Vince Valdez has been chosen the Rocky Mountain News' All-Colorado boys basketball coach of the year not just for leading the Lincoln Lancers to the Class 4A championship, but for taking the risks necessary to win it.

Valdez, in his 10th season, booked one of the toughest schedules in the state. The Lancers, who finished 20-7, played Class 5A powerhouses Aurora Central, Smoky Hill, Wheat Ridge, Grandview, Poudre and Chatfield during the regular season.

At one point, Lincoln's record was 6-6. Still, the Lan- cers parlayed that schedule into playoff toughness and the state championship, the first for the school.

"When we were 6-6, it was like, 'Maybe I made this thing a little too tough,' " Valdez said. "But the kids were able to do it."

Losses weren't the only hurdle in Lincoln's path.

The team, a model of racial diversity, was accused of several unproven shenanigans. Emotions were heightened to the point of death threats being issued against the team. But the Lancers kept winning down the stretch, culminating in a 63-52 victory against Ralston Valley in the final.

The Mustangs had beaten Lincoln in the regular season, but Jorge Gutierrez, Kadeem Thomas, Ruot Pal and Francisco Cruz led the Lancers to the ultimate victory.

Valdez, a Lincoln graduate, was most proud of how his team came together, in spite of injuries, accusations and those earlier losses.

"It's the way in which we did it," Valdez said, "the way we were able to overcome the controversy and just persevere."

Class 5A

• Player of the year: Levi Knutson, Arapahoe.

• Coach of the year: Ken Niven, Monarch.

• First team

Name School Ht. Yr.

Garrett Fiddler Doherty 6-10 Sr.

Stephen Franklin Aurora Central 6-6 Sr.

Levi Knutson Arapahoe 6-4 Sr.

Taylor Montgomery Cherry Creek 6-7 Sr.

Donell Wells Denver East 6-0 Sr.

• Second team

Name School Ht. Yr.

Devin Aguilar Mullen 6-2 Sr.

Josh Cassaday Smoky Hill 6-6 Sr.

Sean Cunningham Aurora Central 6-2 Sr.

Dallas Elmore Poudre 6-4 Jr.

V.J. Holmes Doherty 6-4 Jr.

• Honorable mention Blake Bajcar, Monarch, Sr.; Kyle Behrens, Mountain Vista, Sr.; Andreas Braxton, Mitchell, Sr.; Ron Burton, Air Academy, Sr.; Sabatino Chen, Monarch, Jr.; Chris Dean, Brighton, Sr.; Terrance Dent, Mullen, Jr.; Chris Fernandez, Grandview, Sr.; Mitch Fraser, Boulder, Jr.; Mookey Gilbert, Denver East, Jr.; Robert Gray-McFalls, Kennedy, Sr.; Kit Hensel, Brighton, Sr.; Sam Huebner, Smoky Hill, Sr; O'Rion Hughes, Gateway, Jr.; Dario Hunt, Pine Creek, Sr.; Martell Jackson, Brighton, Sr.; Reggie Jackson, Palmer, Jr.; Brian Kenshalo, Chatfield, Sr.; Collin Klein, Loveland, Jr.; Ryan Magiera, Monarch, Sr.; Matt Morris, Durango, Sr.; Lucas Nelson, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; Blake Olson, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; Alan Paul, Mitchell, Sr.; Anthony Porch, Montbello, Sr.; Nick Rose, Lakewood, Sr.; Sean Stokes, George Washington, Sr.; Blake Swain, Denver East, Sr.; Bryse Velasquez, Doherty, So.; Gage Wooten, Eaglecrest, So.

Class 4A

• Player of the year: Jorge Gutierrez, Lincoln.

• Coach of the year: Vince Valdez, Lincoln.

• First team

Name School Ht. Yr.

Jorge Gutierrez Lincoln 6-2 Sr.

Andrew Hooper D'Evelyn 6-9 Sr.

Pierce Hornung Ralston Valley 6-3 So.

Niko Marinucci Pueblo South 5-10 Sr.

Julien McCollum Widefield 6-2 Jr.

• Second team

Name School Ht. Yr.

Aaron Calkins Steamboat Springs 6-3 Jr.

Brandon Lutz Widefield 6-2 Sr.

