DENVER — Complete results from the both days of the state spirit competition are below.

The prelims are on Friday, with the finals on Saturday. Find a full schedule here.

Below are the full results, including the finalists and their order of finish. These are updated after each session ends.

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Finals

* – Won tiebreak with a higher average cheer score.

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Prelims

These results are a reflection of the deductions taken off the final score. An asterisk (*) indicates that the team will move on to the finals.

(Kent Mincer/CHSAANow.com)

HIGHLANDS RANCH — The Mountain Vista baseball team put itself in the position it wanted.

“Now we’ll see where the chips fall,” Golden Eagles coach Ron Quintana said after his team advanced to Saturday’s Class 5A Final 8 with a 4-2 victory over Fairview in the District 6 championship game.

Mountain Vista earned its district title game berth with a 6-0 victory over Brighton.

Each team managed only three hits, but the Golden Eagles rode the arm of pitcher Mark Mumper, who struck out seven while issuing just one walk in going the distance.

Fairview beat Montbello 10-0 on a walkoff grand slam home run by DH Ryan Madden. Johnny Feauto struck out eight in holding the Warriors to two hits to record the shutout victorty.

It was just Montbello’s third appearance in the district playoffs in 38 years.

Fairview jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Mountain Vista in the top of the second, but the Golden Eagles answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning on four consecutive singles.

The game was marred by an injury in the bottom of the fifth when Madden, the Knights’ starting pitcher in the second game who had given up three runs on five hits to that point, was struck in the face by a line-drive batted ball.

Madden was eventually helped to his feet to the relief of the stunned crowd. Mountain Vista added another run on an RBI single by Will Dixon. After the game, Fairview tweeted that Madden was “doing well.”

It was Dixon’s performance on the mound that was the difference. Other than the four-run second, he gave up just two other hits in earning the victory.

With windy conditions, “My curve wasn’t working so I moved to a cutter halfway through the game,” he said. “I hadn’t thrown it all year.”

It worked as he kept the Knights off balance through most of the game.

“He’s been our horse for two years,” Quintana said of Dixon.

The Golden Eagles get a break before the tournament resumes Saturday, giving both Mumper and Dixon four days rest.

The 5A bracket will release after all of the districts complete play on Wednesday.

Jared Small’s contribution was anything but small on Wednesday night.

The 6-foot-6 junior made three critical plays during Legend’s game against George Washington in the Class 5A boys basketball Sweet 16 on Wednesday. And, ultimately, the second-seeded Titans went on to beat No. 3 George Washington 63-59 in double overtime.

First, Small had a critical bucket with 21 seconds to play in regulation that tied the game at 52. Then, with 4.1 left on the clock in the first overtime, he hit a free throw to tie the game at 58.

It was only fitting that it was Small, again, who hit the pair of free throws to give Legend the lead for good, at 60-59, in the second overtime.

Andre Hogan, another junior, also had a key dunk which pushed the lead to three points at 62-59 with 46 seconds left. (Here’s another angle.)

Small finished with 20 points.

Legend is back in the Great 8 for the first time since 2013.

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(2) Mountain Vista 60, (6) Montbello 57

More photos. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

Mountain Vista is in the Great 8 for the fourth season in a row following its narrow win on Wednesday.

The Golden Eagles were up 27-26 at the break, and pushed their lead to 45-34 after three quarters.

As the fourth quarter began, Montbello rallied. The Warriors eventually cut the lead to 58-57 with under one minute to play thanks to a 10-1 run, but Isaac Phillips hit a pair of free throws to seal the win.

A last-second 3-point shot from Montbello that would have sent the game to overtime didn’t fall.

Ray Beresford paced Mountain Vista with 27 points. Brady Subart had 11 points and five assists, while Phillips finished with four points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

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(1) Regis Jesuit 46, (5) Boulder 39

Regis Jesuit is back in the Great 8 after a year away. More photos. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

It was close, but Regis Jesuit was able to hold off Boulder.

Regis Jesuit only trailed at 2-0 — and even then, the the Raiders promptly went on a 7-0 run to set the tone of the game.

