Season Preview: Jeffco League (5A)

With the 2019-20 girls basketball season closer than you might think, let’s take a look back/forward at how things shook out and what to look forward to in each of Colorado’s conferences. Here’s a snapshot of the Jeffco League. &nbsp; <span style="color: #3366ff;font-size: 14pt"><strong>How it all shook out in ’18-19</strong></span> This league went to the Valor Christian Eagles, who went unbeaten in conference play but not without several close games. The Eagles won four of their eight league games by 10 points or less, including a 57-47 win over runner-up Ralston Valley and a 62-56 victory over third-place Lakewood. &nbsp; <span style="color: #3366ff;font-size: 14pt"><strong>Which playoff team advanced the farthest?</strong></span> The award for deepest postseason run also goes to the Valor Christian Eagles. They won 23 of the 26 games they played, advancing to the Class 5A Great 8 before losing to eventual runner-up Grandview. Valor Christian’s only two losses to in-state opponents in ’19-20 were to the Grandview Wolves. &nbsp; <span style="color: #3366ff;font-size: 14pt"><strong>A few returning players to watch</strong></span> <strong>Raegan Beers, 2022, 6-2, F, Valor Christian</strong> In what turned out to be a good season to be a freshman in the Jeffco League, Beers led the conference in scoring with 18.9 points per game, just ahead of teammate Kindyll Wetta (18.6 ppg) who only played in seven games. Beers also averaged 12.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks a game, and scored 23 points or more in each of the Eagles’ three playoff games. Also keep an eye on Valor Christian junior guard Jenna Siebert. &nbsp; <strong>Grace Talbot, 2022, 5-6, G, Chatfield</strong> Currently being recruited by several mid-major Division I schools, she was a model of efficiency for a freshman in 2018-19. Talbot averaged 13.1 points, 2.7 assists, 3.4 rebound and 1.9 steals for Chatfield last winter while shooting 41 percent from the field and 27 percent (25 of 92) from 3-point range. &nbsp; <strong>Cindy Garcia, 2020, 6-1, F, Bear Creek</strong> Also an excellent volleyball player at Bear Creek, Garcia had a breakout season with the Bears’ basketball team last winter. The athletic big averaged 12.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game and shot 46 percent. &nbsp; <strong>Sydney Bevington, 2021, 6-0, PG, Ralston Valley</strong> Yet another returning player who shined as an underclassman last season, Bevington is a handful running the point at 6-foot. Close to a double-double as a sophomore, she averaged 12.1 points and 9.3 rebounds while dishing out 3.9 assists and blocking over a shot a game. It will be interesting to see how she leads a Ralston Valley group that graduated just two seniors last year and returns intriguing young talents like sophomore Saya Sabus. <strong> </strong> <strong>Emily Doolittle, 2020, 5-9, G, Dakota Ridge</strong> Dakota Ridge made it to the Sweet 16 last winter and Doolittle was leading the way. The owner of a 30-point game against Rampart on Dec. 18, the Dakota Ridge senior will be looking for another big season after averaging 12.1 points a night in a tough league. &nbsp; <strong>Nadia Trevizo-Medina, 2020, 5-5, G, Lakewood</strong> Forming a deadly duo with fellow 5-foot-5 2020 guard Aaliyah Sabala, Trevizo-Medina averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 assists and 2.6 steals. Sabala’s numbers were very similar and these two are planning a big season for Lakewood in ’19-20. <strong> </strong> <strong>Quincey Baum, 2020, 5-11, F, Columbine</strong> Forming a strong frontcourt with sophomore Jessica Bollwahn, Baum could be poised for big senior season after averaging 9.2 points and 5.7 rebounds in ’18-19. Bollwahn averaged 9.2 points and 6.6 rebounds as a freshman. <strong> </strong> <span style="color: #3366ff;font-size: 14pt"><strong>A quick, early look to ’19-20</strong></span> Last season’s race was pretty close and that’s not surprising if you consider that six of the Jeffco League’s nine teams won double-digit games last season and two teams went 9-15. Several middle of the pack teams like Lakewood, Chatfield, Columbine and Bear Creek look ready to take a step forward, which could make things even more interesting in ’19-20. But it’s really hard to pick against Valor Christian with all the firepower the Eagles have coming back.