Cody Mivshek Fossil Ridge 6-2 Jr.

Clay Pottorff Greeley West 6-3 Sr.

John Register Harrison 5-10 Sr.

• Honorable mention Ian Anderson, Montezuma-Cortez, Sr.; Alex Barthule, Broomfield, Jr.; Lawon Benford, Thomas Jefferson, Sr.; Francisco Cruz, Lincoln, Jr.; Jeff Dolan, Conifer, Sr.; Matt Elliott, Windsor, Sr.; Jason Espinoza, Alamosa, Sr.; Ryan Foraker, Glenwood Springs, Sr.; Ryan Garren, Broomfield, Sr.; Tim Halliday, Broomfield, Sr.; Jimmy Hayes, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; O'Bryan Hewitt, Harrison, Sr.; Kris Houseman, Frederick, Sr.; Terrance Hutchins, Fountain-Fort Carson, Jr.; Eddie Johnson, Harrison, Sr.; Zach Johnson, Ralston Valley, Sr.; Chaz Kramer, Silver Creek, Sr.; Devon Manning, Pueblo Central, Jr.; Danz Martinez, Denver North, Sr.; Isaiah Martinez, Greeley Central, Jr.; Marcus Molinari, Liberty, Sr.; Ruot Pal, Lincoln, Sr.; Brian Sackel, Elizabeth, Sr.; Mark Schaffer, D'Evelyn, Sr.; Cody Sorensen, Pueblo South, Sr.; Matt Tasset, Windsor, Sr.; Kadeem Thomas, Lincoln, Sr.; Anthony Trimarco, Mountain View, Sr.; Michael Vandahl, Steamboat Springs, Jr.; Kevin Webber, Ralston Valley, Sr.

Class 3A

• Player of the year: Kyle Lewis, Kent Denver.

• Coach of the year:

Dean Grable, Eaton.

• First team

Name School Ht. Yr.

Jerry Hildreth Roosevelt 5-7 Sr.

Kyle Lewis Kent Denver 5-9 Sr.

Seth Lobato Eaton 6-6 So.

Cory Parker Aspen 6-5 Jr.

Abram Ziemer Faith Christian 6-3 Sr.

• Second team

Name School Ht. Yr.

Matt Baarts Colo. Springs Christian 6-6 Jr.

Taylor Broekhuis Colo. Springs Christian 6-8 Jr.

Kyle Raaflaub Roaring Fork 6-5 Sr.

Jordan Shaffer Pagosa Springs 6-0 Sr.

Graham Yantis Faith Christian 6-5 Sr.

• Honorable mention Chaz Burrell, Clear Creek, Sr.; Eduardo Chacon, Sheridan, Sr.; Justin Coughlin, Yuma, Jr.; Will Deevy, Kent Denver, Sr.; Sean Dreiling, Estes Park, Sr.; Ramon Espinoza, Centauri, Jr.; Michael Garcia, St. Mary's, Sr.; Kade Gianinetti, Roaring Fork, Sr.; Nick Gill, Faith Christian, Jr.; Andrew Harrison, Rye, Jr.; Kerry Joe Hilsabeck, Pagosa Springs, Sr.; Levi Hinson, Rye, Sr.; Blake Horstman, Platte Canyon, Sr.; Mark Hubbard, Colorado Academy, Sr.; Tommy Klausner, Weld Central, Sr.; Lance Korell, Eaton, Jr.; Josh Megyeri, Manitou Springs, Sr.; Morgan Minck, Rye, Sr.; Caleb Ormonde, Pagosa Springs, Sr.; Jake Selley, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.; Jared Spooner, Brush, Jr.; Ben Stewart, Kent Denver, Jr.; Torrey Udall, Roaring Fork, Jr.; Jobi Wall, Faith Christian, Jr.; Porter Wilson, Bennett, Jr.

Class 2A

• Player of the year: Rob Lewis, right, Evangelical Christian.

• Coach of the year: Scott Kiburis, Grand Valley.

• First team

Name School Ht. Yr.

Dillon Larsen Sanford 5-11 Sr.

Rob Lewis Evangelical Christian 6-7 Sr.

Sam McKinley Grand Valley 6-1 Sr.

