Basketball season for Palisades boys and girls ended last week. Both teams made it to the playoffs, and had very strong seasons. The girls lost out to number 18 Northridge and finished with a 17-7 overall record and a 6-0 league record. Senior Chloe Simons finished off the year averaging 16.7 points per game. Junior Addie Ritterbush followed, averaging seven points per game. “I think the season was very good and we improved a lot from last year.. we met our goals,” says Ritterbush.

The boys lost out to number two Vista Peak, and ended with a 10-14 overall record and a 3-3 league record. “I thought the boys improved a ton,” says Coach Cory on behalf of the season, “anytime you can make the playoffs and be one of the top 32 teams in the state I think you have a successful season.” Sophomore Hunter Howard finished off the year averaging 13 points per game. Junior Layne Ruppelius followed, averaging 10.3 points per game. “I think the season went good, we were young coming in with only a couple guys with varsity experience, so we knew there was going to be some growing pains. I like the fact that we came out every single day at practice and worked our tails off,” says Coach Cory. “The final goal was to make the playoffs and we did, so I think it was a success,” says Howard.

Both the girls and the boys had freshmen who contributed to the varsity teams this year. Gracie Cooper and Mady Bavor both played essential minutes for the girls. “I think the season went very well… we’ve definitely improved as a team with the coach. I think I’ve definitely improved dealing with pressure, I was very glad I got to play with both JV and Varsity,” says Cooper. For the boys, Carter Hayward, Dashawn Jackson, and Aidan Shiao got into the games and contributed majorly. “I felt like it went really well, we competed… we’ve grown a lot. The first few games I didn’t play with much confidence, I feel like now I’ve grown into my role, and I’ve been able to impact the team in a positive way,” says Hayward. 

This was the last year for both the boys and the girls in the Western Slope League, as next year they will join the South Western League with teams Fruita Monument, Durango, Grand Junction, Montrose, and Grand Junction Central. Three of those teams are located here in the valley. It is a tough league for both boys and girls. The boys and girls had great seasons, congrats on your seasons and good luck next season!