By Will Cornelius
The Surveyor

Reece Kraljic and Katie Vierra were scoring machines this year for the Berthoud High School (BHS) varsity girls basketball team.

Both averaged over nine points per game this past season, but last Sunday they played even better than that against the best from across Colorado.

On March 19, the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports (CCGS) hosted a series of All-Star games at Grandview High School in Aurora. The 4A All-Star Game tipped off mid-afternoon with 16 girls split into two teams. Kraljic and Vierra were both selected to play in the game for the ‘red’ team. Coaching their side were two familiar faces, Alan Gibson and Allan Coseo, their BHS coaches.

Unlike the regular season, the All-Star game was more laid back and highlighted some of Colorado’s best high school girl basketball players. Vierra scored the initial basket of the game and never looked back. The first time she touched the ball she raced around defenders under the rim and landed a reverse layup. Vierra added two free throws while Kraljic connected on two from downtown to close out the opening quarter.

The game also saw the two BHS players teaming up with their former playoff opponents. Grace Allen of Manitou Springs scored 23 points in a losing effort against BHS in the opening round of the state playoffs, but she was even more lethal with Vierra distributing the ball.

Lutheran High School’s Joclyn Bassett was one of the reasons they beat BHS in the Elite 8. But Bassett also looked even better with her and Kraljic setting each other up with screens.

Led by Kraljic and Vierra, the ‘red’ team cruised to an easy victory, with a final score of 68-53. Kraljic led the team with 15 points, all from behind the arc. Just behind her was Vierra with 13 points. In addition to the CCGS All-Star game selection, Kraljic and Vierra were also first-team all-conference selections this season.