District 2 looks good again at Air Force site

Two familiar foes will likely face each other again in Saturday's girls championship at the Class A basketball tournaments at Clune Arena.
    

Boys and girls play begins at 9 a.m. today at the Air Force Academy. No. 1 boys seed Hi-Plains will try to make it two titles in three years.
    

For the past five years, the girls state title has been won by a team from District 2. The streak will likely hit Year 6.
    

No. 1 McClave (21-2) won titles from 2004-06, while No. 2 Eads (20-3) won in 2003 and 2007. Each beat the other during a 10-day span.
    

McClave will push the ball and play pressure defense. Jerrica Mallard (17 points per game, 9 rebounds) and senior Ashley Tague (9 ppg, 7 rpg) give the Cardinals postseason experience from their roles in the 2006 championship.
    

Eads coach Lane Gooden said defense and rebounding are keys to his team's success.
    

"The players know it's their job to get something done on defense because shots come and go for us at times and the offense can sputter," he said.
    

The Eagles rely on junior point guard Jordan Barnett (15.5 ppg) and 6-foot-1 senior Talli Hansen (15 ppg).
    

"Talli is a strong inside threat and our top rebounder," Gooden said. "She brings a lot of experience from last year and she is a versatile player."
    

In the boys tournament, top-seeded Hi-Plains (23-0) showcases a deep roster with senior Wes Henry, the sixth man, and experienced upperclassmen who have played in the title game the past two years.
    

"The extra year of experience will help us because there are a lot more upperclassmen on the roster," Patriots coach Dave Sheffield said.
    

Hi-Plains features 6-5, 260-pound center Nathan Reub (12 ppg), who was first team all-state last year.Hi-Plains also has 6-5 junior Kent Herman, point guard Evan Bancroft, Kendall Rueb and Kraig Tagtmeyer.
    

No. 2 Caliche (21-1) features six players who are scoring in double figures.

With their only loss of the season coming at home to 2A Holyoke, Caliche went undefeated in District 4 and hopes to reach the final after losing to Hi-Plains by three points in the 2007 semifinals.