Caryn Jarocki has more girls basketball wins than any coach in Colorado — and she's not done yet

Highlands Ranch girls basketball dynasty reaches new heights under legendary coach

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Caryn Jarocki has been the head coach of the Highlands Ranch girls basketball team for 30 years, leading the program to seven Class 5A state championships in the first 12 years of this century. With 774 wins and counting, Jarocki is the winningest girls basketball coach in Colorado history. Despite a recent title drought, Highlands Ranch remains a perennial contender and is poised to make a run at the Class 6A crown this season with a talented young roster. The Falcons will then drop down to Class 5A next year, where they are expected to dominate.

Why it matters

Jarocki's sustained success over three decades has cemented Highlands Ranch as one of the premier high school girls basketball programs in Colorado history. The Falcons' dynasty has produced numerous Division I talents, and Jarocki's coaching acumen and ability to develop players has been a key factor in the program's enduring excellence.

The details

Jarocki took over the Highlands Ranch program in 1996-97 and quickly transformed the Falcons into a powerhouse, leading them to their first state title in 2000. Over the next dozen years, Highlands Ranch won seven Class 5A championships, establishing itself as the dominant force in Colorado girls basketball. While the Falcons have not won a title since 2011, they have remained a perennial contender, making deep playoff runs. This season, Highlands Ranch is young but loaded with college prospects, and the team has the talent to make a run at the Class 6A crown. Next year, the Falcons will drop down to Class 5A due to declining enrollment, where they are expected to once again be the class of the division.

  • Jarocki took over the Highlands Ranch program in the 1996-97 season.
  • Highlands Ranch won its first state title in 2000.
  • The Falcons won seven Class 5A championships in the first 12 years of this century.
  • Highlands Ranch's last state title came in 2011.
  • The Falcons will drop down to Class 5A next year due to declining enrollment.

The players

Caryn Jarocki

The winningest girls basketball coach in Colorado history, with 774 wins and counting over her 30-year tenure at Highlands Ranch.

Ann Abromaitis (nee Strother)

A Colorado girls basketball great who won two state titles playing for Jarocki at Highlands Ranch in 2001 and 2002 before going on to a decorated career at UConn.

Rick Harris

Jarocki's longtime assistant coach when the Falcons were winning titles with regularity.

Kimora Banks-Thomas

The sophomore guard who leads Highlands Ranch in scoring this season with 16.7 points per game.

Kniyah Dumas

The senior guard for Highlands Ranch who is a Fort Hayes Northwest Tech commit.

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What they’re saying

“We're still going to play in the Continental League in the 6A division (when the league splits into two divisions in 2026-27). We're still going to go to Phoenix (to the Nike Tournament of Champions) and play high-level games there. And most of our non-league games will be against 6A schools or top 5A programs. But I really do think it is a good time to move down.”

— Caryn Jarocki, Head Coach, Highlands Ranch Girls Basketball

“There's maybe a couple of teams here and there that will be able to play with them. But they will absolutely dominate 5A.”

— Ann Abromaitis, Colorado Girls Basketball Great, Head Coach at Kent Denver

“She was tough, absolutely. She had great expectations for the program and it was clear that if you didn't meet them, you'd be watching from the bench. But she didn't rule with a heavy fist. She understood how to connect with players of all skill levels, even in that first season when we didn't have many true basketball players.”

— Adrianne Sikora, Former Highlands Ranch Player

“From Day 1, she had a plan to make it a winning program. And at the end of the day, no matter how much talent you have, you have to be able to coach it.”

— Rick Harris, Former Highlands Ranch Assistant Coach

“We're really grown and put in a lot of work this year as young team, and it's starting to show. In the playoffs, we have to play smarter, get out of our heads and believe we're the best in the state. (Our youth) has been a challenge this year… Coach J has reminded us it's going to be a hard season, but that we've got it and we're capable of winning the games when it counts.”

— Kniyah Dumas, Senior Guard, Highlands Ranch

What’s next

The Highlands Ranch Falcons will look to capture the Class 6A state championship this season before dropping down to Class 5A next year, where they are expected to dominate the competition.

The takeaway

Caryn Jarocki's three-decade tenure as the Highlands Ranch girls basketball coach has cemented the program's status as a Colorado high school dynasty. Despite a recent title drought, the Falcons remain a powerhouse, and Jarocki's coaching acumen and ability to develop talent have been instrumental in the team's sustained excellence over the years.