More league championships are on the line tonight as the boys’ basketball season enters the final two days of the regular season. Top games include Cheraw-Granada in Class 1A and Regis-Chaparral in Class 5A.
Cheraw and Granada are separated by one game atop the High Plains conference but tonight’s winner lands the championship. Cheraw (13-0) is also shooting for an overall unbeaten season and a win should lock down the second overall seed in the playoff bracket. They trail Belleview Christian in the race for number one but the gap to catch the Bruins is likely too big. Granada was 8th in points in seed rankings released on Wednesday so a win probably earns them a first-round bye as well.
Also in Class 1A is an important game between Sierra Grande and Primero. The Bulldogs are 5th in points and will get a first round bye but Sierra Grande needs a win to stay eligible. They were 28th in points in Wednesday rankings and only the top 24 teams enter the playoffs this year. Sierra Grande has won two games already this week over Cotopaxi and Hoehne and also have a finishing game with Manzanola on Saturday.
Limon has secured the Union Pacific championship but tonight’s winner between Genoa Hugo and Burlington finishes second. The Cougars may need a win a bit more as they were only 31st in points on Wednesday and that would leave them well outside the 2A bracket. Genoa Hugo is 18th and in the 1A playoffs but a victory helps them toward the top 16 and a home playoff game.
In Class 3A, Centauri needs wins over Pagosa Springs tonight and Bayfield tomorrow to win the Intermountain championship outright. They lead Alamosa by one game in the standings and split two games with the Moose this year. Alamosa has one conference game left and it pops up tomorrow against Montezuma Cortez.
The 4A/5A Pikes Peak chase is crowded at the top with Rampart, Doherty, Lewis Palmer and Fountain Fort Carson all tied for first with two league losses apiece. Two teams need wins tonight to stay in the mix as Lewis Palmer meets Air Academy and Fountain Fort Carson battles Pine Creek.
In the Continental, Regis and ThunderRidge head into the evening unbeaten in league play. The Grizzlies are favored against Legend but Regis could get challenged by third place Chaparral. If both ThunderRidge and Regis win, then they will share the title but a Chaparral upset pushes them to second and Regis drops to third. The Raiders are also battling Cherry Creek for the top overall playoff seed.
Fossil Ridge can land the Front Range title by beating Boulder tonight. The Sabercats are tied with Fairview in first but gained the tiebreaker by beating the Knights on Wednesday night. Fairview is also in action. They face Fort Collins and can grab the title with a win if Fossil Ridge stumbles.
Below is the entire top 10 schedule for Friday with other top games included. Colorado Preps will update scores throughout the night and results can be reported by text at 970.380.7737.
Photo by Van Hollis.
CLASS 1A
FINAL: #6 Granada beat #3 Cheraw 48-31
FINAL: #4 Primero beat Sierra Grande 79-38
FINAL: #5 Merino beat Peetz 67-34
CLASS 2A
FINAL: #2 Limon beat Holyoke 64-46
FINAL: #5 Sanford beat Center 58-40
FINAL: Genoa Hugo beat Burlington 69-38
CLASS 3A
FINAL: #1 St Mary’s beat Ellicott 94-43
FINAL: #2 Lutheran beat Peak to Peak 60-33
FINAL: #6 Centauri beat Pagosa Springs 50-26
FINAL: #8 Colorado Academy beat Stargate 61-44
CLASS 4A
FINAL: #1 Windsor beat Mountain View 76-24
FINAL: Thompson Valley beat #2 Longmont 59-57
FINAL: #4 Montrose beat Durango 61-30
FINAL: #6 Lewis Palmer beat Air Academy 62-52
CLASS 5A
FINAL: #5 Chaparral beat #2 Regis 61-59 (OT)
FINAL: #4 ThunderRidge beat Legend 64-48
FINAL: #7 Mountain Vista beat Castle View 69-58
FINAL: #8 Fossil Ridge beat Boulder 82-32
FINAL: #10 Fairview beat Fort Collins 54-35
FINAL: Fountain Fort Carson beat Pine Creek 61-59 (OT)
