Colorado girls basketball mideason Player of the Year candidates

Video: She's 6'1 and can dunk
Regis Jesuit's Francesca Belibi has been getting attention for her dunk, but she's got game, too.

With the girls basketball season essentially at its midway point, it's time to take a look at potential Player of the Year candidates.

Naturally, Grandview's Michaela Onyenwere appears the frontrunner to repeat as the Class 5A winner, as the UCLA-bound athlete extraordinaire is among the finest players to grace the state's hardwood in recent years. But before handing over the crown, look no further than last year to see how quickly things can change.

It was assumed that nationally ranked Highlands Ranch was going to corral the crown, and if anyone was going to upset the Falcons, it would be Onyenwere's Wolves. But ThunderRidge edged Grandview and in the semifinals and ousted Highlands Ranch in the final.

Yes, Onyenwere was still named the player of the year by CHSAANow.com, but it wasn't as much of a slam dunk as before. The point is, several variables can shift, particularly if an unexpected team makes a deep run.

With that in mind, here are five unofficial candidates from 5A and 4A. They are listed in alphabetical order and not in any sort of ranking. Next week we'll take a look at POY candidates in Class 3A, 2A and 1A.

Class 5A

Francesca Belibi, So., Regis Jesuit (Aurora)
She's gotten a lot of attention in recent weeks for becoming the first Colorado girl ever to dunk – as a sophomore, no less – but Belibi is noteworthy for more than her ability to get above the rim. She is leading the Raiders (6-3) with averages of 18 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 3.4 blocks. Expect to hear a lot more from this 6-foot-1 super prodigy who will receive more than her share of Division-I interest.

Michaela Onyenwere, Sr., Grandview (Aurora)
Her raw numbers aren't the finest of her career – 15.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.4 steals per game – but that's partly because she has more help than ever. Highlands Ranch-transfer Leilah Vigil has provided a boost and 6-foot-1 sophomore Alisha Davis is having a fine sophomore year. And it's doubtful Onyenwere is fretting about her numbers. She's inked with UCLA and Grandview (10-1) has ascended to No. 6 in the nation. Tatum Rembao, Sr., Loveland
The Indians standout has become one of the state's all-time consistent scorers. She averaged an impressive 12.7 points as a freshman, 16.2 as a sophomore, 24.2 as a junior and is producing at a 23.1 clip this season. She still has plenty of time to add on to her 1,464 career points and land high on the state's all-time register, although she won't approach Abby Waner's all-time mark of 2,670 accumulated at Thunder Ridge. Rembao's Indians are 7-4 and a significant postseason run could help her pile up the points.

Riley Snyder, Jr., Fruita Monument (Fruita)
If there is a dark horse candidate in the mix, it's Snyder. Fruita has rocketed to an impressive 12-1 start, but hasn't commanded too much attention since the Wildcats are based far outside the metro-area corridor on the Western Slope. But if they can continue their march and beat some of the upper-echelon teams come playoff time, Snyder (16.5 points a game) can quickly work her way into the discussion. She's been ultra-consistent, having scored in double figures in all but one game.

Ashley Van Sickle, Sr., Ralston Valley (Arvada)
The point guard who produced the quadruple-double last season is filling up the box score again for the No. 2 Mustangs (10-1), whose squad is widely considered the finest in school annals. Van Sickle (15 points, 5.5 assists) runs the show for a Mustangs attack that features four double-digit scorers. Younger sister Samantha Van Sickle (8.6 points per game) could soon join the fray.

Others in the mix: Peyton Carter, Sr., Monarch; Kylie Jimenez, Sr., Horizon; Ashley Madden, Sr., Pomona; Grace O'Neil, Sr., Fairview; Tommi Olson, Jr., Highlands Ranch.

Class 4A

Claudia Dillon, So., Evergreen
There has been no fall-off for the Cougars from last season's runner-up finish, and the sophomore double-double machine is a big reason why. She is averaging 14.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.4 steals for a No. 2 Cougars (11-0) squad that is receiving a fair share of first-place votes. After starting the season with three pedestrian performances, Dillon has gone on a tear.

Gabi Lucero, So., Pueblo South (Pueblo)
The top-ranked Colts (11-1) have a handful of key contributors, but Lucero arguably has been the best of the bunch. Much like Evergreen's Dillon, she is doing it in the scoring column and on the glass (14.6 points, 13.3 rebounds). And get this: She has produced a double-double in all 12 games, including a near triple-double against 5A Doherty on Jan. 3, when she registered 18 points, 17 boards and eight blocks.

Kylie Martin, Sr., Eagle Valley (Gypsum)
The Devils (6-4) aren't a household name on the 4A circuit, but Martin is having a monster year. The 6-4 forward is averaging 21.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and has topped 20 points seven times in the first 10 games. This is on the heels of a junior campaign in which she averaged 20 points and 10.2 rebounds.

Makena Prey, Jr., Golden
The No. 3 Demons (11-1) have been on of this season's most notable surprises, and Prey is a large reason why. She has yet to score below 15 points this season and the 6-footer is averaging 19 points and 11.7 rebounds. Frontcourt mate Abby Garnett also has been a significant presence for the Demons, as has older sister Sydney Prey, a starting guard.

Chloe Welch, Jr., Mesa Ridge (Colorado Springs)
The only underclassmen to be named to the first or second team last season (she was a second-teamer), Welch simply brings it from the point guard position. She is averaging 16.8 points a game this season for the Grizzlies (6-2) and is a steady and consistent presence.

Others in the mix: Ashleigh Ellis, Sr., Ponderosa; Olivia Lough, Jr., Pueblo West; Kayla Noble, Sr., Silver Creek; Zoya Robbins, Jr., Thomas Jefferson; Natassja Rubio, Jr., Pueblo East.