Colorado Class 5A, 4A state girls basketball moves to second round

Officially, the girls basketball postseason began Tuesday night for the state's two largest classifications. Everyone knows, though, that the real action begins Friday.


The top four seeds in each of Class 5A's and 4A's four regions received a bye, and the preliminary rounds came and went with little drama. All 16 of the higher seeds in 5A won, and there were three mild upsets in the 4A bracket (No. 9 Roosevelt (Johnstown), No. 10 Mead (Longmont) and No. 11 Steamboat Springs won, all in different brackets).

While astute observers know to closely monitor the No. 1 seeds in each class — Regis Jesuit (Aurora), Grandview (Aurora), Highlands Ranch and Arapahoe (Centennial) in 5A; Broomfield, Pueblo South, Pueblo West and D'Evelyn (Denver) in 4A — here's a look at a few unheralded non-No. 1s who could find their way to the final four and beyond.

It's easy to overlook Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) in 5A, as the Bruins lost twice to Grandview (once by 27). A closer look, however, reveals that this squad has the capability of knocking off one of the favorites.

"We've gotten better as the season has gone on," Cherry Creek coach Chris Curneen said. "If we can continue to do that and keep on improving, I like our chances."

The Bruins (17-6), a No. 2 seed in the Kaye Garms Region, twice played Arapahoe to a two-point game. They lost the first time, won the second. They also have a win in hand against ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch), another No. 2 seed. And junior Mikaela Eppard has been one of the most overlooked stars in the classification, averaging 14.7 points and 11.3 rebounds.

"She's phenomenal," Curneen said. "She's not only a double-double every night, but she can play virtually every position. She's a great defender, too. If someone is shooting, she is usually right in their face."

The Bruins take on Boulder and high-scoring guard Lena Jaycox on Friday. If they get past that one, they'll take on the Horizon (Thornton)-Doherty (Colorado Springs) winner. Another buoy for Cherry Creek has been the return of 6-foot senior Megan Rohrer, who missed the beginning of the season due to a cracked kneecap and didn't hit her stride until league play.

While a handful of teams have the capabilities of making a prolonged run, also keep an eye on third-seeded Chaparral (Parker). Some of the shine of the Wolverines' season was redacted after a lopsided loss to Highlands Ranch, but they can earn a great deal of swagger back Friday night.

They take on a Monarch (Louisville) squad that was state runner-up last season and won its first-round game against Pomona by 43. If Chaparral and their core trio of Katrina Bacovcin, Katie Longwell and Natalie Baker can get past the Coyotes, it could propel them to a deep run.

Of note, 5A's reigning champion, Legacy (Broomfield), struggled in the first round. The No. 7 Lightning, though, used a late 24-1 run to upend No. 10 Dakota Ridge (Littleton) 63-52. Legacy will take on No. 2 Denver East on Friday.

In 4A, the principal themes have been well documented throughout the season. Can Broomfield get back to its title-winning ways after a having a five-year reign snapped last season? Can a Pueblo school become a champion for the first time since the mid-1990s? Is D'Evelyn, runner-up last year, even better this season despite losing much of its nucleus to graduation?

The classification might as well have a fifth No. 1 seed, as Mesa Ridge (Colorado Springs) (23-0) somehow was anointed a No. 2. (The Grizzlies and freshman center Kylee Shook also have gotten some love in the media this season). Sand Creek (Colorado Springs) has posted a stellar season that also has created some buzz. The Jamie Carey-coach Scorpions (19-4) went a perfect 14-0 in the Pikes Peak League and nabbed a No. 3 seed.

As far as a dark horse — and that term is difficult to use for a 20-3 team — what about Windsor? The Wizards quietly have reeled off 14 straight wins and have a double-double machine in 6-foot-1 sophomore center Brooke Pemberton (15.4 points, 10.6 rebounds a game).

But the Wizards are a No. 3 seed in the Richard Tate Region. Granted, they'll likely have to get past both Mesa Ridge and Pueblo South to win the region, but it's not as if Gary Perko's group doesn't know how to win.

"We haven't lost since the first of January, and going 14-0 and winning the (Northern League) gives the girls a little bit of confidence," said Perko, in his fifth season at the helm. "They're feeling good about what we've done."

Of note, Pemberton set a Wizards record in December with a 34-point game against Mountain View.

"She's played really well this year," Perko said. "She's emerged as, not really our leader, but our best player on the team. It's hard to go a whole season averaging a double-double, but she's done it for us. But some of that is attributed to our other girls getting her the ball."

In addition, watch out for Centaurus (Lafayette) as a No. 2 seed. The Warriors twice played Broomfield down to the wire and could pose a legitimate challenge to Pueblo West should the two cross paths in a Nos. 1 vs. 2 regional final.

Warriors coach Jeff Jackson said his team often plays better when a bit under the radar, and he has his wish here as not many prognosticators are penciling in Centaurus to the final four.

Last year's champ, Air Academy (US Air Force Academy), did secure a bye with a No. 4 seed. The Kadets (13-10) will try to keep their ambitions of repeating intact Friday night against No. 5 Mullen (Denver).