Though Boulder would get close — it was 16-14 in the second quarter — Regis mostly maintained a five- to 10-point lead throughout.

Regis led 21-15 at halftime, and 31-26 after three.

Kip Boryla paced Regis with 15 points, while Geoffrey Kelly added 12 and six rebounds. Taylor Kallsen had nine points, and Bryan Staerkel added seven points, five rebounds and three assists.

The win means the Raiders are back in the Great 8 for the first time since 2013. They went every year from 2008-11, which included three championship seasons.

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(1) Eaglecrest 56, (4) Fossil Ridge 49

More photos. (Tim Visser/TimVisserPhotography.com)

Eaglecrest pulled away late with free throws to return to the Great 8 for the third season in a row.

Blend Avdili hit a pair of free throws with 58 seconds to play that gave Eaglecrest a 52-44 lead.

It was 22-20 Eaglecrest at halftime, and that was indicative of the way the game would go. Fossil Ridge actually led 43-42 with a little over three minutes to play, but Eaglecrest went on a 10-1 run to take control of the game.

Avdili and Elijah Ross each had 15 points.

Eaglecrest went to the Great 8 last season and also in 2013, when it won the 5A title.

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(6) Denver East 84, (2) Rangeview 75

The defending-champion Angels continued to tear through the 5A bracket after losing two of their final three games in the regular season.

Rangeview led 23-19 after the first quarter, but a quick 7-2 run gave East the lead at 26-25 early in the second quarter and the Angels would lead 48-38 at halftime and 64-57 after three quarters.

Rangeview cut the lead to two points late in the fourth quarter, but East was able to stave off the comeback.

Brian Carey led the way for Denver East with 35 points and eight assists. Jordan Willis had 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Jack Buckmelter scored 12 points and had five assists. Deron Harrell also scored in double figures with 13 points.

This is the third consecutive season Denver East has reached the Great 8. The Angels have reached the title game the previous two seasons, including last year’s championship win.

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(1) Overland 71, (4) Grand Junction 36

Trailblazers star De’Ron Davis opened the game with a dunk, and Overland never looked back as it had little trouble in returning to the Great 8.

It was 16-4 after the first quarter, and 36-7 at halftime. The lead grew to 30 early in the third quarter, and Overland was able to coast from there.

Four players scored in double figures for the Trailblazers: Davis (14), Ryan Swan (13), Alijah Halliburton (12) and Austin Conway (12).

The Trailblazers are coming off a final four appearance in which they fell to Denver East in the semifinals.

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(1) ThunderRidge 59, (4) Rampart 21

ThunderRidge jumped out to a 17-2 lead after the first quarter in rolling into the Great 8.

Though Rampart tightened up in the second quarter, ThunderRidge used an 18-8 advantage in the third quarter to push the game all but out of reach at 48-20.

The Grizzlies then allowed just one point in the fourth quarter, meaning they held Rampart without a field goal in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Noah Szilagyi (14 points), Clay Verk (10), Troy Brady (10) and Zach Pirog (10) all hit double figures for ThunderRidge.

It is the Grizzlies’ first trip to the quarterfinals since going in 2012.

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(3) Chaparral 60, (2) Dakota Ridge 47

Chaparral beat Dakota Ridge. (Dennis Pleuss)

Chaparral is back in the Great 8 for the first time since 2012, when the Wolverines won the 5A title.

Wednesday, Chaparral led 22-18 at halftime and 39-32 after three quarters. Dakota Ridge cut it to 39-36 early in the fourth quarter, but Chaparral held off a rally.

Jake Holtzmann had 30 points for Chaparral. Chris Moody added 20.

Find a complete recap of the game here.

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Great 8 matchups

Saturday, at the Denver Coliseum, times TBD (Bracket)

• (1) Overland vs. (2) Mountain Vista
• (1) Eaglecrest vs. (2) Legend
• (1) Regis Jesuit vs. (6) Denver East
• (1) ThunderRidge vs. (3) Chaparral

Rock Canyon has returned to CHSAANow.com’s Class 5A boys basketball rankings. The Jaguars are No. 8 in this week’s poll.

