Glenwood Springs and Cheyenne Mountain are the only two clubs that have clinched league championships in Class 4A boys’ basketball.  Several other clubs are just one win away from joining the champions group so we break down the scenarios in each race.  We also use RPI from Monday February 17th to list current state tournament qualifiers in each league.  League champions earn automatic bids and the rest of the 48-team field is determined by RPI standings at the end of the regular season.
Photo is provided by Lance Wendt.
 
COLORADO SPRINGS METRO
Following a wild couple of weeks, Harrison (10-2) is alone atop the standings enter the final few days of the season.  The Panthers lead Classical Academy (10-3) and Widefield (9-4) by one.  Harrison though has four league games on tap this week and need wins in three to clinch the championship since they’ve swept TCA this year.  Classical Academy took over second by beating Widefield (45-44) last Saturday.  They close with three games this week; all on the road against Elizabeth (Tuesday), Woodland Park (Thursday) and Canon City (Friday).  Since they swept Widefield, the Titans secure second with two more wins.

  • State Qualifiers (7):  Harrison #8, Classical Academy #11, Widefield #18, Canon City #31, Mitchell #42, Elizabeth #43, Sierra #45

JEFFCO
Golden (9-1) has a one game edge on Wheat Ridge (8-2) with Green Mountain and D’Evelyn sharing third with four losses apiece.  The separation at the top is caused by Golden’s earlier win over Wheat Ridge and those two clubs meet for a second time in Golden on Friday.  The Demons also go to D’Evelyn on Wednesday and a win there clinches at least a share of the league crown.  They can also wrap up the title with a win if Evergreen also upsets Wheat Ridge that night.  If both clubs win on Wednesday, then their Friday clash will determine if Golden wins the crown outright or if the two clubs share it.

  • State Qualifiers (6):  Golden #6, Green Mountain #16, Evergreen #23, Wheat Ridge #25, D’Evelyn #29, LIttleton #46

NORTHERN
Longmont (11-1) enters the final week alone in first but still needing two wins to clinch the title outright.  The Trojans are one game up on Silver Creek (10-2) but the rivals split two conference matchups.   Longmont clinches at least a share of the crown by beating Northridge on Monday night and a win there gives them a chance to wrap it up at home against Greeley Central on Wednesday.  Silver Creek has three games this week against Mountain View (Tuesday), Thompson Valley (Wednesday) and Greeley Central (Friday). They need wins in at least two to secure second ahead of Centaurus (8-4).

  • State Qualifiers (4):  Longmont #3, Silver Creek #15, Centaurus #17, Niwot #34

SOUTH CENTRAL
Pueblo East (8-0) is in complete control of the title chase and secures the crown by beating Pueblo South on Tuesday.  The Eagles lead Pueblo West and Pueblo Central (both 6-2) by two games so one more win gives them the title.  Should they fall at Pueblo South, then their road trip to Pueblo West on Thursday becomes important if the Cyclones get by Pueblo Central.  East beat South 76-46 in the first matchup so they’re heavily favored to wrap it up early in the week.  If that happens, then Pueblo Central clinches second by beating Pueblo West for a second time.  If West wins on Tuesday, then they would need to also upset East two nights later to claim second outright.

  • State Qualifiers (3):  Pueblo East #12, Pueblo West #13, Pueblo Central #19

WESTERN SLOPE
Glenwood Springs moved to 10-0 and clinched the conference crown by winning at Steamboat Springs on Saturday.  Steamboat Springs (7-3) remains in second despite the loss and can clinch that spot by beating Rifle or Summit this week.

  • State Qualifiers (7):  Glenwood Springs #2, Steamboat Springs #24, Summit #27, Rifle #32, Battle Mountain #33, Palisade #37, Eagle Valley #41

COLORADO 8
Conifer won the regular season crown by winning all seven conference games but the Lobos still need to win the league tournament this week to grab the guaranteed berth.  They will be at home for the duration of the league event.  Fort Lupton finished second with Weld Central third and Englewood fourth.  Fort Lupton, Englewood and Riverdale drop into Class 3A and will take part in the Confluence district tournament as they try to qualify for that state event.

  • State Qualifiers (2):  Conifer #20, Weld Central #30
  • Class 3A RPI:  Fort Lupton #17, Englewood #18

PIKES PEAK
Cheyenne Mountain (11-1) has clinched the league crown as they lead Lewis Palmer (8-4) by three games with just two contests remaining.  Lewis Palmer leads Sand Creek and Discovery Canyon by one game as they try to hold onto second.  The Rangers have swept both the Scorpions and Thunder so a win over Air Academy on Tuesday clinches the runner-up spot.  They also host Cheyenne Mountain on Friday.  Vista Ridge moves to 5A for the post-season but they are just #60 in RPI and won’t qualify.

  • State Qualifiers (6):  Cheyenne Mountain #5, Sand Creek #21, Lewis Palmer #22, Discovery Canyon #35, Air Academy #38, Palmer Ridge #47

TRI VALLEY
Mead (14-0) has a two-game edge on Erie (12-2) and the two leaders meet on Tuesday night.  The Tigers host and must get the win the remain in title contention.  Even if Erie gives the Mavericks their first league loss, Mead can still clinch the championship by beating Holy Family on Friday.  Erie also goes to Frederick on Friday and a win in either game gives them second.  Windsor (11-4) and Skyline (10-4) but the Wizards swept the season series so they get the spot by beating Berthoud on Tuesday.  Windsor also moves to 5A for the playoffs and will be in the bracket as they sit #19 in RPI.

  • State Qualifiers (6):  Mead #1, Skyline #7, Erie #9, Frederick #28, Holy Family #36, Fort Morgan #48

OTHER MIXED CONFERENCES
Montrose (5-1) sits one game back of Fruita Monument (7-0) in the Southwestern race but those two clubs battle on Tuesday so the Indians remain in the chase.  Fruita won the first game 68-49.  Durango has not won a conference game but will still qualify for the state tournament.
Northfield (8-0) is tied with 5A Denver East (7-0) for the DPL lead and the two will meet on Tuesday to determine the lead.  The Nighthawks have beaten George Washington (6-1) so a win gives them the championship.  Denver East and George Washington also collide on Saturday and that game will be for second if Northfield wins on Tuesday.  East of course can land the championship with two wins.  Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson (both 4-3) share fourth place with the Lancers getting the head-to-head win.
Ponderosa has not won a Continental conference game (0-8) but they will get into the 48-team bracket.
Coronado has just four wins overall this season with one win inside the 5A CS Metro.  The Cougars are #56 in RPI and will likely not qualify for the state tournament.

  • State Qualifiers (7):  Northfield #4, Montrose #10, Thomas Jefferson #14, Lincoln #26, Ponderosa #39, Denver North #40, Durango #44