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Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Feb 24, 2000

GIRLS

Saturday

Rampart (2-16) at Pueblo South (16-3), 5 p.m.

Rampart will have its hands full with the speedy and athletic Colts, who have a tradition of playing a pestering defense and an up- tempo offense.

Rampart will look to counter with sophomore Allie Gard, who will need to be on her game, especially from the 3-point line. The team's two seniors, Courtney Runyan and Nicole Trimboli, will also be counted on.

South is led by a group of five players, who all average between eight and 12 points: Micaela Morenz, Sydney Mondragon, Janelle Trujillo, Nicole Offerman and Jenna Morenz.

The Colts' three losses have totaled seven points, South coach Jim Harrison said.

Wasson (9-10) at Pomona (9-10), 7 p.m.

If Wasson is to beat Pomona, it'll have to stop 6-foot-2 standout Ragan Neblett.

Neblett, who started as a sophomore on a team that made it to the state championship game, is the squad's top scorer and rebounder. She's signed with the University of Denver to play basketball next year.

"We'll play straight-up man defense," Wasson coach Terrance Allen said. "I don't know who that will be yet (guarding Neblett). We'll probably change that up."

Pomona has been inconsistent this campaign, said coach Bob Hicks.

The Thunderbirds will counter with a standout of their own in Stacey Heald, who's the leading scorer at 12.5 points per game and one of the state's top shot blockers.

Katie Stansberry also figures to aid Wasson's cause on the boards.

Westminster (7-12) at Air Academy (11-8), 6 p.m.

Air Academy, which finished third in the Metro North, will be facing a Westminster team that has only won two out of its past eight.

Tara Knudsen who leads Westminster in all categories, scored 31 points against Ranum.

The Kadets' Anna Johnson, who also leads in both scoring and rebounding, will be looking for support from both Megan and Shannon Higgins.

The Higginses combined add 14.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Megan leads the team in steals; Shannon leads the team in assists.

Durango (8-11) at Palmer (11-8), 7 p.m.

Palmer has won six of its past eight games in the regular season and is looking to keep it going through the state playoffs. With players such as Kacy Owens, Megan Keating and Lindsay Chesla, Palmer's chances are good.

Owens is among Colorado Springs' top rebounders. Keating is second in the area in assists. Chesla is leading Palmer in scoring.

Palmer will have to stop Durango's Jamila Negbee, the team's points and rebounds leader. BOYS

Friday

Air Academy (3-16) at Arvada West (15-4), 7 p.m.

Air Academy takes on Arvada West, a team that's coming off a lopsided loss to Jeffco League foe Chatfield, 79-38.

Arvada West, though, played that game without its top scorer Gabe Glennon, who injured his ankle. He's expected to play.

Arvada West plays up-tempo, likes to shoot the 3-pointer and is aggressive on defense, according to Kadets coach Phil Roiko.

The Wildcats are made up of mostly juniors and sophomores and have beaten some top-notch opponents this year.

The Kadets, meanwhile, will count on the leadership and athleticism of three of their best athletes in Ben Barlow, who averages 17 points, Zach Carpenter, the team's point guard, and Dan Walsh, a good rebounder.

Saturday

Coronado (8-10) at Hinkley (14-5), 7:30 p.m.

Coronado will need one of its best shooting nights in order to upset Hinkley.

The Cougars feature six seniors and all of them can score. Mark Moore, Daron Porter, Dan Francom, Jeramy Jussel, Jeremy Manderi and Angel Torres like to push the ball up the floor and play up-tempo.

Hinkley, meanwhile, is a young team without a senior. It, however, boasts two standout players in juniors Nick Brooks, who's 6- 6 and a three-year varsity member, and Jaison Williams, a transfer from Smoky Hill who's described as a slasher at 6-3.

Brooks averages a team-high 23 points and eight rebounds, while Williams, the point guard, averages 17 points and leads the team in assists and steals with four each a game.

"We'll try to minimize what Brooks does," Coronado coach Kevin Moore said.

Hinkley also likes to press so it will be important, Moore said, for Mark Moore and DaRon Porter to beat the pressure.

Aurora Central (9-10) at Rampart (10-9), 7 p.m.

Hoping to improve on last year's first-round defeat, Rampart, led by senior guard Kevin Wagstaff will be facing an evenly matched Aurora Central. Both Mark Clemente and Lamar Garlington of Central average nine points, but the inside threat of Antonio Porch is the driving force.

Central faces tough top-ranked teams throughout the season as part of the Continental League and surprises most when they are underestimated because of the below 500 record.Doherty (7-12) at Rocky Mountain (12-7), 2 p.m.

The Spartans will be facing a well-balanced and tough Rocky Mountain team that includes three players that average 18 points or more. Scott Stevens (18.3), Collins Ferris (19.3), and Franklin Ryk (18.2) are the three deadly point producers. Andy Miller (9.5), when allowed to set up, is a serious threat behind the 3-point line.