It seems every day that goes by Colorado Springs School boys basketball coach Dave Cortez gets a call from either a college coach or someone who is interested in point guard DeLovell Earls.
The 6-foot-5 senior has the tools to play both guard positions and small forward. In being named Mr. Colorado last season in Class 2A, he averaged 25 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in leading the Kodiaks to a 25-2 record and the school’s first state championship in any sport.
And he could be even better this year.
“He went out and made himself a better player,” Cortez said of Earls’ play this summer. “He went out and played AAU ball. He used that to work on his weaknesses, get a better aspect of his game — passing, rebounding, get better on defense.”
Air Force, Northern Colorado, Santa Clara, Pacific and Stanford have expressed interest in him, but another 2A state championship is first and foremost on his mind.
“Our motivation is to go unsatisfied with just one championship,” Earls said. “Our goal is to win another championship. We need to be disciplined and focused.”
That’s because last year’s state runner-up Holyoke, with returning all-state players Kyle Carper and Ryan Baumgartner; and Ignacio, with 6-9 center Alex Herrera, figure to be stern challengers to Colorado Springs School’s throne. They believe it, too.
“Honestly, I think we’re a top-three team without question,” Ignacio head coach Chris Valdez said. “We’re better than last year.”
2A BOYS HOOPS
2A top 10
1. C.S. School
2. Holyoke
3. Ignacio
4. Meeker
5. Lutheran-Parker
6. Limon
7. Sanford
8. Heritage Christian
9. Byers
10. Wray
2A players to watch
Name School Ht. Yr.
Ryan Baumgartner Holyoke 5-10 Sr.
Andrew Bowers Luth.-Parker 6-7 Jr.
Andre Brown C.S. School 6-0 Sr.
Matt Brown Limon 6-0 Sr.
Kyle Carper Holyoke 6-3 Sr.
Chris Dailey C.S. School 6-0 Sr.
DeLovell Earls C.S. School 6-5 Sr.
Matt Hart Alex. Dawson 6-1 Sr.
Alex Herrera Ignacio 6-8 Sr.
Mitch Jacob Meeker 6-0 Sr.
