CLASS 5A
The power structure of the state’s largest classification gets a little touchup.
However, underneath the new paint of a true 48-team district seeding plan that debuts this season, there will probably be the same powerhouses.
But change is always exciting, especially if you’re in the crucible of the Centennial League, where the defending champion Grandview Wolves, who will start slow but should be ready for the stretch run, will have to contend with preseason No. 1 Cherry Creek, 2006 champions Eaglecrest, newcomer and No. 10 Arapahoe, and talented newcomers Cherokee Trail.
And one mustn’t forget previous powers Smoky Hill and Overland. Columbine, off a strong summer, gets a lofty start and should set the pace in Jefferson County.
Doherty appears the frontrunner in the C.S. Metro, although Rampart and Pine Creek will push. Regis, in the 5A postseason mix for the first time, gets the early nod in the Continental, just ahead of Mountain Vista and Highlands Ranch. It should be quite a fight.
Up north? Coins for flipping for Tarot cards seem to have the edge on predictions. Monarch has been offered. Fairview, Boulder, Mountain Range are notable additions to the Front Range, which has 12 teams and nine playoff berths.
Durango remains worth watching out west. The 48-team district seeding will fill out eight, six-team districts. Round-robin play will send two teams from each district into regionals.
5A Top 10
Cherry Creek
Grandview
Columbine
Eaglecrest
Doherty
Regis
Mountain Vista
Highlands Ranch
Rampart
Arapahoe
5A returning all-state players:
Carrie Baird, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Alysa Birdsall, Cherokee Trail, Jr.; Lauren Bloch, Arapahoe, Sr.; Morgan Bohl, Eaglecrest, So.; Gracie DeMichelis, Overland, Sr.; Erica Denney, Grandview, Jr.; Gabrielle Dewberry, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Vanessa Gemignani, Doherty, Sr.; Randee Hayes, Columbine, Sr.; Nikki Kinzer, Rampart, Sr.; Jordan Kissman, Eaglecrest, Sr.; Kelsi Klikus, Pine Creek, Sr.; Kristina Lavrisha, Regis, Jr.; Ellen Miks, Columbine, Sr.; Sarah Miller, Mountain Vista, Sr.; McCall Paynter, Grandview, Sr.; Theresa Read, Grandview, Sr.; Nichole Riedel, Regis, Sr.; Ariel Turner, Mountain Vista, Sr.; Erica Winkler, Highlands Ranch, Jr.
CLASS 4A
If the 5A Centennial League ever put on a lot of extra weight and exaggerated its competitive streak, it would probably be call the 4A Northern, where 16 teams will battle for 11 district seeds.
The crucible group gets a new preseason leader in Berthoud, although the defending champs from Mountain View, which never seems to miss a beat no matter who it graduates, perpetually lurks. Then there is Skyline, Longmont, Sterling and Windsor.
Oh, and Roosevelt, which moves up from 3A and loads up with two all-state transfers from neighboring Valley.
Cheyenne Mountain assumes its perennial stature atop the heap and should lead the C.S. Metro that welcomes back Lewis-Palmer, which, although cleaned out from graduation, has great coaching and tradition. Same goes for Battle Mountain out west.
With Ralston Valley up in 5A, Jefferson County has that wide open feel. Pueblo West and Pueblo South get the early nod in the South Central, but Alamosa is always worth close attention.
4A Top 10
Berthoud
Mountain View
Cheyenne Mountain
Skyline
Roosevelt
Longmont
Sterling
Battle Mountain
Pueblo West
Lewis-Palmer
4A returning all-state players:
Kelly Arnold, Berthoud, Sr.; Adrianna Arreola, Hinkley, Sr.; Laura Brodie, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Carina Brose, Longmont, Sr.; Sarah Fiechtner, Berthoud, Sr.; Britt Geist, Mountain View, Sr.; Holly Hutchinson, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Lauren Janich, Longmont, Sr.; Sage Martinson, Roosevelt, Jr.; Billie Jo McMurren, Roosevelt, Jr.; Alex Morford, Roosevelt, Sr.; Kristen Nickel, Sterling, Sr.; Kendra Roark, Mountain View, Sr.; Megan Tapia, Pueblo South, Jr.; Sendy Valles, Roosevelt, Jr.; Megan Velazquez, Roosevelt, Jr.
