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The Predictions I see for next season are somewhat different from what happened this last season for both girls and boys basketball.

Sangre De Cristo Lady Thunderbirds— Last season the Lady Thunderbirds were 21-4. I personally think they are a strong team to compete with because of the young core they have had for sometime now with some of there players playing as freshmen in the 2016-2017 season that being said the top scores and key players for this upcoming season would be Senior #3 Tori Ford (7.4 PPG) who last season was one of the top 4 scorers on the team. Senior #20 Lexi Metz who averaged 8.9 ppg and Junior #23 Kaylee Christensen whose average was 12.8 ppg. The biggest loss for the Sangre De Cristo is last years player Jessica Slane who was a force to be wreck ‘en with averaging in her last season 14 points per game as well as averaging some monster rebounds for the team at 7.7 rebounds per game. With this being said I see the Lady ThunderBirds in the top three teams for the season possibly being 1st again or 2nd this upcoming year. Last seasons team record and standings were 1st place District Champs and Record (21-4). My Prediction for next season (14-5).

Thunderbirds—On the boys side this past year they went as far as getting second place in state against the Champions the De Buque Dragons. As for the 2019-2020 season I see the Thunderbirds as a contending team and could end up in the 3rd or fourth seed because of the key players that will be gone would be #11 Jake Slane (16.2 ppg), #5 Manuel Lopez (10.2 ppg), and #3 Jared Sinclair (7.0 ppg). The key players for the upcoming 2019-2020 season would be Senior #23 Cole Christensen who was a monter last year (18.2 ppg) top scorer for the team and Junior #13 Kevin Enriquez (5.4 ppg). The Thunderbird year will have some young players who will step up and continue to complete. Like I said before the boys team will end up either being 3 in league or fourth. My Prediction for nest season (15-3)

Sierra Grande Lady Panthers— Last Seasons the Lady Panthers 13-10 ended their season in the Regional Tournament with the loss against the Wiley Wildcats. I predict this upcoming season 2019-2020 the major key players that will help them this year would be Juniors #12 Alexa Ontiveros who averaged last season 7.3 ppg and was a monster on the boards averaging 4.6 rpg. Other Junior #10 Rebecca Casados who I feel will be a major key player as she improved this past season. The Lady Panthers will be between second place and fourth place I see next season. The Lady Panthers lost major players such as Abby Corona, Ashley Martinez and Annahy Quezada. But this team with some major improvement this summer replacing those holes from those past players would make the team a contending team and also one to make a post run during Districts. My Prediction for next season (10-8).

Sierra Grande Boys— Last Season the Sierra Grande boys were 11-11 for the year. I predict this upcoming season in 2019-2020 the major players that will step up their game and lead this team will be Sophomore #12 Isiah Chairez who last year averaged 11.6 points per game. Also Junior #23 Caleb Scharsch who averaged last season 9.5 points per game. What Sierra Grande loses is 4 Seniors who were major factors last season. I predict this team going far into districts and maybe end up in Regionals this next year. With the young keys players. My Prediction for next Season (10-5).

Lady Miners– Last Season 2018-2019 the Lady Miners were 7-12 and were ranked 8th in league standings. I predict this upcoming season is that they will improve in a small way and the key players that will step up their game would be Sophomore #10 Lindsey Gammil points per game last season were 9.1 with some monster rebounds at 7.5 per game. Senior #22 Haley Follman last year averaged 6.6 points per games but had a huge impact in the broads averaging 10.9 rebounds per game. Creede didn’t lost much but a scorer last season who averaged 5.9 points per game. My Prediction for the upcoming season (9-11).

Creede Miners– Last Season the Miners were 12-10 an had an amazing run the year before. they were also 2nd place in league standings. I predict this upcoming season that they will be a contending team in the league with the one-two punch of Senior #24 Marcos Romero (11.9 PPG) and Junior #13 Fisher Leggit (14.8 PPG). My Prediction for the Upcoming Season is they will be 2nd or 3rd place in league and wit the record of 12-6.

