The return to health of senior Jessica Zweifel (24) has been a big part of the early season success for ThunderRidge. The Grizzlies are undefeated and ranked No. 1 in Class 5A as they head to the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona.
File photo by Paul DiSalvo
girls basketball players have conquered all of their early-season tests, including the same one twice. That's why the Grizzlies have become the feel-good story of the first few weeks of the season.
The Grizzlies barely cracked the preseason CHSAANow.com rankings, checking in at No. 10. But after reeling off six wins to begin the season, Paula Krueger's bunch has vaulted to the No. 1 spot.
The former nine-year Colorado Mines coach has the Grizzlies rolling through the fledgling stages of the season, a stretch that has included two tournament championships. Each tourney was punctuated with a win against preseason No. 2 Broomfield in the championship game.
"Every game we come out and have the time of our lives," Grizzlies senior
Jessica Zweifel said. "We're just playing to play. We don't care what the end score is."
While the 2014-15 version of the Grizzlies isn't quite harking back memories of the Abby Waner-led trifecta of Class 5A championships from 2003-05, there's no denying the solid start.
After a clean sweep of in-state competition to start the season, the Grizzlies traveled Wednesday to the Phoenix area, where they will compete in the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions. It's a four-game stretch that kicks off Thursday against
Fremd (Palatine, Ill.).
After the way the Grizzlies have finished their first two tournaments, there's no reason to believe they aren't headed to Phoenix with a head of steam.
They first defeated Broomfield 62-53 to capture the ThunderRidge/Castle View Tournament on Dec. 6. A week later, the Grizzlies wiped out a late double-digit deficit to edge the Eagles 47-45 for the Fairview Festival crown.
"We never stressed out, though," Zweifel said.
That game included some late heroics from
Taylor Rusk, who scored seven points in the final 1 minute, 9 seconds, including a go-ahead three-pointer. Rusk averages a team-best 13.8 points a game.
Zweifel is close behind at 12.2 and junior
Jaz'myne Snipes chips in 10.7 per contest. According to Krueger, Zweifel's return to health after being hindered by shoulder ailments last season is one of the chief factors in ThunderRidge's ascension.
Krueger was familiar with the ThunderRidge program while at Mines, where she had three Grizzlies on her squad. Tori Langas, Taylor McBain and Samantha Rusk – yes, Taylor's older sister – all played for the Orediggers.
Krueger said her junior-heavy squad's familiarity with one another, in addition to Zweifel being at full strength as a senior, has contributed to the fast start. Now it's time to see what the Grizzlies can do against out-of-state competition.
"I think it's just an unbelievable opportunity for us to jell, continue to grow and play together," Krueger said. "I mean yeah, we've won six games, but we have a lot of work to do. To get to go see some different competition, it definitely helps in that situation.
Also, there is a recruiting piece that goes with the Tournament of Champions and it's an opportunity for all of my players to be seen."
Zweifel's injury saga led to a disrupted junior season. The double-jointed one first dislocated her right shoulder in a pickup basketball game. A few months after, she dislocated the left at a club basketball practice.
She had surgery the summer before her junior year, which prevented her from playing club ball that summer or varsity softball in the fall. She returned to the hardwood and played 19 games, but averaged only 2.8 points in a fairly limited role.
"Now I'm playing to the best of my ability," she said. "It's a lot better now."
The Grizzlies have another familiar name on the roster in freshman guard
Mia Needles. Her older sister, Carlie, is one of ThunderRidge's all-time greats and currently is a starting guard for the Florida Gators. The elder Needles, a junior, is hitting three-pointers at a .452 clip through 10 games.
Mia Needles is slowly being worked into the rotation and has appeared in three games. She made her first career three in a win against Holy Family (Broomfield) on Dec. 4.
So far, Grizzlies players have taken their success in stride.
"They've stayed pretty calm," Krueger said. "They're confident but not overconfident. They're aware."
It seems as if the Grizzlies have made the rest of the state aware as well.
