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 this 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. Lone Star

2. Hi-Plains

3. Otis

4. Idalia

5. Arickaree/Woodlin

6. Bethune

The YWKC League will get an automatic qualifier into regionals since they have six teams in their league. Lone Star is my pick to win the YWKC League. Lone Star returns their entire roster form a year ago including 3 players who scored over 10 ppg. Otis, Hi-Plains, and Idalia I believe are the main contenders for the league title. I also feel Lone Star, Hi-Plains, Otis, and Idalia are your main regional contenders from the YWKC league. Idalia is my dark horse to challenge for the league title.

My predictions for YWKC League

League Champion: Lone Star

Regional Contenders: Lone Star, Hi-Plains, Otis, Idalia

Dark Horse: Idalia

Preseason-Player of the League: Jade Kuntz Sr. Lone Star

Others to watch for: Aimee Trejo Sr. Lone Star, Peytyn Kuntz Sr. Lone Star, Cambria Seaman So. Hi-Plains, Kennedy Henschel So. Hi-Plains, Maggie Gorton So. Hi-Plains, Aedyn Tribelhorn Sr. Otis, Lydia Willeke Jr. Otis, Ailyn Monarrez-Estrada Sr. Idalia, Brigette Kite Sr. Idalia, Clara Hermes So. Arickaree/Woodlin, Samantha Robinson Sr. Bethune, Paulina Reyes Sr. Bethune

1A Southern Peaks

1. Centennial

2. Moffat

3. Sierra Grande

4. Sangre De Cristo

5. Creede

6. Antonito

7. Lake City

The 1A Southern Peaks will get a team automatically into regionals since they have 5 teams. Centennial is my pick to win the 1A Southern Peaks. Centennial returns their top 3 scorers from last year but must find depth. If Centennial can find some depth scoring watch out for this team. Moffat is my pick to finish in 2^nd and also a regional contender. I am not sure if the Southern Peaks can get a third team into regionals. If Sierra Grande can find more scoring they could easily push for one of the final regional spots. Sangre De Cristo, Creede, Antonito, and Lake City all have some holes to fill but I don’t think will get into regionals this year.

My predictions for 1A Southern Peaks

League Champion: Centennial

Regional Contenders: Centennial, Moffat

Dark Horse: Sierra Grande

Preseason-Player of the League: Anai Medina Sr. Centennial

Others to watch for: Amaya Garcia Sr. Centennial, Reina Aguilera Jr. Centennial, Kandra Pollard So. Moffat, Shauna Pollard Sr. Moffat, Eneria Quintana So. Sierra Grande, Taylor Freel Sr. Sangre De Cristo, Angel Edmonds Sr. Creede, Ava Anderson So. Creede, Shyanne Martinez Jr. Antonito, Morgan Hardy So. Lake City, Rowan McNeese Sr. Lake City

1A North Central

1. Fleming

2. Prairie

3. Briggsdale

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. Fleming is my pick to win the North Central League. Fleming returns their entire roster from last year plus have some momentum after winning the 1A Volleyball State Championship. Fleming will be challenged by Briggsdale and Prairie. Briggsdale lost their #3 and #5 scorers from last year but return plenty of top scoring to challenge for a regional spot. Prairie returns 4 of their top 5 scorers including their top 3 scorers from a season ago. Weldon Valley could also be a contender returning their 3 of their top 5 scorers from a season ago.

My predictions for North Central

League Champion: Fleming

Regional Contenders: Fleming, Prairie, Briggsdale

Dark Horse: Weldon Valley

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

Others to watch for: Brooke Schaefer Sr. Fleming, Ciana Lousberg Sr. Fleming, Hayley Chamberlain Jr. Fleming, Molly Walker So. Prairie, Tanna Bailey Sr. Prairie, Claire Brown Sr. Briggsdale, Bailey Loyd Jr. Briggsdale, Presleigh Herrick So. Briggsdale, Skylar Scott Sr. Weldon Valley, Haylee Nelson Sr. Weldon Valley, Nataleigh Kalb So. Peetz, Rylee Raffelson Jr. Peetz

