5A Front Range League ’21-22

&nbsp; Here’s a quick peek at the Class 5A Front Range League. <strong>What happened in something called Season B</strong> There were a dozen teams in the loop and dozens of COVID-19 problems that forced uneven showings. Sign of the past (we hope) times – only Loveland was able to play a full, 11-game Front Range schedule and it finished dead last at 1-10. Monarch won the regular-season title at 7-1; Fossil Ridge was 8-2; and Broomfield, Horizon and Poudre 7-3. &nbsp; <strong>Teams –</strong> Boulder, Broomfield, Fairview, Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Horizon, Legacy, Loveland, Monarch, Mountain Range, Poudre, Rocky Mountain. &nbsp; <strong>Which playoff team(s) made the loop’s most noise?</strong> In the shortened 32-team bracket, only Fossil Ridge made it out of the first round. The SaberCats, after waxing Arvada West 59-22, fell victim to Aurora’s Rangeview 69-65. Horizon lost to Fountain-Fort Carson 60-45, Poudre fell to Doherty 57-47, Monarch stumbled against Mountain Vista 54-50 and Rocky Mountain lost to Rangeview 62-45. <strong> </strong> <strong>The short list of returnees to follow</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="222378" first="Natalie" last="Guanella"], Monarch, Jr., G, 5-6</strong> As a sophomore, led the Front Range in scoring (16.5 ppg). &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="117703" first="Audra" last="Vine"] Horizon, Sr., G, 5-4</strong> PGH-CO 2022 No. 36; runs the point for the Hawks, averaged 14.3 points and shot 73 percent from the free-throw line. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="259812" first="Bela" last="Voglund"], Poudre, Sr., G, 5-7</strong> Had a season-high 27 points against Broomfield; looking to improve efficiency – had only a 29 percent field-goal percentage. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="316804" first="Ella" last="Bartsch"], Boulder, Jr., G-F, 5-9</strong> Panthers’ top returning scorer (11.9 ppg) despite not making a 3-pointer. &nbsp; <strong>You may also wish to keep track of …</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="117721" first="Kailey" last="Page"], Fairview, Sr., F, 5-10</strong> Went for 11 points and 5.6 rebounds in the shortened 2020-21. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="316803" first="Britta" last="Cardenas"], Horizon, Jr., G-F, 5-6</strong> A reason why the Hawks should be OK in the backcourt. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="316802" first="Laura" last="Davis"], Fort Collins, Sr., F, 6-0</strong> Not that much height within the loop, so her past-season figures of 10.0 in points and 8.1 in rebounds should both grow. <strong> </strong> <strong>A short look ahead to 2021-22</strong> The regular-season title appears to be wide open for any team that wants it. Playoff problems will have to be addressed as breaking into the Denver-suburban-area mix will prove challenging. The Front Range Dozen is a little light in talent and has ground to make up heading into the 101^st prep season on state record. &nbsp;