Where is everybody?
With two-time defending champion Abraham Lincoln and perennial power Ralston Valley gone to 5A, the 4A landscape is a bit barren. Add to that a coaching change at Broomfield and a host of talent gone from tough teams such as Steamboat Springs, Widefield and D’Evelyn, and you have one of the best cliches in sports: It’s wide open.
“There’s a lot of teams, I think, that have a shot at it,” Pueblo South coach Dave Lockett said.
The Colts are at the top of the list. With just two seniors lost to graduation, consecutive runs to the quarterfinals and all-state talent such as 6-foot-2 senior Kameron Wilhite, the Colts are one of the few teams with few questions.
The Colts will get point guard and coach’s son Brody Lockett back from a knee injury suffered during football and have solid depth and experience in Tyrell Williams and Josh Dome.
They should rule the Steel City, but keep an eye on Pueblo East.
Can the 4A title stay in the Denver Prep League for the fifth consecutive year? Two years removed from their back-to-back title run, the junior-dominated Thomas Jefferson Spartans — led by Ray Riley, Chris Carter and Ben Sprague — will be in all conversations the next two seasons.
Greeley West appears to have a tenuous advantage in the competitive Northern League, with Broomfield always a threat.
D’Evelyn is the early favorite in Jeffco with Ralston Valley gone.
Springs powers figure to be Sierra, Widefield and Mitchell.
Glenwood Springs should be the strength of the mountains.
Brian Forbes, Special to The Denver Post
THE DENVER POST/ 9NEWS PRESEASON POLL
1. Pueblo South
2. Thomas Jefferson
3. Greeley West
4. Widefield
5. Mitchell
6. Longmont
7. Sierra
8. Glenwood Springs
9. D’Evelyn
10. Broomfield
