Cherry Creek vs. Valor Christian: 5A Boys State Championship Preview

Cherry Creek vs. Valor Christian: 5A Boys State Championship Preview

Monday, May 18, 2026 | 7:30 PM | University of Denver | CHSAA 5A Boys State Championship

Two of the best boys lacrosse programs in Colorado meet tonight at the University of Denver for the 5A state title. Cherry Creek comes in ranked No. 2 in Colorado and No. 10 nationally. Valor Christian is ranked No. 1 in Colorado and No. 8 nationally. Both teams are 16-2 on the season, both went 7-0 in league play, and neither team has faced the other this year. On paper, this is as even a matchup as the state could produce.

Valor holds the edge in scoring average and defensive efficiency. The Eagles average 15.1 goals per game to Cherry Creek's 14.2 and post a better goals against average, 4.2 to Creek's 5.7. Valor has also gone 2-0 on neutral sites this season, which matters tonight since both teams are playing away from home.

Cherry Creek counters with dominant possession numbers and a deeper defensive effort. The Bruins have 925 ground balls on the season to Valor's 613, and their goalkeepers have recorded 137 saves to Valor's 90. The common opponent record also favors Creek. The Bruins went 11-0 against shared opponents while Valor went 9-1, with the Eagles' only loss in that category coming against St. Ignatius College Prep. Cherry Creek beat that same St. Ignatius squad as well.

Cherry Creek Players to Watch

Junior Wyatt Branish is one of the best players in the state and it is not particularly close. He leads Cherry Creek with 67 goals, 51 assists, and 118 points on the season. He also averages 3.7 goals per game and 2.8 assists per game, both well ahead of anyone else in this matchup. He has 72 ground balls and 36 takeaways, meaning he does not just produce offensively. He takes the ball away too. Branish is the most complete player on the field tonight.

Junior Sean Kilkenny is Branish's most dangerous running mate. He has 35 goals, 35 assists, and 70 points on the season while averaging 2.1 goals and 2.1 assists per game. Sophomore Case Billings adds 35 goals and 49 points at 2.1 goals per game, giving Cherry Creek three attackers who can each put up big numbers. Freshman Quinn Abell rounds out the attack group with 22 assists and 1.2 per game.

Senior Charlie Kiefer anchors the Cherry Creek defense. He leads the team with 74 ground balls and 47 takeaways, both of which are among the highest individual totals in this matchup. Senior Layne Mills adds 71 ground balls and 25 takeaways as a long-stick midfielder. That defensive pairing has made life difficult for opposing offenses all season. In goal, Cole Gallup has posted a 4.2 goals against average with 113 saves and a 12-2 record.

Valor Christian Players to Watch

Junior JT Cross leads Valor's offense across every rate stat. He averages 2.3 goals per game and 1.4 assists per game, leads the team with 52 shots on goal, and has 40 points on the season. He is the player Cherry Creek has to track all night.

Senior Ashton Hutter leads the team in goals with 32 and averages 1.8 per game. Junior Torin LaSelle has been equally productive with 31 goals and 40 points. Senior Christian Eframo adds 30 goals at 1.8 per game. Sophomore Elliot Fuhs runs the offense from a distribution standpoint with 24 assists and 45 points, both team highs.

On defense, senior Mason Ham leads with 23 takeaways, junior Noah Pacheco adds 22, and junior Wyatt Petau contributes 19 takeaways and 44 ground balls. Junior Brandon Wright leads the team with 84 ground balls. In goal, Ian Stefonowicz has posted a 4.1 goals against average with 83 saves in 732 minutes.

What to Watch

Branish is the central storyline. His 118 points this season put him in a completely different tier than any other player in this game. If Valor cannot slow him down, Cherry Creek has a clear path to the title. The question is whether Valor's defensive unit, led by Ham, Pacheco, and Petau, can disrupt his rhythm on the ball.

For Valor, the three-headed attack of Cross, Hutter, and LaSelle needs to produce consistently. All three are capable scorers, and Fuhs gives them a distributor who creates real opportunities. If Cherry Creek's defense focuses too heavily on Branish, Kilkenny and Billings can take over on the other end.

The ground ball battle is where this game gets decided. Cherry Creek has out-hustled every opponent they have faced this season, and Kiefer and Mills are two of the best defensive players in 5A. But Valor's Brandon Wright and their midfield group will compete hard for every loose ball. Whoever controls possession in tight moments wins the title.

This is the best boys lacrosse game of the year in Colorado. Two unbeaten league champions, no prior meeting, and one title on the line tonight at DU.