Winter weather throughout the week caused havoc with schedules, but many top games are still slated to be played this weekend. While none feature a pair of ranked opponents, all have quite a bit of significance.
Fifth-ranked Heritage Christian (12-0, 4th RPI) was able to defy the weather on Tuesday and picked up a nice 46-43 Mile-High league win over Dawson School (9-3, 18th RPI). The Eagles had some struggles with their perimeter defense, as Kaitlyn Day connected on five three-pointers for the Mustangs as she finished with 25 points.
Thursday has the Eagles in another crucial league contest as they host Denver Christian (7-5, 20th RPI). Heritage Christian sits alone atop the league standings, with the Thunder one game back. They already own wins over the two other one-loss teams in the Mile High, so a win at home would put them firmly in control over their own destiny inside the league. Denver Christian has won three straight since being blown out by Longmont Christian, 57-21, and both Dawson School and Highland (8-3, 13th RPI) will be pulling for the Thunder to spring the upset, as it brings both back into the conversation for the top honors in the Mile High.
One big challenge for the Thunder will be finding scoring from someone other than Kara Amidon. The junior averages better than 14 points a game and has scored double figures in 10 straight games. No one else on the roster posts six points per game. Heritage Christian has five players contributing at least seven points a game, led by Emma Johnson at 13.
Unranked Rangely (6-5, 26th RPI) is part of a three-team pack chasing #8 Meeker (11-1, 6th RPI) in the Western Slope. The Panthers face both of the other teams this weekend, so they will either solidify their status as a challenger or fall out of the race. First up will be a home clash with #10 Soroco (11-2, 9th RPI) on Friday. The Panthers have split the last four meetings with the Rams, dropping a 49-25 decision to them in the finals of the Meeker Cowboy Shootout. Soroco led that game 31-11 at the half.
Hannah Wilkie, who only averages five points a game, led Rangely with season-highs of 10 points and 11 rebounds in that first contest. She was the only Panther to reach double figures in scoring. Chloe Veilleux was the only Ram to find her way into double digits, posting a game-high 18, but Soroco had good depth behind her. Kayedence Bruner added nine, while Kayla Wille and Makinley Parker each tallied seven.
Saturday, the Panthers will hit the road to Hotchkiss (10-2, 16th RPI) where the Bulldogs have been unbeaten this season. Hotchkiss has won five straight overall, the last four at home, but they have lost seven straight to Rangely, with the last win coming almost five years ago. The Bulldogs feature a balanced attack, with four players averaging better than eight points a night. Carson Collins leads that group at 15.9 points and 10.3 rebounds, and she’s coming off an 11-point, 13 rebound effort against Vail Christian (5-6, 25th RPI) last week. Elsie Vasquez (9.1 ppg), Kayla Firor (8.9 ppg), and Shay Glaser (8.6 ppg) round out the pack. Those three also combine for 12 steals a game.
Friday night sees a key game in the Santa Fe, as Holly (9-5, 12th RPI) visits Crowley County (7-6, 33rd RPI). The Wildcats, who already own a 34-26 victory over the Chargers, sit third in the league behind #3 Swink (10-1, 5th RPI) and #9 Rye (12-1, 14th RPI). Crowley County is one game back in fourth. Holly has another shot at Swink next week, while the Chargers have a game remaining against both of the front runners.
Sixth-ranked Yuma (8-3, 7th RPI) will look to bounce back from a three-point loss to Sidney (NE) in its last outing when the Indians host Holyoke (6-5, 11th RPI) on Friday. The Dragons also dropped a game last week, falling to #4 Wray (9-2, 2nd RPI) 46-40, but they got back on track with a win over an out of state opponent on Tuesday. Yuma shares the lead in the Lower Platte with 1A #4 Haxtun, while Holyoke finds itself in the lower half of the standings.
The senior duo of Cody Robinson (18.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and Chasey Blach (11.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg) lead the way for Yuma, combining for almost two-thirds of the scoring output and over half of the rebounding. Holyoke’s top five scorers are underclassmen, including four juniors and a freshman. Taeryn Trumper, a junior, is the only Dragon in double figures at 12.6 points a night.
Fourth-ranked Wray also tangles with #4 Haxtun (1A) inside the conference and that game will also impact the top three spots. Wray trails the Bulldogs and Yuma by one game in the conference standings. Coverage will be included in our weekly 1A report.
Top-ranked Del Norte (11-0, 3rd RPI) shares the lead in the Southern Peaks with Sanford (8-3, 15th RPI) and Sargent (4-8, 36th RPI), but each has only played one game that count in the standings. That won’t change for the Tigers this week as they host Sanford in a non-league tilt. Del Norte, who has five 19-win seasons in the last seven years, has won seven straight meetings with the Indians and 11 of the last 13. Kendra Parra leads the state in scoring at 24.6 points a game and has only been held under 20 twice. She scored 18 in each of those contests.
Third-ranked Swink continues to work through the Santa Fe conference schedule and entering a game at Swallows Charter on Friday, the Lions are unbeaten (8-0) and alone the top of the standings. A tougher and much need challenge awaits on Saturday as the Lions head to the San Luis Valley to meet 1A Sangre De Cristo (9-1). The T-Birds are ranked fourth in Class 1A with a lone loss early in the season to Del Norte. A preview of the game will be available in our weekly 1A update.
