Girls basketball storylines: Fort Collins surges into top 10, Windsor reloading for Coliseum run

With about a month left in the regular season, we're just about halfway home in the Colorado high school girls basketball calendar.

It's shaping up to be an intriguing year in the Fort Collins area, with a mix of prove-it contenders and teams vying for a postseason berth.

There's still a battle for city supremacy, Windsor is vying for another trip to the Denver Coliseum and Timnath's second-year squad is poised to make some noise.

Here's a look at some local girls basketball storylines as league play heats up.

(Note: all stats, records and rankings are updated through Saturday, Jan. 20.)

Fort Collins is off and running

The Lambkins (10-2, 3-0 Front Range League) have been a pleasant surprise this year, surging into the Class 6A top 10 under third-year coach Kerstin Young.

Fort Collins is playing its patented brand of physical defense, but now the team is complimenting it with a well-balanced offense.

That attack is led by dynamic point guard Avery Alcaraz, who is averaging over 15 points while getting to the free throw line nearly 10 times per game with a sweet step-back shooting stroke to keep teams honest.

Jocelyn Kramar and Claire Wagstaff are double-double threats in the paint and have the height to match up with 6A bigs. Key role players like Paige Fry, Penley Park and Lydia Childs provide a valuable mix of scoring, rebounding and tough defense.

Fort Collins already has key wins over contenders like Pine Creek, Erie and Broomfield before scoring another (58-46) on the road at No. 7 Rock Canyon on Saturday.

The Lambkins have been steadily building this balanced roster and are the favorites for the FRL title right now.

More: Fort Collins-area girls basketball scores, schedules for the 2023-24 season

Windsor rebounds from slow start in reloading year

The Wizards (9-5, 5-0 Northern) have set an impossibly-high standard in the Karin Nicholls era, making three straight state championship games in her first three seasons at Windsor.

It's no surprise the early goings this season were a struggle after losing three senior guards as well experienced forwards Kadence Marsh and Julia Bohlinger to volleyball.

Plus, Nicholls didn't take it easy on a young roster, building a challenging schedule with four top-10 teams in the higher 6A classification alone.

That led to a 3-5 start. That was until big wins over Fossil Ridge and Fort Collins right before Christmas kickstarted a six-game winning streak, vaulting Windsor back into the 5A top 10.

Reyleigh Hess has been key inside, averaging 15 points and nearly eight rebounds per game while being an offensive focal point. The Wizards are also getting major contributions from a pair of freshmen in Gracie Worlsey and Nola Greenwald.

If Windsor keeps this trajectory going, expect (at minimum) a return trip to the Denver Coliseum for the Great 8. And maybe more.

How far can Sara Chicco, high-powered offense take the Lobos?

The Lobos (11-3, 5-0 FRL) can keep up the pace with just about anyone, scoring 70-plus points seven times already.

Star guard Sara Chicco is the ringleader and one of Colorado's best pure scorers. After a record-setting junior year, she's been spectacular again, averaging 22 points while shooting a remarkable 46% on 3-pointers.

She can fill it up from anywhere, but Meela Delap (9.8 ppg) also gives Rocky a much-needed post presence who can finish at the basket. Point guard Kenna Wagner provides a steady hand, dishing out nearly six assists per game.

Still, the offense has gone cold against the better teams on their schedule, with the Lobos scoring just 54, 49 and 39 points in three losses.

They're a legitimate FRL contender, but the shooting will need to stay hot with games against defensive-minded contenders like Broomfield and Fort Collins down the stretch.

More: Fort Collins-area boys basketball scores, schedules for the 2023-24 season

Timnath is all-in for a home regional

The Cubs (11-3, 2-0 Patriot) are a major force in their sophomore season under coach Craig Buchanan, blowing out teams with all 11 wins to date coming by 20-plus points.

Even the losses have been fine, all coming against teams in higher classifications. As the Cubs roll into league play, there's plenty at stake beyond the conference crown.

A top-8 seed and hosting privileges are critical in the Class 3A format since a road regional could mean a long trip to southern Colorado, the Eastern Plains or way out on the Western Slope.

There's a nice balance to the remaining schedule, with winnable local games against Wellington and Liberty Common plus top-10 tilts vs. Strasburg and Highland.

Behind their duo of dynamic scorers in Gretchen Deines and Tiana Guzman plus freshmen standouts like Olivia Zadeh and Lily Eisbrenner, Timnath could be in prime position to get that all-important host spot.

Which local team can pull a playoff upset?

Beyond the four teams above, there are several local squads that could round into form and pull playoff upsets.

Fossil Ridge had to replace a ton on the roster and has a new coach in Heather Haanen-Roark, leading to a 7-7 start. The SaberCats would currently be just outside the 32-team postseason, but this program has the recent pedigree to turn it on at any time.

Liberty Common (3-6) and Windsor Charter Academy (7-7) are in a similar boat, both hanging around No. 30 in the 3A seeding index. The Firebirds in particular could be a team to watch thanks to Morgan Kimmi, who is averaging a double-double through 14 games.

Heritage Christian (6-3) is off to a solid start and is squarely in the 2A playoffs for now at No. 20. The team will likely need a big effort in league play to avoid going on the road for all playoff action.

Poudre (7-7) is also hovering just outside the 6A field at No. 37. The Impalas have won five of their last seven and feature Kavi Voglund, one of the area's best guards. They could catch a top team if the shots really start falling.

Wellington (4-6) is also improving in the program's second season, sitting just outside of the 3A field for now. But the Eagles are off to a 1-0 start in Patriot League play and have won three straight games.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado girls basketball storylines to watch in the Fort Collins area