Season Preview: Centennial League

<strong>How it all shook out in ‘19-20 </strong>Of course, COVID-19’s forced shutdown occurred just about immediately after semifinals in March in the top two classifications were completed – and this suburban group’s power was on display again with a rematch of league schools (Cherry Creek and Grandview) in the 5A finale and Mullen playing for a second straight 4A crown. Interestingly, Cherry Creek, Colorado’s largest school and winner of more than 200 championships, won its first girls basketball title in 2019. And heading into 2020-21, the Centennial clearly remains the state’s top loop. <strong>Teams –</strong> Arapahoe, Cherokee Trail, Cherry Creek, Eaglecrest, Grandview, Mullen, Overland and Smoky Hill. <strong>Which playoff team advanced the furthest?</strong> Again, it was to be a rematch of the ’19 finale between Cherry Creek and Grandview, and Mullen was to play for another 4A title, also against Holy Family. So it’s a top-heavy group, yes, but members also are heavy enough to rule the upper end of in-state play. No questions need be asked. <strong>A few returning players to watch</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="95167" first="Lauren" last="Betts"], Grandview, 2022, C, 6-7 Colorado’s top player also is a popular choice as the top player in her class nationally. Nearly unstoppable in the post, Betts averaged 17.8 points and 11.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore last winter, while also posting 2.2 assists and 3.9 blocks a night. Already a premier recruit in the country and reportedly working on her perimeter game, Betts just might be the next girls basketball player in Colorado to dunk in a live game. https://x.com/BallerTV/status/1293651880149647369 [caption id="attachment_229989" align="alignright" width="244"]<img class=" wp-image-229989" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Gracie-Gallegos-Mullen-300x291.jpg" alt="" width="244" height="236" /> [player_tooltip player_id="95172" first="Gracie" last="Gallegos"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="95172" first="Gracie" last="Gallegos"], Mullen, 2022, G-F, 6-0 Versatile and talented, and one of the top 1-on-1 defenders in Colorado. With her exceptional length on the perimeter, Gallegos averaged 10.2 points a game while shooting 39 percent (42 for 108) from long range. With the unique combination of skills, physical tools and intangibles she brings to the table, Gallegos doesn’t appear to be anywhere close to hitting her ceiling as a player. [player_tooltip player_id="117679" first="Marya" last="Hudgins"], Grandview, 2022, G-F, 6-1 A wing who also will be asked to help out front this season. Already getting plenty of attention on the recruiting front, Hudgins is coming off an outstanding first season with Grandview after transferring from Holy Innocents’ in Georgia. As a sophomore last season, the dynamic inside-out player used her size and versatility to average 10.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and two assists for the Wolves. [caption id="attachment_189101" align="alignright" width="262"]<img class=" wp-image-189101" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/07/Addison-OGrady-Grandview-300x203.jpg" alt="" width="262" height="177" /> [player_tooltip player_id="95122" first="Addison" last="O’Grady"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="95122" first="Addison" last="O’Grady"], Grandvew, 2021, F, 6-3 The Iowa signee is another top 100 player in her class nationally and gives the Wolves’ front line unrivaled size and depth. In her junior season, O’Grady averaged 10.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 blocks a night. [player_tooltip player_id="95130" first="Megan" last="Pohs"], Mullen, 2021, 5-4, PG Headed to play at Regis University next year, Pohs is a deadly press-breaker, leader, scorer and one of the best players in 4A. Undersized but never outworked, Mullen’s crafty point guard paced the Mustangs to the 4A title game before everything was shut down in March. Despite battling an injury for much of the 2019-20 campaign, Pohs averaged 11.6 points, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals a night. [caption id="attachment_186410" align="alignright" width="267"]<img class=" wp-image-186410" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/07/AE95E59E-964A-4939-9E51-02637124CB09-300x209.jpeg" alt="" width="267" height="186" /> [player_tooltip player_id="116769" first="Abby" last="Wrede"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="116769" first="Abby" last="Wrede"], Cherry