Class 1A Girls Basketball League Predictions

Class 1A Girls Basketball League Predictions

The official start to basketball was last week and most teams will kick off play sometime next week. We dive into each league that we are putting as Class 1A. Some mixed Classes will be in the 2A League Predictions. Remember, for Class 1A you now must be ranked inside the top 32 of the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index to make it to Regionals or win your league (Minimum of 5 teams). Regionals will still be first two rounds with the highest seed as the host and the brackets will not be reseeded before state. Class 1A will still play a full Consolation Round.

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YWKC League

1. Idalia

2. Ots

3. Arickaree

4. Lone Star

5. Hi-Plains

6. Bethune

The YWKC League will get an automatic qualifier into regionals since they have five teams in their league. Idalia is my pick to win the YWKC League. Idalia returns their top 4 scorers from last season plus the State Tournament experience will benefit them this season. Otis, Arickaree, and Lone Star I believe are the main contenders for the league title. I also feel Idalia, Otis, Arickaree, and Lone Star are your main regional contenders from the YWKC league. Arickaree is my dark horse to challenge for the league title.

My predictions for YWKC League

League Champion: Idalia

Regional Contenders: Idalia, Otis, Arickaree, Lone Star

Dark Horse: Arickaree

Preseason-Player of the League: Jaylyn Kechter Sr. Idalia

Others to watch for: Krista Wieser Sr. Idalia, Ailyn Monarrez Jr. Idalia, Brigette Kite Jr. Idalia, Aedyn Tribelhorn Jr. Otis, Madelyn Willeke Sr. Otis, Lydia Willeke So. Otis, Janiya Smith Sr. Arickaree, Raeya Schrock Sr. Arickaree, Jade Kuntz Jr. Lone Star, Aimee Trejo Jr. Lone Star, Peytyn Kuntz So. Lone Star, Addison Henschel Jr. Hi-Plains, Adeline Church Jr. Hi-Plains, Madilyn Powell Sr. Bethune, Paulina Reyes Jr. Bethune

1A Southern Peaks

1. Sierra Grande

2. Creede

3. Sangre De Cristo

4. Moffat

5. Centennial

6. Antonito

7. Lake City

The 1A Southern Peaks will get a team automatically into regionals since they have 5 teams. The 1A Southern Peaks could have a bit of a down year with some teams losing key players either to graduation or to transfers. We could see a changing of the guard in SPL girls this year. Sierra Grande is my pick to win the Southern Peaks League. Sierra Grande returns key starters from last season including their #1 scorer from last season. Creede in my opinion is the main challenger to Sierra Grande this season. Creede returns their top two scorers but need depth to really step up this season if they plan to make a run for regionals. Sangre De Cristo could be another challenger but were hit hard losing several key players to transfers. The rest of the league is really unknown, and we will see who steps up.

My predictions for 1A Southern Peaks

League Champion: Sierra Grande

Regional Contenders: Sierra Grande, Creede

Dark Horse: Sangre De Cristo

Preseason-Player of the League: Lila Fairchild Jr. Creede

Others to watch for: Jaylyn Quezada Sr. Sierra Grande, Alexandra Garcia Sr. Sierra Grande, Ahlea Garcia Sr. Sierra Grande, Yazmin Molina Sr. Sierra Grande, Jasmin Laing Jr. Creede, Angel Edmonds Jr. Creede, Jaydra Cordova Sr. Sangre De Cristo, Haylee Freel Sr. Sangre De Cristo, Paige Hammel Sr. Moffat, Sequoia Sirois Jr. Moffat, Anai Medina Jr. Centennial, Destanaya Quintana Sr. Antonito, Priya Hartman Sr. Lake City

1A North Central

1. Prairie

2. Briggsdale

3. Fleming

4. Weldon Valley

5. Peetz

The North Central League will get an automatic berth into regionals because they have 5 teams in their league. The North Central I think could be very competitive this season. I think we have three very good teams in the North Central, but Weldon Valley and Peetz could make big improvements this season and make this league very competitive. Prairie is my pick to win the North Central League. Prairie returns their top scorer plus other key pieces from last years team. Prairie will be challenged by Briggsdale and Fleming. Briggsdale lose their top scorer but return key leadership in their #2 and #3 scorers. Fleming returns 4 of their top 5 scorers but lose a key piece in their lone senior from last season. Weldon Valley could also be a contender returning their top 3 scorers from a season ago.

