Week 1 Games To Watch
In this article:
Week 1 is here and there are some great games in the first week! Many teams are competing in local tournaments to gear up for their out-of-state tournaments in December. Cherry Creek, Grandview, Highlands Ranch, and Arapahoe all head out…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWeek 1 is here and there are some great games in the first week! Many teams are competing in local tournaments to gear up for their out-of-state tournaments in December. Cherry Creek, Grandview, Highlands Ranch, and Arapahoe all head out of state this week to compete against top teams from across the country.
Broomfield vs. #1 Mullen – Tuesday November 30th
Broomfield and Mullen matchup in the annual Horizon tournament. Both programs are perennial powerhouses with Broomfield holding 6 state championships and Mullen holding 7 state championships, including three straight coming into this season. Mullen returns many of their key pieces from last season. Senior Gracie Gallegos Gracie Gallegos 6'1" | SF Mullen | 2022 State CO (16.4 ppg), Senior Kilah Freelon Kilah Freelon 6'0" | PF Mullen | 2022 State CO (7.1 ppg), and Senior Imani Perez Imani Perez 6'3" | PF Mullen | 2022 State CO (5 ppg, 6.3 rpg) provide a lengthy lineup that will be a nightmare for most teams this season. This talented Senior group is joined by a young core that features Sophomore Allison Schwertner Allison Schwertner 6'3" | SF Mullen | 2024 State CO , Freshman Tatum Jones, Freshman Ryker Thomas Ryker Thomas 5'8" | CG Mullen | 2025 State CO , and Freshman Keaton Arangua-Egbert.
Broomfield has some length and will pull the Mullen defenders out onto the perimeter with their 5-out offense. Juniors Sophie Christopher Sophie Christopher 5'6" | CG Broomfield | 2023 State CO (4.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Mary Kreiger (4.1 ppg) will look to have strong starts against Mullen. 5′-11″ Freshman Sydney Deem Sydney Deem 6'2" | PF Broomfield | 2025 State CO will play in her first high school game and will look to bang inside with some of the state’s best players. This should be a great game for two talented teams.
#5 Chaparral vs. #2 Lutheran – Tuesday November 30th
Last year these two teams met with Chaparral edging Lutheran 56-50. This years matchup looks to be another great, close game. The Wolverines are led by talented Senior sisters Payton Bang Payton Bang 6'1" | PF Chaparral | 2022 State CO (13.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and Avery Bang Avery Bang 6'1" | PF Chaparral | 2022 State CO (10.2 ppg, 6 rpg). These 6′-2″ posts create a lot of mismatch problems inside, which could be the difference in this game. Chaparral has a lot of experience on their roster with 7 players who are Juniors or Seniors; however, look for Sophomore Reagan Lentell Reagan Lentell 6'0" | SF Chaparral | 2024 State CO to be a potential breakout player. She is 5′-11″ wing who can play off the Bang sisters and provide another scoring option for this deep team.
The Lions graduated their top scorer from last season but return a lot of their key pieces. Senior Brindelyn Schneider (5.8 ppg, 6.6) and Junior Raelyn Kelty Raelyn Kelty 5'10" | SF Lutheran | 2023 State CO (12.4 ppg, 7 rpg) may be tasked to guard the Bang sisters and keep them off the glass. Junior Joslyn Bassett Joslyn Bassett 5'8" | CG Lutheran | 2023 State CO had a strong showing against Chaparral last year tallying 14 points and 7 rebounds. She will have to shoot the ball well for the Lions to win this game.
Eaglecrest vs. Rocky Mountain – Wednesday December 1st
The Raptors feature a strong young duo in Junior Nia McKenzie Nia McKenzie 5'11" | SG Eaglecrest | 2023 State CO (9.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 spg) and Junior Laci Roffle Laci Roffle 6'0" | SF Eaglecrest | 2023 State CO (7.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2 spg). They like to apply pressure on the defensive end and get out in transition to score. Eaglecrest has a good young group and will look for some of them to step up to play major minutes alongside Mckenzie and Roffle.
Rocky Mountain’s guards are going to have to take care of the ball and break their press to keep it close. The Lobos have a young core featuring Sophomore Sara Chicco Sara Chicco 5'10" | SG Rocky Mountain | 2024 State CO (8.5 ppg), Junior Abby Saville Abby Saville 5'9" | PF Rocky Mountain | 2023 State CO (6.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), and Junior Delaney Matkin Delaney Matkin 5'6" | PG Rocky Mountain | 2023 State CO (6.3 ppg). Rocky Mountain graduated six seniors this past season so there will be a lot of minutes opening up for their younger players. They will have to improve on their 23% three-point percentage and 50% free-throw percentage to stay in this game. This young group is ready for the test against one of Centennial’s best teams.