They were last ranked just prior to the break, but fell out last week. Rock Canyon’s return means the Continental has five ranked teams for the fourth straight poll.

Elsewhere in 5A, Regis Jesuit remained a unanimous No. 1 selection with all 16 first-place votes. In fact, teams Nos. 1-4 stayed put, including No. 2 ThunderRidge, No. 3 Dakota Ridge and No. 4 Eaglecrest.

Overland returned to 5A’s top-5, while Chaparral dropped one place to No. 6.

Mountain Vista is No. 7, Denver East is No. 9 and Montbell is No. 10.

The four other No. 1 teams also remained the same: Longmont (4A), Colorado Springs Christian (3A), Sanford (2A) and Sangre de Cristo (1A).

In 4A, Pueblo West (No. 8) and Sierra (No. 9) joined this week. The lone newcomer in 3A this week was Manitou Springs (No. 10), while 2A added Caliche (also No. 10).

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

Complete rankings are below.

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CHSAANow.com Boys Basketball Polls

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

First-place votes are in parentheses.

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

Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

Monroe Porter, left, and Legend joined the 5A poll at No. 9 this week. Dakota Ridge, meanwhile, is up to No. 3. (Dennis Pleuss)

Legend and Denver East have joined CHSAANow.com’s boys basketball rankings in Class 5A this week. The Titans are No. 9, and the Angels are No. 10.

Legend, 9-3 this season, has won seven consecutive games. It plays at No. 8 Mountain Vista on Friday.

Denver East, meanwhile, returned to the poll after a short hiatus. At 5-6, the record is somewhat deceiving. Three of the losses came at an out-of-state tournament, and a fourth, to Chaparral, came in a wild double-overtime matchup. They own wins over Legend and No. 2 ThunderRidge.

Regis Jesuit continued its stay atop the 5A poll, and are a unanimous pick with 16 first-place votes. The Raiders are 10-0. ThunderRidge also kept its No. 2 spot.

Behind those two, however, the movement began.

Dakota Ridge (11-0) shot up to No. 3, and Eaglecrest bumped up one place to No. 4. Chaparral rounds out the top five.

As was the case before the break, a total of five teams from the Continental League are ranked. With that league now in the thick of its schedule, it should be a battle every night.

Each of the other No. 1 teams also stayed put. Those are Longmont (4A), Colorado Springs Christian (3A), Sanford (2A) and Sangre de Cristo (1A).

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

Complete rankings are below.

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CHSAANow.com Boys Basketball Polls

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

First-place votes are in parentheses.

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

Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

WESTMINSTER — Thornton won the Westminster Wrestling Invitational overt he weekend, besting host Westminster with 184 points.

Full results:

1. Thornton, 184
2. Westminster, 111
3. Hinkley, 105
4. Littleton, 92
5. Mitchell, 84
6. Cherry Creek, 68
6. Sand Creek, 68
8. Wiggins, 64
9. Montbello, 35
10. Thornton No. 2, 21
11. Skyview, 13

ThunderRidge is among five teams from the Continental League ranked in 5A this week. (Dennis Pleuss)

The Continental League has an early grip on the Class 5A boys basketball rankings.

With changes this week, league members now own the top three spots in CHSAANow.com’s poll. A total of five Continental teams are ranked this week.

The group is led by Regis Jesuit, which continued to lead the 5A poll. ThunderRidge remained at No. 2, and Chaparral moved up one place to No. 3.

Also ranked from the Continental League are No. 9 Mountain Vista and No. 10 Rock Canyon. Additionally, Legend received votes this week.

The Centennial League has three teams ranked — No. 4 Overland, No. 5 Eaglecrest and No. 8 Cherry Creek. No other league has multiple members ranked this week.

In 4A, Valor Christian and Conifer had both joined.

The Eagles joined at No. 8 following a 77-59 win over then-No. 3 Pueblo Central on Friday. The Lobos, meanwhile, are No. 10 after starting the season 8-0.

