Broomfield's Megan Prins and Holy Family's Sierra Williamson battle in last year's matchup between the schools. Both have dominated the middle levels of Colorado girls basketball.
Photo by Patrick Miller
Perhaps more than any other state, Colorado is known for change. The terrain morphs from Midwestern-like plains in the east to skyscraping mountains in the central region with a subtle hint of desert in the far west.
And locals have grown weary of hearing the tired cliché: If you don't like the weather, wait around a few minutes. Even if it rings true on occasion.
Immune to the state's propensity to change more frequently than a teenager's Facebook status has been the mid-level girls basketball circuit in Colorado. It has been more about dynasties, stability and predictability than about sharing the wealth.
In Class 4A,
Broomfield has won five consecutive titles and is among the favorites again this season. Ditto for
Holy Family (Broomfield) in 3A, although the Tigers' title streak is one behind at four straight.
"As much as it is about talent, I think it's also about the psyche and the mentality of the girls," Broomfield coach Mike Croell said. "They expect it now and they do what they need to do to get to that point. It's kind of a neat thing."
Said Holy Family coach Ron Rossi: "I think as you learn how to win, there becomes expectations and the girls understand the things you need to do to get better. If you do those things, good things will happen. I've just been fortunate that I've had kids work so hard each year to be better."
When a team compiles multiple championships, outsiders often perceive that it's the same squad each season, the same vibe and a defined skill set that seems to magically replenish itself each season. Not the case, according to Croell.
"It's not always an easy ride," Croell said. "There's always some drama, always some issues you have to deal with. Every team takes on an identity of its own. Like this year, for instance, we're trying some different things.
"We used to be where we'd pound it inside and come at you with high-low action, just grind it out with you. This year we're just not made that way, so we had to change a few things."
Croell indicated some things seem to take care of themselves for multi-title winners. For one, each new squad contains built-in motivation, because the players don't want to be part of the team that ends the streak. In addition for the Eagles, after years of winning with defense, the concept seems to be ingrained in the very fabric of the team.
"When you hear kids in an interview saying, ‘I think our defense was the key,' you know they've bought in," Croell said.
What makes these two streaks a bit more compelling is that the schools are in close proximity to one another and based in the same suburb. Also sharing that distinction is 5A
Legacy (Broomfield), which has been a title contender in recent seasons but hasn't yet captured the gold ball.
In a concept somewhat foreign to the sport, at least in Colorado, the schools seldom step on the toes of the other. There is very little transferring between the programs and all three have been able to thrive mostly with players that grew up in their own systems.
At Broomfield, players such as Anna Prins (now at Iowa State), Chaundra Sewell (Wyoming), Katie Nehf (Colorado State-Pueblo) and others were along for most of the ride. That means current players such as
Brittney Zec,
Morgan Rynearson and
Brianna Wilber have already been ingrained with the culture.
Stephanie Giltner, Holy Family
Photo by Patrick Miller
Another constant for the Eagles (14-3) is that they do it with balance in an offensive system that doesn't foster stars. The leading scorer this season is
Stacie Hull, who averages 10.3 points, but five others have topped 100 total points.
At Holy Family, players such as the departed Sarah Talamantes and Taylor Helbig have left the program in good hands with the likes of
Stephanie Giltner and
Megan Chavez, and the cycle is persisting.
"Each year, there's a new group a seniors and it's their turn," Rossi said. "And we've been lucky to have a couple girls like Sarah and Taylor who played all four years."
This season, Giltner averages 15.3 points, Chavez 13.5 and center
Kassie Johannsen adds 11.6 an outing. The Tigers are 14-1, their lone loss to unbeaten Bishop Machebeuf.
Each season, Broomfield and Holy Family square off in a nonleague contest. Although it has few ramifications because it is a cross-classification matchup, it packs the gym. Like last season, this season's matchup went to the 3A Tigers, who walloped Broomfield 60-39 on the Eagles' home floor.
Odds are, though, that in the final game of the season each will be celebrating a win.