High Plains

1. McClave

2. Eads

3. Kit Carson

4. Granada

5. Cheraw

6. Cheyenne Wells

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 4 being in contention for Regionals. McClave is my pick to win the High Plains League. McClave returns 4 of their top 6 scorers including their top 3 from last season. McClave will be challenged by Eads, Kit Carson, and Granada for the league crown. Eads returns all but 1 player from last season. Eads had very important State Tournament experience and will look to challenge McClave for the league title. Kit Carson and Granada also returned most of their rosters from last year and they hope to push for a regional spot. Cheraw and Cheyenne 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, Kit Carson, Granada

Dark Horse: Cheraw & Cheyenne Wells

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

Others to watch for: Addison Vallejos Jr. McClave, Zoe Martinez Sr. McClave, Ashlynn Steinbrunn Sr. McClave, Anna Wollert Jr. Eads, Tailee Weeks-Johnson Sr. Eads, Jordynn Turcotte So. Eads, Avery Johnson Jr. Kit Carson, Shay Rady Sr. Kit Carson, Allyssa Gekeler So. Kit Carson, Dayzriana Quintana Jr. Granada, Emersen Hernandez Sr. Granada, Emri Neugebauer So. Granada, Adi Miell Sr. Cheraw, Braislea Groves So. Cheraw, Aliyah Muth Sr. Cheyenne Wells, Aubry Carroll Sr. Cheyenne Wells, Roxy Unruh Sr. Cheyenne Wells

Fishers Peak (Will not get automatic berth)

1. Primero

2. La Veta

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. Primero is my pick to win the Fishers Peak League and will be in contention to reach regionals. Primero returns their entire roster from last season including their leading scorer. La Veta will be the main contender for the league title. La Veta will also hope to get in contention for a regional spot. Manzanola will hope to continue to improve with a younger roster this season.

My predictions for Fishers Peak

League Champion: Primero

Regional Contenders: Primero, La Veta

Dark Horse: La Veta

Preseason-Player of the League: Isabela Maldonado Sr. Primero

Others to watch for: Aimee Mincic Jr. Primero, Riley Monarco Sr. Primero, Jaleysia Atkins Jr. Primero, Jaiden Goemmer Sr. La Veta, Sarah Walter Sr. La Veta, Jada Garcia So. Manzanola, Chasity Chavez Jr. Manzanolad

1A Black Forest

1. Evangelical Christian

2. Elbert

3. Miami-Yoder

4. Pikes Peak Christian

5. Hanover

The 1A Black Forest will get an automatic berth into regionals as they have more than 5 teams in their league. Evangelical Christian is my pick to win the Black Forest League. ECA returns 3 of their top 5 scorers from a year ago including their top scorer. Elbert is my pick for second. Elbert returns their entire roster from last season. Elbert looks to be a regional contender and possibly push for the league title. Miami-Yoder is my pick for third. Miami-Yoder returns 3 of their top 5 scorers and they will look to challenge for a regional spot. Pikes Peak Christian is my pick for fourth. PPC lose their top scorer from a year ago but have solid depth back but who steps up for PPC to challenge for the top spot. Hanover rounds out the Black Forest League. Hanover return their top scorer but other players will have to step up around her to move up the league standings.

My predictions for 1A Black Forest

League Champion: Evangelical Christian

Regional Contenders: Evangelical Christian, Elbert

Dark Horse: Miami-Yoder

Player of the League: Reagan Schultz Jr. Evangelical Christian

Others to watch for: Mia Castro Jr. Evangelical Christian, Sadie Caldwell Jr. Evangelical Christian, Piper Warren Jr. Elbert, Melanie Hermes Sr. Elbert, Pasicznyk Davy Jr. Elbert, Jessa Book Sr. Miami-Yoder, Madison Kragel Sr. Maimi-Yoder, Annaliece Fisher Sr. Pikes Peak Christian, Megan Ferguson Sr. Pikes Peak Christian, Journey Anderson So. Hanover

