6A Front Range League
Teams: Boulder, Brighton, Broomfield, Erie, Fairview, Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Horizon, Legacy, Loveland, Monarch, Mountain Range, Northglenn, Poudre, Prairie View and Rocky Mountain.
Boulder Panthers
Coach: Matthew Smith
Last season’s result: 5-18
Spotlight player: Junior Kyle Blauch averaged a double-double last winter with 13.3 points and 10.7 boards. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, he’s a walking matchup problem.
Notable: The Panthers, who return all their starters from last winter, have a nice core that includes senior Grayson Donaldson (3.8 PPG), juniors Riley Stein (4.1), George Schmid (4.0) and sophomore Dominic Trudgeon (2.6). And of course, Blauch. They should be improved after a combined 9-28 record the past two seasons.
Broomfield Eagles
Coach: Terrence Dunn
Last season’s result: 14-10, reached Class 5A first round
Spotlight player: Senior Quin Galka averaged 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds last season. The 6-foot-5 playmaker shot 43% from the field and 32% from 3-point range.
Notable: The Eagles bring back a good bit of experience from a 2021-22 campaign Dunn characterized as “a good season with a disappointing ending.” Galka is a standout, and seniors like Canon Juarez (6.5 ppg), Derek Duplechin (6.9) and Gunnar Christianson (5.5) could go a long way in a deeper postseason run this winter.
Erie Tigers
Coach: Jimmie Lucero
Last season’s result: 6-18, reached 4A first round
Spotlight player: Sophomore point guard Callen Gebhardt started last year as a freshman. Though he averaged just 2.0 points and 1.2 helpers, he will be vital for a program entrenched in youth and inexperience.
Notable: Junior Marco Martinez and his 6.1 points per game from last season lead the way for the Tigers, who coach Lucero noted “were a very young team last year and will still be young this year.” Erie is expected to have six or seven underclassmen in the rotation this winter. As for upperclassmen, senior Darryk Hall (no stats) and Colton Turner (4.5 ppg) are expected to provide big minutes along with junior Gavin Turner (2.9).
Fairview Knights
Coach: Andre Goldberg
Last season’s result: 5-17
Spotlight player: Senior Myles Moskowitz is an elite combo guard who averaged 13.7 points per game last winter for the Knights. Among things he did well, which were plentiful, Moskowitz hit 53 3s and shot 86% from the line.
Notable: Junior Owen Foster was another standout for the Knights last winter, averaging 13.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists. If he and Moskowitz can take another step forward, and senior Collin Henderson (12.2 ppg) can continue to produce at a high level, Fairview is expected to be improved. Freshmen Izaiyah Romero and Elliot Moskowitz (Myles’ brother) are expected to log big minutes, too.
Legacy Lightning
Coach: Connor Clay
Last season’s result: 18-9, reached 5A Great 8
Spotlight player: Senior Bryce Spradling was an all-Front Range League player a season ago, averaging 8.9 points and 4.8 rebounds. He was a big part of why the Lightning drove all the way to the 5A Great 8 as a 26-seed last winter. Even better? Clay said he’s improved this offseason.
Notable: The Lightning lost their top two scorers from last season but return a nice core that includes Isaac Ward (6.1 ppg), Will Thurston (5.8) and Brandon Domsch (2.9). Clay said the team hopes to compete for a league title after finishing third in the 5A FRL standings a year ago. Another deep run in the postseason is the goal from there. “The players believe that if they work hard enough each game, they can win,” he said.
Monarch Coyotes
Coach: Tim DeBerry
Last season’s result: 15-10, reached 5A second round
Spotlight player: Senior Zane Miley is a guard who can put up points in a hurry. He averaged 10.3 ppg last winter and shot 43% from the field. He was also among the best deep threats in the class, going 52 for 130 from 3-point range.
Notable: Under DeBerry, the Coyotes have improved each of the last three seasons, affixed with a second round postseason run last winter. Among returners for the fourth-year coach are juniors Tyler Carlson (8.8 ppg), Evan Trujillo (6.8) and seniors Dean Reeves (5.7), Aidan Kennedy (2.8) and Jack Carlson (2.4). “We will be leaning on a strong senior leadership backed by a talented junior class,” DeBerry said.
5A/4A Longs Peak League
Teams: Fort Morgan, Frederick, Mountain View, Niwot, Northridge, Riverdale Ridge, Roosevelt, Severance, Skyline and Thompson Valley.
