News and Events
Prep League Spring Roundup
May 19, 2009 - The 2009 Nuggets/Avalanche Prep League spring season saw the largest field of DPS Middle School students ever participate in the districts program. In all over 1,500 student athletes participated in baseball, girls soccer and boys and girls 6th grade basketball. Factoring in the 7th and 8th grade Futures Football participants the total climbs to nearly 2,000 middle school student athletes participating in school organized after school activities during the spring season.
As participation continues to climb so to does the quality of our athletes. This spring the Prep League baseball and soccer titles were hotly contested. Nearly 30 baseball and 30 girls soccer teams battled it out for the right to hoist the Prep League Trophy at the end of the season.
The girls soccer season saw some familiar faces along with some Prep League newcomers go the distance in what would be the most exciting season to date.
It all started with defending champion Hamilton going all the way to the wire with perennial power Henry. Although the game was close throughout with both
sides creating winning chances, in the end Hamilton was able to secure the victory.
In one of the most exciting games of the season Rachel B. Noel played host to MLK in a mid-season thriller. While both sides were able to create several early chances, neither could capitalize as both goalies were up to the task. The game remained scoreless until Noel was finally able to get on the board late in the second half and hold on for a quality 1-0 decision.
After nearly nine weeks of action the leagues final playoff berth came down to the last day as Bryant Webster traveled to Centennial to take on the Prospectors. In a winner take all match-up both sides were noticeably tense in the early going. However, as the game progressed nerves subsided and the game opened up. By the late stages of the second half Bryant Webster was able to open up a 3-0 lead and hold on to advance to first round playoff action.
While 12 teams entered playoff action on Monday, by Thursday it was down to 4 as Smiley, Hill, Slavens and Hamilton met in the Final Four. Both games featured a plethora of future All-League talent that their awaiting DPS High Schools will surely enjoy for years to come. In the end however it would be the Hamilton Huskies and the Slavens Storm meeting on a beautiful Friday in May at Bruce Randolph School on the north side of Denver to crown a league champion.
The two schools have a bit of history as they have met the previous two seasons in the Prep League Championship. With the series tied at one win a piece in their last two finals appearances this game would serve as the rubber match and give one school a slight edge in what has and will be a long lasting rivalry.
The game got off to a furious up and down pace that seemingly could not continue for the full 60. Both schools created several excellent chances with Hamilton able to capitalize early and hold on for a 1-0 lead at the half. Despite an onslaught of quality second half scoring chances for Hamilton, the Slavens goalkeeper was able to deny each opportunity helping to keep her team in the game. Finally, after increased back and forth play from both schools Hamilton was able to secure a little breathing room as they made it 2-0 on a world class bending strike from the left side that skimmed the top of the far post and dropped in. That would be all Hamilton needed as they came away with their second title in as many years.
The 2009 baseball season saw the addition of several new teams into the mix of what was already an incredibly competitive league. In an early season match-up that proved
the league newcomers were for real, Greenwood took on Merrill in first week action. In what ended up being Greenwoods first ever Prep League baseball victory in the opening
game of their inaugural season, they took a very game Merrill team to the wire before pulling away for a 5-2 victory.
In a game that proved they were finally ready to take that next step after several years of close calls, Bruce Randolph narrowly slipped past defending league runner-up Centennial in the NW Divisions opening game. Bruce Randolph would feed off this triumph finishing the regular season undefeated before finally succumbing to three time defending champion Hamilton in the semi-finals.
The season would be filled with competitive games as the league enjoyed tremendous parity amongst all league members: A sign that DPS is ready to climb back into the mix of the states baseball powers.
As the league entered its final week the 12 team playoff field was set. The first day of playoff action featured several teams that could have easily made a title run, including SW Division runner-up Kepner and SE Division perennial power Hill. Both teams got out of the gate quickly with several timely hits from both schools. Hill however would strike first and often pulling out to a late inning lead and eventually taking the game 8-2.
This seasons title game featured two teams looking to make history. For Morey it was a perfect 10-0 season on the line and for Hamilton it was the unthinkable, a 4th consecutive Prep League baseball crown. The game would go back and forth through the first couple of innings before Hamilton was finally able to pull away and hold on for the win. Although the dream season was not to be for Morey they could still walk away with their heads held high knowing they gave it their all. As for Hamilton, they hoisted the trophy with superior sportsmanship and are looking forward to going for their 5th straight next season.
As the 2008-2009 Nuggets/Avalanche Prep League Season comes to an end we would be remised if we did not thank the people that helped make it all possible. The Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and McCormick Tribune, as well as the DPS Foundation all dedicated valuable resources which enabled middle school children throughout DPS the opportunity to participate in structured physical activity. The wonderful coaching staff at South High School, Howell Middle School and Bruce Randolph School led by Athletic Directors Miranda Odom, Todd Laughlin and Cesar Cedillo who put on amazing championship events throughout the year. We would also like to thank Bank of the West for their dedicated support of DPS middle school athletics and their focus on bring financial literacy to the students of the district. We look forward to a long lasting partnership with an incredible organization committed to the community of Denver. And a special thank you to the coaches and Athletic Directors at all of our middle schools who work tirelessly every day to make the league what it is today. To all of you we are thankful and look forward to starting anew as the 2009-2010 Prep League season is upon us. Games begin August 31st and next year promises to be a special one as nearly thirty teams will compete for division and league crowns. We hope to see you all in August.