Winter sports season is just around the corner, and the excitement is building! Teams are ready to hit the ground running, including Boys’ and Girls’ Wrestling, Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball, Girls’ Swim and Dive, Boys’ Hockey and Boys’ volleyball. Each team is coming into the season with unique goals and challenges, and students are eager to see how things unfold. Here’s a look at some early predictions for each team as they prepare for the season opener on November 30th.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The girls’ basketball team made an absolutely astonishing run last season, shattering expectations and records. Ending with a 24-3 record overall and a 7-0 league record, the Lady Cougars absolutely tore through competitors setting themself up for an incredible season. Losing to just two schools, one from Arizona and Valor in the final 4, it was nearly impossible to stop the Cougars last season. Senior Delainey Miler went on to say, “We ended last season by making it to the final four games. Also, for the first time in school history making it that far” However making it to the final four was not the only record the Cougars broke. Graduating two seniors, Damara Allen, a University Of Texas San Antonio commit, and Kynli Hart, a Western Texas College commit, the team features a very young team. This year the Cougars already have 2 college commits, Including Delainy Miller, a Northern Arizona commit, and Talia Strode, a Colorado State Pueblo commit, the cougars are expected to make big runs once again. Having their only in-state loss belong to Valor, Miller believes, “Valor and Cherry Creek are the top two on our list for being the biggest competition for this upcoming season.” The girls’ first basketball game is on December 2nd at Legend.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Although the boys’ basketball team did not have the same run that the girls did, Senior Nathan Baack believed they improved in ways other than wins, “Last season we improved as far as the culture aspect, but it didn’t necessarily go the way we wanted it to in terms of wins and losses,” said Baack. Having just a win streak of 8-15 overall and 1-6 in the league, the boys struggled and came up just one spot short of the playoffs. Graduating 5 seniors last year, the Cougars have some spots to fill; however, Baack is confident in this season. Baack believes that if the team sticks together in games when facing adversity, they have a shot at winning. He went on to say the team’s big goals this season include,” beating Grandview this year and having a winning record,” said Baack. The boy’s face off against Fredrick high school, on December 2nd here at home.
GIRLS SWIM AND DIVE
The girl’s swim and dive had a record-shattering season in more than one way. With 6 team records being broken, an undefeated record until A leagues and a top 10 finish at state, the bar has been set very high this season. Graduating 2 big seniors, there are some gaps to fill for relays. Relays also went undefeated during dual meets, helping the Cougars score big all season long. At A leagues the Cougars suffered their first loss to Cherry Creek, however beating Grandview for the first time ever. Current senior, Ella Drackulich believes “[a] change from last season in overall spirit both in and out of the water is needed.” The team ended overall 9th in the state to finish the season. Drackulich said, “It was not the finish we wanted; however, this was the first time in history placing above 10th place.” Drackulich hopes to “beat the girls from Creek. They are a fast team and score a lot of points at both state and A Leagues.” The girls make their first dive against Arapahoe High School on December 5th.
BOYS WRESTLING
Last year was a challenge for the boys wrestling team. Current senior, Noah Collin, said “We ended with a 5-6 record, I know we could’ve done better as a team.” Despite this Collins still recognizes the team’s hard work. Facing lots of losses in the first round of playoffs, Collins said “It was tough to take after all the hard work we put in.” Pomona High School took the state championship with Cherokee Trail placing 7th. However, despite the losses, Freshman Cooper Matthews took the overall win in the 106-weight category. With Matthews still being only a sophomore this year, the future is bright for this young team. Boys wrestling takes the mat for the first time on December 5th.
BOYS HOCKEY
With the hockey team kicking off just their second season they are hoping to resolve some kinks from last season. Suffering a tough loss in the second round of playoffs, current senior Brady Finn, hopes the team can “be more positive and more focused in on the game.” With Cherokee Trail not having its own team, Finn plays for Grandview, which is one of two district teams. The other being the Cherry Creek team. The Creek team made it into the Semi-finals, ultimately losing to Valor. With that being said, Finn believes that Cherry Creek will be the team’s biggest competition due to “that it’s the other rival in the district.” The boy’s hockey team hit the ice for the first time on November 22nd against Castle View.
GIRLS WRESTLING
The girl’s wrestling team is once again a fairly new team. With the 2024-2025 season being just its fourth season the team is trying to still come together. Being another district team, it’s filled with girls from many different schools. Qualifying 8 girls for the 2024 state championship the team was filled with lots of talent.
The girl’s basketball team poses with their final 4 plaque in front of the student section.
– Photo By Peyton Michlig
Current senior, Nathan Baack, takes his free throw shot on the line.
– Photo by Peyton Michlig
Current senior Olivia Jisa looks out to the crowds during the 2024 state competition.
– Photo by Peyton Michlig