Frederick Golden Eagles
Coach: Jeff Conway
Last season’s result: 21-5, won 4A Longs Peak League and reached 4A semifinals
Spotlight player: It’d be difficult to find a better pure scorer in the area than senior Luke Justice. The combo guard averaged 13.4 ppg on an impressive 46% clip last season, helping the Golden Eagles reach the state semifinals.
Notable: The Golden Eagles lost some key players from their deep run last winter but do return a good bit of talent. Matias Aldana is a double-double waiting to happen after averaging 6.9 ppg and 6.1 boards last year. Harry Singh (8.2 ppg) is a clutch scorer (he hit a buzzer-beater at Longmont around this time last year). Senior Jacob Lovins (4.2), Rylan Cram (1.7) and junior J.J. Strojinc (2.2) are expected to be big contributors for CHSAA’s current sixth-ranked 5A team.
Niwot Cougars
Coach: Clayton Wittrock
Last season’s result: 3-17
Spotlight player: Jerek Funkhouser has a slick basketball name. A strong game to back it up. The senior averaged 10.2 points and four rebounds for the Cougars last winter. Wittrock expects him to lead the team in points again this year.
Notable: The Cougars’ three-win campaign may not have been indicative of their progression as a program. This year Wittrock expects better results. The team has a nice core led by Funkhouser. Others include sophomore standout Jack Jarvis (8.5 ppg) and seniors Mateusz Swat (2.7), Julian Lettow (1.5), Alex Long (1.0) and Drew Buckingham (no stats). While scoring should be more efficient, the coach said “defensive development will determine how much success they can achieve.”
Skyline Falcons
Coach: Bob Olds
Last season’s result: 6-17
Spotlight player: Senior Collin Wright (2.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.1 apg) didn’t put up big numbers last winter, though he could be vital in the team’s success in 2022-23. Wright is a multi-sport athlete at the school, lastly as a part of the school’s soccer team which reached the state second round.
Notable: Olds takes over for the Falcons and said “we are looking forward to the challenge of transitioning into a pressure-based defensive team that competes for 32 minutes.” And that’s all while focusing on team and individual growth, he noted. Among the players expected to contribute immediately are senior David Solomon, juniors Rahman Carson (the school’s talented running back in the fall), Benjie Young, Talan Starcevich and freshman Diego Kheng.
6A/5A/4A NCAC
Teams: Centaurus, Greeley Central, Greeley West, Holy Family, Longmont, Mead, Silver Creek and Windsor.
Centaurus Warriors
Coach: Travis Maron
Last season’s result: 20-6, reached 4A Great 8
Spotlight player: Senior Asa Wentworth (6.8 ppg) is expected to be the team’s rock in 2022-23. For a team that graduated a talented senior class, Wentworth is the player Maron said will be asked to lead on and off the court.
Notable: Maron said it will take time for this group to find its identity, the realities of a program that graduated a standout guard in John Lewicki and a high-flying big man in Kevin Bedford. But senior Levi Rubin (4.1 ppg) is “versatile and dynamic” and senior Sullivan Cox (1.4) and junior Zak White (2.7) “should be impact players,” Maron said. Adding, “coaches are expecting this to be a tough and scrappy group.”
Holy Family Tigers
Coach: Pete Villecco
Last season’s result: 14-10, reached 4A second round
Spotlight player: Senior point guard Eric Quintana does everything. And does it well. “The straw that stirs the drink for us,” Villecco said. The third-year starter averaged 7.3 points, 4.3 assists, 2.9 boards and 2.5 steals last winter.
Notable: The Tigers return nine players who logged varsity minutes in 2021-22. Among them are seniors Grayden Harkness (6.1 ppg), Rocco Bridges (6.2), Ben Harste (4.6) and junior Gabe Tafoya (8.4). “We’re not very big (Harkness being the tallest at 6-foot-3), but I hope we make up for it with intelligence, skill and togetherness,” Villecco said. “We hope our experiences from last season will help us be better for this upcoming season.” The Tigers are ranked second in the current 4A CHSAA poll.
Longmont Trojans
Coach: Jeff Kloster
Last season’s result: 19-7, reached 4A Great 8
Spotlight player: Junior Cole Corner (10.2 ppg), often “Mr. Corner 3”, is currently out with an injury. Whenever he comes back for the Trojans, it should be quite the boost. Last winter, he shot 39% from 3 and 48% from inside the arc.
