Season Preview: 4A Longs Peak League

With the 2020-21 girls basketball season now scheduled to begin in January, we’re taking a look back/forward at how things went last year and what to look forward to in each of Colorado’s conferences. Many of the leagues are different and the shortened season certainly will present its own unique challenges, but we’re no less excited to see what Colorado’s many talented players have to offer in the spring. Here’s a snapshot of the Class 4A Longs Peak League. <b>How it all shook out in ‘19-20</b> The Longs Peak League is new for the 2020-2021 season, but is pulling some standout programs from last season, including a Final Four squad in Berthoud. The Spartans finished in a three-way tie for the 5A/4A Tri-Valley crown with Holy Family and Erie last season, but the Spartans won’t have to deal with either squad in the new Longs Peak League. Thompson Valley ran away with the 4A Northern League title last season with a 14-0 record against league opponents, and made it to the Sweet 16 of the state tournament before being bounced by Sierra. Northridge took second in the Northern league behind the Eagles and Fort Morgan comes over after qualifying for the playoffs last season out of the 5A/4A Tri-Valley League. <b>Teams</b> Berthoud, Fort Morgan, Frederick, Mountain View, Niwot, Northridge, Riverdale Ridge, Roosevelt, Severance, Thompson Valley. <b style="font-size: 1rem;">Which playoff team advanced the furthest?</b> Berthoud went the furthest of the group by making it all the way to the Final Four after entering the tournament as the No. 4 overall seed. The Spartans fell to No. 9 seed Mullen 64-57 in the semifinals. Thompson Valley was the No. 6 seed after an impressive 22-1 regular season mark. The Eagles took down Mead in the round of 32 before falling to No. 11 Sierra 44-40 in the Sweet 16. Northridge picked up a first round win as the No. 26 seed over No. 39 Harrison 66-45 before being bounced by Final Four-bound Holy Family in the second round. Fort Morgan also made the playoffs as the No. 40 seed, but fell in the first round on the round to No. 25 Mesa Ridge 69-54. <b style="font-size: 1rem;">A few returning players to watch</b> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95140" first="Breanna" last="Fowler"], 5’8", PG, Berthoud, 2021</strong> Fowler will be the best bet for player of the year honors when it comes to the Longs Peak League after averaging 14 points per game for the Spartans last season, second on the team behind senior [player_tooltip player_id="95030" first="Emily" last="Cavey"]. Look for Fowler to take over where Cavey left off with the Spartans’ strong program despite the difference in position between the two. 6-foot Cavey was also a strong presence on the boards, but Fowler still pulled down 3.2 a game while also leading the team in assists with 4 a game and had the second most steals per game by .2 with Fowler’s average of 3.5 a contest. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to already have college figured out as Fowler is <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2020/12/breanna-fowler-commits-to-western-nebraska-community-college/">committed to play next year at Western Nebraska Community College.</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="117691" first="Amelia" last="Solt"], 5’3", SG, Thompson Valley, 2022</strong> There’s no denying that this Eagles team was senior [player_tooltip player_id="115770" first="Sydnee" last="Durtsche"]’s last season, but Solt was right there with her last season as sophomore with 12.2 points per game, second most on the team. Solt’s 48 made 3-pointers was tied for the 11th most made in Class 4A last season, plus she had 2.7 assists per game and 2.2 steals per game, both second on the Eagles’ squad behind Durtsche. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="117725" first="Seneya" last="Martinez"], 5’8", SG, Northridge, 2022</strong> Northridge fought its way into the playoffs and won a first round game thanks in major part to the season Martinez posted leading the Grizzlies. Her 11.8 points per game led the Grizzlies, and she also was high in team rankings in steals (2.7 per game) and rebounds (5.9 per game). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="117698" first="Natalia" last="Puchino"], 5’9", PG, Severance, 2022</strong> Severance is heading into its first year at varsity competition, and if Puchino’s time last season is any indication, the Silver Knights should make a smooth transition. Puchino posted team highs in points per game (15.6), assists per game (4.4) and steals per game (4.5) while also pulling down 6.8 rebounds a night. While the competition may have come against JV squads, Severance went against some of the best programs in the state like Valor Christian, Holy Family and Grandview, finishing its last JV season with an 18-1 record. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145427" first="Megan" last="Majeres"], 5’8", SG, Frederick, 2023</strong> As a freshman last season, Majeres led the Warriors with seven points per game and knocked down 43 3-pointers. While some of the other stats were lower than other standouts across the league, watch out for the sophomore sharp-shooter to have a breakout season for Frederick with one varsity year already under her belt. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95232" first="Charlee" last="Durtsche"], 5’7", PF, Thompson Valley, 2023</strong> Durtsche didn’t quite have the stand out numbers last season as her older sister Sydnee took the lead for the Eagles. However, with Sydnee gone, watch out for Charlee to fill in those shoes and dominate for the Eagles. <b style="font-size: 1rem;">Some other names to know</b> [player_tooltip player_id="115811" first="Ayanna" last="Schroeder"], 6’0", C, Mountain View, 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="222366" first="McKenna" last="Cone"], 5’6", SG, Northridge, 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="207131" first="Ally" last="Padilla"], 5’8", CG, Berthoud, 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="207132" first="Makenna" last="Shaffer"], 5’10", SF, Northridge, 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="95178" first="Jadalise" last="Gomez"], 5’7", SG, Riverdale Ridge, 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="207138" first="Megan" last="Drews"], 5’5", SG, Riverdale Ridge, 2022 Anatasia Zelenko, 6’1", SF, Severance, 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="210335" first="Aidan" last="Carr"], 5’7", SG, Berthoud, 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="145597" first="Savannah" last="Staff"], 5’7", CG, Frederick, 2023 Skylar Keller, Roosevelt, 2021 Mackenzie Sailors, Roosevelt 2022 <div> <b>A quick, early look to the spring</b> Having Fowler back will certainly keep Berthoud toward the top of all Class 4A and gives the Spartans a solid chance of taking home the first Longs Peak crown. Thompson Valley looks to be a strong contender as well with the younger Durtsche sister stepping onto the scene and paired with [player_tooltip player_id="117691" first="Amelia" last="Solt"]. Northridge will be a strong third contender as well with the Grizzlies returning pretty much all of their main contributors from last season. That experience is what could ultimately lift the Grizzlies to a league title. Severance presents the biggest question mark as it comes into its first season at the varsity level after dominating in the JV ranks. The Silver Knights have some talented players and could provide a big surprise. All that and there’s plenty of talent back for Roosevelt, Riverdale Ridge and Frederick. The Longs Peak could turn into one of the deeper leagues in 4A if the young wave of players for each squad can continue their growth. </div>