Grassroots Update: Rocky Mountain Fever
With an overall record of 10-2, the Rocky Mountain Fever is having quite the grassroots campaign this summer. The Northern Colorado-based team’s roster features plenty of unheralded talent from the area, as well as several players from surrounding states in…
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Continue ReadingWith an overall record of 10-2, the Rocky Mountain Fever is having quite the grassroots campaign this summer. The Northern Colorado-based team’s roster features plenty of unheralded talent from the area, as well as several players from surrounding states in the region. We caught up with the Fever and head coach Brandon Valdez to find out who’s doing work for the squad.
Here are five players who have really taken a step forward in 2020.
Kylie Sanger Kylie Sanger 5'8" | SG Windsor | 2021 State CO , 2021, 5’8, G, Windsor
Speaking of steps forward, Sanger took a big one this past winter in leading the Windsor Wizards with 13.5 points per game. The sharpshooting guards has a smooth, consistent stroke and she used that to shoot 34 percent (38 for 111) from long range as a junior and help the rebuilding Wizards to a 13-12 record. Some extra shooting work in the gym has helped Sanger continue that hot shooting into this summer with the Fever, and she is averaging 16 points and four threes a game while shooting at a 40-percent clip.
“I mean, this kid is the best shooter in northern Colorado, hands down,” Valdez said. “For us, she’s really been able to take off and she’s had a great season.”
Bela Voglund, 2022, 5’7, CG, Poudre
Voglund was second on her Poudre squad with an average of 10.5 points per game as a sophomore this past winter. She also averaged five rebounds and 2.3 steals a night in 2019-20 and has continued that two-way production into the summer with the Fever. Voglund is a player with quick hands at the defensive end and a quick release from long range, and will be a player to keep an eye on as a junior in 2020-21.
“She’s a kid who has come on and played really well at the defensive end and hit some big threes for us,” Valdez said.
Ahana Leffler, 2022, 5’5, SG, Eaton
Leffler’s emergence as a sophomore in 2019-20 was a major factor in Eaton reaching the Class 3A Final Four before the season was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Also a good volleyball player, Leffler simply knows how to compete, stands out on defense and does whatever her team needs from her in order to be successful. She averaged 9.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.7 steals for Eaton and has similarly done a little bit of everything for the Fever this summer.
“She’s just a lockdown defender,” Valdez said. “As soon as we figure out who the other team’s best perimeter player is, we put her on them. She’s tough as nails and is just an amazing player.”
Allyson Fertig, 2021, 6’4, C, Douglas (Wyoming)
At 6-foot-4, Fertig is a handful who is already verbally committed to the University of Wyoming and was named Gatorade Wyoming Girls Basketball Player of the Year as a junior last season. Playing with the Fever this summer, Fertig’s long frame and good hands led to a 42-point, 18-rebound effort in her last game.
Joselin Igo, 2021, 5’6, PG, Douglas (Wyoming)
Another Wyoming product from Douglas High School, Igo owns the Wyoming state record for most assists in a single game after dishing out 15 against Pinedale on Dec. 14 last season. The Fever’s starting point guard this summer, she is averaging seven assists and game for the Colorado club.
“She gets our scorers the ball when and where they need it,” Valdez said. “She just sets them up so well.”