Class 1A Girls Basketball Weekly Update Week 6
By Tayler Garcia
For the next 3 weeks of January, we will continue to look at the top 10 ranked teams via the MileHigh Prep Report Rankings and 6 other teams who are just outside of the rankings. Then during the final week of January until Districts we will switch to breaking down the playoff bubble. This week we will look back at the past week plus look ahead to this week & weekend.
1.Stratton (4-1)
Stratton currently has a 4-1 record after opening 2024 with a win against Briggsdale (60-40). This week, the Eagles will face Cheyenne Wells on 1/11, Fleming on 1/12, and Hi-Plains on the road on 1/16. Stratton will play this week and next week before they get into league play. Leading the team in stats so far this season are Sedonia Isenbart with 108 points, 23 assists and 36 rebounds, Sophia Isenbart with 52 points, 8 assists and 27 rebounds, and Clare Miltenberger with 25 points, 8 assists and 27 rebounds.
2.McClave (8-0)
McClave starts 2024 off with a league win against Cheyenne Wells 57-29 and a win against Simla 51-39. The Cardinals are off to a perfect 8-0 start so far and will be looking to keep their streak alive when they face Springfield today (1/11) on the road. Leading the team in stats so far this season are Abrielle Gomez with 133 points, 16 assists and 51 rebounds, McKayla Kiniston with 66 points and 22 assists, Zoe Martinez with 64 points and 15 assists, Ashlynn Steinbrunn with 40 rebounds and Emily Melgoza with 30 rebounds.
3.Briggsdale (6-1)
Briggsdale has split the games they have played so far in the new year and lost to Stratton 60-40 but beat Lone Start 64-31. This leaves them with a 6-1 record overall so far this season. They will be looking to get more wins this week when they play Akron on the road tonight (1/11) and Weldon Valley on 1/13. Leading the Falcons so far this season are Jenna Krise with 184 points, 22 assists, and 37 rebounds, Kayl Klem with 96 points, 22 assists and 46 rebounds, and Claire Brown with 67 points, 18 assists and24 rebounds.
4.Flatirons Academy (6-1)
Flatirons Academy ended 2023 with a 6-1 and will be looking to get a win to start off the new year in a league game against Front Range Baptist on 1/11 and against Evangel Christian Academy on 1/13. Leading the Bison so far this season are Emma Cox with 152 points and 60 rebounds, Annabelle Rankers with 82 points and 26 assists, Brynlin Gomer with 37 points and 51 rebounds, Haliey Hubbart with 21 assists and 20 rebounds, and Kaylie Morre with 17 assists.
5.Fleming (5-1)
The Wildcats are off to a 5-1 start on their season so far, having most recently beat Arickaree 38-22. Fleming will be tested and will be looking to pull out the win when they play Stratton on the road on 1/12 and they will follow up with a league game against Prairie on 1/13. Stat leaders for Fleming so far this season are Brooke Schaefer with 57 points and 14 assists, Ciana Lousberg with 40 points, 13 assists and 20 rebounds, Madi Serrato with 40 points, 12 assists and 25 rebounds and Ashley Bornhoft with 42 rebounds.
6.Idalia (6-2)
After losing their last game in 2023 to Briggsdale (58-46), the Wolves have been able to bounce back and win their first three games in 2024 against St. Francis (56-32), Hi-Plains (32-21) and Deer Trail (50-16) to give them an overall record on 6-2 and a league record on 1-0. Idalia will be looking to continue their recent success this week against Otis, where they play on the road on 1/12. Stat leaders so far for the Wolves are Jaylyn Kechter with 101 points, 15 assists and 44 rebounds, Krista Wieser with 74 points and 55 rebounds, Ailyn Monarrez with 44 points and 18 assists, and Brigette Kite with 15 assists and 44 rebounds.
7.De Beque (6-3)
De Beque kicked off 2024 with a huge league win against Vail Christian 63-14. They are currently sitting with a 6-3 overall record and are 1-0 in league play. The Dragons will be looking to gain more traction in their league standing this week and will face league opponents West Grand on 1/12 and Soroco on 1/19, both at home. Leading the Dragons so far this season are Avery Rigsby with 122 points, 16 assists and 69 rebounds, Allyson Sandidge with 81 points, 31 assists and 44 rebounds, and Ava Vines with 66 points, 17 assists and 92 rebounds.
8.Eads (6-3)
With a 6-3 overall record and a 1-0 league record, the Eagles defeated Kit Carson 44-42 and Walsh 62-17 to open the new year. Eads will be looking to expand their three-game win streak this week when they play Stratton on 1/19 on the road. Stat leaders so far this season for Eads is Anna Wollert with 154 points, 18 assists and 101 rebounds, Tailee Weeks-Johnson with 79 points, 19 assists, and 33 rebounds, and Lexi Shotton with 78 points, 20 assists and 31 rebounds.
