Author: Staff

Player Spotlight – IzzyJohnston-Arapahoe

Izzy Johnson, a standout guard from Arapahoe High School, joined Hoops Tracker to discuss her basketball journey, development, and commitment to Colorado School of Mines. After a summer playing club basketball with Hardwood, where she focused on defense, energy, and skill development, Izzy elevated her role heading into high school season by improving her ball handling, finishing ability, and leadership mindset.
Now averaging around 11 points and four rebounds per game, Izzy is helping lead a deep and balanced Arapahoe team that recently captured the Nike Tournament of Champions title in Phoenix. She emphasized the team’s depth and collective contribution as key strengths, especially compared to previous seasons centered around individual stars.
Izzy committed to Colorado School of Mines, prioritizing academics and team culture during her recruiting process. She values the balance between high-level basketball and strong academics and looks forward to playing alongside her Hardwood teammate Lauren Thompson at Mines.
With Arapahoe competing in a competitive 6A field, Izzy believes several teams — including Cherry Creek, Denver East, and Broomfield — are strong contenders, but she’s confident in her team’s ability to compete at the highest level.

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Feb 08 – Boys Weekly- Historic Week

Boys Basketball Podcast (Week of Feb. 8, 2026)
A massive week across Colorado boys basketball as milestone achievements, rivalry battles, and league‑title races took center stage with just two weeks left before the playoffs. Coaching legends Sean Palmer and Jon Rakiecki reached historic win marks, while multiple players—Caleb Fay, Howard Hunter, Keegan Balasteri, Judah Michael—joined the 1,000‑ and 2,000‑point clubs.

On the court, chaos hit the Centennial League as Overland stunned both Grandview and Cherokee Trail, blowing the title race wide open. In 5A, Stanley Lake and Green Mountain set up a championship collision, while Rock Canyon edged Mountain Vista in a top‑four showdown. Across the state, rivalry atmospheres delivered—from Prairie View vs. Brighton to Silver Creek vs. Longmont—showcasing the intensity of February basketball.

Looking ahead, the schedule is loaded with league‑defining matchups, highlighted by Broomfield–Holy Family, Valor–Ralston Valley, Prospect Ridge–Kent Denver, and a historic night expected at Riverdale Ridge as Brie Crittenden closes in on a 40‑year Colorado scoring record.

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Feb 08 – Girls Weekly Show – Historic

GIRLS HOOPS (FEB 8, 2026)
Colorado girls basketball is entering a historic stretch with multiple records on the verge of falling. Ariana Akey and Lucy Thompson shined at the Pro Bowl, with Akey earning MVP honors and Thompson widely praised as the top receiver at the event. Kenley Asp continues her all‑time statistical climb, trailing only Abby Weiner in career production. Sienna Williams hit 1,000 points, Courtney Steinkamp dropped 41, and Taylor Alcares set the Fort Collins three‑point record.
The biggest storyline: Bree Crittenden is expected to break Colorado’s all‑time scoring record Saturday at Riverdale Ridge, a mark untouched for more than 40 years. Kyla Hallier is also projected to surpass 2,000 career points this week.
Across the state, rivalry games, league‑title battles, and playoff‑shaping matchups filled the schedule. Upsets included Aurora Central edging Stanley Lake by one. Top teams like Valor, Erie, Windsor, Green Mountain, and Cherokee Trail strengthened their postseason positioning. A massive week ahead features Holy Family vs. Broomfield, Windsor vs. Fort Collins for the Northern crown, and Crittenden’s historic chase.

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Feb 08- Boys Weekly Show

A massive week across Colorado boys basketball as milestone achievements, rivalry battles, and league‑title races took center stage with just two weeks left before the playoffs. Coaching legends Sean Palmer and Jon Rakiecki reached historic win marks, while multiple players—Caleb Fay, Howard Hunter, Keegen Balistreri, Judah Michael—joined the 1,000‑ and 2,000‑point clubs.
On the court, chaos hit the Centennial League as Overland stunned both Grandview and Cherokee Trail, blowing the title race wide open. In 5A, Stanley Lake and Green Mountain set up a championship collision, while Rock Canyon edged Mountain Vista in a top‑four showdown. Across the state, rivalry atmospheres delivered—from Prairie View vs. Brighton to Silver Creek vs. Longmont—showcasing the intensity of February basketball.
Looking ahead, the schedule is loaded with league‑defining matchups, highlighted by Broomfield–Holy Family, Valor–Ralston Valley, Prospect Ridge–Kent Denver, and a historic night expected at Riverdale Ridge as Bri Crittendon closes in on a 40‑year Colorado scoring record.

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Coach Spotlight – Tom McCartney – Fairview

Veteran Fairview High School coach Tom McCartney shared stories from his decades-long career in Colorado athletics, including a remarkable and little-known stint as an emergency head basketball coach in the 1990s. Stepping in midseason during a 20-game losing streak, McCartney leaned on guidance from his father, Hall of Fame coach Bill McCartney, to inspire an unlikely upset victory over Cherry Creek. The interview also traced McCartney’s journey from Michigan to Colorado, his playing and coaching roots, his long tenure as Fairview’s football coach, and his reflections on leadership, mentorship, and adapting to a new generation of athletes.

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