Notable: The Trojans have just two returning varsity players from last season, though are ranked eighth in CHSAA’s current 5A poll. (A nod to 29th-year coach Kloster, perhaps.) Among those gone from last winter are Keegan Patterson and Brendan Barcewski, standouts who graduated. Alan Higganbotham is out, too, after suffering an injury from the football season. New faces will have to take charge. Players expected to log big minutes are returning varsity player Cole Gaddis (the school’s premier junior running back in the fall), as well as seniors Kaden Rose (0.5 ppg), Conner Dickey (2.1) and Reese Pearson (0.1).
Mead Mavericks
Coach: Darin Reese
Last season’s result: 21-5, won 5A/4A NCAC and reached 4A Great 8
Spotlight player: The type of player any coach would love, senior Nick Basson (12.8 ppg) is a force on both ends of the court. On a team featuring two-time BoCoPreps.com player of the year Elijah Knudsen and dominant big man James Shiers, Basson was the team’s shutdown defender last winter, and often its energy boost.
Notable: The Mavericks are expected to be a force in 5A and are ranked fourth in CHSAA’s current poll despite graduating a dominant senior class. Reese said his team is deep, has “plenty of versatility, but (is) inexperienced at the varsity level.” Tucker Mills, a 6-6 combo guard, has been an exciting prospect on the club scene. Junior Dominic McLawrence (4.3 ppg) and senior Aiden Herrera (2.1) are expected to be cornerstones night in and night out.
Silver Creek Raptors
Coach: Bob Banning
Last season’s result: 15-9, reached 5A second round
Spotlight player: Banning is excited about senior captain Zach Schmeeckle, who he called a knockdown shooter with a sky high basketball IQ, among other praises.
Notable: The Raptors’ top seven scorers from last season graduated, including standouts Andrew Scott and Tanner Call. Only two players with varsity experience — Ryan Burns (0.4 ppg) and Zander Storz (0.6) — return for a team that reached the 5A second round last year. “We will be young and lack experience but this bunch is competitive and has put the work in,” Banning said.
4A/3A Metro League
Teams: Colorado Academy, Eagle Ridge Academy, Faith Christian, Jefferson Academy, Kent Denver, Manual, Peak to Peak, Prospect Ridge Academy, Stargate School and The Academy.
Jefferson Academy Jaguars
Coach: Mark Sharpley
Last season’s result: 5-14, lost in 3A districts
Spotlight player: Senior Caleb Nolan averaged 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 2.2 steals last season for the Jaguars. He had five games with 15 or more points.
Notable: Sharpley said the program expects to have a significant turnaround after its five-win campaign and hopes to qualify for the 4A postseason. Nolan is an expert scorer who also does everything else. Among other players expected to contribute right away are senior Aries Mendez (2.9 ppg) and sophomores Josh Neely (2.1) and Isaiah Mendez (1.3).
Peak to Peak Pumas
Coach: Evan Eschmeyer
Last season’s result: 7-13, lost in 3A districts
Spotlight player: Junior Grant Boonstra, listed at 6-foot-4, led the Pumas in scoring last winter at 13 ppg. As an example of what he can do, he scored 32 points on 11-for-19 shooting against Manual last January.
Notable: The Pumas have a lot of talent. Boonstra was named to the second team in the Metro League last season. And Elijah Eschmeyer (6.6 ppg), a 6-6 player who can play guard, forward and center, shouldn’t have been far behind. “We are a team that is starting to mature and find itself,” said coach Eschmeyer, who was an All-American at Northwestern and a five-year NBA vet in the 90s and early 2000s. “Last year, we were very young with our main lineup including two freshmen and two sophomores.”
Prospect Ridge Academy Miners
Coach: Scott Iten
Last season’s result: 11-10, reached 3A first round
Spotlight player: Senior Max Vacco is a third-year starter who averaged 17.3 points, 3.2 steals, 3.1 boards and 2.8 assists last year for the Miners. He was named to the first team in the Metro League and is all-state academic with a GPA of 4.027, per his coach.
Notable: The Miners return four seniors with significant varsity experience, including David Agbosse (7.5 ppg), Stockton Rhodes (7.5) and Elik Hrivnak (4.6). “In addition to Max, David Agosse should shine as a defensive stopper again, and will be an offensive threat both from the arc and inside,” Iten said. “Elik and Stockton provide grit and toughness, but it will be the contributions from the younger guys that will propel us towards playing at the University of Denver on March 11th.” The Miners are 10th in the current 3A CHSAA poll.
