Centennial League

Favorite: Grandview

Contenders: Cherry Creek, Overland, Fairview, Smoky Hill

Key players: Audri Butler, Overland, 5-4, Sr.; Brittany Colston, Smoky Hill, 5-11, Sr.; Nadyne Dolan, Grandview, 6-1, Sr.; Stormye Everett, Overland, 5-9, Sr.; Jessica Huebner, Smoky Hill, 6-2, Sr.; Erica Kopel, Grandview, 5-8, Sr.; Kristen Miller, Cherry Creek, 5-11, Jr.; Linley Miller, Fairview, 5-11, Sr.; Paige Narum, Fairview, 5-7, Sr.; Alicia Phelps, Eaglecrest, 5-7, Sr.; Rachel Roberson, Cherry Creek, 5-11, Sr.; Deann Williams, Eaglecrest, 5-8, Sr.

Outlook: This is perhaps the most difficult league to handicap because it houses a handful of solid teams, but none that seem to be on the verge of overwhelming the rest of league. Cherry Creek generally finds its way to the top - or near it, anyway - and the Missy Steck-led Bruins could do it again behind senior forward Rachel Roberson. Cherry Creek is 46-27 in Steck’s three seasons at the helm. Many are forecasting Grandview, a 10-14 squad last season, to leap to the top of the league this season behind forward Nadyne Dolan. The Wolves are coming off a strong summer. Overland, Fairview, and Smoky Hill all have an established go-to player, and if those individuals can get some support, their respective teams can jump into the mix in a league that is up for grabs. The league also includes 4A powerhouse Mullen.

Colorado Springs Metro League

Favorite: Air Academy

Contenders: Palmer, Doherty, Rampart, Mitchell

Key players: Kim Beard, Coronado, 5-10, So.; Chelsea Bruder, Doherty, 5-7, Sr.; Krista Cona, Air Academy, 5-7, Jr.; Janae Deas, Doherty, 5-10, Sr.; Leah Fitzgerald, Palmer, 6-2, Sr.; Emmalee Fladland, Palmer, Sr.; Bree Gibson, Sand Creek, 6-0, Sr.; Jackie Hendrickson, Rampart, 5-9, Sr.; Meghan Hollenga, Air Academy, 5-10, Jr.; Wendy Sherman, Air Academy, 5-11, Sr.; Taylor Thompson, Sand Creek, 5-10. Sr.

Outlook: Air Academy has dominated the league the past two seasons, but the Kadets lost plenty of contributors to graduation. Many coaches in the league believe the Kadets will retool quickly, but even if this year’s squad is successful, it will have a vastly different look. Palmer, on the other hand, will appear similar in that Leah Fitzgerald still will be holding down the middle. The University of Wyoming-bound center keys the Terrors’ hopes of wrangling in a league crown. And don’t count out Doherty, which compiled a 19-6 mark last season and returns its most athletic player in senior guard Janae Deas. Deas might be playing her final season of hoops though, as she will be a Division I soccer player in college. Look for one of Rampart or Mitchell - or perhaps both - to be stay on the fringe of the league race.

Continental League

Favorite: Regis

Contenders: Highlands Ranch, ThunderRidge, Arapahoe, Chaparral, Heritage

Key players: Amy Barczuk, Arapahoe, 5-10, Jr.; Jade Davis, Highlands Ranch, 5-8, Sr.; Savannah Dederick, ThunderRidge, 6-0, Sr.; Katherine Drake, Douglas County, So.; Caitlin Durkin, Arapahoe, 5-6, Sr.; D’Ambra Evans, ThunderRidge, 5-9, Sr.; Alyssa Fressle, Highlands Ranch, 5-0, Sr.; McKayla Gorman, Chaparral, 5-7, Sr.; Diana Hentschel, Arapahoe, 5-10, Jr.; Katie Hilbig, Douglas County, 6-0, Jr.; Taylor Johnson, Highlands Ranch, 6-1, Sr.; Samantha Martin, Chaparral, 6-2, So.; Alyssa McGuinnis, Chaparral, 6-1, Sr.; Rachel Messer, ThunderRidge, 5-8, Jr.; Kari Pfannenstein, Heritage, 6-0, Sr.; Diana Rolniak, Regis, 6-3, Jr.; Brit Semin, Heritage, 5-10, Sr.; T’Keyah Shealy, Regis, 6-0, Jr.; Mariah Williams, Regis, 5-4, Jr.

Outlook: Eight years, eight championships. The 5A crown hasn’t gone to a non-Continental League team since 1999, when Montbello won it all. Few would wager that the league won’t extend its streak to nine. One media outlet has Regis ranked third in the nation, and the Raiders are no shoo-in to win their own league. That’s because, despite the Raiders undeniable talent, they must overthrow two-time defending champion Highlands Ranch, which is responsible for five of the eight state championships. Watching this league might at times appear to be something of a Division I preview, with several players either signed or soon to be. ThunderRidge, Arapahoe and Chaparral also begin the season ranked, making the league responsible for half of the season-opening top 10.

Denver Prep League

Favorite: Denver East

Contenders: Montbello, George Washington

Key players: Carlie Christianson, Denver East. 6-1, Sr.; Tameka Hunt, Montbello, 5-9, Jr.; Dale Sammuels, Denver East, 5-5, Sr.; Dawn Wattley, Denver East, Sr.

