Who’s back from the CHSAA 5A All-State Team? Part 1

The Colorado High School Activities Association releases an all-state team after every season and, as expected, it is loaded with talent. But many of the players who make such teams are seniors, and seniors graduate. Let’s take a look at the Class 5A players in Colorado who were voted to the CHSAA all-state team last winter and are returning to their teams’ rosters in 2019-20. &nbsp; <strong>FIRST TEAM</strong> <strong>Jana Van Gytenbeek, 2020, 5-7, PG, Cherry Creek</strong> What’s left to say about the No. 1-ranked player in the 2020 PGH Colorado rankings and the CHSAA 5A Player of the Year. The silky smooth and all-around strong point guard recruit has committed to play at Stanford. After she averaged 18.1 points, 5.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game and led her Bruins to a 2018 state title, we can’t wait to see what she has planned for an encore this winter. &nbsp; <strong>SECOND TEAM</strong> <strong>Raegan Beers, 2022, 6-2, F, Valor Christian</strong> Comfortably among the top three players in the graduating class, Beers was the only freshman to be voted higher than honorable mention by Colorado’s coaches last season, and one of just three to be recognized on the list at all. As a 9^th-grader, she averaged 18.9 points and 12.2 rebounds a game. The Eagles’ top four scorers were underclassmen at the end of last year’s 23-3 campaign, so that team could be scary good for a very, very long time. &nbsp; <strong>Cali Clark, 2020, 6-3, F, Cherry Creek</strong> Clark announced her commitment to play at Colorado State University via Twitter on Sunday, Sept. 22, and the Rams are getting a good one. The 6-foot-3 forward is was the second Cherry Creek player to appear on the CHSAA all-state list, so it’s no wonder the won a state title. As a junior, she averaged 14.7 points and 9.8 rebounds a game in 2018 and with her commitment out of the way, should have another huge season in 2019-20. &nbsp; <strong>HONORABLE MENTION</strong> <strong>Juanita Aragon, 2021, 5-6, G, Greeley West</strong> The eighth-best scorer in the Front Range League and the conference’s top scoring sophomore, Aragon averaged 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Aragon is a quick guard that drives the ball well and is developing as a long-range shooter. She sees the floor well and has the ability to make plays with her creative passing. &nbsp; <strong>Lauren Betts, 2022, 6-7, F, Grandview</strong> The No. 1 2022 on the ESPN Hoopgurlz list, Betts is well known for her talent at this point. As a freshman for the Wolves last season, the Team USA player averaged team highs with 12.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game. Already 6-foot-7 as a freshman, it will be fun to watch each year as Betts’ all-around game continues to develop and catches up with her natural physical gifts. &nbsp; <strong>Timiya Guevara, 2021, 5-5, G, Denver South </strong> The Denver Prep League’s top scorer in 2018-19, Guevara averaged 21.0 points a game and shot 40 percent from 3-point range. The 5-foot-5 slasher also led the league with 127 free-throw attempts and shot 69 percent at the line. An all-around guard, Guevara also averaged 6.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 4.3 steals while leading Wayne McDonald’s Rebels to a 17-8 season. &nbsp; <strong>Makayla Hemingway, 2020, 5-11, G, Cherokee Trail</strong> On Monday, Sept. 23, Hemingway announced her commitment to join CBC club teammate Cali Clark at Colorado State University. So what are the Rams getting from the Cherokee Trail senior? Just a 5-foot-11 combo guard who averaged 14.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 4.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game last season. &nbsp; <em>The second part of our look at the CHSAA 5A all-state list will be released on Tuesday...</em>