Class 2A Girls Basketball Weekly Update Week 9 by Tayler Garcia

Class 2A Girls Basketball Weekly Preview

By Tayler Garcia

This week we shake things up in the weekly preview and take a look at the progress of the top 10 teams in the CHSSA seeding index, see which 3 teams are looking to be on the rise after the mid-way point in the season, and take a peak at what would be the last 6 teams to make the play-offs if the season ended today.

Top 10 teams in CHSAA Seeding Index:

#1 Merino

Merino continues to maintain their perfect record this season and have handled their latest opponents easily. The Rams beat Lyons 65-22, Fleming 66-33 and Limon 61-37. With only 6 more games on the schedule for the regular season, Merino will be looking to improve on their 13-0 record (3-0 in league), against Akron on 2/2 and Sedgwick County on 2/3. If they get win against these two teams, expect to see the Rams move up from 2^nd in the Lower Platte League to 1^st.

#2 Sedgwick County

Sedgwick County is now on a 7 game win streak after defeating Perkins County (62-50), Wiggins (49-30), and Leyton 51-40. The Cougars are now 12-1 on the season, 4-0 in League, and are 1^st in the Lower Platte League. This week they will face Holyoke on 2/2 and Merino on 2/3. Stat leaders for the team are Abigail Dille with 251 points, 28 assists, and 57 rebounds, Lainee Nein with 190 points, 36 assists and 111 rebounds, Ryen Carlson with 59 points, and Chloe Thode with 20 assists and 61 rebounds.

#3 Rangely

With a 15-1 overall record, Rangely is ranked 1^st in the Western Slope League with a 6-0 league record. The Panthers had strong wins this week over Hayden (64-34), West Grand (69-40) and Plateau Valley (52-38). They will be looking to continue their success this week and will play De Beque on the road on 2/3. Leaders for the team are Miah Wren with 238 points and 30 assists, Ashlynn Ducey with 174 points and 25 assists, Annika Canrtell with 126 points and 152 rebounds, Miley Chism with 25 assists and 75 rebounds, and Emmeree Wagner with 87 rebounds.

#4 Akron

Akron is currently sitting with a 7-6 overall record, are 2-2 in league play and are 5^th in the Lower Platte League. Last week the Rams beat Caliche 61-25 and Simla 38-33 but fell to Felming 37-27. The team will be looking for a bounce back this week and will face Perkins County on 2/1 and Merino on 2/2. Top players for Akron are Kinsey Grauer with 181 points, 36 assists and 68 rebounds, Addi Kessinger with 113 points and 69 rebounds, Kashlee Randel with 112 points and 45 assists, Mikenna Weers with 8 assists, and Becky Drum with 50 rebounds.

#5 Hoehne

Hoehne continues their winning streak and are now up to games in a row.  This gives the Famers an 11-2 overall record, a 8-0 league record and they are 1^st in the Santa Fe League. This last week, the team was able to get the wins against SCA (67-6) and Rocky Ford (52-20). They will be looking to keep their streak going this week when they face La Veta on 2/1, and Holly on 2/5. Leading the team this season are Janae Ramos with 149 points and 72 rebounds, Ellegra Guriterrez with 86 points and 26 assists, Phoenix San Roman with 88 points and 38 assists, Alessa Cantoria with 28 assists and 43 rebounds, Janelle Ramos with 43 rebounds, and Kaylah Crosson with 66 rebounds.

#6 Simla

Sitting 2^nd in the Black Forrest League with a 1-0 league record, Simla is currently 7-6 on the season. Their most recent games resulted in a win against Limon (51-36) and a loss against Akron (38-33). The Cubs will be looking to add more wins to their record as well as move their way up league rankings this week and will be facing Colorado Springs School on 2/1 and Elbert on 2/3 ina pair of league games, both on the road. Stat leaders for Simla are Kylie Maranville with 131 points, and 90 rebounds, Carlee Cox with 110 points, 26 assists and 90 rebounds, Katie Gotschall with 98 points and 29 assists, Kylie Brickell with 19 assists and Amara Mazerall with 64 rebounds.

#7 Monte Vista

The Pirates are currently on a 6 game win streak after defeating Crested Butte 44-26 and Cotopaxi 46-30 in their most recent games. Monte Vista is currently 9-1 on the season, their only loss so far coming from #6 Simla, they are 2-0 in league play so far and are ranked 3^rd in the Southern Peaks League. This week, the team will face Custer County on 2/2 and Center on 2/3, both at home, and they will be looking to maintain their winning streak. Leading the team in stats are Heysenny Beltran with 97 points and 12 assists, Allessah Archuleta with 93 points and 11 assists, Zariah Archuleta with 88 points and 13 assists, Stephanie Lopez with 46 rebounds, Hannah Henderhan with 43 rebounds and Daylin Castro with 40 rebounds.

#8 Las Animas

The Trojans are currently on a 5 game win streak after beating Rocky Ford (45-17) and Trinidad (31-21). Las Animas has a 10-2 overall record, are 5-1 in league play and are ranked 2^nd in the Santa Fe League. The team will be looking to add to their winning streak this week when they face Walsenburg on 2/1, Crowley County on 2/2 and Cheraw on 2/6 which will all be league games. Stat leaders for the Trojans are Jadann Eck with 121, 25 assists, and 60 rebounds, Emma Netherton with 98 points and 117 rebounds, Chanel LaBarge with 69 points and 36 assists, and Ava LaBarge with 27 assists and 45 rebounds.

#9 Dayspring Christian Academy

This week, the Eagles defeated their opponents Gilpin County (56-23), Wray (52-50) and Clear Creek (64-12). This gives the team an 11-3 overall record, a 5-0 league record, and they are ranked 1^st in the Mile High League. This week, the Eagles will be looking to add game six to their win streak when they face Dawson School on 2/1 at home.

