Final Four Preview: #1 Valor Christian vs. #4 Grandview

<span style="font-size: 14pt">The first match between two teams fighting for a shot at a state title will tipoff at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at the Denver Coliseum. Valor Christian (25-1, 8-0 Jeffco) vs. Grandview (23-3, 13-1 Centennial) is one of the more anticipated matchups in the tournament.</span> Valor’s [player_tooltip player_id="95124" first="Kindyll" last="Wetta"] will be the pace-keeper for a very talented Eagles team. The extremely skilled guard posted a double-double in the Great 8 win over Fossil Ridge, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds. A jack of all trades, Wetta averaged 13.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.7 apg, and 4.4 spg over her junior season. Wetta is one of Valor’s best well-rounded players who’s talent blends perfectly with the rest of the team’s. [caption id="attachment_144338" align="alignright" width="252"] [player_tooltip player_id="117679" first="Marya" last="Hudgins"][/caption]Eagles teammate [player_tooltip player_id="153014" first="Karissa" last="Lukasiewcz"] is another player who stands out by fitting in perfectly. With a team that has as much speed, strength, and skill as Valor does, adding a player like Lukasiewcz can seem a little unfair. When previously asked about Lukasiewcz, Coach Jessika Caldwell described her as “one of the best post passers I’ve had in a long time.” The junior guard/forward finished the last game with 12 points, three assists, and two rebounds. <div class="mceTemp"></div> Grandview’s [player_tooltip player_id="117679" first="Marya" last="Hudgins"] was nothing short of phenomenal in the Wolves’ Great 8 win over Fruita Monument. The sophomore finished the game with 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Her defensive awareness gives her the ability to know exactly where to be to cause disruption. Over the season, Hudgins has averaged 9.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 2.1 apg. [caption id="attachment_141975" align="alignright" width="264"] [player_tooltip player_id="95122" first="Addison" last="O’Grady"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="95122" first="Addison" last="O’Grady"] is another outstanding player on the Wolves’ roster. She posted eight rebounds, six points, and two assists in the last game, with all eight of her rebounds coming from the defensive side. The junior forward/center has recorded 22 rebounds in this postseason so far, 21 of which were on defense. O’Grady’s season average is at 11.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and 2.2 apg. One of the more exciting matchups within this game will take place between two sophomore powerhouse post players – Grandview’s [player_tooltip player_id="95167" first="Lauren" last="Betts"] and Valor’s [player_tooltip player_id="95168" first="Raegan" last="Beers"]. According to Prep Girl Hoops, Betts – 17.7 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 3.7 bpg - is the number one ranked sophomore in the state. While Beers – 15.6 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.1 bpg - is ranked number two. Betts is a 6’7” center who finished last game with a double-double, tallying 29 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks. Beers is a 6’3” forward/center who finished the previous game with 13 points and 10 rebounds, her second double-double of the postseason so far. Height advantage goes to Betts while strength advantage goes to Beers. The skill advantage, however, is a push between the two, making the rumble near the rim the possible tone-setter for the entire game. <em>Other Eagles to watch: [player_tooltip player_id="95129" first="Jenna" last="Siebert"], [player_tooltip player_id="116796" first="Skyler" last="Boylan"]</em> <em>Other Wolves to watch: [player_tooltip player_id="116774" first="Dasiya" last="Jones"], [player_tooltip player_id="116791" first="Breelyn" last="Robinson"]</em>