GREELEY – Prairie View’s Derrick Ward had no idea he’d be among the state’s all-star basketball players when he picked up the sport four years ago.

    But there he was Saturday at the Colorado High School Coaches’ Association all-state games at the University of Northern Colorado. Ward, a senior, was in the starting lineup for his team for its two-game stint against some of the best the state has to offer.

    “It’s really cool. I never thought I’d be doing this,” Ward said. “I started playing in eighth grade. It’s really fun. I’m glad I’m doing this.”

    Aside from a banquet Friday night, Ward’s squad practiced a total of two hours. The coaching staff drew up two plays for use in Saturday’s games.

    “The plays aren’t complex at all,” Ward said. “We’re just playing here. The coach said to share the ball, to play as a team and have fun.”

    Ward’s team won its preliminary game by six points. The lead was as big as 25. Ward’s contribution was six points and two rebounds.

    “I don’t know. We kind of fell apart in the second half, but we came back and finished strong,” Ward said. “It doesn’t make a lot of difference. We didn’t share the ball as well. We didn’t play as good as we did in the first half.”

    Ward seemed to enjoy the experience.

    “There’s more competition here,” he said. “There’s more talent. These are the best kids in the state.”

    Ward averaged 18 points a game for Prairie View. He was the only selection from the class 4A part of the former Skyline League.

    The ThunderHawks won 18 games, the best in school history. That mark was an eight-game improvement over the 2008-2009 season. It also earned Prairie View its best seed in the state 4A basketball tournament.

    Next year, Prairie View moves up to class 5A.