Matchup Notes Heading Into the 5A Great 8
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Air Academy #1 versus Frederick #8 AA Point Differential: +53 Frederick Point Differential: +48 One of the most talented programs in the state, Air Academy boasts supreme playmaking from Caitlin Kramer Caitlin Kramer 6'3" | SF Air Acadamy | 2024…
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Continue ReadingAir Academy #1 versus Frederick #8
AA Point Differential: +53 Frederick Point Differential: +48
One of the most talented programs in the state, Air Academy boasts supreme playmaking from Caitlin Kramer Caitlin Kramer 6'3" | SF Air Acadamy | 2024 State CO and Lydia Flowers Lydia Flowers 5'11" | SF Air Academy | 2025 State CO , both effective against a wide variety of positions. They are assisted by Audrina Nelson Audrina Nelson 5'7" Air Academy | 2026 CO , who can break a press and set up their scorers within the halfcourt. In the paint, they are anchored by Tatyonna Brown Tatyonna Brown 6'2" | PF Air Academy | 2025 State CO , who is quickly progressing as one of the better two-way prospects in the state.
Frederick will have to hone their talent through efficient perimeter play, from Zoe Wittler Zoe Wittler 5'6" | CG Frederick | 2025 State CO and Gabby Jima Gabby Jima 5'6" | CG Frederick | 2024 State CO . Their ability to attack openings to create good looks for teammates will be imperative for Frederick to keep up with AA’s potent offense.
Windsor #4 versus Northfield #5
Windsor Point Differential: +28 Northfield Point Differential: +54
Windsor’s confluence of upper and underclass athletes will be a great opportunity to gauge this group’s upside not just this season, but next. Led by returning 2025s Reyleigh Hess Reyleigh Hess 6'0" | SF Windsor | 2025 State CO and Brooklyn Jiricek Brooklyn Jiricek 5'11" | SF Windsor | 2025 State CO , they will have to rely on smart passing from these tall guards. 2027 is a prevalent grad class for this team, featuring Gracie Worsley Gracie Worsley 5'11" | CG Windsor | 2027 State CO , Sabella Hilliard, Nola Greenwald Nola Greenwald 5'11" | CG Windsor | 2027 State CO , and Peityn Deselms.
Northfield boasts a quickly progressing underclassmen reliant group, big on defense and a fast pace of play. From guards Madison Bethel Madison Bethel 5'5" | PG Northfield | 2027 CO , Alena Vondracek Alena Vondracek 5'8" | SG Northfield | 2025 State CO and Aliyah Herron Aliyah Herron 5'8" | PG Northfield | 2025 State CO , this team hosts a wide array of downhill scorers with beneficial passing vision when needed. Alongside their perimeter play, they bring in impactful rebounds and interior defenders with Nashara Ellerbee Nashara Ellerbee 6'0" | PF Northfield | 2024 State CO , LaPorsha Allen LaPorsha Allen 6'0" | PF Northfield | 2027 State CO , and Kate Snodgrass Kate Snodgrass 6'1" | PF Northfield | 2025 State CO . This will be a fascinating matchup given this group’s ability to put opponents in tough positions within the halfcourt.
Roosevelt #2 versus Montrose #7
Roosevelt Point Differential: +60 Montrose Point Differential: +43
Roosevelt boasts a very deep roster with plenty of experienced athletes in playoff situations. Bringing in quality guards in Kinsey Trujillo Kinsey Trujillo 5'8" | CG Roosevelt | 2024 State CO , Brynn Price Brynn Price 5'8" | CG Roosevelt | 2024 State CO , Maddie Moyers, and Ryanne Bahnsen-Price Ryanne Bahnsen-Price 6'0" | SG Roosevelt | 2025 State CO , this team has so many options to score and attack. Alongside their playmaking options, they bring in dependable forwards with Kyla Hollier Kyla Hollier 6'2" | SF Roosevelt | 2026 State CO and Brooklyn Meza Brooklyn Meza 5'11" | PF Roosevelt | 2024 State CO . They bring in so many interchangeable components, allowing for tons of lineup versatility against any matchup.
Montrose continues to battle onto the next round, providing notable value from Taygan Rocco and Maggie Legg in particular.
Standley Lake #11 versus Mead #3
SL Point Differential: +22 Mead Point Differential: +34
Standley Lake is a particularly unique team given their frontcourt skill and size with Taylin Serlen Taylin Serlen 6'1" | PF Standley Lake | 2024 State CO and Sydney Martin Sydney Martin 5'11" | PF Standley Lake | 2027 CO . They will be as competitive on the glass as any team in these playoffs, given their size and consistent motors. Serlen in particular brings much more skill than the typical 4, given her shooting ability along the perimeter and efficient scoring through contact. The complementary shotmaking from guards Bayleigh Walling and Kameron Mireles-Ciancio Kameron Mireles-Ciancio 5'8" | CG Standley Lake | 2025 State CO will be fascinating to follow, potentially stretching out the opponent defense.
Mead possesses well rounded perimeter play, particularly from their five guards all up above 150 total points this season. Four of them have contributed 70+ three point attempts between 34% and 39% behind the line. Particularly Darby Haley Darby Haley 5'6" | CG Mead | 2025 State CO , Caroline Kron Caroline Kron 5'11" | PF Mead | 2025 State CO , Madi Clark, and Gianna Wurth Gianna Wurth 5'9" | SF Mead | 2024 State CO have been consistent within those roles. Part of what makes Mead so frustrating to deal with is their balanced scoring, coming from all areas of the floor given their willing passing and shooting consistency.