Pohs, Perez, Carter highlight all-leaguers

 

On the verge of their second championship season before having it end prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mullen girls were represented well in the all-Centennial League basketball teams.

Junior point guard Megan Pohs and sophomore center Imani Perez were named to the first team.

Pohs, who had a hamstring issue for the second half of the season, was fabulous late with 99 points in the team’s four Class 4A playoff games, including 16 3-pointers and shooting 30 of 57 from the floor. It’s her third consecutive season of being named to the Centennial team.

Perez, the primary reason why Mullen has been able to play man-to-man defense the past two seasons, was third for the Mustangs in scoring (9.8 points), and tops in rebounding (7.8). She also was first in blocks (1.6).

Emerging sophomore Gracie Gallegos, who has been Mullen’s top defender for two seasons, was named to the second team. She was second (10.2 points) in Mustangs scoring. Super substitute Alexa Dominguez, a junior, was honorable mention as was starting forward Haley Van Horn, arguably Mullen’s most-improved player.

The Mustangs were 20-7 in 2019-20 and had beaten Berthoud 64-57 in overtime in the semifinals to advance to the title game against parochial-rival Holy Family that was cancelled.

For boys, it was a return to a tough season, but junior Brayden Carter was selected to the second team.

The center led the Mustangs in scoring (18.7 points), rebounding (10.4) and blocks (1.2). He was a junior-varsity player in 2018-19.

Seniors Jackson Bond and Diallo Thompson, and sophomores Ethan Heffern and Josh Lopez made the honorable-mention group.

After advancing to Class 5A’s Sweet 16 in 2018-19, the Mustangs entered the past season minus their top eight players. They finished 4-19 overall, 1-13 in league.

Below are listings of the first and second teams, players and coaches of the year, and Mustangs chosen for honorable mention:

Julian Hammond, Cherry Creek, Jr.; Quinten Rock, Smoky Hill, Sr.; Caleb McGill, Grandview, Sr.; Lian Ramiro, Grandview, Sr.; Zion Ruckard, Eaglecrest, Sr.; Jalen Weaver, Smoky Hill, Jr.; Bryson Stephens, Arapahoe, Sr.; Myles Purchase, Smoky Hill, Jr.

Mullen honorable mention – Jackson Bond, Sr.; Ethan Heffern, So.; Josh Lopez, So.; Diallo Thompson, Sr..

Player of the year – Julian Hammond.

Coach of the year – Kent Dertinger, Cherry Creek.

 

Jana Van Gytenbeek, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Lauren Betts, Grandview, So.; Calista Clarke, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Megan Pohs, Mullen, Jr.; Makayla Hemingway, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; Addison O’Grady, Grandview, Jr.; Kali March, Arapahoe, Sr.; Imani Perez, Mullen, So.; Jadyn Ross, Eaglecrest, Sr.

Dominique Rodriguez, Cherokee trail, Sdr.; Tomia Johnson, Grandview, Sr.; Sam Crispe, Arapahoe, So.; Carly Thompson, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Gracie Gallegos, Mullen, So.; Landri Hudson, Grandview, Sr.; Kacee Kyle, Cherry Creek, Jr.; Abigail Wrede, Cherry Creek, Jr.; Tatiana Coleman, Eaglecrest, Sr.

Mullen honorable mention – Alexa Dominguez, Jr.; Haley Van Horn, Mullen, Jr.

Player of the year – Jana Van Gytenbeek.

Coach of the year – Rick Harris, Smoky Hill.

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