All-Conference and All-State selections for Western Slope high school spring sports have been announced, with Roaring Fork and Basalt high schools among those represented.
In girls soccer, Rams head coach Nicole Cruz was named 3A Western Slope League (WSL) co-Coach of the Year alongside Delta’s Audrey Reedy.
Cruz guided the Rams to a 10-5-3 record and second place in the league at 5-1-1, behind league champion Delta at 17-2 and 7-0. The Rams made a run to the quarterfinals of the state tournament, bowing out to eventual state runner-up Jefferson Academy.
First team All-Conference honors went to juniors Carley Crownhart and Emma Charters, with honorable mention given to senior Avery Smith and juniors Maddie Anderson and goalie Maggie Russell.
Anderson made second team in the All-State selections as a defender, along with Basalt senior midfielder Jacey Reed, who also earned All-Conference. Conference honorable mentions were given to Longhorn players sophomore Ruthie Lafaro and junior Maddie Inglis.
In girls lacrosse, Roaring Fork draw specialist Josie McKinley-Kitchell was named 4A Mountain East Player of the Year, and head coach Drew Kitchell was named league Coach of the Year.
The Rams finished 10-6 on the season and 6-3 in the league, behind league champion Battle Mountain (15-1, 10-0). McKinley-Kitchell paced the Rams offense, averaging 4.2 goals per game and 1.6 assists with 114 shots on goal for the season. She also garnered All-State honorable mention.
Joining McKinley-Kitchell in the All-Conference selections were senior Paige Pulliam (also second team All-State), and sophomore attacker Jordyn Miller (honorable mention All-State).
League honorable mentions went to senior midfielder Grace Garcia, junior midfielder Hailey Wolfe and junior goalie Ella Gunning.
Several Roaring Fork and Basalt baseball players also earned 3A WSL All-Conference honors as position players including, at outfielder: Roaring Fork sophomore Donny Read and Basalt senior Sebastian Oliver; at catcher: Roaring Fork senior Noel Richardson and Basalt junior Kody Barton; and pitcher: Roaring Fork junior Cole Fenton and Basalt senior Gage Balderson.
Official high school sports will take a break until August, when football, boys soccer, girls volleyball, boys golf and cross country will be on tap for the fall season.
In the meantime, the Rams girls basketball team is hosting an off-season summer basketball tournament this Saturday, June 8, at the high school’s Gymnasium. Games begin at 10am with Roaring Fork taking on Basalt. The tournament is free and open to the public.
Lady Rams basketball tournament schedule
10am — Roaring Fork vs. Basalt
11am — Palisade vs. Coal Ridge
Noon — Coal Ridge vs. Basalt
1pm — Roaring Fork vs. Palisade
2pm — Basalt vs. Palisade
3pm — Roaring Fork vs. Coal Ridge