Doherty vs. #4 Regis Jesuit – Wednesday December 1st
The Raiders will host the Spartans and look to win another time after last season’s 55-51 win over Doherty. Both teams enter the season with new head coaches and it will be an exciting game to see the new systems they run. Both teams have a ton of talent and will be looking to make deep runs this postseason. Doherty is lead by Senior point guard Payton Sterk Payton Sterk 5'10" | PG Doherty | 2022 State CO (16.3 ppg, 7 rpg) and Senior Gabby Beauperthuy Gabby Beauperthuy 5'11" | PF Doherty | 2022 State CO (8.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg). They also have a young talented guard in Sophomore Tahlaya Biglow Tahlaya Biglow 5'6" | PG Doherty | 2024 State CO (5.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3 apg, 2.5 spg) who continues to become a big part of the Spartan’s offense and defense.
The Raiders are led by Senior Jordan Jones Jordan Jones 6'0" | CG Regis Jesuit | 2022 CO (9.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Senior Savitri Jackson Savitri Jackson 5'5" | CG Regis Jesuit | 2023 State CO (8.1 ppg), and Sophomore Hana Belibi Hana Belibi 6'0" | SF Regis Jesuit | 2024 State CO (8 ppg, 5.9 rpg). This talented core may end up being one of the best transition teams in the state as all can steal passes, run lanes, and score around the rim at an elite rate. Sophomore Coryn Watts Coryn Watts 5'8" | CG Regis Jesuit | 2024 State CO (3.7 ppg, 2 spg) is a talented player that fits in well and will make a big jump this season. This game against Doherty may be her breakout game. This will be a close game with a lot of back and forth action. Both teams will look to make deep championship runs this year and the winner of this game will be off to a great start!
#2 Grandview vs. Duncanville (TX) – Thursday December 2nd
Grandview will travel to play Duncanville, who is a perennial 6A powerhouse in Texas. This heavyweight matchup features some of the best players in the country with Senior Lauren Betts Lauren Betts 6'7" | C Grandview | 2022 State #1 Nation CO (17.5 ppg, 11 rpg) leading the way for the Wolves alongside Senior Marya Hudgins Marya Hudgins 6'0" | SF Grandview | 2022 State CO (13.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.7 apg). Everyone is anxiously awaiting Sienna Betts Sienna Betts 6'5" | PF Grandview | 2025 State CO to make her high school debut and see how often the Betts sisters will be in the same lineup. Duncanville had already played 10+ games in their regular season so hopefully Grandview has no rust going into this game.
Fort Collins vs. #6 George Washington – Saturday December 4th
George Washington returns many key pieces from their talented team last year including Senior Anisa Turner Anisa Turner 5'7" | SG George Washington | 2022 State CO (14 ppg, 4 spg), Junior Jaida Redwine Jaida Redwine 5'8" | PG George Washington | 2023 State CO (11.6 ppg, 4.1 spg), Sophomore Gianna Whiteside Gianna Whiteside 5'11" | PF AZ Compass Prep | 2024 State AZ (8.8 ppg, 7 rpg), and Junior Mya Cotto Mya Cotto 5'7" George Washington | 2023 CO (6.9 ppg). The Patriots love to turn teams over and get out in transition. They averaged an incredible 17 spg as a team last season and it really gets their offense going. George Washington will be even better this season and will look to cap off a great first week with a strong performance on Saturday.
The Lambkins only graduated one Senior from last season and return their top four scorers. Senior Laura Davis Laura Davis 6'0" | PF Fort Collins | 2022 State CO (10 ppg, 8.1 rpg) leads the way alongside Senior Shayne Young Shayne Young 5'10" | CG Fort Collins | 2022 State CO (8.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Sophomore Penley Park Penley Park 5'10" | CG Fort Collins | 2024 State CO (6.1 ppg), and Senior Emily Johnson Emily Johnson 6'0" | C Fort Collins | 2022 State CO (6.1 ppg, 7 rpg). Freshman Avery Alcaraz Avery Alcaraz 5'8" | SG Fort Collins | 2025 State CO , who is a knockdown shooter, will be a great X factor to watch with this group. Fort Collins will look to take care of the ball and limit GW’s offensive rebounding to stay in this game. This should be a great game featuring some young talent.