This season's Hoop Queens? The CET crew picks the ladies champion (2/19/09)

Marty Cesario:     Hey guys, all our recent chatter about the boys' playoffs makes me want to... well, talk more hoops. So what's gonna go down in the ladies tournament? I check the records and our CET polls here on the site, but haven't seen many teams in action. You have. Who do think will win the Class 5A girls basketball title?

Mary Kay Mauro:     Excuse me . . . may I throw in my two cents? The 5A ranks are so competitive this season. The Continental League is all the rage and rightfully so since all of the champions this decade hail from the Continental League; more specifically, Highlands Ranch (six titles) and ThunderRidge (three titles). Regis is still itching for it's first state championship, and don't forget Heritage and 2008 final four participant, Chaparral. That being said, the Front Range and Centennial Leagues are looking to unseat the Continental League this season. Could it be Horizon from the Front Range (22-0), or a solid Grandview or Arapahoe team from the Centennial League? My thoughts on the final four are: Ranch, Regis, Horizon and ?

Cesario:     Oh. You can chime in, sister. You've got more "cents" than any of us. (Insert cute emoticon here.) But you didn't finish your four. Since you're going that way... who's the fourth?

Mauro:     I'm going to pick what some might consider a surprise last final four participant and choose Arapahoe. Right now, I would still place my hunch on the three-time defending champ, Highlands Ranch, to repeat . . . I will let you know if that changes after we cover the Front Range League finale with Legacy at Horizon. 

Cesario:     I do know a little something about Burgin, Barczuk, Hentschel and that Arapahoe gang. Nice choice. Brian and Cory... you wanna give us four or just the champ? Either way... 

Brian Roth:     How about 3 teams, Marty? With all due respect to ThunderRidge, Arapahoe, Grandview and the like, this will come down to 3 teams......Highlands Ranch, Horizon and Regis. These teams have proven they are the cream of the crop this season. Of those three, make mine The Ranch. Yeah, I know. Way to go out on a limb, Brian. Yeah, I know, it is the safe pick, but I do not have to sit here and sell Highlands Ranch to anyone becasue the Falcons sell themselves. 3-time defending state champs. Undefeated in Colorado this year. They have answered every challenge they have come across and have done it with a new cast of characters. And, they have the best coach in the state in Caryn Jarocki. 

Cory Lopez:     The Front Range League is very, very good this year. Horizon, Legacy and Monarch have beat up on each other making for good practice before the big dance. I have big props for the Centennial League, too. It's Arapahoe and 4A power Mullen battling to the end with Grandview and Cherry Creek close. OK, so I've spent my time naming off the CET Top 10-ish by leaving out the Continental. History would be much different without the Continental. 9 straight state championships. Nine of them!!! The last team to win the 5A girls title not from the Continental was from the the Denver Prep League (Montbello). So sure Denver East could make the 'Great 8.' But, after all of that I have to go with the history 'til it bucks me off. ThunderRidge and Highlands Ranch in the finals with a 4th straight Ranch title in the end.