We continue getting closer to the start of the 2019-20 boys basketball season and Colorado Preps continues to provide previews of each team in each conference.  Today we take a look at the combined Union Pacific league which includes teams from both Classes 1A and 2A.
Limon and Byers both reached the state tournament last March and they met in the consolation finals.  The Badgers collected a 66-56 victory to grab the hardware on the final day of the season.  It some extra effort for the Badgers to reach state as they outlasted Wray (55-53) in overtime to capture the regional championship.  A loss to Highland in the opening round at state dropped Limon into the consolation bracket where they beat Mancos (58-48) the day before toppling Byers.  The Bulldogs downed both Telluride and Paonia in the regional tournament but dropped a quarterfinal game to Fowler at the state tournament.  They moved past Denver Christian in round two.
Genoa Hugo picked up the most wins of 1A teams in the conference (14).  The Pirates were taken out by eventual state champion DeBeque (78-34) in the regional tournament.
We list the top three returnees for each club in several categories.  Numbers are based on stats posted to MaxPreps during the 2018-19 season.
 
Byers (18-8)

  • Points: Zaine Mikita (12.1), Caden Eymann (2.9), Dean Kerns (1.3)
  • Rebounds: Mikita (4.7), Eymann (1.8), Kerns (1.0)
  • Assists: Eymann, Kerns & Mikita (1.1)
  • Three’s: Mikita (36), Eymann (16), Kerns (9)

Limon (22-5)

  • Points: Camden Smithburg (16.2), Kory Tacha (10.6), Logan Marx (3.4)
  • Rebounds: Tacha (5.9), Smithburg (4.7), Marx (3.3)
  • Assists: Tacha (2.1), Smithburg (1.8), Brady Rockwell (0.7)
  • Three’s: Smithburg (57), Tacha (35), Rockwell (9)

Burlington (11-10)

  • Points: Andrew Burton (18.9), Jose Tellez (6.5), Braxton Erker (4.5)
  • Rebounds: Burton (6.0), Tellez (4.3), Skye Perry (2.5)
  • Assists: Tellez (2.0), Burton (1.9), Erker (1.4)
  • Three’s: Burton (63), Tellez (18), Jesus Espino (8)

Genoa Hugo (14-8)

  • Points: Wyatt Miller (12.5), Colby Simmons (9.2), Levi Miller (7.1)
  • Rebounds: Miller (6.0), Gotsch-nunn (4.6), Simmons (3.6)
  • Assists: Miller (1.8), Simmons (1.6), L. Miller (1.1)
  • Three’s: Miller (43), Simmons (26), L. Miller (16)

Stratton/Liberty (11-12)

  • Points: Jaret Lichty (14.8), Ashtin Davidson (8.3), Trevor Frank (7.0)
  • Rebounds: Frank (5.6), Davidson (3.5), Lichty (2.1)
  • Assists: Lichty (0.6), Ignacio Baixas (0.4), Davidson (0.3)
  • Three’s: Lichty (27), Davidson (23), Baixas (3)

Flagler/Hi Plains (6-14)

  • Points: Nick Schroeder (8.6), Logan Rodriguez (6.5), Chris Hile (5.7)
  • Rebounds: Schroeder (5.2), Rodriguez (3.8), Hile (3.5)
  • Assists: Rodriguez (1.4), Logan Smith (1.2), Schroeder & Connor Reeves (0.7)
  • Three’s: Schroeder (25), Reeves (9), Hile (8)

Deer Trail (7-12)

  • Points: Brett Stoumbaugh (10.1), Dayne Woodis (4.8), Kolter Eldringhoff (4.2)
  • Rebounds: Stoumbaugh (6.1), Woodis (5.3), Conner Price (4.8)
  • Assists: Stoumbaugh (1.6), Price (0.7), Aldo Dominguez (0.6)
  • Three’s: Stoumbaugh (14), Price & Woodis (5)