Basketball's best: The Fort Collins Coloradoan's 2022-23 All-Area hoops teams

Yet again, what a winter it was on the basketball court.

In the Coloradoan coverage area alone, there were two state runners-up (for the second season in a row), and six squads reached at least the Great 8 round.

That success was powered by plenty of talented local players, many of whom proved themselves among Colorado's best.

It made for some intense local showdowns and close calls compiling this list.

Here's the Coloradoan's breakdown of the Fort Collins area's top girls and boys high school basketball players for the 2022-23 season.

This list includes players from the seven Poudre School District high schools, Windsor, Windsor Charter Academy, Heritage Christian and Front Range Baptist.

Boys All-Area 1st Team

Player of the Year: Nick Randall, Fossil Ridge (6A)

Randall was the best player on the best local boys team, with Fossil Ridge making a second consecutive state championship game.

But that description sells him short, as the senior forward became arguably the dominant player in Colorado with 22.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game — both marks top-10 in the state.

He was a monster in the paint on both ends, adept at scoring via post-ups, off rebounds, through free throws or against double teams while swatting away opponents' shots defensively.

Randall saved his best for the big moments, too. He dropped 31 points on Fort Collins in a virtuoso quarterfinal revenge rivalry rematch and averaged 26 points in three games (Great 8 through Finals) at the Denver Coliseum.

Luke Wagstaff, Fort Collins (6A)

Wagstaff certainly had a case for co-Player of the Year here, as he and Randall shared that honor in the Front Range League. Regardless, the senior big man was phenomenal for a resurgent Lambkins squad.

He dropped three triple doubles (including one in the playoffs), averaged a double-double with 20.2 points plus 10.7 rebounds per game and spectacularly dueled with Randall in an city rivalry quarterfinal that was just Fort Collins' second Great 8 berth since 1988.

David Hageman, Windsor (5A)

Hageman earned a fitting cap to his brilliant Windsor career, leading the Wizards to their best season since 2011 with a spot in the 5A Final Four.

The senior guard was Windsor's offensive engine, averaging more than 19 points per game while shooting 50% inside the arc and reaching the 1,000-point scoring mark for his career.

Silas McCurnin, Poudre (6A)

Speaking of great careers, McCurnin is one of the best scorers in Impalas history and threatened Dallas Elmore's career school scoring record despite a shortened sophomore season.

In his senior year, the Colorado School of Mines signee topped Class 6A in scoring with a whopping 26.3 points per game and shattered Matt Clark's school 3-pointers record with 303 for his career.

Jayce King, Fort Collins (6A)

King is the only nonsenior on our boys First Team. Expect to see him right back here next season, because he's an explosive and confident guard who can create his own shot but played perfectly alongside Wagstaff.

The junior could simply get buckets (18.6 ppg) any way he wanted, utilizing a quick first step, a money mid-range game and that 40% 3-point shooting stroke while setting a new school record for free-throw percentage at 92%.

Girls All-Area 1st Team

Player of the Year: Sara Chicco, Rocky Mountain (6A)

Record-setting is a good way to describe Chicco this season, as the Lobos guard was lights out wherever she shot the ball.

The junior set new Rocky bests for 3-pointers in a game (10, vs. Prairie View on Jan. 10), triples in a season (96, shattering the old mark of 57), and 3-point shooting at 48%.

It wasn't limited to just Rocky's record books. Her 96 made 3-pointers is the most in Colorado history by any girls player for a Class 6A (formerly 5A) school and tied for fourth among all classifications.

And just for good measure, Chicco led the Front Range League in points (18.2 ppg) and free-throw shooting (87%). She was an easy call for our local girls Player of the Year.

Ella Lavigne, Fossil Ridge (6A)

Lavigne really took the reins for Fossil Ridge this season, averaging a rare double-double in the girls game with 16 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.

Her game is predicated on elusive footwork and even Eurosteps on drives to the basket. She scored in double figures during all but one game while nearly willing the SaberCats to a road playoff upset with 22 points.

Sam Darnell, Windsor (5A) (Defensive Player of the Year)

Like many Windsor players, Darnell's numbers do not come close to quantifying her impact. The lone returning starter for the Wizards led them right back to a third straight state championship game appearance.

Though she averaged just 9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, she was capable of erupting offensively. But Darnell did her best work as a swarming defensive stopper, forcing nearly five steals every game and setting the tone for Windsor's patented pressure defense.

Hailee Wright, Windsor (5A)

Wright was Windsor's most reliable scoring option throughout the season as a crafty guard who could hit spot-up jumpers or muscle through traffic near the rim.

She averaged 13 points per game and was often the Wizards' primary ball-handler, providing senior leadership alongside Darnell during the Wizards' third consecutive state runner-up season.

Abigail Saville, Rocky Mountain (6A)

Saville is a relatively rare player in the girls game, a strong post presence who could still hit shots outside the paint and create her own shot through contact on drives to the basket.

The senior forward was exactly what Rocky needed to pair with its explosive guard play. Saville averaged 16.6 points plus 6.6 rebounds per game while earning FRL first-team recognition.

Girls All-Area 2nd Team

Avery Alcaraz, Fort Collins (6A)

The sophomore continues to be one of the best guards in the area, getting the Lambkins a bucket when they need it.

Alacaraz averaged 14.1 points per game, upped her rebounding numbers, was key for Fort Collins' stifling defense and shot 80% from the free-throw line.

Avery Hughes, Heritage Christian (2A)

Hughes helped lead the Eagles on a remarkable Final Four run in the 2A playoffs, anchoring Heritage Christian on both sides of the ball.

