Girls basketball: 2022-23 season preview capsules

Nov. 25—6A Front Range League

Teams: Boulder, Brighton, Broomfield, Erie, Fairview, Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Horizon, Legacy, Loveland, Monarch, Mountain Range, Northglenn, Poudre, Prairie View and Rocky Mountain.

Boulder Panthers

Coach: Jordan Matosky

Last season's result: 7-16

Spotlight player: Sophomore guard/forward Megan Matthews. Matthews stepped up as a team leader during the summer after averaging 3.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game as a freshman. She brings a strong work ethic and calm court presence.

Notable: The Panther program brings a new sense of excitement as each member of the team adds a critical piece to the equation. While "scoring can come from anywhere," Matosky is looking to Matthews, senior Lily Huettel, Evelyn Gustafson and junior Adah Ellis-Rissler to step up early.

Broomfield Eagles

Coach: Mike Croell

Last season's result: 8-16, lost in first round of 5A state playoffs

Spotlight player: Senior point guard Sophie Christopher. Christopher led the Eagles in every statistical category as a junior: 8.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.8 apg and 3.4 spg.

Notable: Last year's brand new roster returns to the varsity sphere with much more experience under its belt, lending toward excitement for the upcoming slate. They'll get some help from a few junior varsity swingers and quality freshmen, as well as sophomores Sydney Deem, Olivia Kim and junior Kayleigh Jones.

Erie Tigers

Coach: Tyler Cerveny

Last season's result: 7-17, lost in first round of 4A state playoffs

Spotlight player: Junior shooting guard Maddie Hartel. Hartel returns as the Tigers' top scorer with 13.6 ppg while adding 2.6 apg and 2.5 spg.

Notable: Cerveny joins the Tiger coaching staff with 20 years of experience and hopes his girls will bring speed, aggression and skill to the court. He'll rely on Ashley Keazer, Alex Ridenour, Mia Welty and Abby Huonder to help the Tigers turn around from last year.

Fairview Knights

Coach: Pete Campbell

Last season's result: 9-15, lost in first round of 5A state playoffs

Spotlight player: Junior Remy Tolar. Tolar returns after averaging 3.4 points per game during the 2021-22 season.

Notable: In his first year on the job, Campbell will focus on building a competitive culture founded on fundamentals and team and individual development. He'll look to junior Bella Chang, junior Denae Addison-Taylor and junior Julia Savage to help him along the way.

Legacy Lightning

Coach: Jody Welch

Last season's result: 12-12, lost in second round of 5A state playoffs

Spotlight player: Sophomore shooting guard Olivia Mortensen. As a freshman, Mortensen led the team with 10.3 ppg and 6 rpg and was the only freshman in the Front Range League to make all-conference.

Notable: The Lightning will look a bit different this year after the exit of seven seniors, but look forward to an athletic roster that can push the tempo on the floor and create more scoring chances for their defense. They'll rely on junior Meghan Allshouse and seniors Madison Gage and Kendall Rippley to lead the way.

Monarch Coyotes

Coach: Mike Blakely

Last season's result: 23-2, lost in Sweet 16 of 5A state playoffs

Spotlight player: Senior forward Amelia Rosin. Rosin was a major headache to opposing teams during a junior season before ankle surgery cut it short. She averaged 12.4 ppg and 9.8 rpg through 14 contests.

Notable: The Coyotes look to do damage this year after bringing back their starting five, including strong shooters in seniors Natalie Guanella (18.3 ppg), Arezo Safi (10.3 ppg), Caroline Walley (8.7 ppg) and junior Hayley Luther (7.8 ppg). Guanella is on pace to break the 1,000-point career mark, just the seventh Coyote to do so.

5A/4A NCAC

Teams: Centaurus, Greeley Central, Greeley West, Holy Family, Longmont, Mead, Silver Creek and Windsor.

Centaurus Warriors

Coach: Chris Mischke

Last season's result: 13-12, lost in second round of 4A state playoffs

Spotlight player: Senior shooting guard Laura Gensert. Gensert led the Warriors last season with 14.8 ppg and contributed 3.5 rpg, 1.6 apg and 2.2 spg to lend toward her versatility on the court.

Notable: The Warriors look to be dangerous this year after returning nine of 10 players from last season's roster. Aside from Gensert, Mischke will look for leadership from fellow all-conference player Sam Sterritt as well as Lauren Kramer and Ann Spence.

Holy Family Tigers

Coach: Ron Rossi

Last season's result: 21-4, lost in Great 8 round of 4A state playoffs

Spotlight player: Junior guard Essynce Contreraz. Contreraz serves as the Tigers' top returning scorer, having averaged 11 ppg with 5.2 apg and 2.6 spg.

