After Highlands Ranch fell short to rival ThunderRidge in the 5A state title game last season, it appeared the Falcons had missed their best chance in the last half-decade to add to the program’s 5A-best seven state championships.
They graduated three key senior starters, each of whom went on to play Division I hoops, and lost leading scorer Leilah Vigil by transfer to Grandview.
But despite the enormous amount of roster turnover—and keeping in line with the prestigious tradition fostered by longtime coach Caryn Jarocki—the No. 3 Falcons (10-2) are reloaded once again.
In fact, with dynamic junior point guard Tommi Olson back as well as a handful of young stars that include sophomore forward Autumn Watts, sophomore forward Kasey Neubert and junior shooting guard Courtney Humbarger, this winter’s Falcons might be even better than last year’s stacked squad.
Highlands Ranch has not yet lost an in-state game this season, and has racked up notable victories over No. 7 Lakewood and No. 9 Arapahoe, among others.
Denver Post preps editor Kyle Newman caught up with Jarocki to discuss her team’s start to the season, key leaders, room for improvement and more.