My predictions for North Central

League Champion: Prairie

Regional Contenders: Prairie, Briggsdale, Fleming, Weldon Valley

Dark Horse: Weldon Valley

Preseason-Player of the League: Hannah Kugler So. Prairie

Others to watch for: Kendra Sutter Sr. Prairie, Tanna Bailey Jr. Prairie, Aubrey Shipman Sr. Prairie, Claire Brown Jr. Briggsdale, Kayl Klem Sr. Briggsdale, Bailey Loyd So. Briggsdale, Brooke Schaefer Jr. Fleming, Ciana Lousberg Jr. Fleming, Ashley Bornhoft Jr. Fleming, Annie Onufrak Sr. Weldon Valley, Skylar Scott Jr. Weldon Valley, Haylee Nelson Jr. Weldon Valley, Jaidynn Reiman So. Peetz, Skye Lefever So. Peetz

High Plains

1. McClave

2. Eads

3. Cheyenne Wells

4. Cheraw

5. Kit Carson

6. Granada

The High Plains League could be one of the top leagues in Class 1A plus will also get an automatic berth into regionals because they have over 5 teams in league. I think 3 teams have a realistic shot at reaching the State Tournament with possibly all 6 being in contention for Regionals. McClave is my pick to win the High Plains League. McClave returns 6 of their top 7 scorers and will have some momentum after winning the 1A Volleyball State Championship. McClave will be challenged by Eads and Cheyenne Wells for the league crown. Eads returns all but 1 player from last season state tournament team. They were young last season and another year of experience will help them challenge McClave for the league title. Cheyenne Wells returns 3 of their top 5 scorers and they are trying to get back to the state tournament something they did 2 years ago. Cheraw, Kit Carson, and Granada could all be regional contenders, but all will need key players to step up this year.

My predictions for High Plains League

League Champion: McClave

Regional Contenders: McClave, Eads, Cheyenne Wells, Cheraw, Kit Carson

Dark Horse: Cheraw

Preseason-Player of the League: Abrielle Gomez Jr. McClave

Others to watch for: Zoe Martinez Jr. McClave, Ashlynn Steinbrunn Jr. McClave, Emily Melgoza Sr. McClave, Anna Wollert So. Eads, Tailee Weeks-Johnson Jr. Eads, Lexi Shotton Jr. Eads, Bailey Sierra So. Eads, Alessandra Paez Sr. Eads, Paige Ryser Sr. Cheyenne Wells, Aliya Muth Jr. Cheyenne Wells, Aubry Carroll Jr. Cheyenne Wells, Evan Scheimer Jr. Cheyenne Wells, Delaney Bond Sr. Cheraw, Caitlin Provost Jr. Cheraw, Kieran Harris Sr. Cheraw, Adi Miell Jr. Cheraw, Avery Johnson So. Kit Carson, Shay Rady Jr. Kit Carson, Emersen Hernandez Jr. Granada, Paula Aguirre Sr. Granada, Dayzriana Quintana So. Granada

Fishers Peak (Will not get automatic berth)

1. La Veta

2. Primero

3. Manzanola

The Fishers Peak League will not get an automatic berth into regionals and teams will have to qualify by being in the top 32 of the CHSAA Seeding Index. With just three teams in the league the Fishers Peak league will rely on their out of league schedule to help them get into regionals. La Veta is my pick to win the Fishers Peak League and will be in contention to reach regionals. La Veta returns their entire roster from last season including their leading scorer who averaged 20ppg. Primero will be the main contender for the league title. Primero will also hope to get in contention for a regional spot. Primero will have some success after finding momentum for Volleyball. Manzanola will hope to play a full season this year.

My predictions for Fishers Peak

League Champion: La Veta

Regional Contenders: Primero, La Veta

Dark Horse: Primero

Preseason-Player of the League: Aspen Autry Sr. La Veta

Others to watch for: Zoe Reif Jr. La Veta, Jaiden Goemmer Jr. La Veta, Isabella Vigil Sr. La Veta, Isabela Maldonado Jr. Primero, Aimee Mincic So. Primero, Jaleysia Atkins So. Primero, Jocelyn Rivera Jr. Primero, Gabi Elias-Martinez jr. Manzanola

1A Black Forest

1. Evangelical Christian

2. Elbert

3. Hanover

4. Pikes Peak Christian

5. Miami-Yoder

The 1A Black Forest will get an automatic berth into regionals as they have more than 5 teams in their league. The Black Forest league could be top heavy with the top two teams being the main league title contenders and main regional contenders as well. Evangelical Christian is my pick to win the Black Forest League. ECA returns nearly their entire roster from last season including their top 8 scorers from a year ago. ECA could be a State Tournament contender as well. Elbert is the main contender in the Black Forest League. Elbert lose their #2 scorer but return the rest of the roster. Elbert will look to build depth from a very young team a season ago. Both ECA and Elbert drop from Class 2A down to 1A. Hanover, Pikes Peak Christian and Miami-Yoder lose key pieces from last years team and we will see who rises up to the occasion.