Notable: Windsor broke a string of league championships for the Tigers last season, but Rossi believes speed and accuracy will be their greatest assets this year. He'll also look to Fiona Snashall, Jennifer Altshuler, Julia Hodell, Gracie Ward and Sawyer Dana for leadership.

Longmont Trojans

Coach: Wade Kingsbury

Last season's result: 6-18, lost in first round of 4A state playoffs

Spotlight player: Junior center/forward Savannah Pohl. Pohl led the Trojans as a sophomore with 12.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg and contributed another 1.9 apg. Those numbers were good enough to earn her an all-conference selection in the 5A/4A Northern League.

Notable: Kingsbury looks forward to his team bringing a balanced attack to the floor and hopes that players like senior transfer Janiah Wright, junior Stella Rulon, sophomore starting point guard Kaila Patterson and sophomore Kaylin Kroeger can add to their scoring success, as well as senior guard Christine D'Epagnier.

Mead Mavericks

Coach: Michael Ward

Last season's result: 21-6, lost in final four of 4A state playoffs

Spotlight player: Senior guard Kyra Haan. Haan serves as the returning top scorer for the Mavericks after averaging 11.1 ppg and contributing 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg and 3.4 spg.

Notable: Ward is a familiar face with Mead athletics, replacing JR Sagner, and the Mavericks will seek similar success from a year ago if not better. They bring back heavy hitters with Haan, senior Charlotte Brennan, sophomore Brooklyn Charlo, junior Gianna Wurth, Darby Haley and sophomore Caroline Kron as they look forward to another strong season and a deep run in the playoffs.

Silver Creek Raptors

Coach: Katie Peterson

Last season's result: 9-15

Spotlight player: Sophomore Izzy Spagnoletti. Spagnoletti, who just transferred from North Carolina, brings in a strong basketball IQ and a high level of athleticism and will start as a guard/forward for the Raptors.

Notable: Peterson helped turn a 3-5 program during the shortened COVID season into a nine-win team during her opening season at the helm. She'll look to some new pieces help mold the team this year, and will especially rely on freshman Whitney McVey and senior Taylor Mallett along with Spagnoletti.

Longs Peak League

Teams: Frederick, Fort Morgan, Mountain View, Niwot, Northridge, Riverdale Ridge, Roosevelt, Severance, Skyline and Thompson Valley.

Frederick Golden Eagles

Coach: Jake Hansen

Last season's result: 13-11, lost in second round of 4A state playoffs

Spotlight player: Senior guard Savanna Staff. Staff disrupted opposing defenses with 12.8 ppg and added 2.3 spg to her totals.

Notable: The Golden Eagles enter the new season with a chip on their shoulders as they worked all summer long to avenge their second-round loss. They'll look to Staff along with juniors Gabby Jima, Megan Majeres and sophomore Zoe Wittler for guidance as the new year begins in full swing.

Niwot Cougars

Coach: Jon Hill

Last season's result: 7-15

Spotlight player: Sophomore guard Rose Pacheco. As a freshman, Pacheco climbed to the top of her team with 9 ppg and added 3.2 rpg and 3.2 spg. She excelled most in close-range shooting.

Notable: Second-year head coach Hill is looking toward his sophomore and junior classes to take on much of the leadership responsibility this season as the team continues its rebuild. Before he took over, the Cougars had won just two games in two years. This year, he'll rely on sophomore Evelyn Melis, junior Chloe Mitchell and junior Molly Slupik along with Pacheco.

Skyline Falcons

Coach: Jason Maguire

Last season's result: 8-13

Spotlight player: Senior guard Ava Chrisman. Chrisman led the Falcons on the glass with 6.5 rpg and added 4.7 ppg and 2.2 spg to her totals.

Notable: In just one season, Maguire transformed the culture of Skyline girls basketball from a winless team to one that won eight games. He's been impressed by his ladies' attitudes and work ethic in the offseason and hopes sophomore Lauren Pratt, senior Bri Quinones and senior Dulce Reyes can help lead the team into the future.

4A/3A Metro League

Teams: Colorado Academy, Eagle Ridge Academy, Faith Christian, Jefferson Academy, Kent Denver, Manual, Peak to Peak, Prospect Ridge Academy, Stargate, St. Mary's Academy and The Academy.

Jefferson Academy Jaguars

Coach: Mark Sharpley

Last season's result: 13-10, lost in Sweet 16 round of 3A state playoffs

Spotlight player: Senior center/forward Helen Stegner. Stegner very nearly averaged a double-double as a junior with 8.8 ppg and 8.2 rpg and added 4.2 spg to her impressive totals. She's committed to Division-I Valparaiso for soccer.

