Centennial League

Favorite: Grandview

Contenders: Cherry Creek, Fairview, Mullen, Smoky Hill

Outlook: It was a tough year for the league last season as each of its marquee teams, Cherry Creek and Grandview, were eliminated far quicker than expected in the postseason. But Grandview appears to be a can’t-miss squad this season, with Georgia Tech-bound catcher Cole Leonida and pitcher Jared Schlehuber the linchpins of a potentially dominant lineup. Cherry Creek, meanwhile, must replace all nine of its starters but the Bruins’ junior varsity teams often are better than a large number of varsity outfits. Mullen and Fairview each exhibited limitless potential in the summer, but it remains to be seen how it will translate. Smoky Hill, 8-12 last season, is looking to rebound behind pitcher Mike McElreath.

Key players: SS Mitchell Adams, Boulder, Sr.; SS Alex Allbritton, Grandview, Sr.; SS Mat Cornell, Eaglecrest, Sr.; P Nick Douse, Fairview, Sr.; C John Haines, Cherry Creek, Sr.; OF Nash Hensen, Boulder, Sr.; P A.J. Jacobs, Cherry Creek, Sr.; C Cole Leonida, Grandview, Sr.; C Doug Maes, Overland, Sr.; P Mike McElreath, Smoky Hill, Sr.; P Reese McGraw, Fairview, Sr.; 1B Justin McIllvain, Eaglecrest, Sr.; P Chris Mezger, Sr.; P Jared Schlehuber, Grandview, Sr.; OF Matt Tanis, Overland, Sr.; OF Andy Welliver, Cherry Creek, Sr.



Colorado Springs Metro League

Favorite: Doherty

Contenders: Air Academy, Lewis-Palmer, Mitchell, Rampart, Coronado

Outlook: The battle for league supremacy could be a tight one between Air Academy and Doherty. Most coaches in the league chose one or the other as the favorite, but the early choice here is Doherty. The Spartans narrowly missed becoming the first Colorado Springs team to advance to the state tournament since the advent of the Championship Series, and return several standouts, including pitcher Mark Gerster. Air Academy’s Ryan Salt, though, also could end up being the league’s finest pitcher. Don’t count out Lewis-Palmer, either. The Rangers went 14-4 last season and have depth on the mound. Rampart and Mitchell are hoping to rise from the middle of the pack. Pine Creek and Sand Creek move up to the league from 4A this season.

Key players: P Eric Ahrens, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; C Brett Bowman, Rampart, Sr.; P Brandon Devries, Mitchell Jr.; 3B Will Dockins, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; P Mark Gerster, Air Academy, Sr.; 1B D.J. Johnson, Mitchell, Sr.; SS David Kaplan, Doherty, Sr.; OF Alex Oesterle, Doherty, Sr.; 1B Dexter Price, Air Academy, Jr.; P Ryan Salt, Air Academy, Sr.; 1B Jordan Vaugh, Rampart, Sr.



Continental League

Favorite: Mountain Vista

Contenders: Chaparral, Arapahoe, Ponderosa, ThunderRidge, Regis, Heritage

Outlook: A season after advancing to the state championship game, Mountain Vista returns loaded despite the graduation of its top two pitchers. Danny Beck will inherit the role of ace for the Golden Eagles, who have at least six seniors who will play college ball next season. Chaparral, which also advanced to the final four, has some retooling to do as well but the Wolverines should remain a contender. Arapahoe has a stout lineup and standout ace in Cody Scott, and the Warriors will be in the mix. Ponderosa, 10-8 last season, and ThunderRidge (11-9) also could morph into factors in the league race along with perennial contender Regis.

Key players: 2B Joe Barlow, Douglas County, Sr.; P Danny Beck, Mountain Vista, Sr.; C Zach Blakeley, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; OF John Callahan, ThunderRidge, Sr.; OF Bobby Cozine, ThunderRidge, Sr.; SS Brian Dean, Hertiage, Sr.; 1B Mike Frank, Chaparral, Sr.; OF Corey Gaudet, Chaparral, Sr.; OF Alex Grant, Rangeview, Sr.; OF Sean Grover, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; SS Zach Higgins, Mountain Vista, Sr.; SS Adam Jerome, Rangeview, Sr.; P Kevin Larson, Douglas County, Sr.; OF Jon Major, Ponderosa, Jr.; OF Justin Major, Ponderosa, Sr.; C Lorenzo Roybal, Chaparral, Sr.; 1B David Runberg, Arapahoe, Sr.; 3B A.J. Schugel, Mountain Vista, Sr.; C Cody Scott, Arapahoe, Sr.; OF Peter Stanton, Arapahoe, Sr.



Denver Prep League

Favorite: Denver East

Contender: Montbello

Outlook: Denver East coach Howard Karsh believes this could be his best squad in 10 years at the helm. The Angels went 14-6 last season but will not prove themselves to the rest of the classification until they become a factor in the postseason. The Angels will battle 4A Thomas Jefferson for the outright league crown, but will have to fend off only Montbello, Kennedy, George Washington and Denver West in the 5A league race. Montbello could be an improved squad behind multitalented center fielder Taylor Rogers, who hit .469 last season.

