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Mesa men head East
The Mesa State College men’s basketball team clinched the seventh seed in the upcoming Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout and will play a first round game at the No. 2 seed sometime next weekend.
The No. 2 seed will be either Colorado Christian (16-10, 13-5 RMAC) or Nebraska-Kearney (14-12, 12-6 RMAC) depending on Saturday night’s games.
Colorado Christian will get the No. 2 seed if it beats the Colorado School of Mines at home. If Mines upsets the Cougars and Kearney defeats the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, the Mavericks will travel to Kearney.
For the latest on the RMAC basketball tournament, check GJSentinel.com.
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Mesa women to play CSU-Pueblo
When the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout pairings are released Saturday night, the Mesa State College women’s basketball team will find it will face Colorado State University-Pueblo for the third time in four weeks in the first round of the tournament next weekend.
The Mavericks (14-13, 12-7 RMAC) clinched the No. 4 seed with their victory over Western State on Thursday night. CSU-Pueblo (17-9, 11-7 RMAC) clinched the No. 5 seed with its victory over New Mexico Highlands on Friday night.
The ThunderWolves could finish with the same conference record as Mesa State, but the Mavericks hold the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the two regular season games.
Fort Lewis will be the No. 1 seed, Nebraska-Kearney is No. 2 and Metro State is No. 3.
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Mesa to find identity
Mesa State College baseball coach Chris Hanks would’ve loved to host No. 4 Cal State-Chico in its home opening series this weekend, but moving the series to Chico, Calif. isn’t so bad either.
The four-game series was changed to a three-game series and moved to Chico because of weather and field conditions in Grand Junction. The morning frost has melted, causing a wet, soft surface on baseball diamonds in town.
As a result, Hanks was left scrambling what to do. He could’ve opted to cancel the series. Instead, he chose with the help of Mesa State administration and Cal State-Chico, to move the series.
This will give Hanks a chance to see how his team will handle adversity, something a team is sure to face if it wants to reach its goals, he figures.
The Mavericks are on a 15-hour bus ride to Chico on Thursday.
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Montrose boys come to Grand Junction short-handed
The Montrose High School boys basketball team will be without its leading scorer, Jonathan Harshman, for Friday’s game at Grand Junction High School.
Harshman, the subject of a criminal investigation in Montrose, was indefinitely suspended from the basketball team. He was averaging close to 13 points per game this season.
“It’s still going through the legal system, so I don’t know if he will be back on the team,” Indians coach Dwight Rawlings said.
“I don’t even think the school administration knows what’s going to happen at this point.”
Freshman Niko Youngren has taken Harshman’s spot as starting point guard. Rawlings said he is also working with senior Jeremy Jones on playing some time at the point.
Grand Junction (12-2, 2-0 Southwestern League) will enter Friday’s game with a four-game win streak. Montrose (10-4, 1-1) has won five of six with the only loss in that stretch coming last weekend at home against Durango.
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RMAC is well-balanced
Western State College’s 56-52 victory over the Mesa State College men’s basketball team is one example why the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is truly a free-for-all title race this season.
The Mountaineers first victory over Mesa State since 1998-99 moved them into a two-way tie for third place with the Mavericks in the RMAC West Division.
After Colorado Christian (10-6, 8-1 RMAC) and Fort Lewis (13-3, 8-1 RMAC), there are eight teams within two games of each other for six RMAC tournament spots.
The usual front runners, Metro State (11-9, 4-5 RMAC) and Nebraska-Kearney (7-10, 5-4 RMAC), are two of those teams in that mix.
Colorado State University-Pueblo (6-10, 3-6 RMAC), Colorado School of Mines (9-10, 2-7 RMAC) and the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (6-11, 2-7 RMAC) are close behind as well.
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Central showcases its wealth of talent
The only thing more impressive than the 45-point margin by which the Central High School girls basketball team defeated Fruita Monument on Friday night was the fact that the Warriors’ youngsters seem to have turned a corner.
Everybody knew sophomore forward Amy Kame would likely develop into the best player in the Southwestern League, so it was no surprise that she had 27 points, 10 steals and eight rebounds.
