Colorado high school girls basketball player of the year races heating up

Although the Players of the Year race across all classes includes several names, we have checked in with some of the favorites to garner the honor. Here are just a few names to watch as players continue to make their case for postseason awards in 2021.

Class 5A
Lauren Betts, Grandview (Aurora): Tabbed as the top recruit in the nation for the class of 2022, Betts is on a mission to help the Wolves win their first state title since 2018. She's averaging 20.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, and the Wolves have yet to suffer a loss this season. She scored a season-high 31 points in Grandview's season opener, a 68-53 win over Mullen (Denver). During the rematch on Feb. 19, she owned the glass, pulling down 19 rebounds to help the Wolves complete the season sweep.

Sydney Bevington, Ralston Valley (Arvada): As Ralston Valley battles for the Jeffco League title, Bevington has emerged as one of the top players in the state's largest classification. She's averaging 18.7 points per game to go with 9.3 rebounds. She also dishes out four assists each game. She's scored at least 20 points three times this season and has recorded four double-doubles in 2021.

Timiya Guevara, Denver South: As the Ravens march toward another Denver Prep League title, Guevara has been nothing short of impressive. Her 20.9 points per game are nice, but when combined with eight assists, 5.4 steals and 5.1 rebounds, she has clearly evolved into one of the top all-around players in the state. After Denver South lost its season opener, the team has look nearly unbeatable. Guevara scored a season-high 30 points in a Feb. 19 win over Thomas Jefferson (Denver) and dished out a season-high 11 assists in a win against Regis Groff (Denver) on Feb. 11.

Class 4A
Amyah Moore, Harrison (Colorado Springs): Although the Panthers had struggled at times to pull out wins in competitive games, Moore has been nothing short of fantastic this season. She's averaging a double-double with 27.2 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. She also records more than 5 steals per game. She has recorded two triple-doubles this season, one in a loss to Palmer (Colorado Springs) and the other in a win against Pueblo Central.

Megan Pohs, Mullen (Denver): As Mullen battles through the gauntlet of the Centennial League, Pohs has maintained the poise she used to help the Mustangs claim the 2019 4A title. She's been a consistent scorer at 11.9 points per game and has contributed in getting others in scoring position, as well.

Alyssa Wells, Holy Family (Broomfield): The Tigers senior has continued to elevate her play in recent games and is starting to play her best basketball at the right time. She's averaging 16.9 points per game, and has been a defensive nightmare for her opponents as she records six steals per game. In Holy Family's most important game of the season, she scored 19 points and had 10 steals to help the team beat Windsor 65-63.

Class 3A
Juliana Garcia, The Vanguard School (Colorado Springs): Garcia's ability to score at-will could be the factor in helping the Coursers dethrone St. Mary's (Colorado Springs) as the powerhouse of the Tri-Peaks League. While she scores 17.9 points per game, she does it by being one of the most effective long-range shooters in Colorado. She's connecting on 45 percent of her 3-pointers and has shot better than 50 percent from long range in four of Vanguard's seven games this year.

Brenna McDaniel, Centauri (La Jara): The Centauri senior is a prime example of a player who doesn't dominate any one statistical category but is good enough across the board to be an important part of her team. She scores 16.2 points, dishes out 3.8 assists and grabs 4.2 steals per game, which is a big reason the Falcons are a threat to win the 3A state title. She scored 30 points while dishing out eight assists and recording eight steals in a Feb. 9 win against Montezuma-Cortez.

Aryanna Perez, The Academy (Westminster): Perez has evolved into one of the elite scorers in the state, regardless of classification. Her 26 points per game are tops in 3A and among the best of the entire girls basketball field. Her 31-point, 6-steal performance in a win over Bennett is one of the top performances from a 3A player this season.

Class 2A
Amana Malki, Lotus School For Excellence (Aurora): Malki has proven to be vital to Louts' success because of her effort on both sides of the court. She scores 24.2 points per game and grabs better than nine boards in the process. But her five steals each game gives the Meteors multiple dimensions of solid play. In their first seven wins, the Meteors' only single-digit margin of victory came against 3A's Ellicott.

Kali Siemers, Heritage Christian (Fort Collins): The Eagles junior has been playing at a level that would receive praise in any classification. She's scoring more than 24 points per game, dishing out five assists and pulling down 8.8 boards. The Eagles are unbeaten in 2021 and are looking to carry that success from the regular season into the 2A playoffs.

Kristin Vieselmeyer, Holyoke: After a couple of key seniors graduated last year, Vieselmeyer has stepped up in a big way for the Dragons. She's averaging more than 20 points per game, six points better than a year ago. She's averaging a double-double, grabbing 12 rebounds each game as well. Holyoke is another unbeaten team that's looking to make a big run for the 2A title.

Class 1A
Grace Hatfield, Dove Creek: As much of a threat as Hatfield is to score, she's earning a reputation as quite the pickpocket, as well. Her 22.3 points per game is a solid number in the 1A rankings, but it's her 6.4 steals that make her an al-around player. In a win over Telluride on Feb. 6, Hatfield recorded a double-double with 26 points and 13 steals. The Bulldogs are undefeated, and Hatfield's play on both sides of the floor is a big reason why.

Frances Hilliard, Shining Mountain (Boulder): Hilliard isn't the top scorer in 1A, but she might just be the most dangerous shooter. She has connected on 32 made 3-pointers this season, which has helped her average 18 points per game. She's also crucial in the rebounding game, pulling down 5.6 boards. She has scored 25 points twice this season. Once in a win over Dawson School (Lafayette) and the other in a win over Belleview Christian (Westminster).

Kendyl Kirkwood, Fleming: Kirkwood has been nothing short of dominant in 2021. She's averaging a double-double at 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. She has failed to record a double-double in just two games this season, a loss to Merino on Feb. 9 and a win over Merino on Feb 16. Kirkwood was a big part of the reason the Wildcats went into last year's state tournament as the No. 4 seed and is hoping to give them another opportunity to make a state championship run.