Holyoke won District 2 last season but watched as rival Wray scored back-to-back upsets en route to a state championship. The Dragons, who went 24-2 last season, hope to atone for that finish.
Coach Arlan Scholl’s Dragons have been to state the past five seasons. With four of last year’s starters having moved on, varsity experience could be an issue, but that doesn’t concern Scholl.
“We got playing time for the others. So it’s not like the cupboards are bare,” Scholl said. “We’ve got some pretty talented players. We’re a little bigger.”
Three of the Dragons’ five starters are 5-foot-11 or taller, including senior center Maddie Starkebaum.
Holyoke will find out quickly how good it is when it faces Wray in Tuesday’s season opener.
David Reed’s Eagles won’t be a pushover. Led by state tournament MVP Stacy Post, Wray returns all five of its starters and 10 of its top 12 players.
Simla, with seniors Christine Tompkins and Danielle Wilson, and Paonia, with four starters back, are expected to challenge Wray for 2A supremacy.
Michael Hicks, The Denver Post
THE DENVER POST/ 9NEWS PRESEASON POLL
1. Wray
2. Simla
3. Rocky Ford
4. Colorado Springs School
5. Calhan
6. Paonia
7. Holyoke
8. Evangelical Christian
9. Sangre de Cristo
10. Pikes Peak Christian
