MileHigh Prep Report Class 1A Girls Basketball Preseason Poll
Note: I am just going to quickly give the rankings and a quick breakdown of what they are returning. I will be doing my District/League Predictions for Class 1A thru 3A later in the week. Practice is underway today and games kickoff for Basketball December 2nd.
Class 1A
| Rank | Team | Notes |
| #1 | McClave Made State Tournament (Went 1-2 4th Place) | McClave made the State Tournament last season but fell short of the previous season taking 4th Place. McClave is reloaded and looking for a deeper run this year. McClave returns 5 of their top 6 scorers including POY Candidate Abrielle Gomez (17.1 ppg). McClave also returns Zoe Martinez (9.9 ppg) and Ashlynn Steinbrunn (8.2 ppg) |
| #2 | Idalia Made State Tournament (Went 1-2) | Idalia made the State Tournament last season going 1-2 and falling in the 5th Place game to Dove Creek. This was key experience for Idalia as they return their top 4 scorers from last season. Idalia returns POY Candidate Jaylyn Kechter (13.0 ppg), Krista Wieser (9.7 ppg), and Brigette Kite (5.5 ppg). |
| #3 | Eads Made State Tournament (Went 0-2) | Eads made the State Tournament last season going 0-2. Eads had a tough draw facing the team that finished 2nd and 5th. Eads regardless gained valuable experience that should benefit this season. Eads returns their top 5 scorers from last season. Anna Wollert (14.2 ppg) is a POY candidate, and Eads also returns Tailee Weeks-Johnson (10.0 ppg) and Lexi Shotton (7.3 ppg). |
| #4 | Stratton Made State Tournament (Went 2-1, Runner Up) | Stratton made the State Tournament last season falling in the State Championship game to Briggsdale. Stratton will have a big whole to fill losing their #1 scorer and rebounder. Stratton will return plenty of other pieces including 5 of their 6 top scorers. Stratton will look for Sophia Isenbart (10.3 ppg) and Clare Miltenberger (7.6 ppg) to step up and be leaders this season. |
| #5 | Briggsdale Defending State Champions | Briggsdale is your defending State Champions. They lose a huge piece from last years team and POY in Jenna Krise. Briggsdale though should still be a contender as they return 4 of their top 5 scorers from a season ago. Claire Brown (10.7 ppg) and Kayl Klem (10.2 ppg) will look to step up this year plus some incoming youth could provide the spark Briggsdale needs. |
| #6 | Prairie Lost at Regionals to Briggsdale | Prairie made huge strides last season but fell just short of State losing in the regional finals to Briggsdale. Prairie did gain valuable experience last season but still have a few holes to fill losing two of their top 5 scorers. Prairie will look to POY candidate Hannah Kugler (14.4 ppg) to step up again this year plus Kendra Sutter (5.2 ppg) and Tanna Bailey (4.9 ppg). |
| #7 | Fleming Lost at Regionals to Idalia | Fleming missed the State Tournament last season falling in the regional finals to Idalia. Fleming was very young last season with just 2 seniors on the roster and the majority of the roster being sophomores. Fleming will look for Brooke Schaefer (9.6 ppg) and Ciana Lousberg (9.2 ppg) to take big steps forward this season. |
| #8 | Evangelical Christian Lost at Regionals to Rangely Class 2A | Evangelical Christian makes the move back into Class 1A this season. ECA fell in the regional finals last season to Rangely and should be an immediate contender in Class 1A. ECA returns their top 7 scorers from last season. Sara Caldwel (9.1 ppg), Reagan Schultz (8.5 ppg), and Mia Castro (8.4 ppg) all return to help ECA push for a State Tournament berth. |
| #9 | Cheyenne Wells Lost at Regionals to Dove Creek | Cheyenne Wells did not reach the state tournament last season falling in the regional finals to Dove Creek. Cheyenne Wells is looking to get back to the State Tournament something they have not done in two years. Paige Ryser (12.5 ppg) is back to lead Cheyenne Wells, but she will look for Aliyah Muth (7.5 ppg) and Aubry Carroll (6.1 ppg) to take a big step forward this season. |
| #10 | De Beque Lost at Regionals to Flatirons Academy | De Beque missed out on the State Tournament a year ago falling in the regional finals to Flatirons Academy. De Beque will be locked in on trying to move past regionals to state and return their top 3 scorers from a season ago. Avery Rigsby (13.0 ppg), Ava Vines (7.8 ppg), and Allyson Sandidge (7.6 ppg) are all back to help the Dragon try and move onto Greeley. |
| #11 | Otis Lost at Regionals to Stratton | Otis fell just short of making the State Tournament a season ago falling in the regional finals to Stratton. Otis will be returning plenty of talent this season to push for a deeper postseason run but do have a few holes to fill. Otis returns 3 of their top 5 scorers and will look for depth to step up this year. Aedyn Tribelhorn (10.0 ppg), Madelyn Willeke (8.0 ppg), and Lydia Willeke (5.0 ppg) will be tasked with being leaders this year. |
| #12 | Flatirons Academy Made State Tournament (2-1, 3rd Place) | Flatirons Academy made the state tournament last year finishing in 3rd Place. Flatirons Academy lose their top two scorers from last season but still have talent back to try and get back to state. Annabelle Rakers (11.1 ppg) is back to lead the Bison but she will be looking for Brylin Gomer (3.8 ppg) and Jenna Nehrbass (2.0 ppg) to take big steps forward this season. |
| #13 | Arickaree Lost at Regionals to Cheyenne Wells | Arickaree did not make it to the State Tournament a season ago falling at regionals to Cheyenne Wells. Arickaree will be looking to learn from the experience and push for a tournament berth. Arickaree will return their top two scorers from last season in Janiya Smith (13.0 ppg) and Raeya Schrock (10.3 ppg). Depth will be key for Arickaree. |
| #14 | Genoa-Hugo Lost at Regionals to Eads | Genoa-Hugo found success last season reaching regionals but fell short of the State Tournament losing to Eads. Genoa-Hugo will bring back plenty of talent to push for a deeper run. Genoa-Hugo returns 4 of their top 5 scorers. Amy James (8.7 ppg), Rylee Kelly (6.6 ppg), and Rylee Corn (5.5 ppg) are all back for the Pirates. |
| #15 | South Baca Lost at Regionals to Flagler | South Baca was an upset victim last season falling in the opening round of regionals at home to Flagler. South Baca will be looking to improve on that this season and return 3 of their top 5 scorers. Sarah Elmore (14.4 ppg) is back to be a leader but will also look for Callie Hinds (4.8 ppg) and Eliana Gutierrez (3.0 ppg) to step up. |
| Teams to Watch for: | Caliche, Weldon Valley, Cheraw, Nucla, Sierra Grande, Cotopaxi, Elbert, La Veta, Mile High Academy, Holly, Kim/Branson, Kit Carson, Springfield, Hi-Plains, Lone Star, Granada, Flagler |
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