Elsewhere in 4A, Air Academy moved up two spots from No. 5 to No. 3, and Pueblo South jumped from ninth to fourth. Palmer Ridge, 6-0 this season, rounds out the top five after moving up from No. 8.

Longmont retained its perch on top of the 4A poll.

The three other No. 1 teams also stayed the same this week: Colorado Springs Christian (3A), Sanford (2A) and Sangre de Cristo (1A).

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

Complete rankings are below.

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CHSAANow.com Boys Basketball Polls

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

First-place votes are in parentheses.

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

Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

Troy Green (24) and Montbello are ranked No. 8 in Class 5A this week. (Dennis Pleuss)

Montbello and Mountain Vista have joined this week’s boys basketball rankings in Class 5A.

The Warriors are No. 8 in CHSAANow.com’s rankings this week, while the Golden Eagles are No. 9. Both teams are 5-1.

That wasn’t the only change. Top-ranked Regis Jesuit and No. 2 ThunderRidge stayed put, but Overland moved up to No. 3 after a solid showing at an out-of-state tournament.

Chaparral moved into the top-5 following a big win over then-No. 3 Eaglecrest on Friday. Chaparral is No. 4 this week, Eaglecrest is No. 5.

Cherry Creek bumped up three places to No. 6, Dakota Ridge also moved up to No. 8 and Rock Canyon remained ranked at No. 10.

In 4A, the changes continued. Pueblo Central spear-headed the movement with its jump to No. 3 this week, while Mead (No. 6), Palmer Ridge (No. 8) and Evergreen (No. 10) are all newcomers.

Colorado Springs Christian (3A) and Sanford (2A) both stayed put atop their respective rankings this week.

In 1A, top-ranked McClave lost to unranked Wiley last week. As a result, McClave dropped to No. 6 and Wiley is No. 10 in this week’s poll.

It also left a gap at the top, where Sangre de Cristo is now the No. 1 team. But voters were split, as a total of six teams received first-place votes this week.

Arickaree/Woodlin (No. 8) also joined the 1A poll.

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

Complete rankings are below.

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CHSAANow.com Boys Basketball Polls

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

First-place votes are in parentheses.

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

Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

Montbello senior Troy Green (24) dribbles past Ralston Valley senior Jake Jelinek (42) during the second half Thursday night. (Dennis Pleuss)

ARVADA — The final minute of the third quarter in Thursday night’s semifinal game of the Ralston Roundup boys basketball tournament was a game-changer.

After leading for the majority of the game, Montbello found itself trailing 40-35 after a driving layup by Ralston Valley senior Andrew Wingard. However, a pair of steals in the final 60 seconds of the quarter and three straight buckets gave the lead, 41-40, back to the Warriors heading to the fourth quarter.

“We couldn’t let Ralston Valley get momentum here in their gym,” Montbello coach Ron Bush said after his Warriors pulled away for a 58-47 victory at Ralston Valley High School. “If we would have been down going to the fourth quarter it would have been an uphill climb.”

The Warriors, led by seniors Malik Hart (18 points) and Troy Green (13 points) along with junior Franklyn Penn (10 points), outscored the Mustangs (2-4 overall) 17-7 in the final eight minutes to take the victory.

Ralston Valley junior Antonio Capley (35) looks for a way around Montbello junior Relando Rogers during the first half Thursday night. Capley had a team-high 16 points in the loss for the Mustangs. (Dennis Pleuss)

“That was the turning point,” Ralston Valley coach Mitch Conrad admitted about the 6-0 run by the Warriors to end the third quarter. “Then I think we lost our defensive intensity once we turned it over. We just aren’t a really confident team right now. I think in time we’ll straighten that out.”

Montbello (4-1) will play Rock Canyon (5-1) in the tournament championship game of scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday at Ralston Valley High School. Rock Canyon edged Arvada West 69-63 in overtime in the other semifinal late Thursday night.

