Playing boys basketball in the Class 1A High Plains League has been the primary path to a Colorado state title.
But top-ranked Hi-Plains, which isn’t in the High Plains League, should have plenty to say about that this season.
Winner of five championships in the 2000s — Cheraw in 2001 and 2002, Eads in 2003 and Kit Carson in 2004 and 2007 — the High Plains is making a realistic bid for a sixth state title.
Defending state champion Kit Carson has to replace four starters but should remain in the hunt. Ditto for the second-ranked Eads Eagles, who will open as the league favorites.
“We have the best point guard in the state,” Eagles coach Shawn Randel said of senior Keenan Gooden, a first team all-state selection last season.
With two of his players — enior Kevin Lindholm and sophomore Garett Smith — also wrestling for the school, Randel realizes the regular season will be interesting.
“There are some kids that will have to step into the role. There will be a lot of bumps and bruises early on,” Randel said.
Plus, dealing with Hi-Plains, he added, will be demanding because the Patriots are “by far ahead of the pack right now.” The Patriots won the state championship in 2006 and were runners-up last season.
Predictably, Patriots coach Dave Sheffield said he “likes where we are at.”
And why not? Sheffield begins his sixth season with four of five starters returning. Led by the Rueb brothers, senior center Nathan and junior forward Kendal, the Patriots also have seniors Evan Bancroft and Kent Herman.
Otis also should be a factor in District 5.
In District 4, which includes the Lower Platte and North Central leagues, there are three top-10 teams, including the third-ranked Caliche Buffaloes, whose coach, Dave Huss, said he would “be disappointed not to be in the top two in districts” after last season’s semifinal showing.
Pawnee is another district contender along with Peetz. Elsewhere, Flagler, Shining Mountain, Silver State Christian and Community Christian should have significant bearing on the postseason.
The Denver Post/9News poll
1. Hi-Plains
2. Eads
3. Caliche
4. Granada
5. Kit Carson
6. Flagler
7. Peetz
8. Pawnee
9. Otis
10. Shining Mountain
1A top players to watch
Joey Achenbach, Silver State Christian, Sr., 5-11
Evan Bancroft, Hi-Plains, Sr., 5-8
Craig Debus, Caliche, Jr., 6-3
Colby Elliott, Deer Trail, Sr., 6-0
Bryant Elrick, Flagler, Jr., 5-7
Jaryd Francis, Vail Christian, Sr., 6-6
Keenan Gooden, Eads, Sr., 5-11
Brandon Hellwig, Silver State Christian, Sr., 6-1
Kent Herman, Hi-Plains, Sr., 6-3
Shawn Light, Sr., Pawnee, 5-8
Lucas Loutzenhiser, Flagler, Sr., 6-2
Phil May, Stratton, Sr., 6-0
Gage Roelle, Peetz, Sr., 6-0
Kendal Rueb, Hi-Plains, Jr., 6-1
Ryan Salg, Community Christian, Jr., 5-11
Tyler Stephenson, Kit Carson, Sr., 5-11
Andrew Stieb, Caliche, Sr., 5-9
Quayde Thompson, Vilas, Sr., 5-9
Brent White, Genoa-Hugo, Sr., 6-0
John Wright, Crested Butte, Jr., 6-3