Creek, 2021, G, 5-8 The Hawaii-Pacific signee will be asked to provide lots of Bruins scoring, especially now that last year’s star, [player_tooltip player_id="95016" first="Jana" last="Van Gytenbeek"], is at Stanford. That shouldn’t be too challenging for Wrede, who is a dead-eye shooter who has shot 41 percent from 3-point range in her high school career and continues to rapidly improve her all-around game. Last season, Wrede averaged 10.6 points and 2.5 rebounds, and went 32 for 76 from behind the arc. <strong>Some other names to know</strong> [caption id="attachment_230004" align="alignright" width="252"]<img class=" wp-image-230004" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Mia-Collins-300x222.jpg" alt="" width="252" height="187" /> [player_tooltip player_id="116770" first="Mia" last="Collins"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="117689" first="Amaya" last="Charles"], Overland, 2021, G, 5-5 [player_tooltip player_id="116770" first="Mia" last="Collins"], Cherokee Trail, 2021, G, 5-5 [player_tooltip player_id="117684" first="Sam" last="Crispe"], Arapahoe, 2022, F, 6-2 [player_tooltip player_id="116800" first="Trinity" last="Grambusch"], Smoky Hill, 2021, PG, 5-5 [player_tooltip player_id="95132" first="KaCee" last="Kyle"], Cherry Creek, 2021, G, 5-8 [player_tooltip player_id="116759" first="Elaina" last="Martinez"], Mullen, 2021, G, 5-8 [caption id="attachment_230007" align="alignright" width="253"]<img class=" wp-image-230007" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Sam-Crispe-Arapahoe-300x210.jpg" alt="" width="253" height="177" /> [player_tooltip player_id="117684" first="Sam" last="Crispe"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="95170" first="Imani" last="Perez"], Mullen, 2022, C, 6-4 [player_tooltip player_id="95227" first="Laci" last="Roffle"], Eaglecrest, 2023, F, 5-11 [player_tooltip player_id="117681" first="Kilah" last="Freelon"], Mullen, 2022, F, 6-0 [player_tooltip player_id="222367" first="Dalys" last="McGuinnis"], Eaglecrest, 2021, G, 5-8 [player_tooltip player_id="116774" first="Dasiya" last="Jones"], Grandview, 2021, F, 6-0 [player_tooltip player_id="95223" first="Nia" last="McKenzie"], Eaglecrest, 2023, G-F, 6-0 [caption id="attachment_193434" align="alignright" width="268"]<img class=" wp-image-193434" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Kacee-Kyle-Cherry-Creek-300x238.jpg" alt="" width="268" height="213" /> [player_tooltip player_id="95132" first="KaCee" last="Kyle"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="117690" first="Charley" last="Gordon"], Cherry Creek, 2022, G, 5-4 [player_tooltip player_id="117685" first="Evenyce" last="Gutierrez"], Mullen, 2022, G, 5-4 [player_tooltip player_id="95210" first="Anjolene" last="Ramiro"], Grandview, 2023, G, 5-6 [player_tooltip player_id="222368" first="Jaedyn" last="Martin"], Eaglecrest, 2021, G, 5-5 [player_tooltip player_id="116776" first="Alexa" last="Dominguez"], Mullen, 2021, G-F, 5-8 [player_tooltip player_id="117695" first="Laurel" last="Headrick"], Cherry Creek, 2022, F, 5-10 [player_tooltip player_id="116791" first="Breelyn" last="Robinson"], Grandview, 2021, G, 5-7 [player_tooltip player_id="116759" first="Elaina" last="Martinez"], Mullen, 2021, G, 5-4 [caption id="attachment_230043" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-230043" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Kilah-Freelon-Mullen-300x222.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="222" /> [player_tooltip player_id="117681" first="Kilah" last="Freelon"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="203414" first="Libby" last="Campbell"], Grandview, 2021, G, 5-8 [player_tooltip player_id="116771" first="Haley" last="Van Horn"], Mullen, 2021, F, 5-10 [player_tooltip player_id="116788" first="Abby" last="Webster"], Mullen, 2021, G, 5-5 [player_tooltip player_id="203417" first="Eliza" last="Hill"], Cherry Creek, 2021, C, 6-1 [player_tooltip player_id="116781" first="Makenna" last="Elges"], Mullen, 2021, G, 5-8 [player_tooltip player_id="95226" first="Jade" last="Weathersby"], Grandview, 2023, F, 6-3 <strong>A quick, early look to the season</strong> More of the same, including involving COVID-19 – league teams will only be allowed to play each other and there will be a shortened season. So just 14 regular-season games, teams were mandated to be idle for December, practice won’t start until Jan. 4 and first game will be Jan. 7. Grandview again will be a heavy favorite in 5A and 4A teams will again be chasing Mullen.