GOLDEN — Bumps in the road are always expected during the basketball season.
While Golden (11-0, 2-0 in Class 4A Jeffco League) remained at No. 2 in the latest CHSAANow.com 4A girls basketball rankings that were released early Monday, the Demons have had some hurdles even with an undefeated record.
Despite a sudden coaching change just before winter break with Golden’s first-year coach Tim Hammond stepping down and assistant Mike Osborne taking over the reins, the Demons have cruised to double-digit victories in 10 of 11 wins so far.
The latest was a 65-18 victory Monday night against Heritage (1-10).
“It’s been fine,” Golden senior Makena Prey said of the transition to Osborne as the head coach. “We just stay together as a team. We have stuck with the same philosophies. It’s been a pretty smooth transition.”
Golden senior Makena Prey (32) is averaging a double-double this season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Prey has been more than just smooth on the court. The 6-foot senior came into Monday’s non-league home game against Heritage averaging a double-double in scoring and rebounds. Prey (23.7 points per game and 11.7 rebounds) continued her dominating performance this season.
The senior had 21 points and another double-digit rebounding performance to lead the Demons. The win kept Golden perfect heading into a key Jeffco conference showdown against No. 4 Valor Christian at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10.
“We are definitely getting ready for Wednesday because that’s going to be a tough game,” Prey said. “Valor is a good match-up.”
Golden’s Garnett sisters — Abby and Elli — combined for 32 points in the win. Elli, a sophomore, finished with 17 points in her second game back from an injury she suffered in the Demons’ season opener.
Golden senior Abby Garnett, left, and the Demons face No. 4 Valor on Wednesday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“Having these last two game have really helped Elli. Having that connection on the court is so important,” said Abby, who finished with 15 points Monday. “Right now we are a little scattered.”
Sophomore Haley Prey, Makena’s younger sister, has missed some games with an injury and wasn’t in the lineup Monday. However, Haley said she hopes to be on the court Wednesday against the Eagles.
Golden split their two conference meetings last season against Valor.
“It will be interesting to see. Our game is a half-court game while Valor’s is uptempo,” said Osborne who recently spent time as an assistant girls basketball coach at Columbine before coming over with Hammond this season. “They will try to speed us up. It will be decided by which team can keep their composure. I’m looking forward to see how our girls handle it.”
Osborne added he excited to have the league showdown as the first part of a girls/boys varsity doubleheader in Highlands Ranch on the Eagles’ home court. Both Golden and Valor boys’ programs are both ranked in the top-10 in 4A boys basketball rankings.
Despite a 16-point loss by the Pueblo West girls last week to Fruita Monument, No. 6 in the 5A poll, the Cyclones (10-1 record) stayed atop the 4A girls rankings.
The only other undefeated 4A girls team in the state is Berthoud (11-0). The No. 9 Spartans have a huge test tomorrow night on the road against No. 5 Holy Family (9-2).
“The rankings are really neat for kids because there is an energy with it, but their goals are broader than that,” Osborne said. “I expect bumps up and down. It is pretty early in the year. At the end they want to be the last team standing.”
Golden sophomore Elli Garnett (23) goes up for a shot during the Demons’ 11th victory of the season in a 65-18 win over Heritage. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)