Sports Stories

Mile High Sports Magazine
9new.com Feature, Fall 2002
by Todd Judd Erickson, Guest Editor
Introduction by Doug Ottewill, Publisher

It's that time of year again, and the hardwood heroes around the state will soon be playing in a gym near you. While all prep sports offer a "purity guarantee," Colorado's prep basketball is exceptionally compelling. If you like to watch hoops, but are tired of the Nuggets, can't identify with the college players anymore, or just want to watch some genuinely good basketball, this year's crop of talent is outstanding. Since all the papers and pollsters have put in their two-cents-worth, we thought we'd chime in with our own preview.

So, before all the chips fall, here's how we see it.

5A Boys
MHSM PICK -- ThunderRidge Grizzlies
The Grizzlies surprised just about every one last year when they defeated Wheat Ridge to claim the 5A state title. Coach of the year Joe Ortiz returns three tournament-tested and potential all-state players in seniors Ryan Richardson, Jonathan Midgley and Jesse Nading, and should return to the title game.

Contenders
Denver East Angels/All state forwards Antonio Porch and David Bloodsaw lead a team with speed, defense and a strong inside game.

Wheat Ridge Farmers/Last season's state runner-up will run and press more, and senior all-state guard Tony Bolling returns to run the show.

Doherty Spartans/Senior guard, and state player of the year candidate, Patrick Hannaway returns to head a speedy group.

4A Boys
MHSM PICK -- Adams City Eagles
The talent in 4A this year is the best in any classification, and Adam City has the most. Last season's state runner-up is senior-loaded and led by all-staters Lenny Miles, who allegedly gave up football this year to concentrate on basketball, and David Birkle. Coach Bill Morelock can also throw two more all state candidates on the floor in seniors Tim Jones and Carmane Sanders.

Contenders
Montezuma-Cortez Panthers/Last season's 4A state champion is also loaded with seniors, including state-tournament MVP and Mr. 4A Colorado Basketball senior guard Marcus Mortensen and all-state senior Kirk Archibeque.

Broomfield Eagles/The Eagles have five athletic kids 6 foot 5 inches or taller, and all-state and player of the year candidate senior guard Chase McBride.

Ralston Valley Mustangs/The best big man in the state, senior Nick Fazekas, will lead the mustangs back to the state tournament.

Lewis Palmer Rangers/Unbeaten and number one ranked heading into last season's state tournament, the Rangers look to avenge a disappointing season-ending loss in the semifinals with all-state candidates seniors Will Stingley, Aaron Puckett and Bobby Burling.

3A Boys
MHSM PICK -- Faith Christian Eagles -- State Champion 2001-2002 (21-6)
Coach of the year Andrew Hasz returns most of the core talent that won last season's state crown, including state tournament MVP senior guard Sean Coon and all-state senior guard Aaron Sellen.

Contenders
Cedaredge Bruins/All-state senior center Jeff Hajny and all-state senior forward Kurt Kissner will control the post to get another shot in the state final.

Platte Valley Broncos/All-state junior center Jason Smith leads a more balanced attack with exceptional quickness up-front.

Lake County Panthers/An experienced senior-loaded team, led by all-state senior center Kevin Jewell should surprise.

Aspen Skiers/Coach Steve Ketchum says this years' bunch is the deepest team he's had in 20-plus years of coaching, led by all-state senior point guard Nick Farrell.

2A Boys
MHSM PICK -- Cheyenne Wells Tigers
The Tigers first trip to the state tournament in 35 years ended in the shadow of Jefferson Academy's Tony Niehaus 39-point state-final explosion. Mark Stephenson's disciplined approach, led by all-state senior Nate Hadachek, should give the Tigers the title they missed last year.

Contenders
Jefferson Academy Jaguars/Last season's state champion returns all-state senior Larome Smith and coach of the year Mark Sharpley.

Akron Rams/All state-tournament team member junior Aaron Lambertson leads a team with only 3 losses a year ago.

Sangre de Cristo Thunderbirds/ Senior Lance Curtis, and senior Thad Larsen will lead a talented bunch.

1A Boys
MHSM PICK -- Cheraw Wolverines
Coach of the year Rick Lovato's team lost only one game last year on its way to the state championship, but lost all-Colorado center Steve Martin to graduation. Senior guard Andrew Froese, a member of the all-state and all state-tournament teams, returns, as does his brother, all-state senior guard Jacob Froese, to lead the Wolverines back to the title.

Contenders
Eads Eagles/Move down from 2A, and the return of the Gilmore brothers should get the Eagles at least back to the semifinals.

Granada Bobcats/Junior forward Mark Grasnick will lead the Bobcats fast-break offense.

Flagler Panthers/Another trip to the state semifinals is possible with all state senior Jon Safler leading the way.

Weldon Valley Warriors/Two potential all-state players, juniors Juceiin Flores and Brian Green will lead the Warriors.

5A Girls
MHSM PICK -- Highlands Ranch Falcons
The defending 5A champions may have lost Ann Strothers, but coach of the year Caryn Jarocki has all-Colorado center and player of the year candidate Elizabeth Sherwood inside and Susie Powers outside. The Falcons will use a pressing defense and Sherwood's strong inside play to repeat.

Contenders
ThunderRidge Grizzlies/Last season state semifinalist returns the all state Waner sisters, guard Emily and forward Abby .

Heritage Eagles/Another state semifinalist last season can put four all state players on the floor at once, led by Cissy Pierce and Jennifer Gottschalk.