But sophomores — Ashley Paul (3 points), Stacey Kinnett (4 rebounds), Tayler Else (7 points), Haleigh Higgins (4 points) and Maddilyn Vana (1 point)— freshman Mikayla Duffy (5 points) and junior Karen Hayter (7 points) were the ones outplaying the Wildcats’ starters in the fourth quarter, when the Warriors went on a 20-6 burst.
It’s a good sign that Central (10-3), ranked No. 8 in The Rocky Mountain News’ Class 5A state rankings, should be good for years to come.
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It wasn’t 90, but it was a win
For the first time since making a starting lineup change, the Mesa State College men’s basketball team failed to put 90 points on the scoreboard.
The Mavericks didn’t even score 70 points, but they did shoot better than 50 percent in defeating Regis 68-57 in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game on Saturday night at Brownson Arena. Mesa State (8-6, 5-2 RMAC) remains undefeated since moving Andre Carter into the starting lineup and Ryan Mathews to the bench.
Mathews hasn’t complained. He led the Mavericks with 16 points against Regis and is averaging 16.3 points since the switch. The junior guard was averaging 12.2 points per game before the change.
“It’s a lot different seeing how the game is going off the bench,” Mathews said. “It’s working out though.”
It is the first time all season Mesa State has won three consecutive games.
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Regis victory monumental
When Brittany Fowler signed a national letter of intent to Mesa State College, she saw should be facing a high school nemesis again in the Lopez twins at Regis University.
Diana and Denise Lopez led Adams City High School to a Colorado Class 4A state girls basketball title over Fowler and the Longmont Trojans. Still, Fowler, who was a twin sister also, hoped college would be different.
Instead, the Lopez twins and Regis defeated the Mavericks every time the teams met since Fowler became a Maverick. The streak reached seven games.
The Lopez twins graduated, but Fowler and the Mavericks were still hungry for a victory against the three-time RMAC champions.
This time, Mesa State tasted success, defeating Regis 95-78 at Brownson Arena.
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Central’s Ritter to sign with Neosho C.C.
Central High School shortstop Mick Ritter will sign a national letter of intent to play for Neosho Community College of Chanute, Kan.
The signing will be at Central’s library at 11 a.m. on Jan. 22.
Ritter was one of the top leadoff hitters in the Southwestern League last spring. He hit .339 and scored over 20 runs.
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Heaps epiphany could be big
Jim Heaps may have given his team off a week for the Christmas break, but that didn’t mean he took time off from coaching.
The Mesa State College men’s basketball coach decided he needed to shake things up a bit after a winless trip to California that dropped the Mavericks below .500 for the first time this season.
Heaps realized the Mavericks weren’t getting a big scoring boost off the bench like they have in previous years, so he decided to move junior guard Ryan Mathews to the bench.
Mathews, who was averaging 12.1 points a game at the time, has scored 16 and 17 points in the two games since coming off the bench.
It has led to more offensive production. Mesa State (7-6, 4-2 RMAC) has scored more than 90 points and shooting better than 50 percent in the two games since the change.
More importantly, the Mavericks are 2-0 going into tonight’s game against Regis.
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Mesa women playing with confidence
At times, the Mesa State College women’s basketball team has come out playing with confidence and aggression.
When the Mavericks (5-9, 3-3 RMAC) do, they have more often won than not. That was the case Friday night in a 68-52 victory over the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. It was Mesa’s second consecutive victory and it gives the Mavs a chance to finish above .500 against the RMAC East Division for the first time since 2003-04.
“At Mines (last week), we got up early,” Mesa senior Brittany Fowler said. “(Friday), we wanted to do the same thing. It was exciting being home. We wanted to show our fans what kind of team we are.
“We’re doing a great job playing together. The returning players know what to expect and have bought into what we are doing. It shows in the stats.”
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Hensley to miss time for Fruita Monument
Fruita Monument High School basketball coach Dave Fox said that senior forward Nick Hensley will miss at least the next two weeks with what he believes is a strained patella tendon.
