5 Dangerous Teams Heading into the State Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doherty </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Doherty team has come on strong so far this season with a 15-6 record, and has quality wins against Arapahoe, Regis Jesuit, Air Academy and Fountain-Fort Carson. Coming into the year, there were a question mark with having to get a new coach and the uncertainty around what their style of play would be. But, new head coach Mark Jones had a vision and has executed it well. The Spartans have a deep rotation of players that makes it hard to game plan for them offensively. [player_tooltip player_id='329401' first='Brooke' last='Mansanares'] is leading the team at 10.9 points and 5.7 rebounds and she is an anchor on defense as well. She is able to guard positions 2-5. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='263607' first='Tahlaya' last='Biglow'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='495928' first='Tayva' last='Phillips'] do most of the ball handling and playmaking. Their play on both ends of the floor makes Doherty a dangerous team heading into the state tournament. Watch out!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Washington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Washington has been a team that I've had high hopes for over the last couple of seasons. They've been one of the most talented teams in the Denver Prep League and usually finish out the regular season well. But early playoff exits have kept them from their full potential. So, this season they're out to claim what they believe is theirs. As the season concludes, the Patriots are sitting at 18-4, including a 12-game winning streak. The senior guard combination of [player_tooltip player_id='495905' first='Mya' last='Cotto'] and [player_tooltip player_id='95224' first='Jaida' last='Redwine'] is the catalyst of the team with their scoring averaging 13.1 points and 12.6 ppg, along with junior forward Giana Whiteside who is a monster in the paint with 12.1 points and 6.4 rebounds a&nbsp;game. They have the pieces, now do they finish off strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cherry Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season Cherry Creek was a young team that managed to make their way to a Great 8 appearance, this year they want to go further. The sophomore core of Tiana Chambers, Braelynn Barnnett and [player_tooltip player_id='327638' first='A'Neya' last='Chambers'] have dominated the competition and proved that last season was no fluke. On the season, they are 18-3 and 11-0 in the Centennial League. Even with how strong that core is they have other pieces in [player_tooltip player_id='584843' first='Molly' last='Dorighi'], [player_tooltip player_id='510718' first='Addison' last='Beck'] and [player_tooltip player_id='331175' first='Mireya' last='Johnson'] that knock down shots and help relieve some of the pressure. [player_tooltip player_id='263608' first='Julia' last='Leach'] and [player_tooltip player_id='628571' first='Sophia' last='Baal'] hold down the frontcourt and provide that balance as well. This is one of the most complete teams in the state and has the making to make another deep run in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roosevelt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roosevelt came into this season as my darkhorse team. It is a squad that not many were discussing but knew they did not want to match up&nbsp;against. The Roughriders are currently 21-1 with their lone loss coming at the hands of top-ranked Cherry Creek in the first game of the season. Since then, they have been locked in as they have racked up 21 straight wins. Not too many teams have double-digit scoring from 4 girls. One is a freshman. [player_tooltip player_id='566365' first='Kyla' last='Hollier'] is averaging 13.5 points a game. They also have [player_tooltip player_id='216706' first='Madison' last='Moyers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='329389' first='Brooklyn' last='Meza'] coming in at 12.7 ppg and 12 ppg,&nbsp;respectively. The team is led by super sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='346832' first='Ryanne' last='Bahnsen-Price']'s 14 points, 3.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals a game. She is the engine that keeps the team going. With two games left in the season, Roosevelt should be looking ahead at the state playoffs and capping a great season off with a championship. At least that is the intention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D'Evelyn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the last couple of years, D'Evelyn has become a household name on the girls side as they have made&nbsp;it to the Final 4 last season before coming up short against Windsor. I think it's safe to say that last season's playoff loss has left a bad taste in their mouths and they want vengeance.&nbsp; Especially for juniors [player_tooltip player_id='216703' first='Peyton' last='Marvel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='216719' first='Macy' last='Scheer'].&nbsp; These two have been the clear leaders of the team on both ends of the floor. They have shown that by being top 3 in every statistical category. One big difference in this year's team from last year is the play of [player_tooltip player_id='394811' first='Rebecca' last='Taylor'] is the X-Factor and will be an important part of a state championship run. Look for this team to make some noise once again.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->