Class 2A Girls Basketball League Breakdown and Predictions
With CHSAA releasing the rules for how the postseason will work I will be making changes to my 1A predictions next week. No league/district tournaments will be played so the regular season league winners automatically qualify with the rest selected from the CHSAA Seeding Index. Combined leagues like many in class 1A and class 2A will only have one automatic qualifier. Possibly 10 automatic qualifiers will be given out in Class 2A.
Black Forest League
#1 Colorado Springs School
#2 Peyton
#3 Calhan
#4 Dolores Huerta
#5 Thomas MacLaren
The Black Forest league looks like it could be a two-horse race with Colorado Springs School and Peyton returning enough talent to be the favorites. Colorado Springs School is my pick to win the Black Forest League. Colorado Springs School returns 3 of their top 5 scorers but will be looking for a new top scorer. Whitney Richardi returns to lead the offense but who steps up to become the #2 offensive option. Peyton is my pick for second place. Peyton is returning 3 of their top 5 scorers but will have a big hole to fill with their #1 scorer graduating. Shelby Miller and Paige Gowen both return to become leaders for Peyton. Calhan is my pick for 3rd place. Calhan lose their top 2 scorers from a year ago but have some leadership returning in Jaiden Monger and Kaylee Ricketts. Calhan will need some younger players to really step up to replace the lose of some key senior pieces. Dolores Huerta is my pick for 4th place. Dolores Huerta lose their top scorer from a year ago but return their #2 and #3 scorers. Dolores Huerta will lean heavily on them two to try and move up the standings. Thomas MacLaren rounds out the Black Forest League.
My Predictions for the Black Forest League
League Champion: Colorado Springs School
Playoff Contenders: Colorado Springs School, Peyton, Calhan
Dark Horse: Calhan
Player of the League: Whitney Richardi Sr. Colorado Springs School
Others to Watch for: Shelby Miller Sr. Peyton, Paige Gowen Sr. Peyton, Jaiden Monger Sr. Calhan, Markie Guerrero Sr. Dolores Huerta
Lower Platte League 2A/1A
#1 Holyoke
#2 Wray
#3 Sedgwick County
#4 Yuma
#5 Merino (1A)
#6 Haxtun (1A)
#7 Wiggins
#8 Akron
#9 Caliche (1A)
A mix of Class 2A and 1A teams and only the winner of this combined league getting an automatic berth should make for a fun race for the title. My pick to win the Lower Platte League is Holyoke. Holyoke will have some holes to fill losing 3 of their top 5 scorers but return their #1 and #2 scorers. Kristin Vieselmeyer is a POY candidate and she should help lead a young Holyoke team. Depth will be the main concern for Holyoke this season. Wray is my pick for second place. Wray returns 3 of their top 5 scorers including their #1 and #2 scorers in Karly Godsey and Tabby Jones. Wray gained valuable playoff experience a year ago and should challenge for a league crown. Sedgwick County is my pick for 3rd place. Sedgwick County I think also has a very good chance at winning the Lower Platte League. Sedgwick County returns their top 4 scorers from a year ago. Alison Woodhams and Kierra Ehnes both are back to lead a Sedgwick County team. Yuma is my pick for 4th place. Yuma will also have a good chance this season. Yuma returns 5 of their top 6 scorers and Ema Richardson is back to lead on the offensive attack. My biggest concern for Yuma is who steps up to be the #2 and #3 offensive threats. Merino and Haxtun come in at #5 and #6 and both should reach the Class 1A State Bracket as at-large berths. Wiggins comes in at #7. Wiggins returns a very young team from a year ago with the top 3 scorers all being underclassmen. Wiggins is probably a year away from really pushing for a league title. Akron comes in at #8. Akron returns 3 of their top 5 scorers but will be looking for a new offensive leader. Akron will look to jump up in the standings this season. Caliche rounds out the Lower Platte League. They are a very young team and could be a year before they really push for a playoff spot.
