Dakota Ridge sophomore Sydney Daniels, left, looks to make a move on Smoky Hill senior Rachel Lopez during the Eagles’ 73-15 win Wednesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
LITTLETON — There might not be a tougher three-game stretch for Dakota Ridge’s girls basketball team the rest of the season after what the Eagles went through to start the year.
Dakota Ridge opened the 2016-17 campaign against Class 5A defending state champion ThunderRidge, two-time defending 4A state champion Valor Christian and perennial state contender Broomfield.
“It’s a challenge just to see where we are at,” Dakota Ridge’s second-year coach Diane Thompson said of scheduling three premier programs to start the season. “I tell these girls that we are going to grow. We’ve only played a couple of weeks together.”
While the Eagles went 0-3 to start the season, Thompson got a great test for her team that graduated eight seniors from last year’s team. Dakota Ridge had a 17-9 record and a solid third-place finish in the 5A Jeffco League in Thompson’s first season at the helm of the program.
Dakota Ridge junior Alexa Buchli is one of the few returning varsity players. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
It’s a very different looking team with only two returning varsity players in juniors Alexa Buchli and Skylar Lodice. Thompson said building strong team chemistry similar to last year’s team will be key. Wednesday night was a positive sign the Eagles are getting there.
Dakota Ridge (1-3 record) defeated Smoky Hill 73-15 in the opening round of the 2016 Holiday Classic At The Ridge that the Eagles host. Dakota Ridge grabbed a 24-0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back.
Smoky Hill (0-4) was led by senior Desiree Thomas, who had a team-high six points.
All nine players that suited up for Dakota Ridge scored. Senior Derica Marillo actually came off the bench to lead the Eagles with 16 points. Sophomores Maggie Hawley and Sydney Daniels pitched in 13 points each.
Daniels, a move-in transfer from Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch, was impressive as the Eagles’ starting point guard.
“It’s been really smooth. I’ve loved it so far,” Daniels said of being at a new school. “Everyone here has made it super easy for me.”
Thompson has the task of filling the shoes of four-year varsity player Caitlin Navratil, who finished her career with 1,167 points. The 5-foot-2 guard averaged 17 points per game last year.
“Sydney is a great addition to our team. I didn’t even know she was transferring until a couple of weeks before the season,” Thompson said.
With a lot of new pieces to the puzzle this season, Dakota Ridge will be behind most of its opponents when it comes to experience playing together.
Dakota Ridge junior Skylar Lodice drives past Smoky Hill’s Emonie Richardson. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“We have really only been playing together for a few weeks. Other teams have been playing together for years,” Daniels said. “That’s hard, but we are getting there for sure.”
Thompson admitted there will be growing pains, but believes her team will get to where it wants to go at the right time.
“It’s definitely about building a foundation this year,” Thompson said. “We saw where we were early. We have a lot of things to work on to get better. I think we are going to peak at the right time.”
Dakota Ridge faces Doherty in the semifinals of the Holiday Classic. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Dakota Ridge High School.
Dakota Ridge freshman Emily Doolittle (11) will add depth to the Eagles this season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)