“It gives us momentum to get ready for the championship,” Hart said of the strong fourth quarter against Ralston Valley. “Last tournament we had we didn’t finish it out, but this one we are going to finish it out.”

The Warriors finished second in the Fossil Ridge Tournament last week, losing to Class 5A Jeffco’s Dakota Ridge in the championship game.

Hart was a huge part offensively on getting over the hump against Ralston Valley in the semifinal Thursday. He sunk four three-pointers including one with 1:48 left in the fourth quarter that extended Montbello’s lead to 50-44.

“My teammates got me open so I have to credit them,” Hart said. “They got me the ball where I could shoot at a high percentage tonight. I thank my teammates.”

Hart and Green led the Warriors in scoring last season and have started right where they left off. Hart’s game-high 18 points was just above his scoring average coming into the game.

“Malik has seen so many different defenses, but he is still our leading scorer,” Bush said. “He knows when to be patient and when to be aggressive. He is one of the best players in the state. I hope he gets recognized.”

The Ralston Valley players are just starting to recognize each other on the court. Just around half the players were on the Mustangs’ football team that advanced to the 5A semifinals last month. Ralston Valley has had only a handful of practices with its entire varsity team present.

Ralston Valley senior Andrew Wingard, with ball, looks for an open teammate as Montbello senior Carl Whittington (23) closes in during the Warriors’ 58-47 victory over Ralston Valley. (Dennis Pleuss)

The Mustangs return only one starter in Wingard, who has committed to play football at the University of Wyoming. Wingard scored nine of his 13 points in the third quarter against Montbello, but was held scoreless in the final quarter.

“The thing I like about this group is they are getting better all the time,” Conrad said. “They have made huge strides since we’ve had our whole group together for a few weeks.”

Antonio Capley, a 6-foot-10 junior, led the Mustangs in scoring with 16 points. His bucket with 4:35 left in the fourth quarter cut Montbello’s lead to 44-43, but the Warriors scored the next nine points to take command.

“I just try to play with confidence,” Capley said. “If things are rolling I’ll be staying in the game. Things are still coming together. We’ll get it together.”

Conrad knows Capley will be a key component once Ralston Valley heads into 5A Jeffco League play next month.

“It’s definitely a big plus once he (Capley) gets going,” Conrad said. “We do a good job getting the ball, but we have to stay balanced too.”

Senior Jordan Harnum had a strong game with 15 points for the Mustangs in the loss.

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Ralston Roundup schedule

Friday, Dec. 12, at Ralston Valley High School

7th place game: 3:30 p.m. — D’Evelyn vs. Mountain View
5th place game: 5 p.m. — Legacy vs. Grandview
3rd place game: 6:30 p.m. — Ralston Valley vs. Arvada West
1st place game: 8 p.m. — Montbello vs. Rock Canyon

Montbello senior Pal Tut (34) swipes after a rebound as Ralston Valley junior Dante Greco (14) secures the ball during the second half Thursday night at Ralston Valley High School. (Dennis Pleuss)

Lutheran football has a new coach in Blair Hubbard this season. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

Perhaps no football coaching change this offseason was as major as Blair Hubbard leaving Faith Christian for Lutheran.

Hubbard won three state championships in 15 seasons as head coach at Faith Christian, a perennial power in the Class 2A ranks. His teams were 148-30, made the playoffs 14 times and won 10 league titles.

But in the offseason Hubbard was looking to tackle something new. Lutheran — a 3A team since the school was formed by a merger of the old Denver Lutheran and Lutheran-Parker schools prior to the 2012 season — was a fit.

Hubbard was hired on Feb. 20.

“I was just kind of looking for a new challenge, so when the opportunity presented itself I took some time to think about it, talked it over with my wife and some other wise council and decided to go ahead,” Hubbard said. “This was a good opportunity to make the change. I’m excited about this season and just the future of Lutheran High School football in general.”

Faith Christian moved quickly to hire Ralph Nance, Hubbard’s defensive coordinator, as his successor. It meant that Hubbard’s staff — which had been together for “over 10 years,” he said — was not going to stay intact.

