    5 Chaparral 10-3 228 5 2-1
    6 Fossil Ridge 13-1 190 8 2-0
    7 George Washington 9-3 171 6 0-1
    8 Mountain Vista 10-4 142 7 1-2
    9 Denver East 10-3 127 8 0-0
    10 Eaglecrest 9-4 115 12 2-1
    11 Fairview 11-3 83 10 1-1
    12 Douglas County 9-4 60 – 2-0
    13 Rock Canyon 8-4 57 15 2-0
    14 Smoky Hill 9-5 54 – 3-0
    15 Fountain-Fort Carson 9-2 53 13 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Valor Christian 51, Doherty 19, Mullen 18, Overland 16, Rampart 15, Silver Creek 11, Chatfield 10, Horizon 8, Vista PEAK Prep 3, Arapahoe 2, Ralston Valley 1, Rocky Mountain 1
    Dropped out
    Valor Christian (11), Chatfield (14)
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Windsor (19) 12-1 309 1 3-0
    2 Longmont 10-3 249 2 1-2
    3 Lewis-Palmer 10-2 235 6 3-0
    4 Mead 10-3 228 5 4-0
    5 Montrose 14-0 220 4 2-0
    6 Pueblo Central (1) 12-2 204 3 1-1
    7 Pueblo South 12-2 145 14 2-0
    8 Golden 12-2 143 10 2-0
    8 Steamboat Springs (1) 14-0 143 8 4-0
    10 Evergreen 11-3 139 8 2-0
    11 Erie 6-2 111 7 0-0
    12 Holy Family 9-5 109 12 3-0
    13 Green Mountain 10-4 73 11 0-2
    14 Thompson Valley 10-4 62 – 2-1
    15 Centaurus 4-4 44 15 0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Aurora Central 33, D’Evelyn 14, Coronado 13, Pueblo East 11, Thomas Jefferson 11, Sand Creek 8, Palisade 4, Canon City 4, Frederick 3, Elizabeth 2, Mountain View 1, Falcon 1, Pueblo County 1
    Dropped out
    Aurora Central (13)
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 St. Mary’s (14) 13-0 416 1 4-0
    2 Lutheran (14) 12-1 407 2 2-0
    3 Sterling (1) 13-1 363 3 3-0
    4 Manitou Springs 13-1 321 4 2-1
    5 Manual 11-3 256 5 3-1
    6 Centauri 12-1 251 6 2-0
    7 Faith Christian 8-4 203 7 1-1
    8 Englewood 13-1 180 10 4-0
    9 Aspen 12-1 160 13 2-0
    10 Resurrection Christian 8-3 150 8 0-0
    11 Highland 13-1 144 11 3-0
    12 Colorado Academy 8-1 134 8 1-0
    13 Coal Ridge 11-3 106 12 2-1
    14 Kent Denver 10-4 85 14 2-0
    15 Colorado Springs Christian 11-3 67 – 3-1
    Others receiving votes:
    The Pinnacle 58, Gunnison 50, Salida 32, Brush 28, Strasburg 24, University 11, Bishop Machebeuf 9, Alamosa 6, Estes Park 5, DSST: Conservatory Green 3, Fort Lupton 3, Eaton 2, DSST: College View 1, Middle Park 1, Basalt 1, DSST: Green Valley Ranch 1, Bennett 1, Buena Vista 1
    Dropped out
    The Pinnacle (15)
    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Wray (19) 12-0 285 1 0-0
    2 Limon 13-1 258 2 3-0
    3 Peyton 11-1 244 3 3-0
    4 Denver Christian 12-2 194 4 3-1
    5 Yuma 7-3 192 6 0-0
    6 Holly 13-1 179 7 1-0
    7 Sanford 9-4 165 5 1-1
    8 Mancos 12-2 145 8 2-1
    9 Ignacio 12-2 143 8 3-0
    10 Sedgwick County 10-4 113 10 1-0
    11 Del Norte 11-3 100 – 2-0
    12 Fowler 8-6 50 12 0-2
    13 Meeker 10-4 45 11 2-1
    14 Wiggins 9-5 43 13 2-1
    15 Thomas MacLaren School 6-2 25 – 0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Monte Vista 18, Crested Butte 17, Lake County 14, Vail Christian 11, Lyons 10, Atlas Preparatory School 10, Vail Mountain 5, Byers 4, Dayspring Christian Academy 4, Holyoke 2, Custer County 1, Cedaredge 1, Rye 1, Golden View Classical Academy 1
    Dropped out
    Crested Butte (14)
    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Belleview Christian (12) 12-0 213 1 0-0
    2 De Beque (1) 13-1 199 2 3-0
    3 Merino (1) 10-4 157 5 3-0
    4 Granada (1) 13-1 153 6 2-0
    5 Cheraw 13-1 151 3 1-1
    6 Primero 11-1 146 4 3-0
    7 Mile High Academy 8-2 131 8 2-0
    8 Caprock Academy 11-3 123 7 0-2
    9 Briggsdale 10-2 97 11 2-0
    10 Haxtun 9-5 81 10 1-1
    11 Denver Jewish Day 8-2 70 13 2-0
    12 Evangelical Christian 9-4 62 8 1-2
    13 Sangre de Cristo 9-3 59 12 1-0
    14 Genoa-Hugo/Karval 10-3 31 – 2-0
    15 Kim/Branson 10-4 29 – 2-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Eads 27, Longmont Christian 12, Simla 10, Flatirons Academy 10, Sierra Grande 8, Rocky Mountain Lutheran 7, Elbert 6, Denver Waldorf 6, Fleming 4, Cheyenne Wells 4, Pikes Peak Christian 2, Hi-Plains 1, Dove Creek 1
    Dropped out
    Eads (15)