#10 Burlington

Burlington is no 10-4 overall, 5-0 in league play and 1^st in the Union Pacific League. This last week the Cougars were able to beat Flagler 73-41, and Byers 56-40, but their 8 game win streak was broke when they fell to Goodland 54-24. The team will be looking for the bounce back game this week, but will have a tough opponent in Limon in 2/3. Stat leaders for Burlington are Kiyarra Williams with 210 points, 34 assists and 110 rebounds, Trinitee Holmes with 174 points, 37 assists and 100 rebounds, Lynzee Neal with 126 points, Regan Simpson with 43 assists, and Bethany Cure with 61 rebounds.

Teams on the rise:

#12 Limon

Limon went 1-2 last week and lost against Simla 51-36 and Merino 61-37, and beat Colorado Springs School 56-8. This leaves the Badgers with a 10-4 overall record, are 5-0 in league play and are 2^nd in the Union Pacific League. With only five games left on the regular season schedule, Limon will be looking to continue their climb to success and will face Wray, who is also on the rise, on 2/2, Burlington on 2/3, and Byers on 2/9. Leading the Badgers are Jentri Marx with 188 points, 46 assists and 11 rebounds, Katelyn Tacha with 138 points and 37 assists, Teal Schmidt with 68 points and 73 rebounds, Jazzy Rosler with 26 assists, and Enyceia Frescas with 49 rebounds.

#15 Wray

Wray is 7-7 overall on the season with a 3-2 league record and are 4^th in the Lower Platte league. In their most recent games, the Eagles beat Yuma 37-34 but fell to DCA 52-50. Wray will be looking to bounce back and get more wins on their record and will face Limon on 2/2, and Haxtun on 2/3. Leading the Eagles are Sharon Greek with 128 points, 28 assists and 69 rebounds, Dori Saffer with 125 points and 57 rebounds, Sydnee Cheek with 94 points, 27 assists and 61 rebounds, and Isabelle Gillham with 23 assists.

#19 Sargent

Sargent is currently 1^st in the Southern Peaks League after having a 3-0 league record and a 9-3 overall record. Their most recent wins came last week when the Farmers faced Center and Crested Butte and won 56-52 and 58-29. This week, Sargent will be looking to continue their current 7-game win streak and will play Cotopaxi on 2/2 and Del Norte on 2/3. Sargent will need to beat Del Norte to maintain their league ranking. Stat leaders for Sargent are Kandace Pargin with 160 points and 19 assists, Angelise Sandoval with 135 points and 55 rebounds, Bailey Asbell with 121 points, 28 assists and 71 rebounds, and Makenzie Counsaul with 20 assists and 50 rebounds.

Last five teams in playoff bubble:

#30 Crowley County

Crowley County are 10-6  overall with a 6-4 league record and are 4^th in the Santa Fe League. This last week the Chargers lost to Flower (38-23) but where able to beat Holly (33-31) and Swink (48-25). This week, they will be looking for another win when they face Las Animas at home on 2/2. Leading the team in stats are Alexis Rusher with 166 points and 97 rebounds, Ashlyn Berg with 106 points, 10 assists and 105 rebounds, Nakayla Aguilar with 76 points and 5 assists, Kamil Lovato with 10 assists, and Emma Pachak with 42 rebounds.

#31 Cotopaxi

The Pirates are fighting to stay within the playoff bubble. They currently have a 9-4 overall record, a 3-0 league record and are 1^st in the West Central League. This last week showed mixed success for Cotopaxi with a win against South Park (38-21) and a loss to Monte Vista (46-30). Their schedule will be tough again this week as they face Sargent on 2/2 and Crested Butte on 2/3. Wins against these opponents could help secure a spot in the playoffs. Leading the team in stats are Hayden Eggleston with 140 points and 19 assists, Eden Merrill with 119 points and 62 rebounds, Abby Fieth with 112 points and 14 assists, Allisyn Gasseling with 17 assists and 61 rebounds, and Kelsey Teter with 68 rebounds.

#32 Trinidad

Trinidad has 6 games left on their regular season schedule, and are fighting to stay in the play-off hunt. They currently have a 8-6 overall record, are 0-2 in league play and are 7^th in Southern Peaks. This week will have the Miners face Del Norte on 2/2 and Sanford on 2/3. Leading the team this season are Layla Maes with 114 points, Danica Shipley with 112 points, 27 assists and 71 rebounds, Monserrad Viera Flores with 97 points, 33 assists and 45 rebounds, Jesse Gegelman with 15 assists, and Maya Morales with 76 rebounds.

#33 Byers

Byers lost both of their games this week against Burlington (56-40) and ECA (58-53). These losses against good teams leaves the Bulldogs with a 5-9 overall record, 2-1 league record and they are ranked 4^th in the Union Pacific League. They will face Stratton on 2/2, and Deer Trail on 2/6 and will be looking at least one win to stay in the playoff bubble. Stat leaders for the team are Sophie Linnebur with 107 points and 54 rebounds, Madilee Olsen with 104 points, 27 assists and 52 rebounds, Anna Vetter with 83 points, 10 assists and 52 rebounds, and Averie Eymann with 22 assists.

#34 Swink

Swink currently is the last team inside of the playoff bubble. After Losing to Crowley County 28-25, the  Lions are 6-8 overall, 3-5 in league and are 5^th in the Santa Fe League. To stay in the playoff race, Swink will be looking for wins against Holly on 2/2 at home and Fowler on 2/3 on the road. Top scorers for Swink are Hunter Wallace with 135 points, Jocelynn James with 92 points, and Briana McElroy with 90 points.