Colorado Class 4A girls basketball features plenty of contenders

Last season's Class 4A girls basketball playoffs not only saw the end of one of the most dictatorial runs in state history, it also issued a reminder that the outcome is no foregone conclusion.

The five-year stranglehold on the title by Broomfield ended last season when the Eagles were knocked off by Air Academy in the quarterfinals. Air Academy went on to become the first team other than Broomfield to win a title since the 2005-06 season.

While Air Academy has fallen back to the pack this season, Broomfield (19-1) has not. But as we alluded to, last year's postseason proved that this is no longer an Eagles-only show.

In fact, Mesa Ridge (Colorado Springs) (20-0), the classification's only unbeaten team, has become the darling of 4A among those who follow closely. And don't forget last season's runner-up D'Evelyn (Denver), which might have an even stronger squad this season at 20-1.

Also in the mix are two strong Pueblo squads, which were featured in a MaxPreps story last month. Pueblo South (20-1) and Pueblo West (19-1) have continued to win, and each are vying to become the first state champion from the city since South won three straight from 1992-94. Of note, Pueblo South coach Shannan Lane was a player on the '94 team.

Mesa Ridge, a final-four contestant two seasons ago when All-Colorado player Kaitlyn Mileto was the top scorer, has taken the season in stride and has a just-plugging-along mentality.

"We realize that everyone we play would love to give us our first loss, so we get everybody's top game," Grizzlies coach Jeff Beatty said. "We just go about our normal routine and prepare hard for every opponent."

Most of the buzz surrounding the Grizzlies concerns 6-foot-4 freshman Kylee Shook, who is averaging 11.7 points and 13.2 rebounds.

"Miss Shook's game is at a more advanced stage than any freshman we have ever had here," Beatty said. "She makes us tremendously better defensively, and she rebounds like a beast. In addition, she is one of the neatest kids you will ever meet."

D'Evelyn has won 15 straight and has a senior (Laura Tyree), a junior (Mallory Seemann) and a sophomore (Morgan Ducklow) who average double figures in scoring. Malia Shappell could soon join the trio, as the junior guard averages 9.8 points.

Seemann also averages 8.9 rebounds for the balanced Jaguars.

"I think our diversity really makes us hard to guard," Jaguars coach Chris Olson said. "Most times we have no less than four on the floor that are legitimate threats to score. We've hit 172 three-pointers on the season. Also, those three guards (Tyree, Seemann and Shappell) are averaging a combined 10.2 assists per game. That says a lot about the chemistry on our team and how selfless they really are."

D'Evelyn is a fast-paced team that loves to light up the scoreboard. The Jaguars have surpassed the 70-point plateau 10 times. Only one 4A opponent has played them to within 10 points. That was Green Mountain, which fell 43-34 on Jan. 29. The Jaguars beat the Rams by 13 on Thursday in the teams' second meeting.

The Jaguars lost eight seniors from last year's team but have continued to dominate. Even the loss to 5A powerhouse Grandview could be considered positive in some ways.

"First, I never like to lose," Olson said. "But having the opportunity to see your strengths and weaknesses exposed is a good thing. Being humble and knowing you can always improve is all part of being a good team. It helps establish roles and goals.

"Losing by six to Grandview was good for us. Win or lose, we knew at the end of that game that we could play with anyone in the state."

Other teams to keep an eye on as the postseason rolls near include Windsor (18-3), Colorado Springs Metro League squads Palmer Ridge (Monument) (17-3) and Sand Creek (Colorado Springs) (16-3). And don't ignore Delta (14-3), which has won 14 straight on the Western Slope after a difficult start.

A handful of additional foes could join the mix, as a whopping 16 teams entered Friday with six losses or less.

As for Broomfield, coach Mike Croell spoke like the experienced title-winning coach he is when asked if the pressure is different after one championship-free season.

"I don't think that there is pressure yet," Croell said. "We still have three games that are very important to us. If we can win those three, then we will look at the bracket and then get nervous."

Broomfield has won 13 straight — its only loss was to 5A Arapahoe — and carries an 11-0 mark in the potent Northern League. Of its remaining games, one stands out — a home matchup with Centaurus (Lafayette) on Feb. 19. The Warriors, an under-the-radar bunch capable of making a deep run, endured narrow a 40-37 loss to Broomfield in the teams' initial meeting.

While there's no chance to create their title-based terms anymore (six-peat, seven-peat, eight-peat, etc.), the Eagles certainly wouldn't argue with six in seven seasons.

"Most of the team was on one of the last two championships," Croell said. "So, it is always in the back of their minds. They understand that we have the ability to play with anyone on a given night, but they also understand that one bad night could end it all very abruptly. So, our goal is consistency which we lately have been struggling with."