Collier makes first headlines for Denver East basketball; Broomfield girls keep rolling

Denver East boys basketball coach Rudy Carey is already bestowing him as one of the finest players he's ever coached. And to think, only seven months ago he was an eighth-grader.

But there Dominique Collier was, scoring 31 points in his Angels debut earlier this month in a 69-65 win against Palmer. He continued to be effective in an out-of-state tournament in Topeka, Kan., and has produced 70 points overall in four games (the Angels are 3-1).

Being anointed one of the best from Carey is a big deal. The longtime Denver Prep League legend has coached the likes of former NBA player Chucky Sproling and blue-chipper Johnnie Reece in the late 1980s and early '90s and numerous Division I stars since.

"I'm telling you, he's as good as any freshman I've had," Carey said.

Included in Collier's debut performance was a key 3-pointer in the latter stages to seal the win.

BROOMFIELD GIRLS STILL ROLLING
Last year, the Broomfield girls watched their 47-game winning streak evaporate at the Fairview Festival, where the Eagles lost to the host Knights. The Eagles haven't lost since, and were poised not to let it happen again last weekend when they revisited the tournament.

The four-time defending 4A champs met reigning 5A champ Denver East in the tourney final, but Broomfield was able to reduce the Angels to a plodding pace in a 49-40 win.

"After last season, we certainly didn't want to lose here again," Eagles center Bre Burgesser said.

That means a couple of things for Broomfield. The Eagles have now won 76 of 77 games and haven't lost in more than a calendar year (the Fairview loss was Dec. 12, 2009). But wait, there's more. The Eagles improved to 114-3 during the title run entering tonight's game at Thompson Valley.

LONGMONT IS ROLLING, TOO
For the past two seasons, Broomfield's chief rival has been fellow Northern League foe Longmont. The Trojans lost to Broomfield in the title game last season, and with a bevy of stars returning this year, are aiming to overthrow the Eagles.

Like Broomfield, Longmont has started the season 5-0 but knows it is still living in the Eagles' shadow. The Trojans are buoyed by San Francisco-bound guard Jamie Katuna, Oregon-bound 6-foot-5 center Megan Carpenter and two additional players who are Division I signees in other sports: Tambre Haddock (volleyball) and Erica Meier (soccer).

Longmont is beginning to make the quick start out of the gate its signature, as the Trojans often overwhelm teams in the opening minutes (including a 15-0 burst to start a recent win against 5A Rocky Mountain).

"Last year, I think Broomfield put us in a 9-0 deficit," Katuna said. "If we can start that way this time, it's going to be a great matchup."

The teams meet Jan. 14 in Longmont.

HARRISON BOYS ARE LIGHTING IT UP
Who says high school games can't have lofty point totals? Harrison (Colorado Springs) has threatened the 100-point mark in each of its first five games – all wins. The Panthers have scored in the 90s four times and 88 the other.

Senior Xavier Ford has led the way with 145 points – an average of 29 per game – and according to team statistics, has made 56 of 88 shots from the floor.

THE OTHER GENDER IS THRIVING TOO AT HIGHLANDS RANCH
While Highlands Ranch is famous for its perennially top-ranked girls squads, don't count the Falcons boys out of the equation in the big-school circuit. The Falcons, led by Brett Olson and Marcus Banks, have started 4-0, including a 16-point win against highly-touted Palmer.

TOP PERFORMERS
* Lucas Kidane, Denver South: The Rebels haven't been good – they've started 1-6 – but the senior sure has been. He is averaging a state-best 29.2 points, including 43 against Alameda in the Rebels' lone win. Kidane did not play in a loss to Thomas Jefferson, and it showed as Denver South barely managed to duplicate his scoring average in a 61-30 loss.

* Kevin Flohr, Glenwood Springs: The senior sharpshooter has drilled 26 3-pointers in the Demons' first six games and is averaging 26.2 points. He has hit multiple 3s in each contest as Glenwood Springs has darted to a 4-2 record.

* Kaitlyn Mileto, Mesa Ridge: The future Wyoming guard led her team to a title in the Mountain Classic with big performances against Conifer in the semifinals (23 points) and Evergreen in the title game (28). Mileto is averaging 26.2 points in seven games and has not been held to less than 20. Known as a 3-point bomber, Mileto also has thrived at foul line (41-for-46, 89.1 percent).

* Carlie Needles, ThunderRidge: The Florida-bound guard has averaged 23.6 points, which isn't a big surprise. What is alarming is that Needles' 118 points constitute nearly half of the Grizzlies' total – 46.1 percent to be precise.

* Kelsey Lakowske, Boulder: The senior distance runner finished fourth Saturday in the Foot Locker National Championships in San Diego. Highlands Ranch's Eleanor Fulton placed 13th. On the boys side, Woody Kincaid of Columbine (Littleton) placed No. 11.

Paul Willis is a regular sports freelancer for The Denver Post and covered high school, college and pro sports for the Rocky Mountain News from 2000-09. You can reach him at gdpdub@aol.com.