Outplaying Expectations: 3A Teams Moving Up
Let’s look at some overachievers from 3A. Here are some programs that have stood out over and above the Graduation Adjusted Rankings (GAR) in 3A. The GAR are an index factoring two things: Where did a team finish last year?…
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Continue ReadingLet’s look at some overachievers from 3A. Here are some programs that have stood out over and above the Graduation Adjusted Rankings (GAR) in 3A. The GAR are an index factoring two things: Where did a team finish last year? And how much scoring did they graduate?
1 | Platte Valley |
2 | The Vanguard School |
3 | Lutheran |
4 | St. Mary’s |
5 | Resurrection Christian |
6 | Pagosa Springs |
7 | Eaton |
8 | Lamar |
9 | Moffat County |
10 | University |
3A CHSAA Rankings through four weeks (Click Here):
1 | Platte Valley |
2 | University |
3 | The Vanguard School |
4 | Eaton |
5 | Lutheran |
6 | Delta |
7 | Grand Valley |
8 | Resurrection Christian |
9 | Centauri |
10 | Coal Ridge |
Delta – GAR 12 to #6
- The basketball version of the Delta variant is still very much a concern in the Western Slope. Losing 63% of its scoring last year, the Panthers (3-1) refuse to go away. The tough and physical senior, Erika Kuta, is the Aaron Rodgers to Alexa Huff’s Brett Favre. Time spent waiting to be the star in these deeper programs proves to be worth the dedication. Kuta is scoring 18.0 PPG with 7.5 RPG and an eye popping 7.0 SPG, yikes. Congrats to her on her recent commitment to Western State Colorado following in the footsteps of Huff.
University – GAR 10 to #2
- Points, assists, steals, and three-point shooting for the Bulldogs are all led by junior Taryn Kravig Taryn Kravig 5'6" | CG University | 2023 State CO . With 20 made threes (38%) already she’s one of the state’s leading shooters. Freshman six-footer Addison Harding adds muscle inside with 8.6 PPG and 8.4 RPG. Teams with a dominant freshman tend to outplay their GAR. Senior Emry Trujillo at 6.4 points a game and nine threes made this year adds balance and shooting for the 7-1 Bulldogs.
Coal Ridge – GAR 16 to #10
- No stats posted for the Titans but Coal Ridge has a big matchup on Jan. 4 at Grand Junction Central. Both teams are 6-1. The Titans have already logged a 19 point win over 5-2 Rifle and a six point win over 6-1 Soroco.
Eaton – GAR 6 to #4
- The Reds are for real this year handing Limon its only loss in a convincing performance and beating a competitive 4A team in Riverdale Ridge. As the point guard goes, so goes the team. Senior Ahana Leffler is having her best season leading the charge with 16.0 PPG and 4.3 APG, meaning she’s a part of nearly half the Reds’ scoring. The junior trio of Leyah Scott adding 10.5 points, Blayke Duncan adding 8.0 points, 3.6 assists, and an impressive 5.0 steals a game and Emily Maske adding 7.5 points and 5.3 boards, plus senior Savannah Schroth scoring 6.3 a game give Reds’ opponents lots to worry about.
Grand Valley – GAR (unranked) up to #7
- With a 5’8 sophomore, Jaycee Pittman Jaycee Pittman 5'10" | PG Grand Valley | 2024 State CO , doing work inside (11.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG), a 5’4″ junior AbbeyRose Parker AbbeyRose Parker 5'4" | PG Grand Valley | 2023 State CO , doing work outside (11.0 PPG, 10 made threes), and a 5’5″ senior, Bailey Radel, raising hell all over the floor (11.0 PPG, 3.1 APG, 3.8 SPG, 19 made threes), Grand Valley has a formula for success. Three Western Slope teams on this list previews a very competitive battle for league this season.
Centauri – GAR 11 up to #9
- Always a deeply talented program, the Falcons (3-2) have nice balance led by junior Amaya Garcia at 9.0 PPG followed by senior Dyani Ojedau at 8.4 PPG and junior Abbey Smith at 8.0 PPG. All three have made five or more three-pointers. Centauri will take on Delta on January 7th.
Colorado Springs Christian – GAR (unranked) up to #11
- I’m excited to see the undefeated Lions (5-0) take on The Vanguard School on January 5th. Amazing how quickly the Lions reload as sophomore Grace Minihane has jumped from 5.0 PPG as a freshman to 14.0 PPG this year. Senior Elleah Hoekert Elleah Hoekert 5'7" | SG Colorado Springs Christian | 2022 State CO is dependable as always at 13.0 PPG and 6.4 RPG and the speedy sophomore, Wilna Colopy, is changing games with 7.8 PPG and 4.2 SPG.
Colorado Academy – GAR (unranked) up to #14
- The Mustangs (5-2) are boasting a bevy of young talent with eight players at 4.0 PPG or more, five of whom are sophomores or younger. Leading the team in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks is sophomore Alex May at 9.1 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 6.4 SPG, and 1.6 BPG. Welcome freshman Anna Johnson to the watchlist as she’s already chipping in 8.3 PPG.