A look at each of the Class 5A Great 8 matchups set for Friday at the Denver Coliseum:
BOYS
No. 1 Northfield (23-2) vs. No. 8 Mead (19-6)
Time: 10:15 a.m.
Players to watch: NO — Justus Michael, 6-2, sr. (16.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.0 apg); Jordan Jefferson, jr., (10.9 ppg, 3.3 apg); Gyasi Hawthorne, jr. (9.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg). ME — Matthew Angelo, 6-3, jr. (15.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg); Dominic Reed McLawrence, 6-4, sr. (13.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg); Averey Baucom, 6-5, jr. (9.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg).
What to know: Northfield comes into the Coliseum riding a 17-game win streak, including a pair of playoff victories that saw the Nighthawks double up their opponents to the tune of a 152-69 scoring margin. Their lone two losses came against 6A teams, one of which (Fruita Monument) was the top seed in that classification’s bracket. Now comes a date with a Mead squad that just ran over No. 9 Parker, 78-61, to lock up its sixth straight Great 8 trip. Fun fact: These two would’ve met in the 4A Final Four in 2020 if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.
No. 12 Dakota Ridge (18-7) vs. No. 4 Mesa Ridge (23-2)
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Players to watch: DR — Ethan Berninger, 6-5, jr. (22.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.6 apg); Andrew Schneider, 6-0, jr. (12.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Nathan Esau, 6-4, jr. (9.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.8 apg). MR — Tevin Riehl, 6-1, sr. (18.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.9 apg); Bryce Riehl, 6-1, jr. (17.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.7 spg); Tanner Widic, 6-0, sr. (11.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 5.4 apg).
What to know: Mesa Ridge returns to the Coliseum defend the Grizzlies’ first state title in program history. They’ve won 19 straight since dropping two in a row to Pueblo South and Pine Creek in early December, and now must face the same Dakota Ridge program they eliminated in the Great 8 a year ago. Dakota Ridge’s Berninger has transformed into one of the state’s most dangerous scorers since, and will no doubt be looking to atone for last year’s 3-for-12 showing in the Coliseum.
No. 2 Vista PEAK Prep (21-4) vs. No. 7 Ponderosa (17-8)
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Players to watch: VPP — Alante Monroe-Elazier, 6-4, sr. (14.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.0 apg); Kyree Polk, 6-10, sr. (12.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.8 bpg); James Brown III, 6-5, sr. (11.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg). POND — Noah Wilhelm, 6-3, sr. (17.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.0 bpg); Carson Keach, 6-1, sr. (15.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.0 apg); Dylan Karsteter, 6-2, sr. (12.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.1 apg).
What to know: After falling short five times since 2014, Vista PEAK Prep finally broke through in the Sweet 16 last weekend, beating Discovery Canyon to reach its first Great 8. With that monkey off their collective backs, the long, athletic Bison are free to roam. Next up: A meeting with battle-tested Ponderosa, which closed out its 6A/5A Continental League gauntlet by beating 6A powers Mountain Vista and Legend, then took down Thompson Valley in the first round on a Carson Keach buzzer beater.
No. 6 Lewis-Palmer (19-6) vs. No. 3 Windsor (21-4)
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Players to watch: LP — Cohen Edmondson, 6-3, sr. (18.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg); Noah Johnson, 6-3, sr. (13.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.0 apg); Damarion Jelks, 5-8, sr. (8.5 ppg, 3.6 apg). WIN — Madden Smiley, 6-3, so. (16.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.6 apg); John Backhaus, 6-4, jr. (10.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg); Johnathan Reed, 6-6, sr. (10.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 4.4 apg).
What to know: A year after reaching the Final Four, Windsor returns to the Coliseum on a 16-game win streak with just one loss against 5A competition (Vista PEAK Prep). The Wizards’ leading scorer, Smiley, was unfazed by the bright lights as a freshman last year (20 points on 7-of-11 shooting), but will be counted on to do more this time. L-P’s Edmondson and Jelks have Coliseum experience of their own as role players on the school’s 2022 4A title team. Now it’s their turn to lead another Rangers contender.
