BOYS BASKETBALL
Shall we dance?
It’s no surprise that two-time defending Class 5A champion Regis Jesuit (led by Ryan Winters), Arapahoe (Parker Semin) and Highlands Ranch (Marcus Byrd and Brett Olson) are in today’s final four in Boulder. But take a bow, you Boulder Panthers.
The Panthers, led by Riley Grabau and a surprisingly deep cast that includes Loren Ban, dropped their opener, began 4-2, then reeled off 20 consecutive victories. They fit nicely into a quad of teams that regularly share the ball.
Why else do you think they have gotten this far?
In Class 4A, Lewis-Palmer is the lone final-four returnee from a year ago, led by ever-emerging Josh Scott, a 6-foot-9 junior who has committed to the University of Colorado.
The other semifinalists are considered hungry and have seized recent moments. Pueblo West (led by Connor Roumph) knocked off highly regarded Longmont. Sterling (Xavier Talton) split a 66-point fourth quarter with Valor Christian in its Great 8 victory, and Windsor (Austin Schmidt) took down top-seeded Broomfield.
The field in the Class 3A quarter- finals once again is strong and balanced, though the object of the game remains the same — handling Faith Christian and Nathan Rindels. First up for the Eagles at Moby Arena in Fort Collins is Kent Denver, but Jefferson Academy, Pagosa Springs and Valley are among the challengers.
Defending Class 2A champion Holyoke didn’t make it to Pueblo for the Great 8, but others new to the classification have. Dropping down from 3A are Denver Christian and Denver Lutheran among those in position to challenge top-seeded and 23-0 Yuma, another former 3A team, along with Peyton. That’s half the field that was in 3A a year ago.
Back in Greeley after possible moves to Golden and Boulder because of the scheduling problems that the prep level encounters, the small schools’ Great 8 has two-time defending champion Caliche (18-4) tops in the field. Stratton, Pawnee and Walsh also are formidable contenders.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Fab fourth?
With upper classes on Wednesday settling the championship fields for Friday, one of today’s leading stories is Holy Family, in position for a fourth consecutive title.
The Tigers (23-1 and led by four- year starters Sarah Talamantes and Taylor Helbig) have won 100 games over four years and need three more for another title. They play today in the Great 8 in Fort Collins against The Pinnacle.
In addition, the Class 3A field contains two undefeated teams — Pagosa Springs (23-0) and Rifle (24-0), both on the other side of the bracket.
A year ago, Akron fell in the Class 2A final to Paonia. So the Rams have incentive as well as senior Sydney Clarkson. District foes Sedgwick County (top-seeded) and Holyoke (9-14, the only team left with a sub- .500 record) are also in their second consecutive Great 8, a mix that contains the likes of Rye in a field primarily based outside of the Denver area.
Preseason Class 1A No. 1 Simla hasn’t left its perch — the Cubs (Jaci Digby) are top-seeded and undefeated. The rest of the Great 8 has power. Only Wiley (16-7) has more than three losses. Kim (20-1), Fleming (21-2) and Pawnee (20-3) head a successful grouping.
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