Hensley has battled ACL problems with his knee in the past, but Fox said the pain Hensley is feeling now is unrelated to the ACL.
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Well deserved
Several closers bring more than a mean pitch to the mound these days. They bring a mean, intimidating look. Boston Red Sox’s Jonathan Papelbon lowers his head and stares down opposing batters, but Goose Gossage was the first closer to bring an intimidating look and defined the position.
Gossage was finally recognized for it by being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday. When he found out he was elected, you could see he was genuinely touched.
I’ve had an opportunity to meet and interview Gossage when he was in Grand Junction a few years ago to watch one of his sons play in the Junior College World Series.
Although Gossage appeared mean on the mound, he is the kindest professional athlete I’ve ever met. He is the only professional athlete I’ve met and interviewed that told me where he was staying and invited me to call him anytime I wanted to speak with him and I believed him.
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The week ahead
There are several big games this week on the high school hardwood for Western Slope fans to keep an eye on.
In boys’ action….
Grand Junction (9-2) can exceed its win total from all of last season (9-10) with a victory Friday against Castle View at Castle Rock.
Palisade (7-2) will be a favorite to win three league games this week. The Bulldogs host Delta (2-2) on Tuesday night in the Class 4A Western Slope League opener for both schools. Palisade also will host Battle Mountain (1-6) on Friday before traveling to Eagle Valley (1-5) on Saturday. There is a chance the Bulldogs could be riding a five-game winning streak heading into a huge home game against defending league champion Steamboat Springs on Jan. 19.
Coal Ridge (4-1, 1-0) could have a five-game winning streak by the end of the weekend. The Titans host Class 3A Western Slope League rivals Cedaredge (1-4) and Gunnison (3-2) on Friday and Saturday. With only a 13-26 record in its previous two seasons and a high of seven wins in the brief history of the school, Coal Ridge is on pace to have a memorable season.
Grand Valley (5-1) could extend its win streak to six straight games with victories over Rangely (5-3) and Nucla (1-2) on Friday and Saturday.
The 4A WSL favorites will tangle Saturday. Defending league champion Steamboat Springs (6-2) will host Glenwood Springs (5-2). The winner will have the early advantage in winning the league crown.
In girls’ action,
Grand Valley (7-0) will be a favorite to keep its undefeated season alive against Rangely (2-5) and Nucla (1-4) on Friday and Saturday. The Cardinals have already beaten Rangely (54-30) once this season at the Meeker Shootout.
Resurgent Coal Ridge (5-2, 0-1) will look for its first 3A WSL league victory against Cedaredge (0-5) and Gunnison (1-4) on Friday and Saturday, both home games.
The two top 4A WSL teams — Glenwood Springs (6-2) and Moffat County (7-2) — will tangle at Glenwood on Friday.
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Broncos fans should check out the Rose Bowl
As the Denver Broncos are getting ready to close out only their second losing season under Mike Shanahan, Broncos faithful can only look to the future for happier days and this year’s Rose Bowl may be a good start.
Only the Oakland Raiders (147.6) and Miami Dolphins (158.6) yield more yards on the ground per game than the Broncos’ average of 140.7 this season.
It’s no secret the Broncos need upgrades at both defensive line and linebacker after being riddled with injuries and ineffective play from aging veterans and inexperienced rookies.
That’s where the Rose Bowl comes in. The Broncos are projected to have the No. 10 pick in the 2008 draft and there are two defensive prospects — mammoth DT Sedrick Ellis and athletic OLB Keith Rivers — from USC that are considered values at that point of the draft.
Ellis (6-foot-2, 305 pounds) is a three-year starter for the Trojans at nose tackle and a first-team All-American. He’s had at least eight tackles for lost yardage in each of those three years.
Rivers (6-3, 235) is a three-year starter at weak-side linebacker with over 250 tackles in his career at USC.
