Only one game on the 3A boys’ basketball schedule this weekend pits unbeaten league leaders on the same court and it’s found in the Intermountain league as Alamosa entertains Centauri. Both teams are 4-0 in the conference so the winner ends up with the first half lead. The loser drops just one spot to second since both teams have a two game edge on all other IML members.
Unbeaten at 13-0, Centauri has been among the top teams statewide since the opening tip of the season. Alamosa has turned hot recently as they entered league play at just 5-4. The Moose have three league wins by at least 20 points with the fourth against Pagosa Springs by eight. Centauri’s narrowest margin of victory in the IML is also against the Pirates as they scored a ten point decision. The remaining three wins are by at least 14 points apiece.
The Falcons have not posted complete stats to MaxPreps but they feature a deep and talented roster with many interchangeable parts. Leaders include Baron Holman and Trey Crowther. Alamosa gets big production from Ian Jackson (16.1) and Brenden Crowther (15.8). Jackson managed just eight points in the season opener against Sanford but has reached at least 10 in each game since. He totaled 47 in back-to-back wins over Bayfield and Montezuma Cortez. Crowther has been in double figures in every game but one including a season best 27 vs Coal Ridge. Crowther also averages 7.6 rebounds.
A second game featuring league unbeatens took place on Monday as DSST-Byers topped DSST-Green Valley 61-49. Both entered the game without a league loss so the Falcons (11-1) now control the title chase. Green Valley (10-4) lost for the second straight game and third time in their last four. They look to rebound against William Smith on Friday. William Smith is 5-0 in conference play but is not considered a league title threat due to a weak overall schedule.
League shuffling near the top of the Metro standings continues with a couple of important matchups on tap this week. Both involve Manual as the Thunderbolts challenge Faith Christian on Wednesday and then Machebeuf on Friday. All teams start the stretch with one conference and tied with Jefferson Academy in second place. All three teams sit one game behind Lutheran who has already posted an important league win over Faith Christian.
Manual’s league loss came at the hands at Colorado (58-56) but they’ve responded with three wins over Kent Denver, Jefferson Academy and Prospect Ridge. Jaden Stoffel (25.4) has scored 98 points in those four league games including a season best 38 vs Prospect Ridge. Jordan Reed (15.3) is a second double figure scorer and has bumped his average to 18 against conference foes.
Faith Christian can move very close to securing second place with a win on Wednesday. They bounced back from the lopsided Lutheran loss to beat Colorado Academy (61-52) last week. Against Lutheran, the Eagles shot just 25 percent from the field including 2-18 from the three point line.
Should Manual get the win over Faith, then their battle with Machebeuf could determine second place. As mentioned, Jefferson Academy (2-1) is in the mix but their lone loss is to Manual so they would come up short in a tiebreaker with the “Bolts. Will Yebio (16.0) leads Machebeuf offensively and exploded for 30 vs St Mary’s and 33 against Stargate.
Lamar hosts Manitou Springs on Saturday and needs a win to remain within range of the Tri Peaks leaders. The Savages (5-1) are one game back of the Mustangs and Vanguard who are both 6-0. Lamar already lost to Vanguard (62-44) last Saturday so a loss to Manitou likely eliminates them from title consideration.
The Savages had momentum going into the Vanguard game as they had beaten Atlas Prep at the buzzer the night before (46-44). Michael Woodall hit the game winning three to keep Lamar unbeaten in league action but the Savages then shot just 29 percent against the Coursers.
Manitou Springs has won five straight with their only losses on the season coming to 4A Classical Academy and 3A #5 Faith Christian. They’ve posted quality non-conference wins over Delta, Kent Denver and Machebeuf and became a solid Tri Peaks contender with wins over St Mary’s and Salida. By comparison, they also topped Atlas Prep by 27 points (62-35) so they’ll be favored on the road at Lamar.
Joah Armour (14.1), Joey Allen (12.2) and Isaiah Thomas (11.7) are double figure scorers for Manitou Springs. They also get support from Caleb Allen (6.1) and Grayson Bodor (6.0).
Resurrection Christian kept sole possession of the Patriot lead by crushing Brush 91-29 on the road Tuesday night. The Cougars (5-0) now have a week to prep for a big showdown with Eaton next Tuesday. The Reds (4-1) are tied with Sterling and Liberty Common in second place.
Eaton kept pace with a 85-56 win at Valley on Tuesday and should get by Brush on Thursday. Sterling also stayed a game back with their 72-40 win over Strasburg and they will next visit Kent Denver on the road Saturday.
Liberty Common may have the most difficult time staying one game back of Resurrection Christian as the Eagles tangle with a very good University club on Friday. The Bulldogs (2-2) are fifth in the standings but their losses are to Resurrection Christian and Eaton so many of their toughest games are behind them. They do host Sterling on February 14th.
The Eagles meantime will have momentum based on a 66-63 win at Platte Valley on Tuesday night. It was their second straight win but just their fourth on the season (4-7).
Coal Ridge picked up an important 57-45 win over Grand Valley on Tuesday night. That win kept the Titans part of a five-way tie for the Western Slope lead with Gunnison, Delta, Aspen and Moffat County. All have one league loss. Grand Valley was also in the mix before the Tuesday loss.
Austin Gerber (18-8) had scored 101 points over his last four games with Coal Ridge and led the Titans with 16 against Grand Valley. Moises Contreras added 10. Next up is a home game with Olathe on Saturday. Grand Valley looks to rebound against Delta on Friday as an upset knocks the Panthers out of first place.
None of the remaining league leaders face off this week. Gunnison hosts Cedaredge on Saturday, Moffat County has a league date at Basalt on Saturday and Aspen meets both Olathe (Friday) and Roaring Fork (Saturday).
In the Frontier, Sheridan (3-0), Middle Park (4-0) and DSTT-Montview (5-0) have the lead but none has more than seven wins overall. Games between those three don’t start until February 11th when Middle Park goes to DSST-Montview. Sheridan may be at a disadvantage as they play both opponents on the road.
One other result that could have a major impact on the RPI standings came on Tuesday inside the 4A Colorado 8 conference. Weld Central handed Englewood their first loss in scoring a 65-57 decision. The Rebels are a 4A team but Englewood comes into the 3A division for the post-season. The Pirates spent some time atop the 3A RPI standings earlier in the year but Tuesday’s loss dropped them to #9.
