Ralston Valley senior Ashley Van Sickle drives past Rampart junior Milly Cruz for a layup Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
ARVADA — Ralston Valley senior Ashley Van Sickle admits she is a little jealous of her younger sister — junior Sammy Van Sickle.
“It’s so unfair. I got the short genes,” the 5-foot-7 senior said with a laugh after the Mustangs’ — lead by the Van Sickle sisters — defeated Rampart 77-33 on Friday night at Ralston Valley High School.
Sammy has a handful of inches on Ashley, but the Mustangs’ point guard has no problem passing the ball to younger sister if she plays like she did against Rampart. The 6-foot-2 junior was on fire from the outside making four 3-pointers on her way to 14 points.
“Sammy is knocking them down. I’m going to keep dishing them to her,” Ashley said. “She (Samantha) can do it all. We call her our Swiss Army knife.”
The youngest Van Sickle wasn’t the only one shooting the ball well in Ralston Valley’s fifth straight victory. Ashley and fellow senior Michaela Shaklee poured in 17 points each to lead the way.
Ralston Valley sophomore Shelby Nichols (15) posts up Rampart sophomore Becca Dunn. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“We looked really good offensively at times,” Ralston Valley coach Jeff Gomer said.
Senior Sarah Bevington was the fourth Mustang to reach double-digit points with a dozen. Senior Chloe Gillach pitched in seven points, all in the second half. Sophomores Shelby Nichols and Madison DeHerrera combined for 10 points off the bench for Ralston Valley (5-1 record).
“I definitely think our offense improved throughout the night,” Shaklee said. “There were some rough patches, but I think our defense really translated to the offensive side of the court.”
Sammy Van Sickle was also key on the boards for Ralston Valley, ranked No. 2 in the latest CHSAANow.com 5A girls basketball poll. She had a team-high dozen rebounds to produce a double-double.
“She (Samantha) is a hard match-up with her size. She has come a long way,” Gomer said. “With the exception of her sister (Ashley), she has probably been our most consistent player so far.”
Ashley, who has signed to play her college basketball at Montana State University next year, had her typical game that filled up the scoresheet. Along with 17 points, the senior had seven assists, four rebounds and four steals.
Ralston Valley senior Sarah Bevington brings the ball up the court. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“We are playing great,” Ashley said. “We are having so much fun.”
The young Rampart squad with just one senior was led by sophomores Bailee Hart (13 points) and Bailey Torres (eight points).
Ralston Valley hosts Broomfield on Tuesday, Dec. 20, before winter break. The Mustangs tipoff Class 5A Jeffco League play in a big way at No. 6 Lakewood on Thursday, Jan. 5.
“It’s too bad we have to draw each other right out of the chute,” Gomer said of facing Lakewood in both teams’ conference opener. “It will be fun. We always have good games with them. It’s always a battle, but we don’t want to look too far ahead.”
The Mustangs and Tigers have dominated conference, combining to win the previous six 5A Jeffco League titles. Ralston Valley advanced to its first state semifinals in the program’s history last season, while Lakewood made it to the quarterfinals.
“It’s a big way to start off league,” Shaklee said. “We’ve just got to work hard over break.”
Ralston Valley senior Michaela Shaklee drives through a trio of defenders. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)