Broomfield juniors Anna Prins, Chaundra Sewell and Sophia Davis could stand in the paint shoulder-to-shoulder, arms crossed with angry glares and probably still shut down a few Class 4A girls basketball teams.
Once that talented front line is running the court and swatting away shots, it’s game over.
The Eagles enter this season as the defending state champions and are riding a 26-game winning streak. No one in any classification matches up with the 6-foot-6 Prins, and few can contain the athletic powers of Sewell, who stands 6-1. And Rhodes (6-0) is a mismatch waiting to happen. Add to that the Eagles’ bench, which includes Ashley Snow, a probable starter on most any other team.
“I think there are a lot of good teams in 4A, but I wonder if anyone has the depth that we will have,” Broomfield coach Mike Croell said. “And between Sewell, Anna, Ashley off the bench and then Sophia, that front line is tough to match up with.”
The Eagles, the richest team talent-wise, open the season today even richer than they were thanks to key transfers during the offseason.
Mariah Metoyer, who has committed to the University of Denver, and Aly Bonham moved in but won’t be eligible to play until mid-January.
Despite the tag of reigning champion, the pressure is off Broomfield after finally winning the championship that eluded it for so many years.
“I don’t sense anybody feeling pressure,” Prins said. “We all know that we are entering this season working even harder than we were last year.”
Prins and Sewell make for a wicked perimeter-post punch. With Prins anchoring the middle, Sewell can hang outside and look for a weakness in the defense. She usually finds it.
“Anna always has the biggest girl guarding her, which makes it easier for me,” Sewell said. “Teams will put the second-biggest on me, and that opens up our high-low offense.”
Broomfield was rarely tested last season. Aside from a close loss to 5A Horizon early and a close victory over a talented Silver Creek team late, the Eagles rolled over everyone else, even deep in the postseason.
The Eagles were so dominant, there was even talk about playing one final game between the 5A champion — Highlands Ranch — and the 4A champion. It never happened, but the best of the best are keeping an eye on Broomfield.
“I want to play Broomfield,” said Highlands Ranch senior Alyssa Fressle, a CU pledge, when given a choice of any opponent in the state.
Elsewhere, Silver Creek will continue its rise toward the top with Meghan Heimstra, as will Glenwood Springs. Mullen has found stability at head coach after a few years of constant turnover, and the Mustangs’ 5A regular-season schedule makes them battle-tested for the 4A playoffs. Cassie Lambrecht is back for Golden after blowing out her knee last season.
Top 10
1. Broomfield
2. Silver Creek
3. Glenwood Spg.
4. Mullen
5. Golden
6. Harrison
7. Moffat County 8. Pueblo East
9. Fossil Ridge
10. Rifle
4A girls to watch
Kari Ameling, Greeley West, Sr., 5-6
Kendall Babler, Rifle, Sr., 5-8
Katie Bussey, Alamosa, Sr., 5-9
Jasmine Cervantes, Berthoud, Sr., 5-8
Angela Charchalis, Moffat Co., Sr., 5-5
Katie Eickelman, Pueblo East, Sr., 5-7
Jocelyn Fox, Fossil Ridge, Jr., 6-0
Malari Gomer, Ralston Valley, Sr., 5-7
Maleah Gregory, Pueblo East, Sr., 6-0
Meghan Heimstra, Silver Cr., Sr., 6-2
Cassie Lambrecht, Golden, Sr., 5-6
Samantha Neal, Golden, Sr., 5-8
Tricia Oakes, Evergreen, Sr., 6-4
Laura Palmere, Mullen, Jr., 5-11
Krystal Pittman, D’Evelyn, Jr., 5-7
Anna Prins, Broomfield, Jr., 6-6
Sophia Rhodes, Broomfield, 6-0, Jr.
Sharaya Selsor, Glenwood S., Sr., 5-9
Chaundra Sewell, Broomfield, Jr., 6-1
Markie Workman, Moffat Co., Sr., 5-11
