The week that was … ending Feb. 6

  Week 2 in Colorado play almost made it seem like a girls basketball season despite cancellations and postponements because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as well as no fans in the stands and players wearing masks.   However, Colorado is one of the top-four states in terms of taking precaution and some of the restrictions are loosening, including players being allowed to give their parents a ticket or two.   Below are some of the notable happenings from Week 2:   --- On second thought … Avery Van Sickle surprisingly returned to Regis Jesuit in Aurora. The Washington signee had announced that surgery to remove a bone spur on a knee would keep her sidelined for Colorado’s shortened 14-game regular season.   However, there she was on Feb. 2, going scoreless on 0-of-3 shooting in a blowout over Ponderosa; getting 13 points in another one-sider, this one over Castle View; and getting two points in a wipeout of ThunderRidge.   It’s her presence that matters, according to Raiders head coach Carl Mattei. Van Sickle, PGH-Colorado No. 2, was encouraged to return by her father and Mattei said he’s playing her a couple of minutes in each quarter and hopes “that she leads us.”   Hey, it’s a pandemic and apparently nothing is regarded as being that strange.   --- In consecutive outings, 2019 4A champion Mullen scored 95 and 92 points. Headed by strong defender [player_tooltip player_id="95172" first="Gracie" last="Gallegos"] (2022), the Mustangs have permitted single-digit scoring in 12 successive quarters.   --- Through three games, Stanford commit [player_tooltip player_id="95167" first="Lauren" last="Betts"] (PGH-Colorado 2022), is averaging 22.0 points (third in 5A) and 15.0 rebounds (first).   --- Remember hearing about the Huard sisters moving to Colorado and transferring to Valor Christian? Through four games, the Eagles are 4-0 and [player_tooltip player_id="20228" first="Haley" last="Huard"], PGH-Colorado No. 6 in 2021 and headed to Montana, leads them in scoring (15.0 points) and rebounding (6.5), and [player_tooltip player_id="210292" first="Macey" last="Huard"], PGH-Colorado No. 2 in 2023, is fourth in team scoring (8.3).   --- Keep an eye on Holyoke’s Kristen Vieselmeyer. The Dragons’ 6-2 2022 forward averaged 25.3 points and 12.5 rebounds as 2A Holyoke went 4-0. She also canned 36 of her first 50 shots (72 percent).   --- Alamosa’s [player_tooltip player_id="145402" first="Emily" last="Lavier"] announced she will head to play at Hastings College in Nebraska. A year ago, the Mean Moose leader and 3A all-stater set a Colorado record with 12 3-pointers in a game.   --- Ralston Valley nearly knocked off powerful and undefeated Valor Christian before falling by 65-63. The Mustangs, behind [player_tooltip player_id="95126" first="Sydney" last="Bevington"]’s team-high 17 points, outscored the Eagles 28-15 in the final quarter. Bevington, PGH-Colorado No. 7 and signed with Santa Clara, also pushed her career totals beyond 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 250 assists and 200 steals.