My Predictions for the Lower Platte League
League Champion: Holyoke
Playoff Contenders in Class 2A: Holyoke, Wray, Sedgwick County, Yuma
Playoff Contenders in Class 1A: Merino and Haxtun
Dark Horse: Sedgwick County
Player of the League: Kristin Vieselmeyer Jr. Holyoke
Others to Watch for in Class 2A: Lauren Herman Jr. Holyoke, Karly Godsey Jr. Wray, Tabby Jones Sr. Wray, Alison Woddhams Jr. Sedgwick County, Kierra Ehnes So. Sedgwick County, Ema Richardson Sr. Yuma, Raelyn Koenig So. Wiggins
Mile High League
#1 Lyons
#2 Heritage Christian
#3 Dayspring Christian
#4 Union Colony Prep
#5 Longmont Christian (1A)
#6 Dawson School
#7 Denver Christian
#8 Clear Creek
#9 Highland (3A)
#10 Gilpin County
#11 Front Range Christian
#12 Loveland Classical
#13 Twin Peaks Charter
The Mile High league comprises of Class 1A thru 3A and only the champion will get an automatic berth. Lyons is my pick to win the Mile High League. Lyons won just 8 games a season ago but return the most talent of any team in the Mile High League. Lyons returns 4 of their top 5 scorers and will turn to Avery Joy and Jazmyn Enny to become leaders this season. Heritage Christian is my pick for second place. Heritage Christian won 22 games a season ago but lose 2 of their top 5 scorers including their #1 scorer. Heritage Christian does return plenty to challenge for a league crown again this season. Kali Siemers and Savannah Brown both return to lead Heritage Christian but my big concern is who takes over as the main offensive threats. Dayspring Christian is my pick for 3rd place. Dayspring Christian returns 4 of their top 5 scorers. Corrin Sides and Alexa Shenkenberg return to lead Dayspring Christina and this team should improve of their 6 win season. Seeing how much this team improves will be the key. Union Colony Prep is my pick for 4th place. Union Colony Prep lose some key senior pieces but return their #1 scorer from a year ago. If Union Colony Prep can find solid support they could be a team to watch this season. Longmont Christian comes in at #5. Longmont Christian is a 1A school and could possibly push for a at-large berth into the 1A State Tournament. They have plenty of talent coming back. Dawson School is my pick for 6th place. Dawson School lose 2 of their top 5 scorers and will be searching for someone to take over as the #1 offensive threat. Maddy Timms will have to step up as the leader this season. Denver Christian is my pick for 7th place. Denver Christian returns 3 of their top 5 scorers but replacing their #1 scorer is key. A pair of Junior must step up this season in Sophie Bull and Kella Millican. Clear Creek comes in at #8. Clear Creek was a very young team a year ago and are junior heavy. They are my dark horse pick this season. If they can come together I think they can easily push for a league title and will be a big threat next year. Highland comes in at #9. Highland moved up to 3A this season and will be searching for a new offensive threat. I am not sure if they have enough this season to push for an at-large berth in Class 3A. Gilpin County rounds out my top 10 in the Mile High League. Gilpin County is a young team and led by a group of Sophomores. I think next year will be the year Gilpin County really pushes for a league title. Front Range Christian, Loveland Classical, and Twin Peaks Charter are outside the top 10 and most are rebuild after losing key seniors.