CLASS 3A
The state’s middle child gets something new for the season as waterfall seeding debuts. Thirty-two teams will be divided into eight, four-team postseason districts based upon their league seedings.
The top two teams from each district move on to regionals. That trip has become a bit of a formality to C.S. Christian, which has achieved factory status under a new coach and new 3A player of the year (junior Morgan Broekhuis).
Local rival The Classical Academy will be nipping on the Lions’ heels and heading up a Tri-Peaks contingent that includes Manitou Springs and Lamar. The Western Slope should lead with Basalt and a rising Coal Ridge.
The Patriot League, with 13 teams and just six district seeds, has lost a little steam in the past few years. Only two squads reached state last year and one (Roosevelt) is in 4A. Valley, although depleted, brings back Savannah Garcia and should lead over traditional strengths Eaton, Strasburg, Platte Valley and University.
Faith Christian and Holy Family should head up the Metropolitan, while Platte Canyon and newcomers Middle Park should head up the Frontier.
3A Top 10
C.S. Christian
The Classical Academy
Manitou Springs
Holy Family
Lamar
Faith Christian
Valley
Basalt
Eaton
Platte Canyon
3A returning all-state players
Lauren Alejo, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Morgan Broekhuis, C.S. Christian, Jr.; Savannah Garcia, Valley, Jr.; Hanna Gibeau, Faith Christian, Jr.; Brittany Higgins, Lamar, Sr.; Shelby Holmes, Basalt, Sr.; Chloe Nelson, Coal Ridge, Sr.; Kendall Janak, Platte Canyon, Sr.; Kerri Taylor, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Brianne Vandegriend, C.S. Christian, Jr.
CLASS 2A
Perhaps one day, when we’re all traveling on the cheap in electric cars, sprawling 2A will get some better postseason seeding. One look at District 8, which includes Byers, Calhan, C.S. School, Limon and tiny Simla, exasperates that point. Dayspring Christian has three returning all-state players, the most in 2A, and appears poised to advance out of pool play at state. Tradition serves that the state veterans will reprise their roles, so ready the invitations for Hoehne, Fowler, Simla, Mancos, Sangre de Cristo and Rangely.
2A Top 5
Dayspring Christian
Mancos
Fowler
Sangre de Cristo
Simla
2A returning all-state players
Caroline Alexander, Simla, Sr.; Cassidy Austin, Pikes Peak Christian, Sr.; Megan Beiriger, Sangre de Cristo, Jr.; Taylor Castillo, Kiowa, Jr.; Elle Clarke, Cripple Creek, Sr.; Breanna Cullity, Colorado Springs School, Sr.; Morgan Darden, Mancos, Jr.; Chelsea Hughes, Dayspring Christian, Sr.; Kanielle Krop, Paonia, Sr.; Chelsea Hughes, Dayspring Christian, Sr.; Morgan Moss, Fowler, Sr.; Kate Peine, Longmont Christian, Sr.; Lauren Posey, Dayspring Christian, Sr.; Allanah Ricketts, Calhan, Sr.
CLASS 1A
Everyone was sufficiently warned that Fleming was on the rise. The Wildcats rode out their No. 1 preseason ranking last year and have enough talent returning – three all-staters, including standout Lynnae Cox – to remain in charge. Caliche and Peetz will give Fleming plenty to remain vigilant about in District 4. McClave’s strong tradition should remain, as should Flagler, Hi-Plains and Otis. LaVeta, semifinalists in 2007, jumps up to 2A by hitting the 97-person enrollment on the dot.
1A Top Five
Fleming
McClave
Flagler
Peetz
Springfield
1A returning all-state players
Bethany Atkin, Fleming, Sr.; Kelly Bode, Flagler, Sr.; Beth Cooper, Hi-Plains, Jr.; Lynnae Cox, Fleming, Sr.; Lauren Hagemeyer, Ridgway, Sr.; Sasha Harberg, Liberty (Joes), Sr.; Ryleigh Jacobs, Springfield, Sr.; Jerrica Mallard, McClave, Sr.; Alyssa Muller, Fleming, Sr.; Ashley Ryland, Sierra Grande, Sr.; Cyndi Schumacher, Peetz, Sr.
