Season Preview: Metro League (3A)

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 ­­­­3A Metro League. &nbsp; <span style="color: #3366ff;font-size: 14pt"><strong>How it all shook out in ’18-19</strong></span> Five of the league’s 12 teams – Lutheran (20-5), SkyView Academy (20-4), Faith Christian (14-9), Colorado Academy (14-0), Prospect Ridge Academy (15-9) – won at least 14 games. Both Lutheran and SkyView finished with matching 10-1 records atop the league, though Lutheran defeated SkyView quite handily three times including a 46-28 defeat in the district round of the postseason. &nbsp; <span style="color: #3366ff;font-size: 14pt"><strong>Which playoff team advanced the farthest?</strong></span> After winning the league title, Lutheran went on to reach the quarterfinals of the 3A state tournament. There, the Lions fell 46-32 at the hands of Pagosa Springs. &nbsp; <span style="color: #3366ff;font-size: 14pt"><strong>A few returning players to watch</strong></span> <strong>Stephanie Schultz, 2021, 5-5, PG/SG, Lutheran</strong> Last year’s leading scorer in the league as a sophomore, Schultz averaged 15.4 points per game while shooting 28 percent from 3-point range and 41 percent from the floor. Her quickness helped her average 2.6 steals to go with a pair of assists and 3.2 rebounds per night. She was voted CHSAA all-state honorable mention in 3A. Other Lutheran players to watch: Kaitlin Kyle (2022), Kate Murphy (2020) and Sara Larson (2020). &nbsp; <strong>Amanda Licht, 2022, 5-6, PG/SG, Kent Denver</strong> One of just three freshman voted to the CHSAA all-state honorable mention list in 3A, Licht did not shy away from anything and attacked the Metro League last season. A hard-charging guard, she averaged 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.3 steals per game at the end of her 9^th-grade year. Other Kent Denver players to watch: Natalie Gendelman (2020), Bailey Parkhouse (2020), Mika Fisher (2020). &nbsp; <strong>Ashley Finch, 2020, 5-11, C, Faith Christian</strong> Among the top returning post players in the league, Finch nearly averaged a double-double in ’18-19. The three-sport athlete (basketball, track and volleyball) was good for 11.8 points and 9.0 rebounds a night. Other Faith Christian players to watch: Emily Eggers (2020). &nbsp; <strong>Hannah Banko, 2020, SkyView Academy</strong> Banko put together a solid season last winter, averaging 11.3 points and 6.7 rebounds. She also blocked 1.8 shots per game. The Hawks graduated several of the top players in the league after last year so Banko and others will have to step it up in ’19-20. Other SkyView players to watch: Veronica Neujahr (2020) and Sabrina Rugg (2020). &nbsp; <span style="color: #3366ff;font-size: 14pt"><strong>A quick, early look to ’19-20</strong></span> The smart money is on Lutheran to repeat as league champs, especially since SkyView graduated so many important seniors from last year’s roster. Lutheran only graduated two, and returns four of its top five scorers from last year’s team. Maybe a team like Faith Christian or Colorado Academy can sneak in and surprise some people but it seems like a long shot.