Grandview defeats Ralston Valley in top-10 6A girls hoops showdown

ARVADA — The two-time Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year was just too much for Ralston Valley’s girls basketball team to handle Wednesday night.

Grandview senior Sienna Betts poured in a game-high 26 points as the Wolves grabbed a 48-41 road victory against Ralston Valley. The Mustangs (6-3 record) actually held a 24-23 lead at halftime, but the 6-foot-4 Betts took over in the third quarter scoring a dozen points in the first six minutes after halftime.

“Honestly, I wasn’t stressed,” Betts said of the halftime deficit. “I was encouraging everyone. I thought we were the better team. We just weren’t acting like it. We needed to go out with a better mindset.”

The Wolves’ plan in the second half was to get the ball to Betts in the paint and put some more defensive pressure on Ralston Valley. Betts made five field goals in the third quarter while going 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.

“In moments where we really need to win I focus on being more influential on offense,” said Betts, who came in averaging 22.6 points and 19.1 rebounds per game. “I just want to do what I need to for us to win.”

Betts has already committed to join her sister Lauren at UCLA next season. She is the top girls basketball recruit in Colorado from the Class of 2025 and currently No. 2 recruit nationally. 

“I thought we competed. I thought like we fought. I don’t think we ever gave up,” Ralston Valley coach Amy Bahl said. “It was a different style than we’ve seen. It was a kind of player that we really haven’t had to guard before.”

Ralston Valley sophomore guard Santana Sabus led the way for the Mustangs with 19 points. Sabus was coming off a 34-point game in a double-overtime victory against Highlands Ranch last Saturday.

“It was frustrating because we wanted to get this win,” Sabus said. “I think we can take a lot from this loss so we can prepare for games in the future.”

Ralston Valley had a nice signature victory to start the New Year. The Mustangs took a 71-65 double-overtime victory against Highlands Ranch (9-1) on Jan. 4. Sabus is averaging nearly a double-double with 23.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

“I think the girls are defintely building some confidence,” Bahl said of the 6-3 record during a tough non-league schedule. 

The Mustangs host Doherty on Friday, Jan. 10, before heading into Class 6A Jeffco League play. Ralston Valley opens conference play at home against Bear Creek on Monday, Jan. 13. 

Valor Christian has won six straight league titles. Ralston Valley likely has the best chance of ending that streak this year in 6A Jeffco. 

“I’m getting a better idea of the kind of team I have now,” said Bahl, who is in her third year at the helm of the Mustangs’ girls basketball program after winning a pair of 4A state titles at Evergreen in 2017 and 2018. “If we continue this way it (6A Jeffco League title) could be a possibility if we keep believing and keep building confidence.”

Ralston Valley was No. 9 in the Class 6A girls basketball CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index before the loss to Grandview, who was No. 2 in the same rankings. 

Grandview (7-3) is attempting one last state championship run with Betts. The Wolves won the 6A title back in 2023. Betts had 22 points and 22 rebounds in the state title game her sophomore season. Together, Lauren and Sienna Betts led Grandview to the 5A state title in 2022.