First impressions can mean everything, whether that impression is good or bad — or both.
Such is the case of Roosevelt sophomore Sendy Valles.
Undeniably talented, Valles exploded onto the Class 3A girls basketball scene by bullying opponents in the paint, scoring in gushes and looking more like an experienced senior scorer than a wide-eyed freshman.
Not yet old enough to drive a car, alles also developed a reputation as a iery malcontent who lost her mental edge after a few calls by the referees went against her.
“Sometimes youth can be a blessing and sometimes it can be a hardship,” said Roosevelt coach Randy Longoria.
Longoria was talking about his entire 2007-08 squad, which begins play Thursday along with the rest of the basketball teams in the state, not specifically about Valles last season. Longoria had nothing but praise for his young star, but the message was on point.
“Emotion plays a big role in my life,” said Valles, a powerful 5-foot-11 player who dominated the paint last season.
Here is a second impression about Valles: She is even better now; on the court, too, but in her head especially.
“Sendy and I have a telepathic thing going on,” said teammate Alex Morford, another Roosevelt star. “If she gets fired up, she looks to me and I calm things down. We really understand each other.”
Knowing that, the 3A field should understand that Roosevelt is prepared to step into the void left by heavy graduation among the top teams last season.
“This season, I’m ready,” Valles said. “Last year, I thought I was ready but I didn’t know what I was getting into.”
Valles averaged 18 points and six rebounds per game in her initial prep go-round. Her new assignment will make her more of a threat.
“Out of necessity she played almost entirely inside last year,” Longoria said. “People are going to see her on the perimeter this year. She attacks the basket so well from there, and she’s developing her shot. She’s an athletic specimen.”
When opposing defenses focus on that specimen, they are opening the door for Morford.
Morford is a big guard at 5-9, and teams that put a smaller player on her will pay for it in the paint when she posts up. Those who play a bigger defender will suffer as she works the 3-point line and uses her quickness to charge to the basket.
“Sendy and I get a lot of nasty mismatches,” Morford said.
Bishop Machebeuf shook up the classification with a surprising state title, and several dark-horse contenders could do the same this season.
St. Mary’s in Colorado Springs is loaded with team-style players — scorers who dish, steal and rebound with equal desire.
In the Denver area, Faith Christian eturns Brittany Long and Holy Family returns Jessica Giltner, two players who can take over games.
Colorado Springs Christian again will field unmatched height with Morgan Broekhuis (6-4) and Bethany Beck (6-0).
Basalt, with Dayne Toney inside and Emily Peetz and Katherine Fitzpatrick outside, should be the class of the Western Slope.
The Denver Post/9News poll
1. Roosevelt
2. St. Mary’s
3. Faith Christian
4. Colorado Springs Christian
5. Holy Family
6. Basalt
7. Weld Central
8. Lamar
9. Eaton
10. Rye
Class 3A players to watch
Calli Babi, Bennett, Sr., 5-6
Bethany Beck, CSCS, Sr., 6-0
Sam Gentile, Salida, So., 5-9
Jessica Giltner, Holy Family, Sr., 5-10
Julia Hassall, Aspen, Sr., 5-8
Jesse Hines, Lamar, Sr., 5-7
Brittany Long, Faith Christian, Sr., 5-8
Rachel Niles, St. Mary’s, Jr., 5-8
Kelly Mapes, Bishop Machebeuf, Sr., 5-5
Raquel McCagg, Kent Denver, Jr., 5-11
Ashley Miller, Ellicott, Sr., 5-11
Alex Morford, Roosevelt, Jr., 5-9
Emily Peetz, Basalt, Sr., 5-6
Julia Saenz, St. Mary’s, Sr., 5-6
Dana Schreibvogel, Weld Central, Sr., 6-1
Dayne Toney, Basalt, Sr., 6-0
Kaitie Vader, Gunnison, Jr., 5-7
Sendy Valles, Roosevelt, So., 5-11
Lauren Woods, Eaton, Jr., 5-10
Danielle Zender, Platte Valley, Sr., 5-9
