4A Sweet 16 Preview Part 1
The second round of the playoffs is officially in the books. Now that the dust has settled, it is time to see what is in store for the next round. Here is a preview of what is to come in…
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Continue ReadingThe second round of the playoffs is officially in the books. Now that the dust has settled, it is time to see what is in store for the next round. Here is a preview of what is to come in the John Mraule and Tricia Bader-Binford brackets:
Krystina Hagood#1 Sand Creek (23-1, 14-0 Pikes Peak) vs. #16 Canyon City (19-4, 14-1 Colorado Springs Metro)
It should come as no surprise that Sand Creek went into the playoffs as the number one ranked team with all of the talents on their roster. Junior guard Nikki Derrell finished the season with substantial numbers – 15ppg, four apg, 3.4 rpg, and 2.8 spg – for Sand Creek. Senior teammate Krystina Hagood is a guard/forward who averaged 11 points and 7.7 rebounds per game leading up to their first-round bye. Canyon City’s Jerika Moore is a senior guard/forward who finished the regular season with a total of 367 points and 127 rebounds. She will be looking to fellow senior guard, Kate Tedquist, to help lead the charge against their top-ranked opponents.
Other Sand Creek names to know: Kianna Lemons, Ti’Ana Davis, Tamika Williams
Other Canyon City names to know: Emily Till, Madelyn Ley, Jordyn Martinez
Megan Pohs#8 Montrose (19-5, 6-2 Southwestern) vs #9 Mullen (17-7, 10-4 Centennial)
Montrose will be looking to advance to the Great 8 behind seniors Kennadie Minerich (guard) and Ally Nichols (center/forward) who put up a combined 36 points in their second-round victory. Minerich finished with five boards, all of which were defensive, three steals, and two assists, while Nichols tallied 11 rebounds and one block. For Mullen, junior guard Megan Pohs posted 24 points (nine of which came from beyond the perimeter), seven assists, and five steals in the team’s second-round win. Sophomore teammate Gracie Gallegos finished that game with 17 points while also sinking three of her four three-point attempts. This should make for a very evenly matched contest.
Other Montrose names to know: Caraline Burwell, Josie Eccher, Hadley Greiner
Other Mullen names to know: Elaina Martinez, Abby Webster, Imani Perez
Jaida Redwine#2 Pueblo West (23-1, 10-0 South Central) vs. #15 George Washington (19-5, 8-1 Denver Prep)
Pueblo West’s Hanna Simental (guard) led a dominating storm – 30 points, five rebounds, and two steals – in her first playoff game as a senior. A performance that she will undoubtedly be looking to repeat against a tough George Washington team. Freshman phenom Jaida Redwine (guard) has averaged some impressive numbers – 16.9 ppg, 5 rpg, 8 spg – throughout the season leading up to the playoffs. She and junior guard/forward Maya Whiteside – 12.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.4 bpg – will be expected to lead the charge against the Cyclones.
Other Pueblo West names to know: Gabby Louther, Marissa Leyva, Jorden Ross
Other George Washington names to know: Anisa Turner, Iyahnni Qualls, Emma Locks
Tyler Whitlock#7 Holy Family (18-6, 14-2 Tri-Valley) vs. #10 Air Academy (18-6, 10-4 Pikes Peak)
The Holy Family Tigers will be looking for juniors Tyler Whitlock (forward) and Alyssa Wells (guard) to help lead them to their second win this postseason. Whitlock finished the last game with 22 points, six rebounds, and eight steals, while Wells tallied 14 points, five assists, and three steals. The Kadets are no strangers to scoring either. Senior guard Kylee Blacksten posted 25 points, shooting 75% from the field (5 for 8 from three and 4 for 4 from two) in Air Academy’s second-round win. Junior teammate Brooke Moss (guard) finished with 11 points and four rebounds in that contest. Air Academy will need their full arsenal if they intend to control the skies in this matchup.
Other Holy Family names to know: Dylan Sanders, Makenna Bertsch, Makayla Salter
Other Air Academy names to know: Brianna Sealy, Annie Louthan, Capri Dewing