Other prospects the Broncos could consider are Miami safety Kenny Phillips (6-2, 202, 4.4-second 40), viewed as the next in a long line of great Hurricane safeties and a possible heir apparent to John Lynch, Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart (5-11, 230, 4.4-second 40) and California wide receiver DeSean Jackson (6-0, 178, 4.3-second 40).
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Fresh faces step up
December is the time for developing players to emerge into bigger roles than they have ever played to fill in around their team’s returning stars on the basketball court.
Just a few short weeks into the season, here are some players to watch in the Grand Valley:
Grand Junction boys — Sophomore guard Justin Trujillo is a true pass-first point guard. His past two games he’s had at least five assists and he had a breakout with 13 points in a game at the Warrior Challenge. He earned a start for the Tigers when Everett Robinson missed the Uintah game on a family trip and Trujillo dished out six assists with very few turnovers.
Central boys — He may be a senior, but Cody Derner has never played like this before for the Warriors. Derner, a slashing wing, is averaging 17 points per game through the first three games. He had a career-high of 21 points against Horizon and has scored in double figures in all three games. He was an easy choice for all-tournament team at the Warrior Challenge.
Fruita Monument boys — Along the same lines, 6-foot-4 Beau Coit got varsity time last season but wasn’t as big a factor in the past as he’s been this season. Coit is averaging 12.2 points per game and is becoming one of the Wildcats’ go-to players. He was also an all-tournament player at the Warrior Challenge. Also, senior Colton Warneke has scored 11 and 15 points in the past two games to help fill the void at point guard left by Corey Schultz’ suspension. Warneke is averaging 8 points per game.
Palisade boys — Senior guard Hank Stewart hit 10 3s and is averaging 10 points per game through the Bulldogs’ first three games. The Warrior Challenge all-tournament selection looks like Palisade’s heir apparent to Chris Williams beyond the 3-point arc. Senior forward Braeden Bennett can hit 3s and drive to the basket. At 6-foot-3, Bennett will be a key figure for the under-sized Bulldogs. If he can continue at his 12 points-per-game pace, Palisade can make another playoff push.
Grand Junction girls — The point guard role goes to 5-5 senior Krista Dominguez with the graduation of Katie Cupp. Dominguez must give the Tigers steady play to get the ball to their inside threats — 6-6 Emily Stark and Kershel Claussen.
Central girls — Sophomores Haleigh Higgins and Stacey Kinnett must help out last year’s breakout freshman Amy Kame in rebounding and interior defense. The Warriors are all shorter than 6-feet tall, so everybody must pitch in. Higgins and Kinnett have shown the ability in the first two games of the year.
Fruita Monument girls — Senior Cami O’Brien has been a consistent outside shooter for the Wildcats this season. O’Brien has hit eight 3s in three games and is averaging 8 points per game. The Wildcats don’t have many strong outside shooters, so she must continue to knock down perimeter shots to free up post players like Kami Utu, Mary McGee and Katie Lewis.
Palisade girls — Lost in Bernadette Pitre’s 21-point, 24-rebound in Thursday’s season opener was the performance of Kasmira Workman. Workman hit all four shots she took for eight points. If she can continue to hit mid-range shots, it will take some of the pressure off Pitre and Holly Odneal, the Bulldogs’ two 6-footers, who will draw most of the attention from opposing defenses this season.
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Mesa men off to a good start
The Mesa State College men’s basketball team is off to a solid start, winning three of its first four games of the season.
The Mavericks have played solid defense, limiting opponents to 66.5 points a game, a .461 shooting percentage and have forced nearly 20 turnovers a game.
This weekend, Mesa State (3-1) will be tested by an improving Colorado Christian team (2-3) looking to make the RMAC tournament this year and a Metro State team with a defense to match.
The Mavericks were able to defeat both teams last year en route to a co-West Division title, but they came at Brownson Arena.
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Thanks for being stupid, Broncos
There’s three stark realities in the NFL this season.
The New England Patriots can’t be stopped as Bill Belichick does the most-impressive impersonation of the evil emperor from Star Wars that I have ever seen.
The Miami Dolphins are perhaps the worst group I have ever seen take the field in pro uniforms. (I hope you go all the way to 0-16!)
