MileHigh Prep Report Class 3A Girls Basketball Preseason Rankings
I am just going to quickly give the rankings and a quick breakdown of what they are returning. We are still planning on doing a Media Poll and that will be released Wednesday or Thursday. If you are interested in voting, please send me a message.
Class 3A
| Rank | Team | Notes |
| #1 | Platte Valley Defending State Champions | Platte Valley is your defending State Champions and will be looking for the three-peat this year. Platte Valley will have a few holes this season losing 3 of their top 5 scorers. Platte Valley still has talent coming back though with Bree Bunting (15.6 ppg) and Andi Schissler (13.0 ppg) coming back. Platte Valley will need depth to step up but they are still the favorite to win it all. |
| #2 | Vanguard Lost in the Final Four to University, took 3rd place | Vanguard reached the Final Four before falling to University. Vanguard ended the season on a high note defeating Grand Valley in the 3rd place game. Vanguard will now be looking for that state championship and they return the talent to do so. Juliana Garcia (17.0 ppg) and Hailey Blanchard (11.6 ppg) both return to be leaders. Vanguard has plenty of depth scoring back as well but can they get over the hump is the question. |
| #3 | Grand Valley Lost in the Final Four to Platte Valley, took 4th | Grand Valley made a surprise run last season to reach the final four before falling to eventual state champions Platte Valley. Grand Valley will now look to improve and make a run for that state title this season. Grand Valley returns their top two scorers from last season in Abbey Parker (15.5 ppg) and Jaycee Pittman (13.7 ppg). Grand Valley will be turning to a group of sophomores to be the 3rd and 4th options but look for Grand Valley to have a big season this year. |
| #4 | Centauri Lost in the Sweet 16 to Vanguard | Centauri had a good season reaching the Sweet 16 of the State Tournament. Centauri will be returning the core of their team including their top two scorers from last season in Abbey Smith (13.2 ppg) and Amaya Garcia (10.0 ppg). Centauri will look to improve as a team but should be poised for a big season. |
| #5 | C.S Christian Lost in the Elite 8 to Vanguard | C.S Christian had a coming out party last year after a few down years. C.S Christian reached the Elite 8 before falling to Vanguard. Now C.S Christian is looking for another deep playoff run this year. C.S Christian returns key pieces in Grace Minihane (13.9 ppg), Wilna Colopy (9.4 ppg), and Abigail Perry (7.0 ppg). If C.S Christian guard play take a big step forward, they could be a team to watch. |
| #6 | St. Mary’s Lost in the Elite 8 to Grand Valley | St. Mary’s had a big season last year and will look to build off the success they had. St. Mary’s will have a few holes to fill with their top scorer graduating. St. Mary’s will look to Maeve Salveson (12.7 ppg) to fill that hole but also look for Emmy Kutz and Bailey Darneal to take big steps this season. |
| #7 | Peyton Made State Tournament in Class 2A | Peyton had a big run last season to reach the state tournament in Class 2A and now will look to make the jump into Class 3A. Peyton will return all but 1 senior from last years young team. Peyton will look for AJ Mannering (15.9 ppg) and Abbie Nickell (13.2 ppg) to take big steps this season. Also look for the depth to improve this season as well as young players such as Jaycee Yonkers and Kimber Moore have another year of experience. |
| #8 | Highland Lost in the First Round to Kent Denver | Highland had a good year and reached the state tournament. Highland had a lot of sophomores and freshman playing big minutes last season, so the experience was key. Highland will now look to take a big step this year and push for a deep playoff run. Briza Flores (13.8 ppg), Jenna Batka (11.5 ppg), and Taylor Berkheimer (11.1 ppg) all return to be leaders this season. Highland has the potential to make a deep run this year. |
| #9 | Yuma Lost in Regional Finals to Rye | Yuma made it to the regional finals before falling to Rye. Yuma will now look to make their mark in Class 3A and they will return the talent to make a run. Yuma returns top scorers Lea Richardson (11.7 ppg) and Caddis Robinson (8.8 ppg). These two plus a aggressive defense will make Yuma an instant threat in Class 3A. |
| #10 | Brush Did not Qualify for the State Tournament | Brush had a bit of a down year last season not making it to the state tournament but at the end of the year went on a run and showed the potential they had. Brush will look to improve their offensive output but had 6 players of 6.0 ppg. Look for Kashlynn Tadolini and Karly Tadolini to make big strides this season for Brush. I think Brush take a big step this season behind a solid Senior class. |
| #11 | SkyView Academy Lost in the First Round to St. Mary’s | SkyView Academy had a solid run last year reaching the state tournament. SkyView Academy will now look to build off last season success and make a deeper run. Ekko Hopinks, Alivia Sanchez, and Dakota Garrick all return to be leaders for SkyView Academy. |
| #12 | Ellicott Lost in the First Round to Colorado Academy | Ellicott had a very successful season last year going 18-5 and reaching the state tournament. They will look to build of that success and make another deep run. Alyssa Lagasse, Mackenzie Weitz, and Melissa Lugo-Hermosillo will look to anchor the squad this season. Look for Ellicott to make a big push this year if they depth can step up. |
| #13 | Strasburg Lost in the First Round to Vanguard | Strasburg found success last season reaching the state tournament. Strasburg will look to build on that state tournament berth and get back. Strasburg will look to improve offensively this season. Autumn Stone and Gracey Graf are two players who must step up this year. If Strasburg can get going offensively watch out for Strasburg this year. |
| #14 | Buena Vista Did not Qualify for the State Tournament | Buena Vista did not qualify for the state tournament but built a foundation they could build upon this year. Autumn Wingo and Clara Coates both return after averaging over 10ppg last season. Buena Vista will look for key depth to step up this year and make a run for the state tournament. |
| #15 | Bennett Did not Qualify for the State Tournament | Bennett did not qualify for the State Tournament last season but found success going 15-7 overall. Bennett will have their eyes set on the State Tournament this year and will look to Maddie Bell and Lily Venneberg to step up as leaders this season. |
| Teams to Watch for: | Ignacio, Rye, North Fork, Fountain Valley, Prospect Ridge, Meeker, Montezuma-Cortez, Salida |
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