H.S. BASKETBALL: Peyton looks ready to take step to state

The Tri-Peaks Conference has been one of the strongest in 3A basketball for many years, and this year shouldn't be any different. There are several teams that are expected to be strong, led by Peyton.

The Panthers (18-6 last season) came close to a district championship and the state tournament. Now, they appear to be the team to beat.

"Our kids are very focused and hungry going into this season," Peyton coach Brian Green said. "They know they are in the conversation for the conference title and possibly state."

If the Panthers are going to succeed this season, they are going to need to go through a tough Tri-Peaks West division, which includes powers Colorado Springs Christian School, the 2007-08 state runner-up, Buena Vista, and Manitou Springs.

"We have most of our kids back and we feel that we are bigger, faster, and stronger than we were last year," Green said.

The Panthers have reason to be confident as they have three of their top four scorers returning, including one of the best players in the state in Brett Green, who has signed to play for the Colorado School of Mines.

"Peyton has the most talent coming back, so I'd have to picture them as the team to beat," Manitou Springs coach Ken Vecchio said. "In our conference though, anybody can beat anybody on a given night because the competition is so tight."

Along with Vecchio's Mustangs, Buena Vista and Salida look to be strong this season, and although CSCS lost most of its impact players, the Lions still could factor into the equation.

In the East division, St. Mary's also should be a better team, with the addition of Lewis-Palmer transfer Brett Harder and retuning three-year letter-winner Burton Crosby.

"Peyton has all the tools to win the conference this year, but there are some pretty good teams out there as well," St. Mary's coach Brandon Monson said. "We hope to compete, and teams like CSCS and Manitou have traditions of winning so it should be a good season."

Class 2A

It seems to be a three-team race, with defending conference champ Colorado Springs School looking to fend off very good Calhan and Kiowa teams.

DeLovell Earls of CSS and Calhan's Logan Deputy will battle for the league's Player of the Year award as they try to lead their teams past each other and defeat a Kiowa team that returns all five starters from a 10-10 squad.

"We are bigger and better this season," Calhan coach Rick Carothers said. "This team's biggest strength is their unselfishness and commitment to the team."

The competition will be fierce as CSS looks to avenge its season-ending loss to Calhan, which advanced to the state semifinals.

"Our kids feel that they will be just as good this season as they were last season," CSS coach Dave Cortez said. "We have a lot more experience and our players are excited about starting this new year."