The Class 3A Frontier conference is always one of the most difficult conferences in any class to predict the top teams and this year is no different. The race for the league championship is considered wide open and it’s important as the winner earns an automatic bid into the condensed 24-team playoff bracket.
That fact makes tonight’s game between Pinnacle and Bennett very important. Both clubs are 2-0 out of the gate and each has their eyes on grabbing that title. DSST-Montview is the defending champion and ran through 11 conference games without a loss last year but they lost their top three scorers from the club.
Pinnacle has already matched their win total of last season (2-19) by beating Frontier Academy and Stargate last week. Xavier Morales totaled 24 points, 10 rebounds and 14 steals in those wins while Robert McClinton added 20 points and 11 steals.
Bennett moved past Woodland Park and Weld Central in week one; winning both games by 11 points apiece. Mikey Babi averaged a team best 18 points for the Tigers last year but will miss this season due to injury. Rudy Higgins though has picked up some of the slack; scoring 38 points and pulling down 10 rebounds in the two wins last week. Caden Church (12.0), Nick Hawes (11.0) and Andrew Chapman (10.0) also average double figures through week one.
St Mary’s and Manitou Springs are projected to land the top two spots in the 3A Tri Peaks but both Buena Vista and Colorado Springs Christian hope to push for a top four finish. Getting there should be enough to land a state tournament berth. Both teams collected narrow wins in season openers last week as the Demons edged Gunnison 58-57 and CSCS dropped 2A power Fowler 73-68 in overtime. Now they collide in an important conference game tonight. Caleb Stockton and Luke Davies both netted 21 points to lead the Lions vs Fowler while Nathan Davies added 14.
Doherty and Palmer Ridge are both unbeaten and their matchup tonight will hand one their first loss while the winner gains valuable RPI points. The Bears dropped Pueblo County and Elizabeth in week one as De’shamio Graves collected 36 points and 14 rebounds in the wins. His all-around game also included six assists and eight steals on the week. Oliver Hayes (28) and Gabe Hanson (26) also combined for 54 points in the wins.
Doherty rolled Bear Creek, Coronado and Palmer by a combined 84 points last week. Schafer Reichart averaged 19 points a game including 24 points in Saturday’s win over Palmer. He also produced a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds against Coronado two nights earlier. The Spartans also dropped in 27 three-pointers on the week including eight from Brody Gish and six apiece from Reinert and Jacob Corsi. FEATURE PHOTO OF DOHERTY SOPHOMORE GUARD CHRISTIAN DRUMMOND PROVIDED BY DOHERTY SCHOOLS.
Rock Canyon (1-1) and Rangeview (2-0) appear to be safe bets for the 32-team Class 5A state tournament bracket so tonight’s meeting will help determine placement in the bracket. Rangeview and their high scoring offense averaging 84 points a game is favored. Four players average double figures for the Raiders; a group led by Cade Palmer (23.5). Devin Phillio is averaging a double-double after totaling 25 points and 20 rebounds in the first two games.
Rock Canyon dropped a tough 70-63 decision to top 10 rival George Washington in the opener but bounced back with a 60-49 win at Boulder two nights later. Sophomore Gavin Hershberger paced the Jags with 14 points against Boulder. He was two of three from beyond the arc. Brody Rardin also hit a pair of threes in the win.
Colorado Preps will provide daily previews of the top games each night of the regular season. Final scores can be sent to us by text at 970.380.7737.
