The boys basketball program at Rock Canyon had something of a statement win over back-to-back champion ThunderRidge Friday night, outscoring the Grizzlies by 26 in the second half of an 80-60 victory.
Now a chance to supplement it with a road matchup against Mountain Vista Thursday night, where a win would ensure the Jaguars’ top standing in the classification heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
Rock Canyon, moving into the top spot in the Class 6A in this week’s CHSAA coaches’ poll, faces the fourth-seeded Golden Eagles for the second time this season. It lost the first 52-51 on Dec. 3 — its only loss of the winter.
The latest matchup furthers a budding rivalry in the south Denver suburbs, with the teams splitting their last 22 meetings. None bigger perhaps than last March, of course, when the Jaguars beat Mountain Vista 57-56 in the state round of 16.
In this week’s look in on the big classifications in boys basketball, we’ll look at a few interesting teams to watch with three weeks left in the regular season.
Class 6A
No. 1 Rock Canyon: The Jaguars (17-1) have proven themselves the top team in the class this month, whether that’s by crushing the defending champs or proving finishers in last-seconds win over Highlands Ranch and Regis Jesuit.
Now, they get a chance to rewrite their one blemish this winter at Mountain Vista Thursday.
Gavin Hershberger scored 23 on 7-of-11 shooting in the win over ThunderRidge Friday, his third 20-point outing shooting at least 64% in four games. He also had 29 on 9-of-13 shooting in a win over Legend a week ago and shot 8 of 9 for 24 points in a win over Douglas County Jan. 17.
Against the Golden Eagles last month, he had a game-high 18 in the loss.
No. 6 Fort Collins: It’d be hard to find a team in the state that can match up with the physicality and size of the Lambkins (14-2).
Luke Wagstaff is 6-foot-8, 230 pounds and every bit as daunting as that sounds. Demolishing teams in the paint, he is averaging 20.3 PPG and 10 ½ rebounds.
In a win over Monarch last week, he outmuscled everything the Coyotes sent at him, going for 24 points and 18 boards. He has nine double-doubles on the season.
The Lambkins face No. 2 Fossil Ridge Tuesday night, with the winner taking sole possession of the 6A Front Range League.
Class 5A
No. 5 Dakota Ridge: Nobody for the Eagles (14-2) jumps out on the stats page. And perhaps, that’s why nobody in the state has figured out how to beat them.
Dakota Ridge averages 16 assists per game as seven different players are averaging at least 6.2 points per game. Sophomore Ethan Berninger is at 11.1 PPG and 3.1 boards and senior Trevor Fuller is at 10.8 PPG.
With an 11-game winning streak in hand, the Eagles are at Standley Lake, then at 6A No. 5 Denver East Thursday and will finish the week against No. 4 Mountain Vista at Ball Arena Saturday.
No. 6 Windsor: David Hageman has scored double figures in every game this season and the Wizards (14-3) are beating teams in their league by an average of 22 points.
Good margins.
With a one-game lead in the 6A/5A/4A NCAC, Windsor is led by Hageman’s 18.1 PPG, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
The senior had 21 in a win over No. 4 Mead a week ago, then followed it up with 18 in a victory over 4A No. 5 Holy Family Thursday.
Next, the Wizards will look to even the season series at home against Longmont Wednesday. The Trojans handed Windsor its lone league loss of the year earlier in the month.
Class 4A
No. 1 Kent Denver: Freshman Caleb Fay had his first career double-double, totaling 24 points and 11 rebounds, in a 100-98 overtime win over Colorado Academy Saturday, pushing the Sun Devils’ win streak to 13 games.
Fay has been a part of a three-headed scoring monster that includes seniors Jay Royal (19 PPG) and Ethan Levin (16.8). Before the CA game, the freshman had 22 points in a 20-point win over DSST: Green Valley Ranch Thursday.
Kent Denver is averaging 84 points per game. It is at Stargate School Tuesday and home against 3A No. 1 Faith Christian Friday.
No. 8 Severance: Senior Ty Adam is averaging 24 points over his last five games and the Silver Knights have won seven of their last eight.
Adam is at 21.1 PPG and 10.7 rebounds while shooting 63% this winter. He’s led a team that has three losses to ranked teams, and the other to potential player of the year Maurice Austin and Pueblo South.
Severance is a game back of No. 3 Frederick in the Longs Peak League. It is at Niwot Tuesday and is home against Fort Morgan Thursday.