“I’ve hired a completely new staff,” Hubbard said. “That was a specific challenge. And it was a good process.”

Hubbard’s new staff at Lutheran comprises 10 assistants — five of whom are in the building.

“I feel very comfortable with the coaches that we have on staff,” Hubbard said. “We’ve just got a good cohesiveness together. Everybody’s on the same page and is there for the same reason. We’re there to help build young men into men, boys into men. We’re not there necessarily for the wins and the losses. If we do our jobs, those kinds of things will hopefully take care of themselves. Our purpose is to have an effect in young men’s lives.”

Lutheran was 31-11 in former coach Daryl Moe’s four seasons, including three playoff appearances. So Hubbard is inheriting a great program.

Lutheran quarterback James Willis. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

Included are quarterback James Willis and receiver Josh Clausen, both seniors and four-year varsity members, who combined for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns through the air last season.

Willis, entering his third year as the starter at quarterback, threw for 2,306 yards and 24 touchdowns last season.

“He’s someone that’s just a humble leader, he’s a hard worker,” Hubbard said. “That’s the kind of athlete we’re looking to model our program after. Someone’s that just has that blue-collar work ethic and is humble and willing to help other kids out along the way.”

Clausen already has 2,312 receiving yards in his three seasons, which is just outside the top-10 in the state’s career record book.

“He’s (6-foot-4) and he’s got very good speed and great hands,” Hubbard said. “He’s getting some looks from some of the area Division I schools, so it’s exciting to work with him. He’s got that same kind of work ethic that we’re looking for, as well.”

A group of linemen also return.

“They have been very consistent in the weight room, and whenever you’ve got the kids up front that are dedicated to spending time in the weight room, you’re going to have a good opportunity to win some battles up front,” Hubbard said.

Lutheran opens the season in Houston, playing at Lutheran South Academy — a Division II school in Texas which went 8-3 and made the playoffs last season. It’s an opportunity for everyone to get to know one another really well, really quick.

“It will be a fun experience for the kids and for the coaches,” Hubbard said. “There’s a lot of logistics involved and we’ve gotten a lot of outstanding administrative support from the school.

“They’re of the mindset that they’re there for the athletes and the athletic program and want to do as much as they can to help the young men and women out in the athletic programs to have a great experience in their time at Lutheran.”