Notable: During their first season in 4A, the Jaguars hope to make some noise with a Metro League title and a solid run in the postseason. They'll rely on returning starters Stegner, senior Allie Jo Kirkpatrick, sophomores Elsa Nygren and Rylin Chichirico to lead them to victory.

Peak to Peak Pumas

Coach: Joe Howard

Last season's result: 11-10, lost in 3A districts

Spotlight player: Sophomore guard/forward Alexandra Eschmeyer. Eschmeyer had a breakout season as a freshman, leading her team in scoring (15.4 ppg), rebounding (10.4 ppg), blocks (3.6 bpg) and 3-point shooting (28 3-pointers made). That performance was impressive enough to earn an offer from the University of Colorado.

Notable: The Pumas return four of five starters from the 2021-22 season and expect to make a big leap forward this year with the help of Eschmeyer, junior Charley Miller, senior Natalie Farhar, and junior Anna Sofia Foster. They also expect a newcomer, junior Megan Wagner, to make a big impact this year.

Prospect Ridge Academy

Coach: Ellie Kempfe

Last season's result: 15-7, lost in first round of 3A regionals

Spotlight player: Senior point guard Zoe Webster. Webster returns as the top scorer after contributing 4.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 3.8 apg as a junior.

Notable: The Miners will push the envelope with up-tempo play on both ends of the floor. They'll rely heavily on Webster as they'll look to juniors Ava Stockard, Anna Campbell and sophomore Kayah Robbins to help fill the gaps left by Elizabeth Rooks (17.5 ppg) and Jaelyn Korbe (9.1 ppg).

Class 3A/2A/1A Mile High

Teams: Bishop Machebeuf, Clear Creek, Dawson School, Dayspring Academy, Denver Academy, Denver Christian, Front Range Christian, Gilpin County, Heritage Christian, Longmont Christian, Lyons, SkyView Academy and Union Colony Prep.

Dawson Mustangs

Coach: Matt Johnston

Last season's result: 8-11, lost in first round of 2A districts

Spotlight player: Senior Sydney Javes. Javes just finished up the volleyball season and is ready to contribute on both sides of the court for the Mustangs. She ended her junior basketball season with 5 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 3.3 bpg.

Notable: The Mustangs hope to rebound in 2022-23 after injuries disrupted their last season. Johnston looks to Ella Stewart to contribute big minutes at point guard after playing just eight games her junior year. He'll also rely on senior Annabelle Biggar as well as senior Maylei Leaneagh, who will take over at power forward and who's coming off of a state championship in cycling.

Longmont Christian Warriors

Coach: Lauren Charles

Notable: The Warriors return to action two seasons after finishing a shortened COVID slate with a 7-6 record and three years after earning a win in their district tournament and completing their season with a 14-7 record. They went 1-10 last season at junior varsity but look to improve and build up the program around first-year head coach Charles. She'll look to Sofia Greenidge, Feven Schoeman and Ella Greenidge for leadership early on.

Lyons Lions

Coach: Marcus Richardson

Last season's result: 5-15

Spotlight player: Senior guard Brooklyn Enny. Enny returns as the top scorer, averaging 12.3 ppg with 2.7 spg.

Notable: The Lions didn't graduate a single senior and will be welcoming back the vast majority of its squad. Richardson hopes senior forwards Sierra Lauren, Kylee Roberts, and Raeana Ortiz can help guide the ladies toward more success now that they're a little more experienced on the hardwood.

3A/2A Foothills League

Teams: Loveland Classical, Poudre Community Academy, Twin Peaks Charter Academy, Windsor Charter Academy.

Twin Peaks Timberwolves

Coach: Jim Schauer

Last season's result: 5-15

Spotlight player: Junior Ella Schauer. Schauer led the Timberwolves in scoring (9.8 ppg) and rebounding (9.3 rpg) as a sophomore.

Notable: Thanks to the new league alignments, the Timberwolves are looking to be more competitive this season. They moved from a tough Mile High League to a Foothills League that fits them much better. Seniors Lizzie Anglund, Anny Tep and Hanna Palomo will help them wade through their new territory.

Point me to the postseason

Regular season will be completed for all classifications Feb. 18. The first round of a 32-team bracket in 4A-6A will be played Feb. 21. It will be made up of league champs and at-large bids based on the CHSAA Seeding & Selection Index. For 1A-3A, district tournaments will be completed by Feb. 25. For 1A-3A, the 32-team bracket will be made up of eight district champs and 24 at-large bids. The Final Four for each classification is slated for March 9-11.