9.Dove Creek (6-2)
The Bulldogs will see their first action of 2024 today (1/11) against Nucla at home. This will be a rematch of the last game in 2023 where Dove Creek won 54-24. Currently, Dove Creek has a 6-2 record that they will be looking to add a win to. Leading the Bulldogs so far this season are Ralynn Hickman with 110 points, 20 assists and 67 rebounds, Kalie Gatlin with 85 points, 50 assists and 58 rebounds, Taylor Hampton with 73 points and 63 rebounds, and Hadley Hatfield with 11 assists.
10.Kit Carson (4-2)
The Wildcats opened 2024 with a heart-breaking loss to league opponent Eads 44-42 but bounced back and defeated Kiowa 70-41. They are currently sitting with a 4-2 overall record but are 0-1 in league play. Kit Carson will be looking to add more wins to their record this week and will face Wiley on 1/12 at home and will be on the road to play Hi-Plains on 1/13. Leading the team so far this season is Avery Johnson with 83 points and 22 assists, Nadaya Buttry with 67 points, Payge Booker-Rady with 59 points and 30 rebounds, Shay Rady with 30 assists and 30 rebounds, and Lindsey Mayhan with 19 assists and 53 rebounds.
Other Teams just outside of the top 10
We look at 6 teams who are not ranked but are off to a great start this season.
Flagler (5-2)
Flagler has a 5-2 overall record to start the season, and a 2-0 league record. The Panthers will be playing their first game of 2024 on 1/12 on the road against Limon and will be at home against Arickaree on 1/13. Of course, they will be looking for two wins and a strong start to the new year. Current leaders for Flagler are Jaylie Stone with 98 points, 15 assists, and 45 rebounds, Kacee Jo Saffer with 58 points and 57 rebounds, Sydnie Berry with 48 points and 14 assists, Belle Schier with 7 assists, and Jenna Schier with 38 rebounds.
Prairie (7-2)
Prairie currently has a 7-2 overall record after defeating Haxtun 33-24 and TPCA 60-38 to kick-off the new year. The Mustangs will be looking to add more wins to their records this week with their first league game on 1/13 against Fleming and then will face Wiggins on 1/16 on the road. Leading the team in stats so far this season are Hannah Kugler with 117 points, 7 assists and 34 rebounds, Emily Andrews with 56 points, 19 assists and 34 rebounds, Tanna Bailey with 49 points and43 rebounds, and Kendra Sutter with 9 assists.
South Baca (5-2)
South Baca won their first two games of 2024 to spring them to a 5-2 overall record so far, with a 1-0 league record. They beat Walsh in their first league game 56-24 and Centennial 57-8. This week, the Patriots will face Felt on 1/13 and Rolla on 1/16, where they will be looking to add more wins to their record. Stat leaders for South Baca are Kate Elmore with 69 points, 7 assists and 45 rebounds, Sarah Elmore with 68 points, 11 assists and 28 rebounds, Callie Hinds with 30 points and 8 assists, and Eliana Gutierrez with 17 rebounds.
Rocky Mountain Lutheran (5-2)
Rocky Mountain Lutheran won their first game back in 2024 against league opponent Mile High Academy 42-33 to give them a 5-2 overall record and 1-0 in league. The Eagles will be looking to add to their 5-game winning streak this week as they face Loveland Classical on 1/11 and Victory Prep Academy on 1/16. Early season stat leaders are Ginny Shade with 109 points, 16 assists and 50 rebounds, Sophia Thiel with 80 points, 5 assists, and 39 rebounds, and Eva Vogel with 41 points 4 assists and 40 rebounds.
Caprock Academy (5-3)
The Eagles currently have a 5-3 overall record and a 1-0 league record. They have yet to play in the new year but will be kicking off their action on 1/12 against Vail Christian on the road and then will face Rangely on 1/16, which will also be on the road. Both games will be league games and will be important wins for Caprock to keep building their standings on the Western Slope League.
Springfield (5-3)
Springfield is currently 5-3 on the season with a 1-0 league record. The Longhorns were able to open the season with a win against Granada (30-21) but lost to Cheyenne Wells (51-44). They will be looking to bounce back and add more wins to their record this week as they face McClave on 1/11 and Primero on 1/12. Stat leaders for the Longhorns are Lainee Leathers with 86 points and 23 assists, Bay Ellis with 66 points, 17 assists and 72 rebounds, Madison Varando with 61 points and 54 rebounds, and Karina Garcia with 23 assists and 40 rebounds.
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