Must-see 5A Jeffco League games …

&nbsp; The Jefferson County League hasn’t won a Colorado Class 5A championship since Chatfield in 1999, its second of two in a row. The left side of the Denver-metropolitan area hopes to amend that in 2021. A top-heavy, possibly competitive Jeffco group has some skill as evidenced by the matchups listed below and undoubtedly led by Valor Christian: &nbsp; <strong>Wednesday, Feb. 3, Ralston Valley at Valor Christian, 7 p.m.</strong> The host Eagles already had the likes of  [player_tooltip player_id="95124" first="Kindyll" last="Wetta"], [player_tooltip player_id="95129" first="Jenna" last="Siebert"] and [player_tooltip player_id="116767" first="Karissa" last="Lukasiewicz"] (all 2021s), but have also been joined by Washington transfers Haley (2021) and Macey ((2023) Huard, daughters of former NFL quarterback Brock Huard.  And, yes, both can play. Coach Jessika Stratton, a former star at Coronado in Colorado Springs, has the material to add to her program’s 4A titles in 2015 and 2016. Jeffco runnerup to the Eagles a year ago, the Mustangs won’t forget their 37-point loss to the Eagles. Six-foot-1 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="95126" first="Sydney" last="Bevington"] (signed with Santa Clara) will have something to say about it. She’ll have help from the likes of [player_tooltip player_id="116763" first="Brooklyn" last="Seymour"], a forward headed to Western Colorado, and guard [player_tooltip player_id="117682" first="Saya" last="Sabus"] (2022). Any progress against the Eagles would be positive progress. &nbsp; <strong>Wednesday, Feb. 3, Lakewood at Columbine, 7 p.m.</strong> The visiting Tigers will have some work to do, especially when meeting the Rebels so early in the new, shortened season. Their top two scorers have graduated, so amply opportunity will be available, particularly four 2022s. [player_tooltip player_id="116780" first="Mariah" last="Ramos"] (2021) along with [player_tooltip player_id="117714" first="Amanda" last="Archuleta"], [player_tooltip player_id="95181" first="Juliette" last="Fillion"], Brianna Robles and [player_tooltip player_id="117708" first="Logan" last="Watson"] figure to comprise the brunt of the Lakewood attack. Meanwhile, Columbine is a fair bet to at least make a run at runnerup honors in league, headed by [player_tooltip player_id="145395" first="Adrienne" last="Harnum"], Jessica Bollwhan among newer faces that will earn significant minutes. There won’t be significant speed throughout Jeffco, so possessions and set plays should be valued more than usual. &nbsp; <strong>Others to keep an eye on …</strong> --- Valor will have a couple of interesting nonleaguers – Sat. Jan. 30, at Highlands Ranch ([player_tooltip player_id="95123" first="Payton" last="Muma"], headed to Gonzaga) , 7:30 p.m., and Sat., Feb. 20, at Regis Jesuit (Avery Van Sickle, Washington), 7:15 p.m. --- Ralston Valley will cap its regular season on Thursday, March 4, 7 p.m., against regular city power Denver East (Jordynn Carter, 2021). --- Columbine will open on Friday, Jan. 19, 6 p.m., against regular northern-area challenger Monarch ([player_tooltip player_id="222378" first="Natalie" last="Guanella"], 2023). &nbsp;