3A/2A/1A Mile High
Teams: Bishop Machebeuf, Clear Creek, Dawson School, Dayspring, Denver Academy, Denver Christian, Front Range Christian, Gilpin County, Heritage Christian, Longmont Christian, Lyons, SkyView Academy and Union Colony.
Dawson Mustangs
Coach: Elwyn Davidson
Last season’s result: 8-15, reached 2A regionals
Spotlight player: Junior Jackson Parker proved he can score at an elite level, exemplified with his career-high 28 points in a win over Loveland Classical in February. He averaged 10.6 points on the season.
Notable: The Mustangs have a talented sophomore in Peter Ernst, who is expected to have a larger role after averaging 2.3 ppg last winter. They also have five seniors on their varsity roster, including Tyler Burridge (5.6 ppg), Bryce Fetter (3.1) and Clay Steinfort (1.2), and a junior they’re excited about in Derek Krug. “The emphasis this season will be on defense, where the goal is to be a more physically and mentally tougher team,” Davidson said. “If they don’t score, we don’t lose.”
Longmont Christian Warriors
Coach: Ronnie Johnson
Last season’s result: 7-12, lost in 1A districts
Spotlight player: Senior Thomas Scheuerman is the team’s lone returning starter. He averaged 8.7 points and 4.7 rebounds.
Notable: The Warriors have six returnees this winter, including seniors Scheuerman and Hugh Jones. With a new coach in Johnson, Longmont Christian will look for its first winning season since 2018-19. Its 2021-22 season ended with a 57-54 loss to Prairie in the 1A District 4 quarterfinals, its third loss of the season by three or fewer.
Lyons Lions
Coach: Tyler Cronkite
Last season’s result: 13-10, reached 2A regionals
Spotlight player: Senior Nate Richardson is an exciting player who averaged 15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals last winter.
Notable: The Lions have a new coach in Cronkite. He said his goal in Year 1 is to build off the program’s regional appearance from last season while “developing a big group of young players.” Among other players expected to produce are seniors Caden Pandolfi (8.6 ppg), Alex Dugan (0.8) and junior Henry Johnson (3.7). Lyons comes into 2022-23 with successive winning seasons after five previous losing years.
3A/2A Foothills
Teams: Golden View Classical, Loveland Classical, Nederland, Poudre Community Academy, Twin Peaks Charter Academy, Two Roads Charter School, Vanguard Classical East and Windsor Charter Academy.
Nederland Panthers
Coach: John Leventhal
Last season’s result: None at varsity, per MaxPreps.
Spotlight player: Senior Max Godsil is a guard/forward who Leventhal said “can run the court, handle the ball or play in the post.”
Notable: The Panthers haven’t logged a varsity score (per MaxPreps) since 2017-18. Among expected contributors are senior Nico Dow and juniors Gavin Dillon and Michael Garduno. Said new coach Leventhal: “We are a team with a mix of a few junior and senior leaders with previous JV experience and several players who haven’t played since the 8th grade. It is a team that will take some time to gel and find its identity, but we will be working hard and improving every single week.”
Twin Peaks Timberwolves
Coach: Tyler Wright
Last season’s result: 7-15, lost in 2A districts
Spotlight player: Junior Yannis Diby is expected to make a jump in production this season after averaging 4.1 points and 4.3 rebounds last winter.
Notable: Wright said the program has 24 boys participating, the most in school history. With it, he believes the team is “poised to improve and shoot for double-digit wins.” Among others expected to produce are seniors David Hayes (2.7 ppg), Evodio Chico (1.3) and junior Chance Mueller (2.5). As part of the T-Wolves’ 7-15 record, they were 6-8 at home last winter.
1A 5280 League
Teams: Belleview Christian, Beth Eden, Denver Academy of Torah, Denver Jewish Day, Denver Waldorf, Flatirons Academy, Front Range Baptist, Mile High Academy, Rocky Mountain Lutheran, Shining Mountain Waldorf
Shining Mountain Waldorf Lions
No varsity team due to numbers reported by the school as of Monday.
Point me to the postseason
Regular season will be completed for all classifications Feb. 18. The first round of a 32-team bracket in 4A-6A will be played Feb. 22. It will be made up of league champs and at-large bids based on the CHSAA Seeding & Selection Index. For 1A-3A, district tournaments will be completed by Feb. 25. For 1A-3A, the 32-team bracket will be made up of eight district champs and 24 at-large bids. The Final Four for each classification is slated for March 9-11.