Doherty Spartans/Last season's state runner up lost six seniors but returns all-state guard Alisha Godette.

Monarch Coyotes/An experienced group returns with all-state candidates guard Kimberly Dietz and forward Ann-Marie Torp.

4A Girls
MHSM PICK -- Mullen Mustangs
Steve Fendrey's defending state champions are the consensus choice to repeat this season. Kelly O'Connell, last season's state tournament MVP and all-state guard leads a talented, but and young cast that also includes state-final hero sophomore guard Alexandra Katich and junior center Anne-Lisa Breit. The Mustangs will play a pressure defense and shoot the three on their way to their fourth consecutive title.

Contenders
Sterling Tigers/Senior guard Bailey Dillon and the Mildenberger sisters should lead the Tigers back to the final four.

Broomfield Eagles/Mike Croell has more depth, better outside shooters and all-state junior forward Liz Davies returning.

Skyview Wolverines/Senior guard, and player of the year candidate Shantel Muniz leads a senior-loaded team with plenty of big-game experience.

Lewis Palmer Rangers/Strong post play from all-state senior center Amy Bladow and junior forward Danielle Page should lead the Rangers deep into state tournament.

Evergreen Cougars/Chet Curry has young, but balanced and athletic team led by all-state junior forward Jennifer Whetten.

3A Girls
MHSM PICK -- Lamar Savages
Last season's third-place state winner will go 10-players deep, and should control the post with all-state junior center Laura Gottschalk and senior forward Ashley Peterson.

Contenders
Estes Park Bobcats/All-state senior Ruth Anna Koehler and sophomore Dawn Shockley could return the Bobcats back to the title game.

Basalt Longhorns/Juniors Autumn Caughern and senior Maria Mulcahy lead a team that lost only twice last season.

Eaton Reds/All-state and player of the year candidate senior center Terin Ledall leads the Reds dominant inside game.

Roosevelt Roughriders/All-state junior guard Janelle Wadas leads the Roughriders balanced attack.

2A Girls
MHSM PICK -- Limon Badgers
Following the theme of repeat state champions, coach of the year Mark Brown's Badgers returns 11 players from last season's team, including 2A player of the year, senior guard Kylee O'Dwyer, and senior all state-tournament team member Ashley Scherrer.

Contenders
Fowler Grizzlies/All-state senior Tara Fellhauser should lead the Grizzlies back to the title game.

Merino Rams/Last season's 1A state champion joins 2A this year, along with 1A coach of the year Tara Hettinger and all-state senior Janae Urrutia and all state-tournament team senior Casey Beardsley.

Eads Eagles/Seniors Treva Richardson and Tiffanie Gooden, both all-state last season, should lead the Eagles back to the 2A final four.

1A Girls
MHSM PICK -- McClave Cardinals
Last season's state runner-up should avenge its second-half fade in the title game. Returning players include all state-tournament team junior Kilee Stavely, and all-state players senior Bethany Peecher and Lenay Goble.

Contenders
DeBeque Dragons/All-state senior Krystal Prather and sophomore Julie palmer return to lead the Dragons back to the 1A final four.

Idalia Wolves/Returning all-state seniors Tonya Cure and Valerie Soehner are back to lead the Wolves.

Hi-Plains Patriots/All-state sophomore Naomi Bancroft leads a young, but talented group.

Flagler Panthers/Coach Mike Campbell can put three senior all-state players on the floor with Crystal Hile, Sheryl Fagerlund and Sarah Loutzenhiser.

MHSM's 20 Players to Watch -- Boys

Player of the Year -- Nick Fazekas, Senior, Ralston Valley

Kirk Archibeque, Senior, Montezuma-Cortez
David Bloodsaw, Senior, Denver East
Tony Bolling, Senior, Wheat Ridge
Sean Coon, Senior, Faith Christian
Nick Farrell, Senior, Aspen
Andrew Froese, Senior, Cheraw
Nate Hadachek, Senior, Cheyenne Wells
Patrick Hannaway, Senior, Doherty
Kevin Jewell, Senior, Lake County
Aaron Lambertson, Junior, Akron
Chase McBride, Senior, Broomfield
Jonathan Midgley, Senior, ThunderRidge
Lenny Miles, Senior, Adams City
Marcus Mortensen, Senior, Montezuma-Cortez
Antonio Porch, Senior, Denver East
Ryan Richardson, Senior, ThunderRidge
Aaron Sellen, Senior, Faith Christian
Jason Smith, Junior, Platte Valley
Will Stingley, Senior, Lewis-Palmer

MHSM's 20 Players to Watch -- Girls

Player of the Year -- Kylee O'Dwyer, Senior, Limon

Casey Beardsley, Senior, Merino
Amy Bladow, Senior, Lewis Palmer
Bailey Dillon, Senior, Sterling
Tara Fellhauser, Senior, Fowler
Alisha Godette, Senior, Doherty
Crystal Hile, Senior, Flagler
Alexandra Katich, Sophmore, Mullen
Terin Ledall, Senior, Eaton
Shantel Muniz, Senior, Skyview
Kelly O'Connell, Junior, Mullen
Cissy Pierce, Junior, Heritage
Krystal Prather, Senior, Debeque
Treva Richardson, Senior, Eads
Liz Sherwood, Senior, Highlands Ranch
Janae Urrutia, Senior, Merino
Janelle Wadas, Junior, Roosevelt
Abby Waner, Sophmore, ThunderRidge
Emily Waner, Senior, ThunderRidge
Jennifer Whetten, Junior, Evergreen