5A Girls State Basketball Championships – Grandview girls are state champs
Joy, relief, tears and ear-to-ear smiles... All of those were in evidence at 6:25 p.m. on March 12 as the Grandview Wolves beat No. 1-seeded and defending state champion Valor Christian to win the 5A Girls State Basketball Championship game at the Denver Coliseum.
The Wolves, led by seniors Marya Hudgins and Lauren Betts, would not be denied as Grandview stayed in the lead throughout the final game, defeating the Eagles 52-40 for the program’s third title, all in the last six years.
“The girls did an amazing job, so we’re really grateful,” said Head Coach Josh Ulitzky. “Valor was a challenge. They’re a really great team, but we played incredibly well and I’m really proud of the girls.”
Seniors Marya Hudgins and Lauren Betts combined for 17 points on the night, and the Betts sisters – Lauren and freshman sibling Sienna - combined for 18 rebounds. The Wolves led by as many as 21 points during the contest on the way to the win.
“We were so confident in ourselves at the end of the day,” said Hudgins. “It really showed on the court, and it just feels amazing to come out on top.”
The Santa Clara commit said a lot went into this title.
“So much work. So many hours outside of our own practices,” she said. “We have put in so much time and effort into our chemistry and on the court, so I think it really paid off.”
For senior and Stanford commit Lauren Betts, the road to the mountain top was fraught with challenges during the past three years.
“I cannot believe it. I’m super emotional. This has been such a hard season, so up and down,” she said. “There have been so many years that it didn’t happen. One year we lost in the final (to Cherry Creek), the next year it was taken away (by the pandemic) and the third year we didn’t win (losing in the Final 4 to Regis Jesuit), and I told myself, ‘we are going to win it, I refuse to lose it this year.’
“I told my teammates, ‘I have faith in each and every single one of you,’ and we did it. I’m just so happy,” Betts said.
Coach Ulitzky agreed.
“It’s great for Lauren (Betts) to go out on top,” he said. “She’s gotten all these accolades and this was the one she was still chasing, so I’m really happy for her. For Marya (Hudgins) and all the seniors, the team as a whole just did a really great job.”
Congratulations to the Grandview Wolves, your 2022 5A Girls Basketball State Champions!
5A Girls Basketball – Lauren Betts named Gatorade Player of the Year
It was a great week for senior Grandview center Lauren Betts. In addition to her club winning the state crown last Saturday, Betts was named the Gatorade Colorado Girls Basketball Player of the Year last Wednesday.
It was the second straight Gatorade award for the 6’7” Stanford commit. The next night, Betts helped her team eliminate No. 2 Highlands Ranch 65-51 in the Final 4 to reach the championship. She led all scorers in the contest with 22 points in the victory, which led to Saturday’s title win.
You can read more on the award here.
Boys Volleyball – District clubs off to good starts
Cherry Creek School District boys volleyball clubs performed well last week. Eaglecrest, Grandview, Cherokee Trail, Cherry Creek and Overland all got wins in non-conference and tournament play. Overland’s three-sets-to-none win over Vista Peak Prep on Friday night was the program’s first in the Trailblazers inaugural season.
5A Track & Field – Weather cooperated for Centennial League’s first meet
The Centennial League had its first meet of the year at the Stutler Bowl on March 12. Officials delayed the start of events 90 minutes due to chilly temperatures, but a gorgeous, breezy morning and afternoon followed.
Cherokee Trail won the overall team title for the girls, and on the boys side, defending state champion Grandview took home top honors. Cherry Creek took second place for both girls and boys.
