Kent Denver and Cherry Creek have a strategy in preparation for their almost annual state championship meeting. The teams are playing some of the best out-of-state competition in the nation.
Arapahoe has done the same, adding Poway, a top California team, to its schedule. This year, Kent Denver coach Greg Courter’s phone is ringing off the hook with calls from coaches across the country.
“They slapped my ugly mug on the cover of Lacrosse Magazine back in the fall, and it seems like everybody wants to play us now,” Courter said.
Since 2001, Kent Denver and Cherry Creek have played for the state championship every year but 2004, when Cherry Creek beat Air Academy. Kent Denver won in 2002 and 2004, with Cherry Creek taking home the title the other five years. A Creek-Kent Denver championship game is possible this season, but some believe the Sun Devils are down because of the loss of three seniors who went on to play Division I.
Courter believes his team is going to be just fine, and should be battle-tested for the postseason after playing the top three teams in Florida and two top teams in California.
“We’re still trying to work on our parity here (in Colorado),” Courter said. “I will say that’s changing. I think Arapahoe is going to have a good team this year. Mullen has a lot of seniors. Colorado Academy is always in the mix. It’s good to see that because it’s really been a two-horse race over the last couple years.”
Schedule
Regular season: Runs through April 28.
Postseason: First round, May 3; quarterfinals, May 7; semifinals, May 10; championship, May 14.
Top players
Kara Secora, Kent Denver senior midfielder; Olivia Annalora, Heritage junior midfielder; Kaiti Delaney, Kent Denver midfielder; Annie Stookesberry, Kent Denver attacker; Lauren Johnson, Cherry Creek senior midfielder; Kathryn Keppler, Cherry Creek senior attacker; Abby Spencer, Ralston Valley senior attacker; Alex Befus, Air Academy junior midfielder; Meredith Dunn, Regis junior midfielder; Kristi Irgens, Smoky Hill senior midfielder; Alisa Konishi, Mullen senior goalie; Gina Robertson, Lewis-Palmer senior midfielder; Adison Rounds, Arapahoe junior midfielder; Lexi Sigler, East senior defender; Channing Ahbe, Arapahoe senior midfielder; Anna Willingford, Heritage senior goalie; Lindsey McMorris, Mullen senior attacker; Brittany McMorris, Mullen midfielder; Katie Gerhard, Arapahoe senior midfielder.
Top teams
Cherry Creek, Kent Denver, Mullen, Arapahoe, Colorado Academy, Air Academy, Heritage Littleton, Chaparral, Regis, Boulder, Columbine.
