Ralston Valley boys basketball out to another scorching-hot start

ARVADA — It was about a perfect of a quarter anyone could image.

Ralston Valley’s boys basketball jumped out to a 32-3 lead on Dakota Ridge in the opening quarter Monday night at Ralston Valley High School. The only shot from the field the Mustangs missed was a falling out-of-bounds 3-pointer from senior Cole Pfeifer at the buzzer.

“We were moving it well. Sharing the ball a lot,” Ralston Valley senior Caiden Braketa said of the first 8 minutes. “I think almost every basket was off an assist. We’ve been playing together forever. Our chemistry is really good.”

Ralston Valley went on to a 70-37 victory in the Mustangs’ final game before Winter Break. 

“We talked about leaving an imprint before Winter Break,” Ralston Valley coach Chris Braketa said. “Just playing well. Sharing it and moving it. Keeping that team chemistry up. I think that first quarter we really did.”

Despite the undefeated start, the Mustangs (6-0 record) are a long ways from the 19-0 start to the season Ralston Valley had a year ago. The Mustangs’ first loss last season didn’t come until Class 6A Jeffco League play against Valor Christian on Feb. 11.

Ralston Valley finished the 2024-25 season with a 23-3 record. Two losses to Valor, including a 6A state quarterfinal loss at the Denver Coliseum is something that the Mustangs haven’t forgotten.

“We talk about that Valor game a little bit,” Coach Braketa said flashing back to the Mustangs’ season-ending 72-59 loss to conference rival Valor. “We just needed more guys and I think we have that this year.”

Ralston Valley graduated leading-scorer Tanner Braketa — currently playing at the University of Northern Colorado — but the Mustangs next six leading scorers were all juniors last season.

Tanner’s younger brother — Caiden — has already made his mark going over the 1,000-point career mark this season and scoring a game-high 17 points in the victory against Dakota Ridge (1-7).

“Obviously, playing with him (Tanner) the past three years was great. The amount of attention he took that allowed me to get open shots was great,” Caiden Braketa said. “This year I’m in more of a leadership role now without him. I’ll handle the ball a little bit more. I think it is good for all of us to experience that.”

Senior Zeke Andrews is just coming off quarterbacking Ralston Valley’s football team to its first ever trip to a state championship game. Andrews came off to the bench Monday night to score 13 points, all in the first half.

Seniors Frank Psaute (11 points) and Alec Sungy (9 points) showed the Mustangs’ depth. 

“I do think we are deeper this year. Losing Levi Rillos does hurt,” Coach Braketa said of the junior guard, who was injured in the 5A state football championship game and won’t play basketball this winter. “I think we have a solid bench and with all those solid juniors that are now seniors.”

Ralston Valley was able to let off the gas in the final quarter as Coach Braketa emptied his bench. The Mustangs will return to action at home against Chaparral on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Dakota Ridge will able to get some rest after playing eight games since Dec. 2. The Eagles come out of Winter Break with a home game against Rock Canyon on Jan. 7. Seniors Caiden Dixon (12 points all in the second half) and Cade Schattinger (11 points) led the way for the Eagles against Ralston Valley.