Taylor Morgan Cripple Creek 6-3 Jr.

Trey Mullen Lyons 6-3 Sr.

• Second team

Name School Ht. Yr.

Bobby Adamson Byers 6-3 Sr.

Nat David Burlington 5-6 Sr.

Ryan Holocher Jefferson Academy 6-3 Sr.

Josh McGinley Heritage Christian 6-1 Sr.

Chantry Ross Meeker 5-11 Sr.

• Honorable mention Jorgen Anderson, Akron, Jr.; CJ Boxrud, Lyons, Sr.; Luke Braby, Grand Valley, Sr.; Keith Caldon, Sanford, Sr.; Taylor Conrad, Evangelical Christian, Sr.; Andy Crook, Mancos, Sr.; Josh DeGrado, Rocky Ford, Jr.; Logan Deputy, Calhan, So.; Steven DiCamillo, Cripple Creek-Victor, Sr.; Sam Gerk, Cotopaxi, Jr.; Cassidy Halligan, Burlington, Sr.; Cody Harrison, Fowler, Sr.; Dylan Hochevar, Wray, Sr.; Ryan Hurd, Evangelical Christian, Sr.; Michael Kerbs, Wray, Sr.; Zach Krueger, Holyoke, Sr.; Dominic Massa, Nederland, Sr.; Tanner Mathews, Byers, Sr.; Michael Matthews, Telluride, So.; Jacob Mau, Cripple Creek-Victor, Sr.; Michael Messier, Del Norte, Sr.; Kyle Navarette, Hoehne, Jr.; Derek Pearl, Custer County, Sr.; Loren Queen, Burlington, Jr.; Travis Sandersfeld, Limon, Sr.; Andrew Spahr, Heritage Christian, Sr.; Blaine Swanson, Jefferson Academy, Sr.; Martin Weaver, Calhan, Jr.; Kenny Yockey, Jefferson Academy, Jr.; Zach Young, Kiowa, So.

Class A

• Player of the year: Damon Dechant, Kit Carson.

• Coach of the year: Jim Trahern, Kit Carson.

• First team

Name School Ht. Yr.

J.P. Davis Otis 6-8 Sr.

Damon Dechant Kit Carson 6-6 Sr.

Kenan Gooden Eads 5-11 Jr.

Nathan Rueb Hi-Plains 6-4 Jr.

Ty Trahern Kit Carson 6-1 Sr.

• Second team

Name School Ht. Yr.

Craig Debus Caliche 6-1 So.

Seth Isenbart Stratton 6-4 Sr.

Anthony Perkins Community Christian 5-11 Sr.

Kendal Rueb Hi-Plains 5-11 So.

Tanner Small Creede 6-1 Jr.

• Honorable mention Joey Achenbach, Silver State, Jr.; Jordan Anderson, Otis, Jr.; Evan Bancroft, Hi-Plains, So.; Brock Benson, Hi-Plains, Sr.; Malachi Brehm, DeBeque, Sr.; Shane Brownlee, La Veta, Jr.; Tyler Buckhouse, Hilltop Baptist, Sr.; Caleb Burgess, Woodlin, Sr.; Kyle Carpenter, Creede, Sr.; Josh Crow, Eads, Sr.; Grant Edwards, Haxtun, Sr.; Jesse Efurd, Norwood, Jr.; Bryant Elrick, Flagler, So.; Jaryd Francis, Vail Christian, Jr.; Brandon Freed, Vilas, Jr.; Kent Herman, Hi-Plains, So.; Harley Hollenbeck, Ouray, Sr.; Kelby Koenig, Pawnee, Sr.; Luke Loutzenheiser, Flagler, Jr.; Phil May, Stratton, Jr.; Troy Micek, Holy Trinity, Sr.; Stetson Mitchell, Kit Carson, Sr.; Alex Nestor, Flagler, Sr.; Lane Parker, North Park, Sr.; Caleb Pearson, Vail Christian, Sr.; Tyler Stephenson, Kit Carson, Jr.; Quayde Thompson, Vilas, Jr.; Tyler Thrall, Granada, Sr.; Rumaldo Vega, Granada, Sr.; Derek Weingardt, Caliche, So.; Cody Zink, Caliche, So.

Back to Top