Lady La Veta Redskins— Last season the Lady Redskins were 11-11 overall for the season. They were ranked 4th in the league. Key Players for the upcoming season is Senior #24 Emalee Ortibez (6.4 ppg) and Junior #12 Mary Goins (5.9 ppg). The Major loss La Veta suffers for this upcoming season is the loss of Kaylee Corsentino who averaged most of the points for the Lady Redskins last season. What I predict for nest season is that La Veta will have a kind of sort of rebuilding season but they will compete and will be in districts for sure with the experience theses players have. My season prediction ranking is they will be 4th place or 5th. Their season record would be (9-10).

La Veta Redskins– The La Veta Redskins last season were one of the lowest teams in the league only winning one game against the Antonito Trojans 32-30. They have a young core with no seniors graduating last season. The key players for nest season is the two young players both Juniors #21 Ian Vallejos (11.1ppg) and #24 Carson Miller (10.1 ppg). My predication for the upcming season is that the Redskins will be more experienced with the young team they have and will end up being in the 5th or 6th seed in the league. which is a much better improvement from last season. Their over all record will be for next season (3-6).

Lady Trojans– Last season the Lady Trojans had 2 remaining players from the playoff run which had the Lady Trojans in the 2016-2017 season breaking records. This season they were 6-4 for the season despite losing their starting 4 from last season. What I predict for next season is the two key players the sisters one a Sophomore #2 Shiinei Tallman (5.9 ppg) who also had some monster rebounds averaging 12.2 per game. Senior #32 Shandiin Tallman who had 8.2 points per game and also was having some monster rebounds averaging 11.2 per game. With the loss of their outside shooter and driver Brianna Martinez I feel this team will step up and work a lot harder to stay a contender I also feel that the sisters will have both amazing seasons breaking last seasons averages. My rankings for the upcoming season is that the Lady Trojans will end up being 4th or 5th or possibly become a surprise and end up 2nd or 3rd. Season record for this upcoming season (10-5).

Trojans— Last season the Trojans were 2-16 what i predict for the 2019-2020 season is the Trojans will need to rebuild once again with a little improvement coming from key players such as Sophomore Dalton Romero who averaged 4.5 points a game and leading scorer Junior Josh Duran who last season averaged 16.8 points per game. The team this upcoming season will need some work but will improve with a season record for next year as (6-10) ending up being 7th place.

Lady Rams—- Last season the Lady Rams were 3-7. What I predict is a lot of major improvements and upgrades within this team this upcoming year. With 4 key players from last season and one key player upcoming to be a freshmen. The key players are Sophomore #3 Jaelea Maestaes (14.0 ppg) Junior #12 Anastasia Salcido (5.9 ppg) Junior #10 Feliciana Lobato (5.5 ppg) and Senior #21 Adela Romero (4.9 ppg). These key players are major factors with improvements that should be upgraded by this upcoming season. I predict this team will be at least in the league standing around 4th or 6th place and their league record would be (7-3)

Centennial Rams— This last season the Rams were 3-6. What i predict for this upcoming season is that they will improve especially with last seasons key players and the only thing Centennial will lose is a few players who contributed. Key Players for next season that will be major factors are Senior # 21 Cisco Esquibel (10.3 ppg) #1 Paul Chavez (9.8 ppg) #42 Emilio Deherrera (9.7 ppg) and Sophomore #10 Lennie Valdez (9.2 ppg). I see these players with major improvements in their scoring as well as the rest of the team stepping up.The team I see them in 3rd or 4th place in league. Their league record I see them at a (7-3).

