CLASS 1A GIRLS BASKETBALL REPORT – WEEK ELEVEN
BY: KERRY SHERMAN
The final three days of the regular season have rolled around and there are a lot of important games still to be settled. At least one top seed for an upcoming district is still up for grabs, while other contests will have major impacts in most of the brackets. All rankings are from Thursday morning’s release of the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index.
THURSDAY
#6 IDALIA @ #3 STRATTON
While the separation between the two in the Seeding Index looks to be enough for Stratton to lose this head to head contest and still snag the #1 seed for District 5, both teams still have a tough game on Friday that could also help finalize the seeding. Jaylyn Kechter leads Idalia at close to 13 points and 9.5 rebounds a game, and has six double-doubles this season. Stratton’s Sedonia Isenbart averages just over 19 points a game, but has been held to single digits in two of the last three games. Those are her only games with fewer than 10 points this season.
#25 GENOA-HUGO/KARVAL @ #5 EADS
Genoa-Hugo/Karval looks to be pretty safely in as the #2 seed in District 7, but #29 Hanover is close. With one of the potential district champions currently sitting outside the top-16, Eads could be in line to host a regional, even if the Lady Eagles don’t win District 2. The Lady Pirates have lost eight of their last 10, while Eads has won eight of its last 10. Eads freshman Anna Wollert has recorded seven double-doubles and is averaging 14.5 points and 10.8 rebounds a game.
#9 FLEMING @ 2A #2 SEDGWICK COUNTY
Fleming has lost two straight and four of seven overall, but a win against the defending 2A champs could vault the Lady Wildcats to just outside of the top-five in the Seeding Index. That would put them in the running for a regional hosting spot, should a district champ fall outside of the top-16. Two of the three losses for Sedgwick County have come to the #1 team in 2A (Merino), while #4 Briggsdale just handed the Lady Cougars a 60-51 defeat on Tuesday. While no one for Fleming averages double figures a night, Madi Serrato, Ciana Lousberg, and Brooke Schaefer each score between 9.0 and 9.5 a game.
#16 ARICKAREE @ #14 KIOWA
Arickaree holds a very slim advantage over #17 Hi-Plains for the third seed in District 5, and the Lady Bison most will most likely need to upset Kiowa to maintain that positioning. The Lady Bison are 5-3 in games decided by single digits. Six of their last seven fall in that category (4-2). Kiowa is the Black Forest champion and will be the top seed in District 7, but the Lady Indians are trending in the wrong direction. After winning nine straight, they have dropped their last three. This will be their third game in as many days. Ja’Niya Smith (13.7) and Raeya Schrock (10.1) are the only Arickaree players who score more than five points a night. Paola Vidales is among the leaders for Kiowa in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals.
#50 LAKE CITY @ #18 SANGRE DE CRISTO
Sangre will be the top seed in District 6, but the Lady Thunderbirds currently would not host a regional if they win the that tournament. They need to move up at least two spots to get that protection. A win over a team so far down the Seeding Index could actually have the opposite effect. Freshman Audrina Knorr leads Sangre with 5.3 steals a night. She’s had 10 or more three times, and is only 15 away from 100 on the season. Lake City likely jumps #48 for the fifth seed in the district with an upset victory.
FRIDAY
#3 STRATTON @ 2A #12 LIMON
#6 IDALIA @ #9 FLEMING
Depending on how things go on Thursday, these two games could be the final determining factor in District 5. Idalia most likely needs to beat Stratton and Fleming to nab the top spot in the bracket, and even that might not be enough. But, it would boost the chances of Idalia getting to host a regional if a district champion doesn’t finish in the top-16. Stratton has lost 12 straight to Limon, and 15 of the last 17 in the series. Fleming has won seven straight against Idalia, and eight of 10 in the series.
#5 EADS @ #20 GRANADA
#13 CHEYENNE WELLS @ #7 KIT CARSON
As noted earlier, Eads is looking to strengthen its chances of hosting a regional and this is another game that could go a long way towards that goal. The Lady Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak against Granada back in December at the Lamar Holiday Basketball Tournament. Prior to those three wins by the Lady Bobcats, Eads had won at least 28 consecutive in the series. Kit Carson finds itself in a similar position as Eads, and the Lady Wildcats can improve their odds by beating Cheyenne Wells for a fourth straight time, and the 24th time in the last 27 meetings. The winner has not scored 50 points or more in three years.
#4 BRIGGSDALE @ #11 PRAIRIE
Briggsdale wins the North Central crown with a victory, which would be its 19th straight in the series. A Prairie win likely creates a three-way tie for the title, bringing Fleming into the mix. The Lady Mustangs could still catch Fleming for the #2 spot in District 4, but would need to win out and have Fleming lose both of its final two games. The trio of Jenna Krise, Kayl Klem, and Claire Brown all score double digits a night, and they are top three in almost every category for the Lady Falcons. Prairie’s Hannah Kugler is one of the top scoring freshmen in the state, putting in 14.1 points a game. She’s recorded six double-doubles.
#8 DOVE CREEK @ #24 NUCLA
Dove Creek already locked up the top seed in District 1, and the Lady Bulldogs are on a 12-game winning streak. Three of those are over Nucla. The Lady Mustangs are trying to catch #19 De Beque for the second seed. Dove Creek has won 18 straight in the series.
#42 MIAMI-YODER @ #16 ARICKAREE
#17 HI-PLAINS @ #40 BETHUNE
As noted above, these games will help determine who takes the #3 seed in District 5. The margin between Arickaree and Hi-Plains is razor thin, and if either loses on Friday, that will likely give the #3 seed to the other squad.
SATURDAY
#31 SIERRA GRANDE @ #1 MCCLAVE
McClave’s positioning for the postseason is already secured, as the Lady Cardinals have won seven straight coming into the final weekend. They’ll be the top seed in District 2, and even with a slip-up during that tournament, they would be in line to host a regional if a district champion fails to finish in the top-16. Sierra Grande is firmly on the bubble and an upset win would move the Lady Panthers off the bubble and safely into the regional round.
#7 KIT CARSON @ 2A #8 SIMLA
This match-up could bring a lot of RPI points to Kit Carson if the Lady Wildcats can pick-up the win. With them not too far behind Eads in the Seeding Index, it could also be the difference between sitting second in District 2 and being #3.
MileHigh Prep Report 