  • Final girls basketball coaches poll released

    (Holyoke yearbook staff)

    The final girls basketball coaches polls of season are out as part of the process for seeding the state basketball tournaments.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association. They are a factor in the postseason. Each vote went through an audit process.

    Complete rankings are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Girls Basketball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches around the state.

    First-place votes are in parentheses.

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Grandview (15) 14-0 295 1 3-0
    2 Valor Christian (5) 12-0 285 2 1-0
    3 Regis Jesuit 11-1 251 3 2-0
    4 Highlands Ranch 11-2 239 4 3-0
    5 Ralston Valley 12-2 217 5 2-0
    6 Chaparral 11-2 186 6 1-1
    7 Rangeview 12-1 157 8 2-0
    8 Arapahoe 10-4 150 7 1-2
    9 Doherty 12-1 130 10 3-0
    10 Fossil Ridge 11-2 127 8 2-0
    11 Monarch 9-1 80 11 0-0
    12 Chatfield 11-3 53 13 1-1
    13 Denver South 12-2 32 12 1-1
    14 Cherry Creek 7-7 25 – 3-0
    14 Eaglecrest 7-7 25 15 0-3
    Others receiving votes:
    Fruita Monument 23, Fountain-Fort Carson 22, Columbine 19, Horizon 18, Castle View 12, Ponderosa 10, Broomfield 10, Arvada West 8, Pueblo West 7, Poudre 5, Lakewood 5, Westminster 4, Air Academy 2, Rocky Mountain 1, Mountain Vista 1, Vista PEAK Prep 1
    Dropped out
    Fruita Monument (14)
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Holy Family (5) 10-1 311 2 2-0
    2 Green Mountain (4) 14-0 307 1 2-0
    3 Mullen (13) 12-2 293 3 3-0
    4 Windsor 12-1 263 6 3-0
    5 Falcon 13-1 250 4 2-1
    6 George Washington (1) 12-1 231 5 2-0
    7 Erie 11-3 166 13 3-0
    8 The Classical Academy 12-2 153 7 1-0
    9 Palmer Ridge 10-3 110 11 1-0
    10 Grand Junction Central 11-3 96 10 2-1
    11 Canon City 10-2 88 8 0-1
    12 Weld Central 12-2 83 14 2-0
    13 Northridge 12-2 78 8 2-1
    14 Thompson Valley 11-3 72 12 2-1
    15 Mead 7-3 71 – 2-1
    Others receiving votes:
    D’Evelyn 48, Roosevelt 45, Glenwood Springs 17, Coronado 16, Berthoud 10, Thornton 9, Pueblo County 7, Battle Mountain 7, Palisade 7, Severance 6, Rifle 4, Evergreen 3, Lewis-Palmer 3, Littleton 2, Aurora Central 1, Frederick 1, Durango 1, Northfield 1
    Dropped out
    D’Evelyn (15)
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 The Vanguard School (18) 13-0 298 1 3-0
    2 Centauri 13-1 263 2 2-0
    3 Lutheran (2) 12-1 250 3 2-0
    4 Platte Valley 12-1 239 4 3-0
    5 Delta 12-2 207 6 2-1
    6 Eaton 10-2 196 5 1-1
    7 University 10-4 169 7 2-0
    8 The Academy 9-1 147 8 4-0