My predictions for 1A Black Forest

League Champion: Evangelical Christian

Regional Contenders: Evangelical Christian, Elbert

Dark Horse: Hanover, Pikes Peak Christian, Miami-Yoder

Player of the League: Melanie Hermes Jr. Elbert

Others to watch for: Sara Caldwel Sr. Evangelical Christian, Reagan Schultz Jr. Evangelical Christian, Mia Castro So. Evangelical Christian, Sadie Caldwel So. Evangelical Christian, Pasicznyk Davy So. Elbert, Jadyn Schmidt So. Elbert, Piper Warren So. Elbert, Savanna Bannister Jr. Hanover, Aspen Combs Jr. Hanover, Bella Fletcher Sr. Pikes Peak Christian, Kylie McKnight Sr. Miami-Yoder, Jessa Book Jr. Miami-Yoder

1A Ark Valley

1. South Baca

2. Holly

3. Springfield

4. Kim/Branson

5. Walsh

6. Wiley

The 1A Ark Valley will get an automatic berth into regionals. They have 6 teams in their league, and I believe after the favorite wins the league things are wide open and could make for a fun second half of the schedule. South Baca is my pick to win the Ark Valley League. South Baca returns their leading scorer from a year ago plus the #3 scorer. Depth scoring must come along this year for South Baca to make a deep playoff run. Holly, Springfield, and Kim/Branson I believe are all teams who could challenge South Baca for the league crown. I also think all three teams could be regional contenders as well. Holly lose their top scorer from a year ago but return the rest of the roster. Springfield loses their #1 and #3 scorers but have depth and good leadership back. Kim/Branson lost their top scorer but the rest of the roster is back. Walsh may also be a dark horse pick as they do return every player from last year.

My predictions for 1A Ark Valley

League Champion: South Baca

Regional Contenders: South Baca, Holly, Springfield, Kim/Branson

Dark Horse: Walsh

Player of the League: Sarah Elmore So. South Baca

Others to watch for: Callie Hinds Sr. South Baca, Eliana Gutierrez Jr. South Baca, Aureonna Diaz Sr. Holly, Josie Kissell Sr. Holly, Graci Morlan Sr. Holly, Bay Ellis Sr. Springfield, Madison Varando Jr. Springfield, Emma Amato Sr. Kim/Branson, Charlee Buhrle So. Kim/Branson, Kennedy Cranson So. Kim/Branson, Maribel Carrillo Sr. Walsh, Kayla Penick Jr. Walsh, Avery Kunselman Jr. Walsh, Mckenzie Mapes So. Wiley, Dixie Bitner Jr. Wiley

1A 5280 League

1. Mile High Academy

2. Denver Waldorf

3. Front Range Baptist

4. Rocky Mountain Lutheran

5. Denver Jewish Day

The 5280 League will get an automatic berth in regionals. The 5280 has 5 teams right now in their league on MaxPreps but the bulletin has more so we will wait and see what happens once we start playing games. Mile High Academy is the clear cut favorite to win the 5280 League. The rest of the league will be looking to knock off the Mile High Academy this season. Mile High Academy returns 4 of their top 5 scorers and could fight to host a regional this year. Denver Waldorf looks to be the main contender as they return their entire roster from a year ago. Front Range Baptist and Rocky Mountain Lutheran lose key pieces and Denver Jewish Day did not have a team last season.

My predictions for 5280 League

League Champion: Mile High Academy

Regional Contenders: Mile High Academy, Denver Waldorf

Dark Horse: Denver Waldorf

Player of the League: Addie Dodds So. Mile High Academy

Others to watch for: Delanie Prowant Sr. Mile High Academy, Maddie Donovan Jr. Mile High Academy, Sula Schuyler Jr. Denver Waldorf, Lara Gregory So. Denver Waldorf, Hadyn Woods So. Front Range Baptist, Abbie Vandenberghe Jr. Front Range Baptist, Eva Vogel Jr. Rocky Mountain Lutheran

Regional Predictions

I will still give my regional predictions for the 32 teams I think make regionals. I am missing a few leagues that are 2A/1A or 3A/2A/1A league and they will be mentioned tomorrow.

5280

Mile High Academy

Ark Valley

Holly, Branson/Kim, South Baca, Springfield

Black Forest

Elbert, Evangelical Christian

Fisher Peak

Primero, La Veta

High Plains

Cheyenne Wells, McClave, Cheraw, Eads, Kit Carson

2A/1A Lower Platte

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