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GV’s Kiburis lands top coaching honor

Jeff Caspersen
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. ” Grand Valley basketball’s Scott Kiburis eschews taking credit when discussing his selection as the Rocky Mountain News’ Class 2A coach of the year.

“I had good players,” the coach of the state-champion Cardinals said. “I had good players that performed well when it mattered most. Sometimes the coach of the year goes to the team that won.”

Still, Kiburis helped deliver Grand Valley its first team title in state history, something not lost on the tiny town of Parachute, where the Cardinals received the royal treatment upon returning from the Front Range with a state title trophy in tow two weekends ago.



“It was a really cool thing,” Kiburis said. “The police brought them back the last 15 miles. A fire engine was shooting water over them. There were 100 people at the school waiting. We had an assembly on Monday.”

The Cardinals were even invited to the Colorado state assembly, an offer they have yet to act upon.



Grand Valley’s Sam McKinley joined his coach in earning postseason honors from the Rocky Mountain News, landing a spot on the Class 2A all-state first team. Fellow senior Luke Braby earned an honorable mention.

Clearly, 2007 is a year not to be forgotten for Grand Valley High School. Kiburis credited the unselfish nature of his players for carrying them to a title.

“I really think a lot of it is owed to the unselfishness of our kids,” he said. “The brand of basketball we play can be selfish. We do shoot quick, shoot a lot. We gamble on defense with pressure. But they were unselfish in the sense they were moving the ball around, playing great defense. It was determination.”

The Cards’ win struck a blow not only for the school, but for the entire Western Slope.

“I’ve had so many e-mails, faxes, phone calls,” Kiburis said. “I’ve probably heard from ” 1A through 5A on the Western Slope ” over half the coaches. They’ve all said it’s just so awesome.”

Roaring Fork’s Kyle Raaflaub made the Rocky Mountain News’ second team for Class 3A boys basketball. Teammates Kade Gianinetti and Torrey Udall were named as honorable mention picks.

Glenwood Springs’ Ryan Foraker was tabbed honorable mention in 4A.

For the girls, Glenwood’s Sharaya Selsor earned a spot on the Class 4A second team, while teammate Sam Ciani and Rifle’s Kendall Babler and Kristin

Guettler were picked honorable mention.

Glenwood Springs post Sam Ciani will participate in the Colorado High School Coaches Association girls all-state games on June 9. She will be joined in Greeley on the boys side by schoolmate and fellow post Ryan Foraker.

Also making the all-state games locally for the boys were Roaring Fork’s Kyle Raaflaub and Grand Valley’s Sam McKinley.

Rifle’s Kristin Guettler and Glenwood’s Ryan Foraker were selected to receive the Class 4A Western Slope League’s sportsmanship awards.


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