    9 Brush 11-3 144 8 2-1
    10 Pagosa Springs 10-3 108 10 0-1
    11 St. Mary’s 12-2 98 11 3-1
    12 Kent Denver 9-3 69 12 1-1
    13 Moffat County 9-3 48 15 2-0
    14 Resurrection Christian 10-4 42 – 3-0
    15 Coal Ridge 11-3 30 – 3-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Manitou Springs 21, Lamar 18, Peak to Peak 13, Ellicott 9, Sterling 9, Basalt 7, Faith Christian 5, Colorado Academy 3, The Pinnacle 2, Valley 2, Prospect Ridge Academy 1, Salida 1, Middle Park 1
    Dropped out
    Peak to Peak (13), Manitou Springs (14)
    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Holyoke (3) 14-0 258 3 2-0
    2 Sanford (5) 13-1 253 1 2-0
    3 Cedaredge (6) 13-1 250 2 2-0
    4 Rye (3) 13-1 232 4 2-0
    5 Heritage Christian (2) 13-1 196 6 2-1
    6 Rocky Ford 11-2 186 5 1-0
    7 Paonia 12-2 154 7 2-0
    8 Wray 10-3 153 8 1-0
    9 Sedgwick County 12-2 130 11 1-0
    10 Limon 11-3 117 8 2-1
    11 Ignacio 9-4 77 10 1-2
    11 Soroco 10-2 77 12 1-1
    13 Lotus School for Excellence 13-0 55 13 3-0
    14 Burlington 10-4 43 14 1-1
    15 Del Norte 9-5 36 15 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Olathe 19, Center 19, Mancos 9, Sargent 7, Gilpin County 6, Monte Vista 1, Hotchkiss 1, Fowler 1
    Dropped out
    None.
    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Briggsdale (19) 12-0 326 1 2-0
    2 Kit Carson (3) 13-0 306 2 2-0
    3 Sangre de Cristo 10-2 266 3 0-1
    4 Kim/Branson 13-1 202 6 2-0
    5 Flatirons Academy 10-4 199 4 3-1
    6 South Baca [Campo/Vilas/Pritchett] 12-2 185 5 1-1
    7 Fleming 9-3 176 12 3-0
    8 Shining Mountain 11-3 142 10 1-2
    9 Simla 11-3 134 8 2-0
    10 McClave 10-3 132 8 1-2
    11 Cotopaxi 12-2 128 11 2-0
    11 Dove Creek 13-0 128 13 3-0
    13 Elbert 8-3 93 7 0-2
    14 Merino 9-5 65 14 3-0
    15 Lone Star 9-4 46 15 3-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Haxtun 32, Kiowa 12, Sierra Grande 12, Springfield 12, Belleview Christian 11, Idalia 9, Eads 9, Evangelical Christian 8, North Park 5, Cheraw 1, Longmont Christian 1
    Dropped out
    None.

  • 4A No. 1 Green Mountain girls basketball completes undefeated regular season

    LAKEWOOD — Green Mountain junior Olivia Sears gave potential girls basketball playoff opponents something else to worry about in the Rams’ regular-season finale.

    The Rams’ point guard drained five 3-pointers on her way to a career-high 17 points as Green Mountain defeated Evergreen 60-25 on Wednesday night.

    “That’s never happened,” Sears said of her career-high five 3-pointers in one game. “I’ve never made that many 3s before. I was surprised.”