Pueblo Colorado- The state 1A basketball tournaments were continued for both Boys and Girls games. The results for the boys games on Friday for the Semifinals were #1 De Beque faced off against #4 Haxtun as #2 Sangre De Cristo faced off against #6 Merino. For the Consolation games it was #5 Evan Christian cs #8 Prairie as #7 Kit Carson faced off against #3 Walsh. Those Resulted ended with #1 De Beque with a demanding lead and win over #4 seed Haxtun which let them to be headed to the State Championship 70-55. In the next game it was an excited on between #2 Sangre De Cristo and #6 Merino. That game ended up going into overtime as the #2 seed Sangre De Cristo won #6 Merino 61-53. That led up to the Sangre De Cristo Thunder Birds to go to the championship and would face the #1 De Beque Dragons. The Consolation games results ended as #5 Evan Christian beat #8 Prairie 57-37. Then #7 Kit Carson beat #3 Walsh 42-39. These game results for Friday were listed on Colorado Preps. What my predictions for the boys side State Tournament would of been State Champs De Beque, Sangre De Cristo second place, Haxtun third, fourth Merino, and fifth place Walsh.

Lets begin with what was the start to Saturdays games. #1 Debque was facing #2 Sangre De Cristo. Sangre De Cristo was the only boys basketball team in San Luis Valley remaining in the 1A State Boys Basketball Tournament. The second game in the tournaments was #4 Haxtun vs #6 Merino for third place in the State Tournament. The other game remaining for the boys was #5 Evangelical Christian vs #7 Kit Carson for 5th place. As your Final Results as the Tournament ends, the third placing team was #4 Haxtun. In a close game #4 Haxtun beating #6 Merino with the final score being 48-46. In the fifth place game #5 Evangelical Christian took over beating #7 Kit Carson resulting in the final score being 68-51. In the Most talked about game of the night was the State Championship game between undefeated #1 De Beque Dragons 24-0 and the #2 Sangre De Cristo with a record of 22-1 with only one loss against Rocky Ford (2A). The 2019 State Champions ended up being the De Beque Dragons who defeated the #2 Sangre De Cristo Thunderbirds 55-38. Leading the way for the De Beque Dragons was a Sophomore #24 W. Ryan with 27 points and his teammate also a Sophomore #4 B. Rigby with 13. The Leading Scorers for Sangre De Cristo was a Senior #3 J. Sinclair with 13 points and his teammates Senior #12 J. Slane with 11 and Junior #11 Cole Christensen with 10. For More results you can check out Colorado Preps.

The results for Friday March 8th was #1 Kit Carson vs #4 Briggsdale. #4 Briggsdale took a major loss as #1 Kit Carson crusied on by with the win 45-26. Advacing them into the State Championship for the third time in State Championship history. Next game was #7 Haxtun vs #6 Fleming. those results were #7 Haxtun beat #6 Fleming 48-32 to advance to the State Championship. In the Consolation games we had #5 De Beque face off against #8 Elbert. #5 De Beque took the close win with the result 57-55. In the other game #2 South Baca faced off against #3 Sangre De Cristo. In that result #3 Sangre De Cristo took the L after South Baca beat them 37-34. These Friday results are also on Colorado Preps.

On the Girls Side for Saturday in the State Championship was 2x State Champions Kit Carson vs #7 Haxtun. In the other games in the tournament was the Third place game #4 Briggsdale vs #6 Fleming. Fifth Place game was #2 South Baca vs #5 De Beque. The results of these games were in Third place was #4 Briggsdale beating #6 Fleming in a close game 57-52. The Fifth Place game #2 South Baca beat #5 De Beque in a back and fourth game with the result of 53-41. The State Championship game was a complete blow out as last years State Champions Kit Carson took over the game with the score 53-33 over the Haxtun Bulldogs. Making the Kit Carson Wildcats 3x 1A State Champions. For these scores and Final results check out Colorado Preps.

Pueblo, Colorado- On this beginning of this High School March Madness we begin with the start of the State 1A Basketball tournament. In my last blog I had stated that on the women’s side the 3 top teams to head to state were Sangre De Cristo, South Baca, and Kit Carson. On the men’s side I stated that Springfield, Sangre De Cristo, and Walsh would head on to the State Tournament.

