Holy Family is ranked No. 1 in Class 3A and is seeking its third-consecutive state title under coach Ron Rossi. After having lost to undefeated and No. 2-ranked Colorado Springs Christian (41-34) earlier this season, one might wonder why the Tigers are ranked in the top spot.
The answer is easy. Holy Family played against Colorado Springs Christian without its top player, Sarah Talamantes. She missed three games this season because of commitments to her club soccer team, Colorado Rush Nike, and its participation in a national tournament in Houston.
"It was a key against CSCS that Sarah didn’t play," Rossi said. "But they played a very good game against us and I think the way we shot the ball - only scoring 34 points - is really unusual for us. They also did a good job defending us. You want to find ways to overcome a bad day, and that day we didn’t have it."
As for the rest of the season for 10-1 Holy Family, the Tigers have had it, just as they have the past three seasons in fashioning a 71-4 record. The wins figure to keep coming, too, as Holy Family has only one senior – Alex Wilson – in the starting lineup.
"In a situation where you are the repeat champions everyone is coming at you," Rossi said. "Over December and January we have worked hard to get players one through 10 in the lineup to contribute. Sure enough, that is what has happened and our defense has really improved. We are going to wear you out by the fourth quarter.
"Our bench is very deep," added Rossi. "We feel we have nine players who can score 10 points in every game, but we don‘t know which one it will be. That gives us balance. To defend us is very difficult. Take away Sarah, then either Alex or Taylor Helbig and the others will step up."
Talamantes, a 5-foot-9 junior, is scoring at a 14.1 clip and is the only player on the team in double figures. She also leads the team in rebounding (6.7), steals (4.9) and assists (4.7). The only category lead held by another teammate is blocked shots by Kassandra Johannsen (3.6).
Talamantes is confident in her abilities and the prospects for a possible third title.
"I think we’re more excited rather than feeling the pressure, as we know how it feels to get the first two titles," said Talamantes, who is receiving interest from several Ivy League schools. "We really want the third one and want to work hard and make it happen.
Wilson, who stands 5-11, is averaging 9.9 points a game and plays at the small forward. She earned second-team all-state honors last season. Nebraska Wesleyan, Metro State and Mesa State are at top of her college list.
"Alex has the great energy and gives us great experience," Rossi said. "Confidence is her key and she knows her way around the court. She can be very dynamic."
Added Wilson: "I just think we have to keep our minds in the game and not overlook anyone. We are like the team that everyone is looking forward to playing. Coach says our name is brought up in every practice by teams who are going to play us. I know that if I was playing a state championship team that I would bring everything to try to prove we were better."
At 5-10, Helbig, a junior, is one of the bigger point guards around. She is averaging nine points and six assists a game.
"I just think if we keep playing the way are, keep up our defense and the offense that we are running we will have a shot for a third title," said Helbig, who has Colorado, Northern Colorado and Washington State among her early college plans. "I also think it makes our opponents bring their A-plus game and play as good as they can, thus making us play the best we can."
While Talamantes, Wilson and Helbig are key players, depth is evident, especially in the post. Sierra Williamson is a force inside standing 6-1, as is Johannsen. Guard Stephanie Giltner, a sophomore, was the top reserve last season and is averaging nine points a game. She has been the Tigers’ leading scorer in two games this year. Megan Chavez and Carolina Gutierrez also were cited by Rossi for their efforts.
"This just goes to show that defenses just can’t concentrate on one girl, and that allows us to do a lot of X and O things," Rossi said. "We have so many weapons. We are very inside and outside oriented and so take away one girl, another will find a way to score."
Taking the lead: Rangely’s Patrick Phelan not only has assumed the top spot in Class 2A scoring, but is the overall state leader with his 29.5 average. He had a top game of 37 points against Altamont, Utah, and a low of 21 against Uintah, Utah. He has scored more than 30 points in six games.
Tip-ins: The Bayfield boys won in a unique way Friday in their 49-48 victory against Centauri. With 1.6 seconds left in the game Jamie Tinnin was fouled and injured on a drive to the basket. Since he was unable to shoot his free throws, Colt Walker was called to the line. Walker hit one of his two opportunities to give Bayfield, 4-7 this season, the win . . . The Valley girls won in the traditional way in the Vikings’ 55-38 victory last Tuesday against Platte Valley. The Vikings defense forced 33 turnovers as they improved to 7-4 on the season . . . Speaking of defense, the Highland boys held Lyons to single digits in each of the first three quarters (five, eight and seven points) to record a 46-32 victory against the Lions . . . Shining Mountain’s Alena Schiappacasse had a solid game in a 45-20 victory against Cornerstone Christian. She scored 19 points, had 10 steals and seven rebounds to lead the way as the Lions improved to 4-7.
