Class 3A hoops: Tough open gyms a boost for Roaring Fork

CARBONDALE, Colorado — Roaring Fork boys basketball coach Larry Williams put his 2009-10 Rams up against some serious competition in open gyms this past summer.

“That's where I think the kids got the majority of their important experience,” Williams said. “They played against guys like Torrey Udall and Aaron Markham, the Hunt twins [Tyler and Trevor]. And Kade Gianinetti and Parker Nieslanik. They came up at least two nights a week and played against our guys.”

To those uninitiated with Roaring Fork hoops: Those are some pretty big names.

They're names belonging to players who helped the Rams to many a state tournament showing this past decade. Many of those names presently grace college rosters.

“I don't think anybody in our league will be as good as what we faced on some of those Tuesday nights,” Williams said with a chuckle. “Not pure talent wise.”

The battle-tested Rams begin facing players their own age at next weekend's Brenda Patch Tournament, Roaring Fork's home tournament.

Williams, in his second year as Roaring Fork's head coach, says his team is miles ahead of where it stood at this time last year.

Three players with substantial varsity experience — junior Jake Strack-Loertscher, senior Arick Zeigel and all-conference honorable mention Jake Hawkins, also a senior — are returning. All three are in the 6-foot-3 to 6-foot-4 range in the size department.

Williams also anticipates big contributions from select younger players, including junior Dalton Handy and guard Clay Gross. Both are guards who'll likely switch off between the No. 1 and No. 2 positions.

The quintet will serve as the nucleus of what Williams thinks will be a competitive squad.

“I think we can battle with any of them,” Williams said. “I like our chances. … We're definitely ahead of where we were last year.”

Titans look to bounce back from big graduation hit

PEACH VALLEY, Colorado — Coal Ridge's boys basketball team made a name for itself in 2008-09, winning 21 games and advancing to Class 3A's round of eight for the first time in program history.

The loss of six seniors — including sharp-shooting guard Eric Schmitz and 6-foot-9 post force Alex Klein — leaves the Titans with some holes to fill if they hope to approach last season's success in 2009-10.

But, with shifty point guard Andy Smedra back for a senior campaign, second-year coach Paul Harvey think his team will hold its own.

“He's the man,” Harvey said of Smedra. “He's three-time all-conference. He's an all-state honorable mention. He led the kids this summer really well. He's been a really vocal, really strong leader. Everything really runs through him.”

Smedra will be surrounded by a talented supporting cast that includes junior Nathan Terrin, who, at 6-foot-4, will bring size to the frontcourt. Also chipping in big minutes will be junior Rafael Fabela, an efficient three-point shooter, and sophomore Darik Brown, a transfer from Rifle.

“I think, athletically, we're with any team in the league,” Harvey said. “We're right there. It's just experience. Basketball wise, some games we might shoot lights out. Some games we might be cold and have to get to the hoop a lot more.”

Higuera takes over at Grand Valley

PARACHUTE, Colorado — Jake Higuera knows a thing or two about Grand Valley's storied basketball history. He lived through a big part of it, helping the Cardinals reach many a state tournament as a player.

“You know, it's been a very proud tradition for a long time,” said Higuera, a 2000 Grand Valley graduate who is taking over as the school's head boys basketball coach this season. “We were in the [state tournament] for a long time — seven straight years back in the ‘90s when I played and my brother played. We kind of want to get to get back there.”

Higuera, who served as an assistant coach under co-frontmen Mark Cowan and Roger Walters last season, will begin working toward that goal with a young team in 2009-10.

The Cardinals lost eight seniors to graduation from a 2008-09 team that went 15-8 in its first season at the 3A level.

Leading this season's young group will be a pair of seniors — Tyler Radel and big man Ian Holloway.

“[Ian] didn't play last year,” Higuera said. “He had moved in too late. He's a big kid — 6-4. He's just been a totally different kid. He's come back with a different attitude. Tyler Radel is doing the same. He's stepped right into that senior role.”

Stepping up from a talented junior class will be players like Dylan Walters and Matt Donello.

“You know, we kind of look at it as we look really young, but with the group of guys we have, we wouldn't want to take anyone else into the season,” Higuera said. “It's a great group of young men. They just put the team first. There's no selfishness. It's awesome to see. I'm an optimist. If we don't win some games, we'll at least come out as better men.”

jcaspersen@postindependent.com