The senior guard could knock down 3-pointers and get transition buckets off steals. She dished out over five assists with 15.6 points per game for a squad that won 15 of its last 17 games until the semifinals.

Reyleigh Hess, Windsor (5A)

Hess emerged late in the season as a much-needed interior presence for the Wizards during their run back to the state title game.

The sophomore was Windsor's second-leading scorer with 10.8 points per game (plus 5.9 rebounds) and made opposing defenses regret paying too much attention to the Wizards' seasoned senior guards.

Tiana Guzman, Timnath (3A)

What a debut season it was for the Timnath girls, making the playoffs in the school's first year.

The freshman wing was at the center of it. Guzman averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds per game while dropping at least 20 points in eight games. She has a great chance to be one of 3A's best players in future seasons.

Kaycee Steinke, Fossil Ridge (6A)

Steinke was easily option 1B for the SaberCats on offense. The junior guard could do it all, with a knock-down shot and ability to finish off balance driving the ball.

She averaged 13.5 points per game and led Class 6A in 3-point shooting percentage, breaking Fossil Ridge's single-game record with nine vs. Prairie View on Jan. 24.

Boys All-Area 2nd Team

Jamar Mitchell, Fort Collins (6A)

Mitchell was the defensive and rebounding brawn for Fort Collins inside, allowing the Lambkins to match up with anybody.

The senior forward averaged 12.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game on 56% shooting and came up big with 47 points in three playoff games.

Matthew Boldt, Fossil Ridge (6A)

Though he missed six games down the stretch with an ankle injury, it only showed Boldt's value to a senior-heavy Fossil Ridge team. Boldt was the SaberCats' self-proclaimed "energy guy" who classically did all the little things.

The senior forward often guarded opposing teams' best interior players and dove for loose balls while still averaging 9 points and 8 rebounds per game.

Kellen Ball, Windsor Charter Academy (3A)

Talk about a two-sport star here. After finishing second individually in 4A golf last fall, Ball followed that up with a sensational winter season on the hardwood.

In Windsor Charter's first season as a CHSAA-sanctioned squad, Ball averaged 14.5 points and nearly 5 assists per game to lead the Firebirds to a 21-5 record and 3A Final 4 appearance.

Parker Davis, Rocky Mountain (6A)

Davis made a huge leap in his senior season, emerging as the Lobos' top scoring option after Charlie Dortch's mid-season injury.

The combo guard shot 44% beyond the arc and 53% overall, tallying eight 20-point games and averaging 16.6 points for a Rocky team that went 10-5 in league play.

Colin Hayes, Fossil Ridge (6A)

Hayes was Mr. Versatile for the SaberCats, a small forward who flew around the court and could score the ball in a lot of different ways.

The senior forward was second on the team with 9.1 points to go along with four rebounds with 2.5 assists per game, though the stats don't fully convey his contributions to Fossil's second-straight state runner-up squad.

Boys All-Area Third Team

• Ty Brown, Fossil Ridge (6A)*: One of the state's best defenders and a dangerous perimeter shooter for a deep Fossil Ridge squad

• Kaden Cox, Poudre (6A): Paired with McCurnin as the Impalas' interior force for a tough 1-2 Poudre punch

• Raul Bertinato, Heritage Christian (2A): The best player and scorer on an Eagles team that won its district tournament and earned a top 8 seed

• Carson Ford, Liberty Common (3A): A bright spot for the Eagles in a tough season with four 20-point games

• Domenic Leone, Fossil Ridge (6A): A versatile wing who could guard three positions and knock down open looks or get to the rim

*Defensive Player of the Year

Girls All-Area Third Team

• Kavi Voglund, Poudre (6A): A tough-minded guard who made big strides as a scorer in her sophomore season

• Gretchen Deines, Timnath (3A): Formed a freshman dynamic duo with Guzman in a formidable Cubs backcourt

• Delaney Matkin, Rocky Mountain (6A): The point-guard engine made the Lobos go her whole career, especially for this season's high-scoring Rocky attack.

• Raegan Johnson, Windsor (5A): A senior who finally got more minutes this season was a strong all-around player who fit perfectly in the Wizards' system.

• Ruby Richardson, Liberty Common (3A): A volume scorer with 13 games in double figures, she helped the Eagles make the 3A state tournament.

GIRLS HONORABLE MENTIONS:

• Brooklyn Jiricek, Windsor (5A)

• Paige Fry, Fort Collins (6A)

• Morgan Kimmi, Windsor Charter Academy (3A)

• Katie Jacques, Front Range Baptist (1A)

• Jaque Forrest, Poudre (6A)

• Carmen Arkin, Fossil Ridge (6A)

• Samantha Michaelsen, Liberty Common (3A)

• Kate Davis, Fossil Ridge (6A) (Missed most of season with injury)

BOYS HONORABLE MENTIONS:

• Clayton Wright, Windsor (5A)

• Drew Larson, Fossil Ridge (6A)

• Dylan Larson, Rocky Mountain (6A)

• Tanner Mock, Timnath (3A)

• Matthew VanDenBerghe, Front Range Baptist (1A)

• Joe Cottingham, Fort Collins (6A)

• Hunter Lipsey, Liberty Common (3A)

• Luke Hermsen, Heritage Christian (2A)

• Charlie Dortch, Rocky Mountain (6A) (Missed most of season with injury)

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado basketball: All-Area hoops teams for Fort Collins, Windsor