1A Ark Valley

1. Springfield

2. South Baca

3. Kim/Branson

4. Walsh

5. Wiley

6. Holly

The 1A Ark Valley will get an automatic berth into regionals. They have 6 teams, and I am excited to see the race between the top 3 teams in this league. Springfield is my pick to win the league. Springfield will return their top 4 scorers from a year ago including two that broke the 13ppg mark. South Baca is my pick for 2^nd. South Baca returns nearly their entire roster from last year losing the #2 scorer. South Baca will look for depth to take a big step forward this season. Kim/Branson is my pick for 3^rd. Kim/Branson returns their top 3 scorers from a year ago but lose depth and leadership. Depth must step up for Kim/Branson to push for the league title. Wiley is my pick for fourth. Wiley returns 4 of their top 5 scorers and could be regional contenders this year. Improving depth scoring is key for Wiley to push the top 3 teams in the league. Walsh is my pick for 5^th. Walsh returns the majority of their roster. Walsh could challenge the top teams but must improve from last season. Holly rounds out the Ark Valley. Holly will be in rebuild mode losing their top 3 scorers from a season ago.

My predictions for 1A Ark Valley

League Champion: Springfield

Regional Contenders: Springfield, South Baca, Kim/Branson, Wiley, Walsh

Dark Horse: Kim/Branson

Player of the League: Cobi Mackey So. Springfield

Others to watch for: Jersey Speck So. Springfield, Madison Varando Sr. Springfield, Sarah Elmore Jr. South Baca, Abigail Anderson So. South Baca, Charlee Buhrle Jr. Kim/Branson, Kennedy Cranson Jr. Kim/Branson, Sorrel Mosimann So. Kim/Branson, Mckenzie Mapes Jr. Wiley, Kayla Penick Sr. Walsh, Averi Kunselman Sr. Walsh, Allison Rushton So. Holly

1A 5280 League

1. Denver Waldorf

2. Denver Jewish Day

3. Front Range Baptist

4. Mile High Academy

5. Denver Academy of Torah

6. Rocky Mountain Lutheran

The 5280 League will get an automatic berth in regionals. Mile High Academy is my pick to win the 5280 League. Mile High Academy returns nearly their entire roster losing one senior (#3 scorer). Mile High Academy could be a state tournament team if they can make major improvements from a season ago. The main challengers for the league crown will be Denver Jewish Day, Front Range Baptist, and Denver Waldorf. Denver Jewish Day looks to be the top challenger returning their top 3 scorers from a year ago. Front Range Baptist and Denver Waldorf also return key starters but scoring must improve to challenge the top teams. Rocky Mountain Lutheran and Victory Prep round out the 5280 and should improve this season.

My predictions for 5280 League

League Champion: Mile High Academy

Regional Contenders: Mile High Academy, Denver Jewish Day, Front Range Baptist, Denver Waldorf

Dark Horse: Front Range Baptist

Player of the League: Addy Dodds Jr. Mile High Academy

Others to watch for: Kylie Helm So. Mile High Academy, Lia Zachawerus So. Mile High Academy, Kaitlin Schatz Jr. Denver Jewish Day, Tamar Goldberg So. Denver Jewish Day, Bayla Milobsky Sr. Denver Jewish Day, Abbie Vandenberghe Sr. Front Range Baptist, Hadyn Woods Jr. Front Range Baptist, Sula Schuyler Sr. Denver Waldorf, Annie O’Meara Sr. Denver Waldorf, Kathryn Shade So. Rocky Mountain Lutheran, Joselyn Ruiz So. Victory Prep

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, Denver Jewish Day, Front Range Baptist

Ark Valley

Springfield, South Baca, Kim/Branson, Wiley, Walsh

Black Forest

Evangelical Christian, Elbert

Fisher Peak

Primero

Hi-Plains

McClave, Eads, Kit Carson, Granada

2A/1A Lower Platte

Caliche