And last, but not least, YOU DON’T KICK THE BALL TO DEVIN HESTER!
The playoff life of the defending NFC champion Chicago Bears had flat lined with five minutes to play and the Denver Broncos up 34-20 on Sunday at Soldier Field.
That’s when ex-Bear Todd Sauerbrun did his last act to be Chicago’s MVP on Sunday, getting a punt blocked and setting up the Bears’ 17-point scoring spree over the next eight minutes.
As it turns out, it was probably the third-worst play by Sauerbrun in the game. Somehow, after watching Hester return nine punts and kicks in his season and a half of pro football, Sauerbrun lofted both a punt and a kick down the middle of the field.
Hester, who became the most-prolific scoring returner in Bears history on Sunday and might be the best ever, responded by taking both to the house to be the alarm clock for a Bears group that has hibernated too often this season.
Thanks for the help, Sauerbrun. Sure, at 5-6, Chicago is probably going nowhere this season. But, even in the pathetic AFC West, Sauerbrun did his best to make sure the 5-6 Broncos aren’t either.
Hester will be on the highlight reels. But Sauerbrun should get the game ball. I wouldn’t be surprised if he slipped into his old locker room and sang a verse of “Bear Down” for old-times sake.
Of course, Sauerbrun isn’t the only one to get the credit. Without coach Mike Shanahan’s stupidity, the Bears already would be slumbering this postseason.
Perhaps the only thing more amazing than Hester’s return skills is that the rest of the NFL keeps kicking the ball to him.
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A beginning in Fruita
Dan Schmalz is excited to get his first season as girls basketball coach at Fruita Monument High School underway.
After coaching the Olathe boys basketball team the past few years, Schmalz took the job with the Wildcats in August after Jeff Miller resigned.
All-Southwestern League guard Julie Faber heads the list of returners for the Wildcats, who finished 6-13 overall and 1-9 in the SWL. Schmalz said he had to learn about the players with open gyms shortly after he was hired.
It put him in a tough spot with little time to prepare for the season ahead, but he remains optimistic about the season.
“We have good quickness,” Schmalz said. “We are going to be guard-heavy. We don’t have a lot of size. I am trying a lot of different teams in practice every night to find those magical combinations to play together.”
It was widely speculated that Miller’s resignation came under pressure from parents and players. If that were true, here’s hoping that Schmalz is given a chance in a program that has turned over coaches consistently since current Fruita boys coach Dave Fox coached the girls.
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Mavs keys to victory
Mesa State has proven it has one of the best defenses in the nation this season, but the Mavericks offense could be the difference maker in the NCAA Division II playoffs Saturday against Abilene Christian.
The Wildcats come in with the second-highest scoring offense in the country and have scored more points than any previous Mesa State opponent.
With that said, the Mavericks key to winning the first round game is time of possession on offense and limiting the big play on defense.
Mesa State will need to be effective running the ball behind all-RMAC running back Bobby Coy. The Mavericks will need to mount long drives and put points on the board following those drives.
The Mesa State defense can’t expect to shutout Abilene Christian, but will need to limit big plays of 25 yards or more by wrapping up and making tackles.
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Get your playoff tickets
The Mesa State College football team should expect to receive its third NCAA Division II playoff berth in school history when the pairings are released Sunday.
The Mavericks (10-1, 7-1 RMAC), who were ranked sixth in the Southwest Region, defeated New Mexico Highlands 30-7 on Saturday in Las Vegas, N.M. within hours after Missouri Western (8-3), which was fourth in the region, suffered a 37-28 loss to Truman State (6-5).
Missouri Western’s loss will likely cost them a playoff berth and it will likely move Mesa up a spot to fifth in the region.
If Mesa moves to fifth, it would have to travel to the No. 4 seed for a first round game on Saturday.
The No. 4 seed could be Abilene Christian (9-2), which rallied to defeat No. 10 Midwestern State (8-3) 42-41.
In other regional games, third-ranked West Texas A&M (11-0) defeated No. 7 Tarleton State (9-2) 39-14.
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