My Predictions for the Mile High League
League Champion: Lyons
Playoff Contenders in Class 2A: Lyons, Heritage Christian, Dayspring Christian, Union Colony Prep,
Playoff Contenders in Class 1A: Longmont Christian
Dark Horse: Clear Creek
Player of the League: Avery Joy Sr. Lyons
Others to Watch for: Kali Siemers Jr. Heritage Christian, Corrin Sides Dayspring Christian, Kamryn Arnold Jr. Union Colony Prep, Taylor Vandenburg Sr. Longmont Christian, Maddy Timms Sr. Dawson School, Aiden Kocol Jr. Clear Creek, Camryn Ganz So. Gilpin County
San Juan Basin 2A/1A
#1 Ignacio
#2 Dove Creek (1A)
#3 Mancos
#4 Telluride
#5 Dolores
#6 Ouray (1A)
#7 Nucla (1A)
#8 Ridgway
A top heavy league should provide some excitement when the top teams meet up. Ignacio is my pick to win the San Juan Basin League. Ignacio returns 4 of their top 5 scorers and depth off the bench. Ignacio will have a key piece to replace in their #1 scorer. Avaleena Nanaeto and Charlize Valdez will be tasked with becoming the scoring leaders. Ignacio returns a senior heavy team and should be fun to watch. Dove Creek is my pick for second place. Dove Creek should be an at-large team for the Class 1A tournament. I went into more depth on them in my Class 1A article. Mancos is my pick for 3rd place. Mancos returns 3 of their top 5 scorers and should be improved this season. Madi Hale will be the main offensive threat for Mancos this season. Depth is key for Mancos to try and push the top 2 teams. Telluride is my pick for 4th place. Telluride returns their entire roster from last season and should be a threat inside the San Juan Basin. Telluride will turn to Margaux Lovely to lead Telluride this season. Dolores is my pick for 5th place. Dolores returns 4 of their top 5 scorers from a year ago and will also try and improve. Erin Brown is the main offensive threat for Dolores and we will see if they depth can step up to add to the offensive attack. Ouray and Nucla come in at #6 and #7. They are both 1A teams and both will try and sneak in as an at-large team. Ridgway rounds out the San Juan Basin League. Ridgway will be very young and will be in rebuild mode.
My Predictions for the San Juan Basin League
League Champion: Ignacio
Playoff Contenders in Class 2A: Ignacio, Mancos, Telluride
Playoff Contenders in Class 1A: Dove Creek
Dark Horse: Telluride
Player of the League: Grace Hatfield Sr. Dove Creek
Others to Watch for: Avaleena Nanaeto Jr. Ignacio, Charlize Valdez Sr. Ignacio, Jayden Brunson Sr. Ignacio, Ebonee Gomez Sr. Ignacio, Madi Hale Sr. Mancos, Margaux Lovely Sr. Telluride, Erin Brown Jr. Dolores, Audry Gibbs Jr. Ouray,
Santa Fe League
#1 Rye
#2 Rocky Ford
#3 Fowler
#4 Holly
#5 Swink
#6 Crowley County
#7 Swallows Charter
#8 Hoehne
#9 John Mall
#10 Las Animas
The Santa Fe League I think comes down to two teams, but I think will be very competitive still with 7 teams returning talent to try and knock off the two favorites. Rye is my pick to win the Santa Fe League. Rye had just 1 loss a season ago in the Great 8 round to Sanford. A year of experience and key playoff experience should have this team ready to go. Offensively Rye goes thru Jolee Ortiz, Sophie Adamson, and Sydney Adamson those 3 most have big seasons for Rye to go deep. Rocky Ford is my pick for second place. Rocky Ford just missed out on the Great 8 and will return nearly their entire roster. Their top 5 scorers all return and POY candidate Abi Snyder will look to lead Rocky Ford to a deep playoff run. Fowler is my pick for 3rd place. Fowler returns nearly their entire roster including their top 5 scorers from a year ago. Fowler will look to build of a 5-win season and Ryanna Pruett, Emerson Mason, and Kaley Pieper could help Fowler push for a top 3 finish in league. Holly is my pick for 4th place. Holly had a crazy run last season to reach the great 8. Holly will have some holes to fill losing 3 of their top 5 scorers from a year ago. Sierra Howland and Jean Slack must take over this season and we will see who else rises up. Swink comes in at #5. Swink lose their top 2 scorers and long time head coach Curt Lewis. Taking over as the head coach this season is Miles Bond. Swink will turn to Jada Chavez and Baylie Krueger to step up as leaders this season. Crowley County is my pick for 6th place. Crowley County returns 3 of their top 5 scorers including leading scorer Destinee Ybarra. Crowley County will look for players to step up offensively to really try and improve. Swallows Charter comes in at #7. Swallows Charter lose their #1 and #2 scorers from a year ago but return the rest of the roster. Swallows Charter will look for key players to step up to lead this team. Hoehne comes in at #8. Hoehne lose their #1 and #2 scorers from a year ago and will turn to some underclassmen to try and lead. Hoehne must find a main offensive threat to make a deep run. Las Animas and John Mall round out the Santa Fe League. Both will be young teams this season.