On Thursday March 7th the State 1A Basketball began with the Women’s side with last year’s State Championship team #1 Kit Carson vs #8 Elbert in that game Kit Carson won 55-34. In the other game #4 Briggsdale vs #5 De Beque, Briggsdale takes the W 46-40. The #6 Fleming vs #3 Sangre De Cristo the upset was Fleming winning 56-49. #7 Hatux vs #2 South Baca, Hatux with the upset over South Baca 53-44. Moving on into the Semifinals Games being played on March 8th is #1 Kit Carson vs #4 Briggsdale and #6 Fleming, vs #7 Hatux. For the Consolation Games is #8 Elbert vs #5 De Beque and #2 South Baca vs #3 Sangre De Cristo. For Thursday State Tournament Results Click Here. For Friday State Tournament Results Click Here

My Predictions for this State Tournament on the Women’s Side is that the State Champion team would be Kit Carson, Once again taking the title for the 3rd Straight year. Second Place would be Briggsdale. Third Place would be Fleming. Fourth Place would be De Beque. Fifth Place would be Elbert. Sixth Place would be Elbert. Last Place would be Sangre De Cristo.Kit Carson has been very dominate in the tournaments. They are undefeated so far. Mile High Preps Predicts Kit Carson taking the State Championship Again. While the Second Place is Haxtun. Third Place is Briggsdale Over Sangre. Fifth Place Fleming.

For the Boys Game On Thursday evening first off was #1 De Beque vs #8 Prairie in that game De Beque took the win 69-42. Following that game was #4 Haxtan vs #5 Evangelical Christian, #4 Haxtun took the win 59-49. #6 Merino vs #3 Walsh, #6 Merino took the narrow win 45-41. The last game of the night was #2 Sangre De Cristo vs #7 Kit Carson. #2 Sangre De Cristo took the W 52-41 over Kit Carson. For Friday’s Games for the Semifinals are #2 Sangre De Cristo vs #6 Merino and #1 De Beque vs #4 Hatux. Also Friday in for the Consolation games #5 Evangelical Christian vs #8 Prairie, #3 Walsh vs #7 Kit Carson. Click Here For Fridays Schedule.

My Predictions for this State Tournament on the Men’s Side is that the State Champion team would be De Beque. Second Place would be Sangre De Cristo. Third Place would be Haxtun. Fourth Place would be Merino. Fifth Place would be Merino. Last Place would be Walsh. So far Sangre De Cristo has been very dominate in the tournaments. Mile High Preps Predicts De Beque taking the State Championship. While the Second Place is Sangre De Cristo Third Place is Haxtun Over Merino. Fifth Place Prairie.

Let’s begin with what happened during the district tournament at Adams State. What was left from both third place games. Both Sierra Grande Boys and Girls Versus Primero Boys and La Veta Girls. As I had stated before in my prediction that Sierra Grande’s teams would win both La Veta and Primero. Sierra Grande ended up taking third place to regionals. While Sangre de Cristo boys and girls took first. Creede boys took second while Cotopaxi girls took second.

For Regionals there are different sections. We will be covering region three because the teams that I had just mention are playing. For the first games on Friday are # 3 Sierra Grande Boys versus #2 Walsh , #2 Creede versus #3 Kit Carson, and #2 Mc Clave versus #3 Kim\Branson. On Saturday the second games consists of the number one seeds verses the winners of these games. #1 Sangre De Cristo Boys will face off against the winner between McClave and Kim\Branson. #1 Cheraw will face the winner between Sierra Grande and Walsh. #1 Springfield will face winner between Creede and Kit Carson. Click Here for Schedule. Winners will head to the State Tournament. On the Women’s side starts like the boys side. Friday we have #2 Wiley versus #3 Sierra Grande, #2 Cotopaxi verses #3 McClave, and #2 Eads verses #3 Springfield. Following these game they will face off number one seeds on Saturday. #1 Sangre De Cristo Girls will face off against the winner between Eads and Springfield, #1 Kit Carson will face off against the winner between Wiley and Sierra Grande. #1 South Baca will face off against winner between Cotopaxi and McClave. Click Here for Schedule.