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Short stuff

• During its transition to a regional program, the former Montbello High School athletic department will be known as the Warriors (Montbello). Eventually, the plan is to simply call the teams the Warriors — without including the Montbello clarifier.
• Last week at the All-School Summit, a new approach to the classification structure was discussed. Every impression I’ve gotten seems like this is where the state will head this fall — though there was some resistance voiced during the classification breakout session at the Summit. We’ll see if that initial uneasiness turns into action ahead of CLOC’s November meeting.
• Valor Christian’s Eric Lee Jr. and Pine Creek’s Avery Anderson, both defensive backs, will enroll at Nebraska early, the school announced.
• Regis Jesuit offensive linemen Tim Lynott’s father tweeted out his official offer letter from Colorado. Lynott is a CU commit, and was recently moved up to a 4-star recruit by Scout.com.
• Here’s a neat picture of Windsor’s football team playing in a flooded field near its school during storms last week. (Coach Chris Jones was quick to urge safety to his players: “Be smart about the water in front of the school,” he tweeted.)
• Brighton pitcher/shortstop Conner Reynolds committed to Northern Colorado for baseball last week.
• Tony Ramunno had been the head football coach at Lewis-Palmer for 25 seasons, but he resigned late last month. “I really like Friday nights; it’s probably the best job a guy can have in the country,” he told the Colorado Springs Gazette. Former defensive coordinator Dustin Tupper will replace him.
• Moffatt County hired longtime coach Keith Gille to head its football program, according to the Craig Daily Press.
• Grandview hired Patrick Chapla as its boys lacrosse coach. He had been an assistant at Mountain Vista, and is also a club coach at 3d Lacrosse. “We are excited to add his passion, experience and love of the game to our program,” Grandview athletic director Jamee Ulitzky wrote in an email.
• Smoky Hill hired Robert Kennedy as baseball coach, according to the Aurora Sentinel.
• Eagle Ridge has a new girls basketball coach, according to the Brighton Blade: Vern Rathbun, who has been coaching for more than 30 years.
• The numbers from the NFHS Network are in from the past school year, and the most popular events were as follows: Arapahoe-Fossil Ridge boys basketball in the 5A tournament; Overland-Denver East boys basketball in the 5A tournament; and the state track meet.
• It seems like this is a weekly occurrence now, but here’s another reminder to kids that how you act on social media can have a very negative effect on your recruitment.
• Englewood’s getting a new turf field.
• Cherry Creek’s gym is “getting a major upgrade.”
• Fruita Monument wrestler Jacob Seely earned All-American status with his seventh-place finish at a national tournament in Fargo, North Dakota last month.
• Doherty is holding a golf tournament at Colorado Springs Country Club on Aug. 18, and is seeking teams to participate. That’s the same course where the Class 5A state meet will be held. Interested schools should contact Doherty AD Chris Noll: CHRISTOPHER.NOLL@d11.org.
• Likewise, Jefferson Academy is seeking schools for its golf invitational on Sept. 2 at Omni Interlocken Golf Club Resort. Contact Jags’ AD Michael Wilson: mwilson@jajags.com.
• Horizon is inviting schools to its annual Popsicle Run at the Adams County Fairgrounds on Sept. 5. It’s a 4k course, and offers popsicles at the end. Contact: Antonio.Ricciardi@adams12.org.
• Kim and Branson will co-op in football (ineligible for the playoffs), boys golf, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, as well as track. They will be the Kim Mustangs in all sports but football, where they will compete as the Branson Bearcats.

Alumni short stuff

• Heritage alum Shane Opitz, now playing minor league baseball, was interviewed by the Dunedin Blue Jays’ radio network about a recent rehab of an injury, but also spoke about hailing from Colorado. “There’s a lot of talent coming out of Colorado, but people don’t necessarily recognize that because we don’t play year-round,” Opitz said. “There’s not a lot of good weather during the winter time, we’re under snow. But there’s a lot of talent.” A 2010 grad, he’s hitting .280 at Dunedin in 13 games so far this season.
• Chaparral alum Shane Callahan has been cleared to play immediately for CU following his transfer from Auburn. Here he is in a video speaking with the media after practice. “I’m proud to wear Colorado on my jersey, this is my hometown,” he said. “Excited to have the chance to play for my home state this year!” he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.
• Kalen Ballage, a 2013 Falcon graduate, is “turning heads” as Arizona State opens football camp. Coach Todd Graham said he’s “the most impressive freshman running back we’ve ever had. Ever.”
• Bobby Dalbec, who graduated from Legend in 2013, tore it up at the Cape Cod Baseball League this summer. He had five home runs and 18 RBIs in just 29 games, and hit .228. He also took part in the home run contest during All-Star festivities. Dalbec just completed his freshman season as the starting designated hitter/first baseman and reliever at Arizona. He hit .266 with two home runs and 30 RBIs for the Wildcats, and also had a team-best 2.13 ERA in 22 appearances. Dalbec did tell the Arizona Daily Star that his future is as a position player: “If we really need a guy to be a starter, I’d obviously do it. But I like my future after Arizona to be with the bat. I’m not real big on pitching. I do it and compete, but I prefer to be in the box.”
• 2003 Golden graduate Mark Melancon, a three-sport star in high school, returned to Colorado as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates late last month, and picked up a save at Coors Field. It was the third save he’d gotten against the Rockies in nine days. “Always fun playing on the field I grew up dreaming of playing on as a Big Leaguer,” Melancon tweeted.
• This was neat: Former Grandview boys basketball star Eric Garcia pointed out that he (now at Wofford), Denver East alum Dom Collier (CU) and former Regis Jesuit player Josh Perkins (Gonzaga) will all be on national television at the same time during the college basketball season.