My Predictions for the Santa Fe League
League Champion: Rye
Playoff Contenders in Class 2A: Rye, Rocky Ford, Fowler, Holly
Dark Horse: Swallows Holly
Player of the League: Abi Snyder Jr. Rocky Ford
Others to Watch for: Jolee Ortiz Sr. Rye, Sophie Adamson Jr Rye, Sydney Adamson Jr. Rye, Ryanna Pruett Sr. Fowler, Sierra Howland Jr. Holly, Destinee Ybarra So. Crowley County,
Southern Peaks League
#1 Sanford
#2 Center
#3 Del Norte
#4 Monte Vista
#5 Sargent
#6 Trinidad
#7 Crested Butte
The Southern Peaks League adds Monte Vista and Trinidad this season. I do think we have a clear favorite in the SPL but the rest of the league I think is up for grabs. Sanford is my pick to win the Southern Peaks League and they are the favorites. Sanford reached the semifinals a year ago and return 3 of their top 5 scorers. Sanford will have a big hole to fill with their #1 scorer and senior leader graduating. Asian Caldon and Cheyenne Caldon must become the leaders this season. After Sanford things get interesting. Center is my pick for 2nd place. Center finished 3rd last season and return 4 of their top 5 starters. They lose a key piece at center but return plenty of talent. Alexis Varlea and Natalia Cendejas must take the next step this season to become leaders of this team. Del Norte is my pick for 3rd place. Del Norte lose a lot of key piece including Kendra Parra (who is starting at Metro State), Yesenia Rosales, and Gabby Jones. Del Norte though is always well coached and should still be a threat this year. Kaeci Madrid will be the senior leader with Lynnea Valdez. Look for sophomores Charley Higham, Kelci Madrid, and Abby Rivera to take the next step this season. Monte Vista is my pick for 4th place. Monte Vista returns nearly their entire roster but must come together as a team. Monte Vista has the talent to compete much better in 2A, but this group of seniors and juniors must come together. I look for Adelia Romero, Haley Bernal, and Lindsey Ortiz to have break out years for Monte Vista. Sargent is my pick for 5th place. Sargent has plenty of talent coming back to reach higher in the standings. Sargent returns all but 1 senior and should be tough. Mckenzie Tolliver and Lexxi Aguilar must be the leaders and with head coach Greg King this team could push for a top 3 spot. Trinidad comes in at 6th place. Trinidad lose 4 of their top 5 scorers from a year ago and that has me worried on who steps up on the offensive side of the ball. Sara Choate is the lone returner from a year ago and must be the leader for Trinidad. Crested Butte rounds out the SPL. They did not have a varsity program a year ago.
My Predictions for the Southern Peaks League
League Champion: Sanford
Playoff Contenders: Sanford, Center, Del Norte, Monte Vista, Sargent
Dark Horse: Monte Vista
Player of the League: Asia Caldon Jr. Sanford
Others to Watch for: Cheyenne Caldon Jr. Sanford, Alexis Varela Jr. Center, Natalia Cendejas Sr. Center, Mckenzie Tolliver Sr. Sargent, Lexxi Aguilar Sr. Sargent, Kaeci Madrid Sr. Del Norte, Adelia Romero Jr. Monte Vista, Haley Bernal Jr. Monte Vista, Analysia Perea Jr. Monte Vista
Union Pacific League 2A/1A
#1 Limon
#2 Genoa-Hugo (1A)
#3 Burlington
#4 Byers
#5 Deer Trail (1A)
#6 Flagler (1A)
The Union Pacific League is a mix of Class 2A and Class 1A teams. Limon is my pick to win the Union Pacific League. Limon does lose some key seniors from last years semifinal team. Limon returns Trista Marx as the main offensive weapon and leader. Two other players to keep an eye on are Paige Hutsell and Jaley Schubarth. Depth will be key on a deep run again for Limon. Genoa-Hugo is my pick for second in the Union Pacific. Genoa-Hugo should be a threat in the Union Pacific and should easily be an at-large berth in Class 1A. Burlington is my pick for 3rd place. Burlington returns nearly their entire roster including their top 2 scorers. Trinity Perry and Triniti Scott must be leaders for Burlington to try and grab an at-large berth. Byers is my pick for 4th place. Byers will return 3 of their top 5 scorers. Sam Linnebur must be the main leader for Byers. Deer Trail and Flagler round out the Union Pacific league and are 1A teams. I broke them down more in depth in the Class 1A breakdown.