Key players: 1B Chris Gorham, Montbello, Sr.; P Chris Hayden, Denver East, Sr.; OF Jay Prevedel, Denver East, Sr.; OF Taylor Rogers, Montbello, Sr.; SS Vince Wilson, Denver East, Sr.



Front Range League

Favorite: Rocky Mountain

Contenders: Monarch, Fort Collins, Horizon, Northglenn

Outlook: Rocky Mountain could find itself the focal point of the league again a year after Monarch put on a hitting display for the ages. While many of the Coyotes principal power sources have moved on to college, Rocky Mountain maintains many contributors, including junior pitcher-shortstop Andy Burns. Monarch figures to fall back to the pack a bit, but the Coyotes should not completely disappear from the league race. Behind center fielder Garrett Houts, Fort Collins will compete, as will Horizon, which continues to surge despite winning only one game two seasons ago. Legacy should be vastly improved from its 3-15 showing last season.

Key players: OF Brennan Brown, Legacy, Sr.; SS Andy Burns, Rocky Mountain, Jr.; OF Dustin Case, Northglenn, Sr.; OF Todd Fischbach, Horizon, Sr.; SS Adam Hilker, Northglenn, Sr.; OF Garrett Houts, Fort Collins, Sr.; 3B Joe Manders, Monarch, Sr.; 2B Drew Marquez, Rocky Mountain, Sr.; 1B Brad Newton, Horizon, Sr.; C Tony Rafiti, Rocky Mountain, Sr.; 2B Joe Ray, Monarch, Sr.; Joe Schmidtbauer, Fort Collins, Sr.; P Brandon Seagondollar, Poudre, Sr.; SS Jordan Varela, Legacy, Sr.; OF Aaron Young, Poudre, Sr.



Jefferson County League

Favorite: Columbine

Contenders: Arvada West, Wheat Ridge, Pomona, Dakota Ridge, Chatfield, Lakewood, Bear Creek, Green Mountain

Outlook: Defending champion Columbine enters as the consensus favorite, and the Rebels are a bona fide candidate for another state championship if they can find pitching depth. But the league again is strong top to bottom, with several teams possessing well-rounded rosters. Among them is Arvada West, which returns three-year standouts Lincoln Harmer, Ryan Hill and Vince Capra. Wheat Ridge burst on the scene last season, missing the Championship Series because of one disastrous inning at Chaparral, but the Farmers return nearly everyone. Pomona, Dakota Ridge and Green Mountain were on-the-cusp programs last season that could take giant steps this spring if the chips continue to fall into place. Former Green Mountain skipper Brad Kidwell takes over at Bear Creek this season.

Key players: 3B Everett Altman, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; P Eric Baalman, Dakota Ridge, Sr.; 2B T.J. Berge, Dakota Ridge, Sr.; P Vince Capra, Arvada West, Sr.; 2B Casey Coy, Chatfield, Jr.; 1B Curtis Cunningham, Columbine, Jr.; C Josh Daniels, Bear Creek, Sr.; C Craig Davis, Standley Lake, Sr.; C C.J. Gillman, Columbine, Sr.; P Garrett Graff, Lakewood, Sr.; OF Lincoln Harmer, Arvada West, Sr.; OF Ryan Hill, Arvada West, Sr.; OF Blake Krenke, Pomona, Sr.; 3B Eric Mattingly, Bear Creek, Jr.; C Cory Miller, Green Mountain, Sr.; P Dominic Montoya, Columbine, Sr.; P Kyle Oestereicher, Pomona, Sr.; OF Jeff Popick, Lakewood, Jr.; IF Matt Raabe, Green Mountain, Sr.; SS Anthony Salazar, Pomona, Sr.; 2B Adam Smart, Standley Lake, Sr.; P Beau Stevens, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; 3B Joe Summers, Chatfield, Sr.



Skyline League

Favorite: Brighton

Contenders: Hinkley, Adams City

Outlook: The 13-team league consists of only four 5A teams, two of which qualify for the postseason. Hinkley, 10-10 last season, qualified for the postseason but quickly bowed out. The Thunderbirds’ goal is to return to the playoffs and win at least one game. The Thunderbirds will compete with Brighton, Adams City and rebuilding Aurora Central for the two 5A spots in a league where 4A Cherokee Trail is the undisputed favorite. Brighton, under new coach Les Tapia, appears to have the most solid returning squad among the 5A teams.

Key players: P Marshall Carr, Brighton, Sr.; C Patrick Benedetto, Hinkley, Jr.; P David Martindale, Hinkley, Sr.; Deitrick Turney, Brighton, Jr.



Southwestern League

Favorite: Grand Junction

Contenders: Fruita Monument

Outlook: Grand Junction will aim to keep its stranglehold on the league title despite getting hit hard by graduation. Junior center fielder Bubba Higgins appears en route to becoming the Tigers’ next big-time slugger. Fruita Monument could break through this season, as the Wildcats will begin the season with an ambitious schedule against many solid metro-area teams. Durango, 6-13 last season, has a solid young nucleus but the Demons could be a year away from challenging for the league crown. The league also includes 4A representatives Montezuma-Cortez and Montrose.

Key players: CF Bubba Higgins, Grand Junction, Jr.; C Ross Koepsell, Grand Junction, Jr.; OF Ian McKnight, Durango, Sr.; P Braden Neptune, Fruita Monument, Sr.; C Chas Tabone, Durango, Jr.

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