x
Breaking News
More () »

Top 9 plays of the winter sports season

Here are the top nine plays from the high school winter sports season.

The 2018-19 winter high school sports season was filled with amazing plays and championship titles.

Now that it's all over, we can look back at some of our favorites from the most-recent prep season.

9. LONGMONT'S BACKBOARD-OOP

Before advancing all the way to the Class 4A boys basketball state title game, then-defending champion Longmont was tearing through the regular season in January when we caught this play.

Brady Renck grabbed a steal and ran for the breakaway, tossing a high pass off the backboard that Calvin Seamons slammed down. The dunk got the gym rocking in the Trojans' win over Greeley Central.

8. SIX-SECOND PIN

If you weren't paying attention, you may have missed our No. 8 play.

Broomfield's Tyler Carpenter pinned his opponent at the wrestling state tournament in just six seconds — the seventh-fastest pin in Colorado history.

7. HALF-COURT BUZZER BEATER

Andrew Regan of Cherry Creek grabbed national attention with a huge half-court, buzzer-beating shot in a unified basketball game.

The shot went viral, and was featured on SportcCenter's Top-10.

6. TOP-SHELF SNIPE

Playing on the Pepsi Center ice, Regis Jesuit's Nicholas Schultz ripped a shot into the top-left corner of the opposing net.

The Raiders went on to repeat as hockey state champions.

5. CLUTCH SHOT

With the state championship game on the line, Cherry Creek's Jana Van Gytenbeek made the most of an opportunity most athletes dream of. She drove in to hit what stood as the game-winning shot at the Coliseum.

The Bruins knocked off back-to-back champion Grandview to capture their first girls basketball title.

4. ALLEY-OOP SLAM

The Manual boys basketball team had a season to remember. What ended in their first championship since 1991, was led there with high-flying dunks.

In the district semifinal game, Davion Davis connected with Jaedon Bowles for an alley-oop slam dunk.

3. THREE WRESTLERS, TWELVE TITLES

This year's wrestling state championship reached new heights as three wrestlers completed the elusive four-peat.

Since 1959, only 21 wrestlers had won a title every year throughout their careers, and only twice had more than one wrestler joined the club in a single year (2, twice).

Cohlton Schultz (Ponderosa), Andrew Alirez (Greeley Central) and Brendon Garcia (Pueblo County) all accomplished that feat in February.

Credit: Jeremy Chavez - KUSA
2019 Wrestling State Championship Finals - Jeremy Chavez - KUSA

2. EMPHATIC DUNK

Kenny Foster of Smoky Hill was named the 5A boys basketball player of the year, and plays like this show why.

In the Buffaloes' Great Eight game against Mountain Vista, he went the length of the court before taking off at the free-throw line for the slam dunk.

Credit: Jack Eberhard - jacksactionshots.com
Smoky Hill vs Mountain Vista Great 8 boys basketball playoff - Jack Eberhard - jacksactionshots.com

1. FRAN-TASTIC

There's no doubt about the athletic ability of Regis Jesuit's Fran Belibi. The Stanford-bound star went viral two years ago for being the first female in Colorady history to throw down a dunk.

Her senior year was even better, as she threw down multiple dunks, including the first-ever alley-oop.

Credit: KUSA
Fran Belibi dunks on a breakaway in No. 2 Regis Jesuit's win over top-ranked Grandview. The video of the dunk went viral.

Thanks to all the student-athletes and coaches who made the winter sports season memorable. Now, on to spring!

Highlights can also be seen on the 9NEWS Prep Rally this weekend.

Before You Leave, Check This Out