Pueblo South’s girls basketball team, pictured during last season’s championship game in Boulder. (Courtesy photo)
PUEBLO — Just when it seemed Pueblo prep girls and boys basketball teams might become an afterthought to the rest of the state, there has been a statement made by the Steel City the last several years.
The Pueblo South and Pueblo West girls basketball teams are each coming off back-to-back Class 4A final four appearances and the Colts won state a year ago. On the boys side, South (2009) and East (2010) each lost in the state finals to Sierra. Pueblo West, meanwhile, lost in the state semifinals in 2011 to Windsor.
This season has a strong mix of old and new in Pueblo hoops and South’s girls team is taking aim at its sixth state crown.
“The biggest thing I told the girls is that we’re really not defending a state championship anymore,” veteran South coach Shannan Lane said. “Last year is done and gone. That trophy is won and we’re proud of that, but this is a new season and new challenges are ahead. I think the girls realize that and they have grown a lot as a team. We know we will probably go through some bumps and adversity, but we just hope we will put everything together at the right time.”
The Colts, who are No. 2 in the latest CHSAANow.com rankings, are led by senior guard/forward Shannon Patterson. The 5-foot-6 Patterson is a four-year starter for the Colts and has signed to play at Colorado State University-Pueblo. Through South’s first two wins this season, Patterson is averaging 24.5 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals.
“Our first step is to try and figure out the identity of our team,” Patterson said. “In the end, we want to play the toughest teams in the state and show them we deserved what we won last year. This year I just want to do whatever I need to in order to help us win.”
In addition, to Patterson, fellow starters Kendra Jesik, Jaylyn Duran (guards) and post player Sissy Hall are back. The task the Colts have is replacing graduated Mikala Gordon. The athletic guard/post player is now at Colorado Christian University.
“We need to see who is going to pick up the slack with Mikala gone,” Lane said.
Lane said freshman Maddie Leigh, who is 5-foot-9, is one candidate who could help fill Gordon’s void.
South’s rival Pueblo West is trying to reload after losing star post player Taylor Leyva to Northern Arizona University as well as other standout seniors.
“I think we are in a good place right now,” second-year coach Gil Lucero said. “I know a lot of people think because we graduated such a good class we would be down, but I feel like we have some strong returners and some girls who are ready to make a name for themselves.”
The Cyclones, who are No. 4 in the latest CHSAANow.com rankings, return two starters in guards senior Bri Rodriguez and junior Haley Simental.
Pueblo East’s Dylan Gavin. (Al Anderson)
On the boys side, it appears Pueblo East and South will be the top teams in the South-Central League. East won the S-CL last year before being eliminated in the Sweet 16 by Cheyenne Mountain. The Eagles are No. 4 in the latest CHSAANow.com poll.
“The first goal is to win the S-CL and then go as far in the state playoffs as we can,” said East coach Dave Ryder, who is in his tenth season guiding the Eagles. “Last year we felt like we stubbed our toe pretty hard and we feel like there is a little bit of redemption to try and advance. We just want to be the best competitive team we can be and let everything pan out on the floor.”
The Eagles return starters point guard T.J. Gradisar and post players Dylan Gavin and Jimmy Valdez, all are seniors.
“The S-CL is going to be very competitive this season and I think we can compete with any of the Class 4A teams in the state,” Ryder said. “There are some really good teams in 4A, but we know we can make a run if we get a little luck and a couple of bounces go the right way for us.”
Pueblo South’s boys squad also could turn some heads this season. The Colts are paced by veteran guard Jared Baros and post player Trey Parker, but they also have a slew of young talent in their program. Pueblo West has been strong in recent seasons, but will have to regroup after being depleted by graduation. Central could be a sleeper team with high-scoring sophomore Michael Ranson supplying the roar for the Wildcats.