GIRLS
No. 1 Air Academy (24-1) vs. No. 8 Frederick (19-6)
Time: 4 p.m.
Players to watch: AA — Caitlin Kramer, 6-3, sr. (19.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.3 bpg); Lydia Flowers, 5-11, jr. (17.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.0 apg); Tatyonna Brown, 6-2, jr. (13.0 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.4 bpg). FR — Zoe Wittler, 5-6, jr. (12.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 spg); Gabby Jima, 5-7, sr. (10.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg).
What to know: After falling to eventual 5A champ Roosevelt in last year’s Great 8, Air Academy returns with Kramer getting one last shot at a title before setting off for CSU. The Kadets’ lone loss came to 4A power Riverdale Ridge on Dec. 19. Since then, they’ve ripped off 18 straight wins — all by double-digit margins. Frederick went 14-2 in its last 16 games to reach the Great 8 for the first time in more than 17 years, but the Warriors have lost five of six against teams playing in the 6A/5A/4A Great 8.
No. 5 Windsor (17-8) vs. No. 4 Northfield (22-3)
Time: 11:45 a.m.
Players to watch: WIN — Reyleigh Hess, 6-0, jr. (13.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.9 spg); Nola Greenwald, fr. (9.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg); Brooklyn Jiricek, 5-11, jr. (8.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg). NO — Madison Bethel, 5-5, fr. (12.3 ppg, 4.0 spg); Laporsha Allen, 5-11, fr. (10.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg); Nashara Ellerbee, 6-0, sr. (10.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg).
What to know: Few know the Coliseum better than Windsor, which has reached the championship round three straight years under head coach Karin Nicholls. The Wizards built a rugged schedule to prepare for another run at the title, with six of their eight losses coming against 6A/5A/4A Great 8 qualifiers. It’s a different story for Northfield, which is playing in the Great 8 for the first time in its brief program history with a couple of first-year players leading the way in Bethel and Allen. Time for the big stage.
No. 2 Roosevelt (23-2) vs. No. 7 Montrose (19-6)
Time: 7 p.m.
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Players to watch: RO — Kyla Hollier, so. (16.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.7 spg); Ryanne Bahnsen-Price, 6-0, jr. (13.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.8 spg); Kinsey Trujillo, 5-10, sr. (11.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.5 apg). MON — Mayce Oberg, 5-10, so. (13.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.2 spg); Maggie Legg, 5-7, so. (11.1 ppg, 2.8 spg); Taygan Rocco, 5-8, sr. (10.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg).
What to know: Defending champion Roosevelt returns every key contributor from last year’s 5A title run. A year ago, the Rough Riders’ relentless defensive pressure overwhelmed everyone in their path. With a 5-2 record against 6A/5A/4A Great 8 teams, it’s proven effective this winter, as well. Montrose has a stifling defense of its own, with the Red Hawks allowing just 31.9 points/game. Pueblo West got a dose of that in last week’s Sweet 16, when the Cyclones shot just 27% from the field in a 38-32 loss.
No. 11 Standley Lake (21-4) vs. No. 3 Mead (21-4)
Time: 8:45 a.m.
Players to watch: SL — Taylin Serlen, 6-2, sr. (20.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.4 bpg); Sydney Martin, 5-11, fr. (9.4 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.4 bpg); Bayleigh Walling, 5-3, sr. (7.2 ppg, 3.1 apg). ME — Darby Haley, 5-6, jr. (11.4 ppg, 3.1 apg); Gianna Wurth, 5-9, sr. (9.4 ppg, 2.9 spg); Madi Clark, 5-8, fr. (8.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg).
What to know: Led by twin towers Serlen and Martin, Standley Lake is uncharted territory having topped 20 wins for the first time in more than 17 years en route to their first Great 8 in program history. The Gators upset Green Mountain to get here, avenging a pair of losses in the process. The degree of difficulty goes up a notch against Mead. The Mavericks are in the Great 8 for the third straight year after surviving a Mountain View upset bid in the Sweet 16. Haley’s 25-point explosion secured a 71-60 overtime win.
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