Class 5A girls hoops state championship playoffs is underway, and once again the Continental League is very well represented in the bracket.

Nine of the league’s team earned spots in this year’s state line up, which began Feb. 22 with the first round, including Highlands Ranch (20-3), ThunderRidge (19-4), both of which had bye’s from Round 1, and Heritage (14-9), Rock Canyon (15-8), Chaparral (14-9), each of which got to host their first playoff matchup.

Ponderosa (8-15), Mountain Vista (9-14) and Castle View (9-14) were also among the ranks but were forced to start their respective playoff runs on the road.

Castle View

Having qualified for the 5A playoffs as the No. 12 seed in the Alice Barron Region, Castle View opened the first round with a road matchup against No. 5 Standley Lake. The Gators ended the Sabercats hoops season on a 46-40 final Feb. 22.

The Cats’ Olivia Winkler scored 17 points in that game. Jess Farra hooped nine points and was 4-5 at the foul line. View had a tough time containing Lake’s Taylor Duran and Kayleen Asmus who had 26 points between them, as well as Hayley Lopez, their outside dead-eye who dropped four from beyond the arc.

The Sabercats finished their first Class 5A post-season with a 9-15 overall record. They were 3-8 in the Continental League to finish in ninth place.

Chaparral

The talented and young Chaparral Wolverines entered the post-season with the No. 5 seed in the Carol Callan Region and drew the first round playing host to Overland Feb. 22 in Parker. The Wolverines beat Overland 79-58 to advance to Round 2 to face Ralston Valley, the region’s No. 4 seed, Feb. 25.

In that game, Chaparral’s Katie Longwell booked 18 points including five drops from beyond the arc. Carly Hartman scored 16 points, and Katee Hurlburt had 10 having drilled two from outside.

Highlands Ranch

Highlands Ranch earned a bye from the first round of the playoffs with a 20-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the Sharon Welch Region. The Falcons face Rocky Mountain Feb. 25 at the school in Highlands Ranch. The Lobos are at the No. 9 seed with an 11-13 record.

Mountain Vista

Mountain Vista came into the playoffs with a 9-14 record and the No. 9 seed in the Alice Barron Region. The Golden Eagles hit the road for Round 1 to face host Lakewood, the No. 8 seed, Feb. 22 in Lakewood. The Eagles lived to see another round after beating the Tigers 49-34.

Vista’s Jennifer Wahleithner led the team on the scoreboard in the first round with 13 points. Jordan Wilmes finished with 12 including two drops from outside the arc. Grace Shea also dropped two from the parking lot. With the win, the Golden Eagles face No. 1 seeded Legacy Feb. 25.

Ponderosa

Ponderosa managed to qualify for the playoffs with an 8-15 record and the No. 10 seed in the Carol Callan Region. They started the bracket with a first-round game on the road Feb. 22 at Horizon, No. 7 seed. Horizon ended the Mustangs season with a 51-41 final.

Highlights from the game were unavailable. Ponderosa finished the year with an 8-16 record. The Mustangs were 4-7 in the Continental League, finishing in eighth place.

Rock Canyon

Rock Canyon played host to its first round playoff game for the second year in a row. The Jaguars came into the 5A playoffs with a No. 6 seed in the Kaye Garms Region with a 15-8 record and played host to No. 11 Montbello Feb. 22 at the school in Highlands Ranch and advanced to Round 2 with a 68-51 victory.

In the first round, Lexy Thorderson scored 16 points for the Jags including four buckets from outside. Chloe Thorderson put up 12 points including two outside hoops. Katie Pokrant had 11 points, and Kendall Koslosky put up 10.

Canyon hits the road for Round 2 to face No. 3 seeded Fort Collins Feb. 25 in Fort Collins.

ThunderRidge

ThunderRidge also had a bye from Round 1 with a 19-4 record coming into the 5A playoffs as the No. 1 seed of the Carol Callan Region. The Grizzlies play host to No. 8 Rangeview Feb. 25 at the school in Highlands Ranch.

Coach Bill Bradley said things were going well for T-Ridge coming into the playoffs.

“Our kids have worked very hard this year and are now reaping the benefits of all of their hard work,” Bradley said. “The No. 1 seed in the CHSAA 5A state tournament was a surprise but recognition for our improvement and dedication.”

Although the Grizzlies know they still have areas to improve, the coach was confident of his players.

“These girls will continue to work and improve,” Bradley said. “We still have to get a little tougher. Sometimes at this time of the year, teams will tone back and coast the rest of the year. Our kids are working harder than ever and that is truly exciting to see.”