    Green Mountain junior Avery Oaster (24) looks for an open teammate as Evergreen sophomore Jackie Donoho (11) plays tight defense. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    It wasn’t much of a surprise that Green Mountain (14-0 record) — No. 1 in the latest CHSAANow.com Class 4A rankings — completed the program’s first undefeated regular-season record to add to its back-to-back Class 4A Jeffco League titles.

    The Rams have won every game by double-digit points this year and have a 28-game conference winning streak dating back to the 2018-19 season.

    “It’s really nice to see all our hard work pay off,” Green Mountain’s lone senior Courtney Hank said of the Rams going 14-0 during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s definitely scary not knowing if we are going to have another practice or game, but it made us work that much harder. I’m really looking forward to seeing how far we go this year.”

    The formula of inside-outside offensively and a lockdown defense worked to a tee against Evergreen (10-4). Hank and junior Avery Oaster dominated in the paint early. Sears and sophomore Jayda Maves lit it up from 3-point range to give the Rams a commanding 38-8 lead at halftime.

    Maves scored all of her 15 points in the first half. Sears got it going in the second quarter with a pair of 3-pointers and a driving layup. Junior Morgan Falconer came off the bench to hit a 3-pointer as the Rams had five straight field goals that were all 3-pointers in the second quarter.

    “The inside-outside balance is so huge because we feel like we have an answer for a number of different defenses,” Green Mountain coach Darren Pitzner said. “We still have a lot of work to do, but I’m really happy about the career game for (Sears) and all the hard work she has put in.”

    Hank went back to work down low in the second half to finish with 13 points, while Sears remained hot with a trio of 3-pointers after the break.

    “A lot of players have stepped up this year,” Hank said. “It’s fun to work it inside and then you have a lot of shooters on the perimeter. Since we are so diverse and well-balanced that has contributed on how well we’ve done this season.”

    The Cougars had their 4-game winning streak snapped in its regular-season finale before the start of the playoffs. However, Evergreen coach Maddy Hornecker believes her squad to take a lot away from the loss.

    “I learned about how we want to play for the playoffs,” Hornecker said. “We came in here with nothing to lose.”

    Evergreen junior Anna Jermano (4) and Green Mountain junior Shea Murphy (14) battle for a rebound Wednesday night at Green Mountain High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Hornecker had a front-row seat being an assistant coach on Evergreen’s back-to-back 4A state championship teams in 2017 and 2018. She knows what it takes to win a state title.

    “Obviously, all of us 4A Jeffco coaches were like, ‘How can get Green Mountain there?’ We want them to represent our conference,” Hornecker said. “What I have learned is the combination of a really good guard and a really good post. Green Mountain has two really good guards and two really good guards. That combination I hope carries them. I wish them nothing but the best.”

    Pitzner said he appreciates all the support he has received from his fellow 4A Jeffco coaches leading up to the start of the state tournament that beings Tuesday, March 9.

    “There are great coaches who have become friends in the this league. I love how we all support each other,” said Pitzner, who added that Evergreen has always been a tough opponent through the years and are all ways well-coached.

    Green Mountain turns its attentions to the postseason and likely one of the top seeds for the 4A state tournament. With all games except the state title games Friday, March 19, at the World Arena in Colorado Springs being played at the higher-seed, the Rams likely will get a chance to play on their home court throughout the playoffs.

    The Rams last loss came last season in the 4A state semifinals against Holy Family at the Denver Coliseum.

    “There is nothing better than playing on your home court in your home jersey and home fans,” Hank said. “It will definitely give us a step up on our opponents.”

    Pitzner said he will put valuable use to a handful of practices before the Rams’ playoff opener.

    “We don’t want to take a breath of relief, but we are going to reset a little bit,” Pitzner said. “It is nice to be one of the first teams in the state to get your 14 games in.”

    Green Mountain is actually the lone undefeated 4A team in the state. Falcon lost its first game of the year on Wednesday night to Columbine to leave the Rams as the only 14-0 girls team in 4A.

    “We just have to be all-in, focused and sharp,” Sears said looking head of the Rams’ playoff run. “We have to be sharp in practices too.”

    Green Mountain sophomore Jayda Maves sets up for a 3-pointer during the first half Wednesday night against Evergreen. Maves had a trio of 3-pointers in the first half in the Rams’ 60-25 victory to end Green Mountain’s regular season as the lone undefeated team in Class 4A. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)