PAGE 14 > FALL FOOTBALL & SPORTS PREVIEW > AUGUST 30, 2012 > DOUGLAS COUNTY
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Local softball teams know the little things separate wins from losses By Jim Benton jbenton@ourcoloradonews.com
Close games are routine in the Class 5A state softball playoffs and Continental League teams have made strides in recent years to learn the challenges involved in post season play. Mountain Vista, Rock Canyon, Ponderosa, Highlands Ranch and Douglas County have been involved in state Sweet 16 playoff games during the past two seasons and know that it takes battle tested players to survive in the post season. “Once you get to the playoffs everyone realizes that every play counts and you are not going to get more than one opportunity,” said Mountain View senior pitcher Jesse Applehans. “Every play and at-bat you get matters.” Rock Canyon has lost to eventual state champion Legacy the past two seasons, in the 2010 championship game and last year in the semifinals. “In our state tournaments, I learned a lot,” Rock Canyon centerfielder Alli McCloskey said. “It taught me to preserve through the hard games because we’ve always been known to come out with long inning games. “In the state championship against Legacy, we came out and didn’t know what to expect. They played at a faster pace than we did so the next year we knew we had to come out, train harder and we had to be able to play those longer inning games.” It’s a musty saying but the state playoffs start a new season. “Just playing the tough teams in our league helps when you get into the state playoffs,” said Douglas County coach Brian Stebbins. “I feel that since its the end of the season, the competi-
tion is a lot better and there’s a much higher intensity for everything,” Mountain Vista catcher Sydney Cohen said. “Your whole season builds up to that. You are completely playing for your team, your seniors and it’s a whole team aspect at that point. It makes it a lot more fun. You just want to leave it on the field.” Most Continental League rosters this fall are full of girls who played competitive club softball during the summer, but it’s not the same as high school softball. “The girls play in competitive tournaments all the time but they are different,” Mountain View coach Bret Grammerstorf said. “The pressure is there but it’s different when you are wearing a school uniform. There’s people there to support you that wouldn’t necessarily be there at a summer tournament.” Rock Canyon coach Debbi Kortbawi has classroom sessions and often the talk is about club vs. high school softball. “You step on the field for that state championship game and the goose bumps are popping,” she said, “and you don’t get that feeling playing club ball because you are representing your school and you’re there with kids that you’ve grown up with. “There is just no other feeling like it. You can’t buy that experience. You have to live it.” Rock Canyon, with eight regulars returning from last season, is one of the teams favored to gain one of the Continental League’s three automatic spots into the state playoffs. Mountain Vista, Ponderosa and Douglas County also should be contenders. Castle View and Regis Jesuit can’t be overlooked in a league that has developed competitive teams from top to bottom. “I don’t look past anybody in this league,” said Kort-
Jesse Applehans, Sr., Mountain Vista Ciara Archer, Sr., ThunderRidge Shelby Bass., Sr. Highlands Ranch Zayne Blumbert, Jr., Rock Canyon Lauren Caldwell Jr. Regis Jesuit Stephanie Cardona, Jr., Legend Sydney Cohen, Sr., Mountain Vista Sarah Good, Jr., Castle View Ginger Hamilton, Sr. ThundeRidge Savannah Heebner, So., Castle View Allie Huizemga, Sr., Ponderosa Madison Hunton, Sr., Legend Anuhea Iida, Jr., Douglas County Rachel Johnson, Jr., Mountain Vista Shannon Lieber, Sr., Rock Canyon Katie Leiker, So., ThunderRidge Katie Longwell, Sr., Chaparral Tiffany Mathers, Jr. Ponderosa Grace Marriott, Sr., Regis Jesuit Alli McCloskey, Sr., Rock Canyon Jordan Osburne, Jr., Castle View Brianna Patrauskas, Sr., Castle View Kylee Piper, Sr. Regis Jesuit Ally Power, So., Ponderosa Laramie Rewerts, Jr., Douglas County Jocelyn Rockhold, Jr., Douglas County Jordan Smith, Fr., Chaparral Brooke Wakefield, Sr., Rock Canyon Stephanie Xavier, Regis Jesuit
bawi. “Part of me kinda wishes we were in a weaker league because sometimes you kind of want to take a breath but this league is strong. “I just don’t put anything past any of the coaches. They are strong coaches and we all appreciate that we do have a strong league. It makes us have better players when it comes to state.”
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