Outlook: Denver East still retains many of its big guns, but losing six to graduation will mean the Angels quickly will have to fill out their lineup with several newcomers. One likely will be sophomore Shae Kelley, who transferred from George Washington, where she averaged six points and eight rebounds last season. Montbello made strides to re-enter the battle for the league crown last season, and despite not winning the league, won a state tournament game against Wheat Ridge. Denver East did not win a tournament game, although the Angels had a first-round bye before falling to Doherty 53-51. Only two games separated Denver East, Montbello and GW last year, as the teams finished the season in that order in the league standings.

Front Range League

Favorite: Horizon

Contenders: Legacy, Monarch, Fort Collins, Rocky Mountain

Key players: Morgan Ackley, Fort Collins, Sr.; Nicole Adams, Loveland, 5-9, Sr.; Jordan Connolly, Rocky Mountain, Jr.; Mara Cosgrove, Legacy, 5-6, Jr.; Jenny Johnson, Rocky Mountain, 5-8, Jr.; Quincey King, Loveland, 5-4, Jr.; Meagan Malcolm-Peck, Horizon, 5-10, Jr.; Cherae Medina, Horizon, 5-6, Jr.; Kerstin Minchow, Fort Collins, 5-11, Sr.; Quincey Noonan, Legacy, 5-9, So.; Nikki Trujillo, Horizon, 5-7, Sr.

Outlook: Horizon finally was one-upped by Legacy last season, and the Hawks are vying to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Horizon rehired Greg Hahn as its coach and also should benefit from the transfer of Brenna and Meagan Malcolm-Peck, who came from ThunderRidge. They will join three established starters, making the Hawks one of the classification’s teams to beat. Otherwise, the league is down somewhat. Legacy still should be solid, but not nearly as daunting now with All-Colorado player of the year Melissa Jones at Baylor. Could Quincey Noonan be the heir apparent? Rocky Mountain and Monarch also will be young and starting somewhat from scratch. Fort Collins endured that process last season but still is working its way back into a contender.

Jefferson County League

Favorite: Dakota Ridge

Contenders: Columbine, Lakewood, Arvada West, Green Mountain

Key players: Carly Cator, Lakewood, 5-9, Sr.; Kelli Culver, Pomona, 6-0, Jr.; Corrissa Gillan, Pomona, 5-5, Sr.; Jennifer Gold, Wheat Ridge, 5-6, Sr.; Kait Goodall, Lakewood, 5-10, Sr.; Rachel Hardinger, Green Mountain, 5-9, Sr.; Randee Hayes, Columbine, 6-0, Jr.; Lindsi Holm, Dakota Ridge, 6-0, Sr.; Mikey Kenney, Arvada West, 5-9, Jr.; Sam Miller, Wheat Ridge, 5-6, Sr.; Adaugo Osuala, Green Mountain, 5-8, So.; Brooke Pendergraft, Dakota Ridge, 5-11, Sr.; Molly Ramirez, Columbine, 5-7, Sr.; Breanna Williams, Columbine, 6-0, Jr.

Outlook: Dakota Ridge is becoming a year-in, year-out favorite in the league, and this season is no different as the Eagles return their top two players in Lindsi Holm and Brooke Pendergraft. Lakewood was closing the gap, but will be hampered by the transfer of Taylor Johnson to Highlands Ranch. The Tigers still have talent, most notably forward Kait Goodall. Columbine has been close with its all 6-foot front line, but still is waiting for a breakout season. Arvada West has a new coach in Tim Slabach, who took over for Greg Hahn, who went back to his former post at Horizon. In addition, Shawn Larson takes over at Standley Lake. Pomona (9-15 last season) could be among the league’s more improved teams, while Green Mountain freshman Adaugo Osuala could be the league’s most exciting newcomer.

Skyline League

Favorite: Brighton

Contenders: Hinkley, Adams City

Key players: Alora Calcote, Brighton, 5-11, Sr.; Michelle Glaze, Brighton, 5-8, Sr.; Courtnee’ Glenn, Hinkley, 5-6, Sr.; Ashley Lliteras, Brighton, 5-11, Jr.; Hannah Terlep, Hinkley, 5-7, Sr.

Outlook: Only four of the league’s 12 teams are 5A squads, and of those, Brighton still appears to be the strongest. The Bulldogs best player last season might have been sophomore Ashley Lliteras, and the 5-foot-11 forward is back. The Bulldogs went a pedestrian 10-13 last year, but were 7-2 in league. By contrast, Adams City was 10-9, but played a less ambitious nonleague schedule and won only four of its nine league games. Hinkley is a middle-of-the-pack team that returns the talented Courtnee’ Glenn, while Aurora Central will attempt to rebound from a four-win season.

Southwestern League

Favorite: Grand Junction Central,

Contenders: Durango, Grand Junction, Fruita

Key players: Brittany Berguin, Grand Junction, 5-8, Sr.; Alaina Brennan, Grand Junction Central, 5-7, Sr.; Kershel Claussen, Grand Junction, 5-10, Sr.; Katerina Garcia, Durango, 5-5, Jr.; Amy Kame, Grand Junction Central, 5-11, So.

Outlook: Grand Junction Central is coming off successive 16-8 seasons and now will try to parlay that success into a league title and to becoming a factor in the state tournament. Senior guard Alaina Brennan is a long established player in the league and averaged 13.6 points a game last season, but many are buzzing about sophomore Amy Kame. The 5-foot-11 guard was magnificent as a freshman last season and soon could become the league’s finest player. Of course, Durango point guard Katerina Garcia, a junior, also is well on her way to that distinction and figures to have the Demons in the mix. Grand Junction is young this season, but the Tigers were young last year, too, and finished 15-7 and won the league with a 9-1 mark. The six-team league also includes 4A squads Montezuma-Cortez and Montrose.

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