Vince Valdez isn’t one to reminisce.
OK, maybe just once more.
“It still tickles me a little bit to hear that,” Valdez said when asked how it feels to be coaching the defending Class 4A state champions at Abraham Lincoln. “Last year’s state championship has come and gone and it’s a great memory, but that’s all it is now.”
So get ready for a season that might play out very similar to the previous one.
The Lancers’ repeat bid will rest primarily with 6-foot-4 senior Francisco Cruz, a versatile forward who is strong on the glass since emerging down the stretch last season. The glue could come from Saul Torres and transfer Dre Calloway, a senior guard who cut his teeth at Rice High School in Harlem in New York.
Ailing big men Erik Preciado (6-6) and Eric Carrasco (6-8) are rehabbing knee injuries but are expected to be healthy threats down the stretch.
Thomas Jefferson graduated nine seniors but restocks from a 19-0 JV squad. Senior Krubiel Workie is a 6-5 forward that can shoot the 3-pointer and should make a bigger impact this season after transferring last year from George Washington.
The preseason No. 1 ranking has been a good-luck charm over the past two seasons with Lincoln and TJ staying the course. Ralston Valley, a finalist last season and the 2003 champion, gets the driver’s seat this season behind junior standout Pierce Hornung.
Hornung is a 6-4 forward who plays like a 6-8 center thanks to uncanny rebounding abilities and a steady scoring touch. He should anchor a strong Mustangs front court that includes older brother Brock Hornung (6-4), Brandon Ribble (6-5) and Dane June (6-6).
The biggest question mark will be the status of the Ralston Valley backcourt, which graduated some steady seniors who could hit the 3-pointer.
Rounding out the Jefferson County League should be D’Evelyn with the duo of 6-7 senior James Rader and junior guard Jeremy Sullivan. Conifer returns a solid core from its Sweet 16 squad while Evergreen and Golden will be tough again.
Broomfield, a semifinalist last season and the 2004 champion, returns an experienced group that can shoot, execute and defend, led by Alex Barthule, Connor Nehf and Luke Stahler.
“We’ve created a culture where kids have really bought into what we’ve talked about,” Eagles coach Kevin Boley said.
The two-sided Northern League should be rich in subplots. Fossil Ridge (Cody Mivshek) should be tough, along with Mountain View, Sterling, Longmont, Silver Creek and possibly Niwot.
Greeley Central is not expecting to have Isaiah Martinez. The former all-stater is not currently on the team.
Cherokee Trail should be the class of the Skyline League.
Widefield loses guards who helped the Gladiators reach the semifinals last season, but they have plenty of talent in Julien McCollum and Dion Vaughn.
Sierra could break out down south this season, along with Fountain-Fort Carson and Liberty.
Pueblo South looks to be in control farther south, as the Colts are restocked a season after a painful state quarterfinal exit.
Behind three three-year starters, Steamboat Springs should pace the Western Slope, along with Glenwood Springs and Rifle.
4A boys to watch
Alex Barthule, Broomfield, Sr., 6-1
Aaron Calkins, Steamboat Springs, Sr., 6-3
Dre Calloway, Abraham Lincoln, Sr., 6-0
Chris Carter, Thomas Jefferson, So., 6-5
Francisco Cruz, Abraham Lincoln, Sr., 6-4
Jamal Dickerson, Mesa Ridge, Sr., 6-2
Jeremy Dickerson, Mountain View, Sr., 6-2
D.J. Dickson, Sierra, Jr., 6-4
Cyrus Durham, Cherokee Trail, Sr., 6-3
Pierce Hornung, Ralston Valley, Jr., 6-4
Terrance Hutchins, Ftn.-Ft. Carson, Sr., 5-10
Devon Manning, Pueblo Central, Sr., 6-1
Julien McCollum, Widefield, Sr., 6-2
Wes McKenzie, Liberty, So., 6-0
Cody Mivshek, Fossil Ridge, Sr., 6-2
James Rader, D’Evelyn, Sr., 6-7
Scott Rust, Rifle, Sr., 5-9
Trent Sides, Sterling, Sr., 5-10
Kameron Wilhite, Pueblo South, Jr., 6-2
Krubiel Workie, Thomas Jefferson, Sr., 6-5
Michael Vandahl, Steam. Springs, Sr., 5-11
Top 10
1. Ralston Valley
2. Broomfield
3. Pueblo South
4. Abraham Lincoln
5. Widefield
6. Steamboat Springs
7. D’Evelyn
8. Thomas Jefferson
9. Fossil Ridge
10. Mountain View
