Week 1 Games To Watch

Week 1 is here and there are some great games in the first week! Many teams are competing in local tournaments to gear up for their out-of-state tournaments in December. Cherry Creek, Grandview, Highlands Ranch, and Arapahoe all head out of state this week to compete against top teams from across the country. <strong>Broomfield vs. #1 Mullen - Tuesday November 30th</strong> Broomfield and Mullen matchup in the annual Horizon tournament. Both programs are perennial powerhouses with Broomfield holding 6 state championships and Mullen holding 7 state championships, including three straight coming into this season. Mullen returns many of their key pieces from last season. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="95172" first="Gracie" last="Gallegos"] (16.4 ppg), Senior [player_tooltip player_id="117681" first="Kilah" last="Freelon"] (7.1 ppg), and Senior [player_tooltip player_id="95170" first="Imani" last="Perez"] (5 ppg, 6.3 rpg) provide a lengthy lineup that will be a nightmare for most teams this season. This talented Senior group is joined by a young core that features Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="216722" first="Allison" last="Schwertner"], Freshman Tatum Jones, Freshman [player_tooltip player_id="329363" first="Ryker" last="Thomas"], and Freshman <a class="StyledAnchor-sc-jb44mu-0 khRfpy" href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/keaton-arangua-egbert/7xAwapncdU-4pxxFbropKw/default.htm">Keaton Arangua-Egbert</a>. Broomfield has some length and will pull the Mullen defenders out onto the perimeter with their 5-out offense. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id="210369" first="Sophie" last="Christopher"] (4.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Mary Kreiger (4.1 ppg) will look to have strong starts against Mullen. 5'-11" Freshman [player_tooltip player_id="329412" first="Sydney" last="Deem"] will play in her first high school game and will look to bang inside with some of the state's best players. This should be a great game for two talented teams. <strong>#5 Chaparral vs. #2 Lutheran - Tuesday November 30th</strong> Last year these two teams met with Chaparral edging Lutheran 56-50. This years matchup looks to be another great, close game. The Wolverines are led by talented Senior sisters [player_tooltip player_id="117688" first="Payton" last="Bang"] (13.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id="95182" first="Avery" last="Bang"] (10.2 ppg, 6 rpg). These 6'-2" posts create a lot of mismatch problems inside, which could be the difference in this game. Chaparral has a lot of experience on their roster with 7 players who are Juniors or Seniors; however, look for Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="331176" first="Reagan" last="Lentell"] to be a potential breakout player. She is 5'-11" wing who can play off the Bang sisters and provide another scoring option for this deep team. The Lions graduated their top scorer from last season but return a lot of their key pieces. Senior Brindelyn Schneider (5.8 ppg, 6.6) and Junior [player_tooltip player_id="261807" first="Raelyn" last="Kelty"] (12.4 ppg, 7 rpg) may be tasked to guard the Bang sisters and keep them off the glass. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="318898" first="Joclyn" last="Bassett"] had a strong showing against Chaparral last year tallying 14 points and 7 rebounds. She will have to shoot the ball well for the Lions to win this game. <strong>Eaglecrest vs. Rocky Mountain - Wednesday December 1st</strong> The Raptors feature a strong young duo in Junior [player_tooltip player_id="95223" first="Nia" last="McKenzie"] (9.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 spg) and Junior [player_tooltip player_id="95227" first="Laci" last="Roffle"] (7.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2 spg). They like to apply pressure on the defensive end and get out in transition to score. Eaglecrest has a good young group and will look for some of them to step up to play major minutes alongside Mckenzie and Roffle. Rocky Mountain's guards are going to have to take care of the ball and break their press to keep it close. The Lobos have a young core featuring Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="322867" first="Sara" last="Chicco"] (8.5 ppg), Junior [player_tooltip player_id="118731" first="Abby" last="Saville"] (6.