My Predictions for the Union Pacific League
League Champion: Limon
Playoff Contenders in Class 2A: Limon and Burlington
Playoff Contenders in Class 1A: Genoa-Hugo
Dark Horse: Burlington
Player of the League: Trista Marx Jr. Limon
Others to Watch for: Brylee Miller Sr. Genoa-Hugo, Glorya Carr Jr. Genoa-Hugo, Trinity Perry Sr. Burlington, Sam Linnebur Jr. Byers
West Central League 2A/1A
#1 Cotopaxi (1A)
#2 Custer County
#3 South Park
#4 Cripple Creek (1A)
The West Central league is a combined 2A and 1A league and is a small league of just 4 teams. This could be a league that if you don’t win the league you may not get into the playoffs. Cotopaxi is my pick to win the West Central and would automatically qualify for the 1A state tournament. Cotopaxi is broken down more in my 1A article. Custer County had an 8-win season a year ago and should have enough back to finish second in the West Central. No Stats were posted from last year. South Park is my pick for 3rd place. Jordan Burnett and Alyssa Davis both return as leading scorers and should lead South Park this season. South Park will look to improve on a 4-win season. Cripple Creek rounds out the West Central League. They have some talent back as well and could put their name in the hat.
My Predictions for the West Central League
League Champion: Cotopaxi (1A)
Playoff Contenders in Class 2A: Winner of South Park and Custer County
Playoff Contenders in Class 1A: Cotopaxi
Dark Horse: Custer County
Western Slope League 2A/1A
I am seeing on Maxpreps that the Western Slope will be split into a Western Slope South and Western Slope North. From what I understood only 1 berth will be given out to the overall league winners. The top teams from each league will face each other with the winner grabbing the berth. I will predict each division and then give a top 8 overall.
Western Slope North League
#1 Soroco
#2 Rangely
#3 Meeker
#4 West Grand
#5 Hayden
#6 North Park (1A)
#7 Vail Christian
Western Slope South League
#1 Cedaredge
#2 Hotchkiss
#3 Plateau Valley
#4 De Beque (1A)
#5 Paonia
#6 Olathe
#7 Caprock Academy (1A)
Overall Western Slope
The #1 from both the South and North Play each other the #2 from both the North and South play each other and so on. That is how I came up with this list. This was not easy a lot of very good teams in the Western Slope this year.
#1 Soroco
#2 Cedaredge
#3 Rangely
#4 Hotchkiss
#5 Meeker
#6 Plateau Valley
#7 De Beque
#8 West Grand
My Predictions for the Western Slope League
League Champion: Soroco
Playoff Contenders in Class 2A: Soroco, Cedaredge, Rangely, Hotchkiss, Meeker, Plateau Valley
Playoff Contenders in Class 1A: De Beque, North Park
Dark Horse: Meeker
Player of the League: Kammie Henderson Sr. Cedaredge
Others to Watch for: Kendall Conway Jr. De Beque, Vianney Mendoza Jr. Hotchkiss, Payton Fister So. Paonia, Mariah Garcia Sr. Olathe, Madison Clark Sr. Plateau Valley, Maddisyn Miller So. Plateau Valley, Sarah Kracht Jr. Meeker, Mary Scoggins Jr. Rangely, Kacie Lapp Sr. Rangely, Kayedence Bruner Jr. Soroco, Makinley Parker Sr. Soroco, Alex Schake Jr. West Grand, Allie Daly So. West Grand, Paige Sanchez Jr. North Park, Kaylee Carlstorm Jr. North Park, Mccurdy Grace Sr. Vail Christian,
MileHigh Prep Report 