Starting off with the boys games Friday I feel that the #2 Walsh will take a huge lead against #3 Sierra Grande. Walsh has a huge front and back court with their smallest player being 5’6. Sierra Grande’s advantage is their speed an their top scorer Isiah Chairez Jr.  But it will be a fight from Sierra Grande. In the End Walsh will come up with the win.

#2 McClave vs #3 Kim\Branson I feel that McClave will take the win over Kim because in their last meeting Kim lost to McClave 56-51. In the game #2 Creede vs #3 Kit Carson I feel that the number #3 Kit Carson will take the win over Creede. The Three teams I think will Head to the State Tournament for the Boys will be #1 SpringField, #1 Sangre De Cristo, and last #3 Walsh. According to Mile High Preps, his top picks to head to state are #1 Cheraw , #1 Sangre De Cristo and #1 Springfield.

For the Women’s Games I feel that #2 Wiley will beat out the #3 Sierra Grande Panthers and Advance to playing Kit Carson in which I feel they will win again to advance to state and take state with them. They are a very experienced team. I feel that too #3 McClave will win against #2 Cotopaxi and will face against South Baca. #1 South Baca should take the in over #3 McClave. Then between #2 Eads vs #3 Springfield I feel that #2 Eads will win and face off between the #1 Sangre De Cristo Thunderbirds. My top three picks to go to state are #1 Sangre De Cristo, #1 South Baca and #1 Kit Carson. Mile High Preps Top Picks are #1 Kit Carson, #1 Sangre De Cristo, and #1 South Baca.

Let’s start off by explaining what happened for the district tournaments with the Pigtails which qualifies the winner to advances to the quarterfinals the Semifinals in which was to be played at Adams State University. There were many games Tuesday night first game was the Centennial Rams Vs Sierra Grande. In there last meeting Centennial lost by 10. In this game Sierra Grande had the advantage and won the game an advanced to the quarterfinals. That same night there were 4 girl games and 4 boys game that included the Sierra Grande /Centennial game. Click Here for Scores. Teams that advanced were on the guys side were Sierra Grande, Primero, Creede and Sangre De Cristo. For the girls it was Sierra Grande, La Veta, Cotopaxi, and Sangre De Cristo. For those teams advancing they played once again Thursday night in the Semifinals for the boys side the number one team in the boys league Sangre De Cristo faced off with the number four team the Primero Bulldogs in which Sangre advanced to the Championships as well as the Creede Miners who took a win over Sierra Grande. Primero and Sierra Grande will face off against each other for third place and to possibly advance to regionals. For the girls side Sangre was number one and faced off in the semifinals against La Veta and Cotopaxi faced off against Sierra Grande. Both Sangre and Cotopaxi advanced to the Championship round and Sierra Grande an La Veta face off against each other for third place to possibly advance to regionals. These games should be played on Friday February 23, 2019. In my opinion I feel both Sangre De Cristo boys and girls will win district titles and advance to regionals. The two top players Jessica Slane and Cole Christensen help leading the teams in points. With the exception of Kylee Christensen (Injured). Also I feel Sierra Grande Girls will take the third place which the team is lead by Abby Corona. Sierra grande girls I feel will be the last seed to get into regionals. For the boys third place game I possibly see Sierra Grande barely passing the Primero Bulldogs for third place and qualifying for regionals. According to Mile high preps their predictions of Regionals are first off for the girls is from each district would be the top 3 teams that would be into a poll between the districts with the number one team Kit Carson from District 2 who was number one overall in all regions. South Baca is 2 overall in all regions and Sangre De Cristo overall third looking for revenge to get their state title back. Mile high preps state for the boys basketball predictions for Regionals is that Sangre De Cristo which is number one all over in region 3. In my opinion overall I feel for 1a girls basketball that Kit Carson will take it all at regionals and at state and becoming state champions once again. For the boys side I feel that Sangre De Cristo will go far into the state tournament but will fall short into the second round of that state tournament . I would love to see both Sangre De Cristo boys and girls so far into tournaments but I feel both will fall short .

Covering Colorado 1A Southern Peak Basketball Along with NBA Basketball

“Don’t underestimate the heart of a champion” –Rudy T

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