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), and Junior [player_tooltip player_id="118727" first="Delaney" last="Matkin"] (6.3 ppg). Rocky Mountain graduated six seniors this past season so there will be a lot of minutes opening up for their younger players. They will have to improve on their 23% three-point percentage and 50% free-throw percentage to stay in this game. This young group is ready for the test against one of Centennial's best teams. <strong>Doherty vs. #4 Regis Jesuit - Wednesday December 1st</strong> The Raiders will host the Spartans and look to win another time after last season's 55-51 win over Doherty. Both teams enter the season with new head coaches and it will be an exciting game to see the new systems they run. Both teams have a ton of talent and will be looking to make deep runs this postseason. Doherty is lead by Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="95177" first="Payton" last="Sterk"] (16.3 ppg, 7 rpg) and Senior [player_tooltip player_id="316809" first="Gabby" last="Beauperthuy"] (8.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg). They also have a young talented guard in Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="263607" first="Tahlaya" last="Biglow"] (5.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3 apg, 2.5 spg) who continues to become a big part of the Spartan's offense and defense. The Raiders are led by Senior [player_tooltip player_id="207077" first="Jordan" last="Jones"] (9.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Senior [player_tooltip player_id="95216" first="Savitri" last="Jackson"] (8.1 ppg), and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="216647" first="Hannah" last="Belibi"] (8 ppg, 5.9 rpg). This talented core may end up being one of the best transition teams in the state as all can steal passes, run lanes, and score around the rim at an elite rate. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="216730" first="Coryn" last="Watts"] (3.7 ppg, 2 spg) is a talented player that fits in well and will make a big jump this season. This game against Doherty may be her breakout game. This will be a close game with a lot of back and forth action. Both teams will look to make deep championship runs this year and the winner of this game will be off to a great start! <strong>#2 Grandview vs. Duncanville (TX) - Thursday December 2nd</strong> Grandview will travel to play Duncanville, who is a perennial 6A powerhouse in Texas. This heavyweight matchup features some of the best players in the country with Senior [player_tooltip player_id="95167" first="Lauren" last="Betts"] (17.5 ppg, 11 rpg) leading the way for the Wolves alongside Senior [player_tooltip player_id="117679" first="Marya" last="Hudgins"] (13.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.7 apg). Everyone is anxiously awaiting [player_tooltip player_id="352917" first="Sienna" last="Betts"] to make her high school debut and see how often the Betts sisters will be in the same lineup. Duncanville had already played 10+ games in their regular season so hopefully Grandview has no rust going into this game. <strong>Fort Collins vs. #6 George Washington - Saturday December 4th</strong> George Washington returns many key pieces from their talented team last year including Senior [player_tooltip player_id="95174" first="Anisa" last="Turner"] (14 ppg, 4 spg), Junior [player_tooltip player_id="95224" first="Jaida" last="Redwine"] (11.6 ppg, 4.1 spg), Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="216733" first="Gianna" last="Whiteside"] (8.8 ppg, 7 rpg), and Junior [player_tooltip player_id="329381" first="Mya" last="Cotto"] (6.9 ppg). The Patriots love to turn teams over and get out in transition. They averaged an incredible 17 spg as a team last season and it really gets their offense going. George Washington will be even better this season and will look to cap off a great first week with a strong performance on Saturday. The Lambkins only graduated one Senior from last season and return their top four scorers. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="316802" first="Laura" last="Davis"] (10 ppg, 8.1 rpg) leads the way alongside Senior [player_tooltip player_id="316810" first="Shayne" last="Young"] (8.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="322871" first="Penley" last="Park"] (6.1 ppg), and Senior [player_tooltip player_id="117726" first="Emily" last="Johnson"] (6.1 ppg, 7 rpg). Freshman [player_tooltip player_id="329411" first="Avery" last="Alcaraz"], who is a knockdown shooter, will be a great X factor to watch with this group. Fort Collins will look to take care of the ball and limit GW's offensive rebounding to stay in this game. This should be a great game featuring some young talent. &nbsp;