H.S. BASKETBALL: CSCS faces challenge from rival St. Mary's

The 3A Tri-Peaks Conference should continue to be one of the toughest girls basketball leagues in the state after four teams - Lamar, Buena Vista, Ellicott and Colorado Springs Christian School - advanced to last year's state tournament.

Expect much the same this winter.

CSCS placed fourth with an overall record of 23-4 after going 14-0 in the West division. After losing five seniors to graduation, Lions coach Lisa Guhl indicated that it might be a rebuilding year.

It is more likely to be a reloading year. The Lions have made the state quarterfinals the past four years and are hungry to add another state title to go along with their 2002 trophy.

CSCS may have no seniors on the team, but makes up for it with size and agility at the post and forward positions that will be complemented by speed on the perimeter.

Junior 6-foot-5 center Morgan Broekhuis returns along with forward Brianne Vande Griend, who is a good defender.

The Lions have the foot speed needed at guard in junior Becca Bultje, who placed third at state in the 100-meter hurdles.

Their main rival, The Classical Academy, should challenge.

"The league is extremely competitive with quite a few teams in the postseason," said Titans coach Lisa Miller.

"This year I think it will be the case again. Our league will definitely be well represented at state again. We had a good season last year, but we hope to take it up another notch."

The Titans return their second- and third-leading scorers, Katie Stephens and Kerri Taylor, who will be a formidable duo at the post positions. Joining them will be senior point guard Dani Hering and junior guard Kaitlin Hanenburg.

Ellicott and St. Mary's will battle Lamar for supremacy in the Tri-Peaks East. Odds will be on St. Mary's to win its fifth straight division title with the area's most potent player, point guard Christina Whitelaw, back.

"She knows the game so well," Pirates coach Mike Burkett said. "It helps you so much as a coach when you have someone who can run the floor so well. She'll end up being one of the best players we've ever had."

In 2A, Fountain Valley will look to improve on its best start during the past nine years after falling to Simla in the semifinals of regionals last season. All-district players Wrendy Rayhill and Emy Hanna return for the Danes.

After losing Vanessa Leeper to graduation, the state's leading 2A scorer, the Colorado Springs School should be able to bounce back with Breanna Cullity and Tracee Hamacher. The team, led by captain Andie Anderson, could take the next step to a state tournament berth, which means getting past Simla for the first time.

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