Younger Betts, Schwertner intriguing

They played with a combined five of the top players in Colorado in 2021-22 and still managed to distinguish themselves. So what’s ahead for [player_tooltip player_id="352917" first="Sienna" last="Betts"] and [player_tooltip player_id="216722" first="Allison" last="Schwertner"], arguably two of the most-interesting underclassmen? Grandview’s Betts, PGH-CO 2025, and Schwertner, PGH-CO 2024 No. 11, were key parts of championships – Grandview won the Class 5A championship and the Mustangs won a fourth straight in 4A. And most every in-state follower realizes Betts played with her sister, Lauren, headed to Stanford and considered the nation’s top recruit, and [player_tooltip player_id="117679" first="Marya" last="Hudgins"], PGH-CO 2022 No. 3 and bound for Santa Clara, while Schwertner teamed with [player_tooltip player_id="95172" first="Gracie" last="Gallegos"], PGH-CO 2022 No. 4, UC-San Diego; [player_tooltip player_id="117681" first="Kilah" last="Freelon"], PGH-CO 2022 No. 5, Texas Tech; and [player_tooltip player_id="95170" first="Imani" last="Perez"], PGH-CO 2022 No. 9, Hawaii. However, both the younger Betts and Schwertner improved considerably and consistently during the season, understood what it meant to be able to play with higher-end talent and probably intrigued watchers enough to begin a detailed forecast of their coming seasons. Betts is 6-foot-3 and immediately saw major minutes in multiple out-of-state tournaments as well as the powerful Centennial League that produced another semifinalist (Arapahoe) in addition to Mullen winning 4A. With good size and under-rated coordination, Betts averaged nearly a double-double (10.4 points, 9.0 rebounds). She scored in double figures in every postseason game but the finale, when she had nine. She has the ability to help against the press as well as go to the basket – Betts burned Mullen in the second league go-round for a season high 20 points and recorded a 20-rebound game against Imperial out of state. Free-throw percentage (inconsistent, less than 60 percent) needs to improve, but her ability to step in and contribute heavily right away  – if nothing else, she added a third matchup problem for Wolves’ foes – can’t be under-stated. As for Schwertner, who showed promise as a freshman, she became a legitimate option for the Mustangs in multiple ways. At 6-1, her accompanying length aided her in inbounding the ball, helping to handle it on the perimeter, shoot outside and go to the hoop, and rebound and defend. Her averages of 7.1 points and 4.9 rebounds are modest and don’t underline her stability and means to run to the front – she scored eight points in the third quarter to help spark a blowout of Green Mountain in the semifinals and was Mullen’s high scorer with 11 points in the final (44-38) against undefeated Windsor, including 6-of-6 free throws. Certainly, Betts and Schwertner had sporadic periods of unforced turnovers, but also are learning how to respond against adversity. If they continue to grow and gain, particularly in the speed department, they are virtually assured of becoming in-demand prospects over the next few seasons.