Five-5A teams to keep an eye on this season

As the 2021-22 season is fast approaching there are a few teams to keep an eye on who have the ability to make a deep run in the 5A state playoffs this year. <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-252886 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/Lauren-Betts-Grandview5-300x222.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="222" /></span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Grandview</span>: </strong>The Wolves suffered their first lost of the season in the final four of last year’s state playoffs. They return there leading scorer and rebounder [player_tooltip player_id="95167" first="Lauren" last="Betts"], and third leading scorer and rebounder [player_tooltip player_id="117679" first="Marya" last="Hudgins"]. While they do lose some seniors off of last years team they return a bulk of their talent and I expect several of the underclassman to step up and fill significant roles this season. I look for this team to make another run at a state title, so keep your eyes out for the Wolves! &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="size-medium wp-image-232107 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/12/NyEra-West-Rangeview2-300x298.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="298" /> &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Rangeview</strong></span>: Lost to eventual state champion Valor Christian last year in the Elite 8, but they return leading scorer and rebounder Nyera West, as well as second leading scorer in [player_tooltip player_id="145559" first="Genesis" last="Sweetwine"]. With this dynamic duo returning, along with a few underclassman who made considerable contributions last season the Raiders are poised to make another deep playoff run in hopes of bringing home the championship. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="size-medium wp-image-230716 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Payton-Bang-Chaparral-300x205.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="205" /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Chaparral</strong></span>: Returns the Bang sisters from last year’s the Elite 8 team. [player_tooltip player_id="117688" first="Payton" last="Bang"] was the teams leading scorer and rebounder and her sister [player_tooltip player_id="95182" first="Avery" last="Bang"] was the third leading scorer and rebounder. I expect the Bang sisters to have a phenomenal senior season and with a little help from their teammates they could make another deep playoff run. Keep an eye out for the Wolverines. &nbsp; &nbsp; <p style="text-align: left;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-230007 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Sam-Crispe-Arapahoe-300x210.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="210" /></p> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Arapahoe</strong></span>: Similar to Chaparral, the Warriors return their leading scorer and rebounder [player_tooltip player_id="117684" first="Sam" last="Crispe"], as well as third leading scorer and rebounder [player_tooltip player_id="316811" first="Abby" last="Morgan"] from last years Elite 8 team. While they do lose a couple of key seniors, they return the majority of last years team. I expect them to be a really hard out when it comes state playoff time, barring any unforeseen injuries, watch out for the Warriors as they are one to watch this upcoming season. &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class=" wp-image-325571 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/110-Macey-Huard.jpg" alt="" width="358" height="238" /> &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Valor Christian</strong></span>: The defending state champion will have a tough challenge if they want to repeat as state champions. They lost three key seniors off of last year’s team, including leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id="20228" first="Haley" last="Huard"]. The good news is that they return [player_tooltip player_id="210292" first="Macey" last="Huard"], [player_tooltip player_id="95213" first="Ali" last="Wetta"], and [player_tooltip player_id="117692" first="Mariah" last="Hilliard"] who were major contributors off of last years team. Huard may sound like a familiar name to some of you, and that’s because it is. Macey and sister Haley are the daughters of former NFL &amp; University of Washington quarterback Brock Huard. Clearly the Huard’s are an athletic family, and the Eagles will need to count on Macey’s athleticism to carry the team this year.  Keep an eye on the Eagles! &nbsp;