By our count there are six games on the boys’ basketball schedule where outcomes will directly determine league championships. Winners claim automatic berths in their respective state tournament and could also move up the seeding ladder.
The most attractive game is in Class 3A where St Mary’s and Manitou Springs get together in a very important top five clash. Neither has lost a Tri Peaks conference game so the winner lands the honor of earning the top trophy. State seeding wise, the game could also be a preview of a state semifinal matchup as St Mary’s is currently number one in points with Manitou Springs fourth. That’s based on the composite rankings we released before games were played on Friday.
Another exciting game can be found between Denver Christian and Highland as those two league unbeatens decide the Mile High champion. Highland will compete in the 3A playoffs this year and is 12th in our composite rankings. Denver Christian is 6th in Class 2A and is in great shape to earn a first-round bye. Neither team has pushed in conference play; Highland has outscored opponents 858-425 and Denver Christian 580-376.
Up in Class 5A, Cherry Creek needs to beat Eaglecrest a second time to land the Centennial crown outright. They lead the Raptors by one game in the conference standings and that came about with their win in game one. The Bruins can also take advantage of the Regis loss from last night to possibly gain the top overall playoff seed.
Three games of note in the 1A division; headed up by 2nd ranked DeBeque and their game with Meeker to decide the overall Western Slope champion. DeBeque is the Southern division champion while Meeker claimed the North division with their win over Rangely on Thursday. The winner gets the automatic bid but both are safe in their respective bracket. Meeker is 13th in Class 2A and DeBeque 2nd in Class 1A.
Prairie and Briggsdale collide today; one week after they were supposed to meet. Both the Mustangs and Falcons are unbeaten in the North Central so the winner gets the title and a playoff bid. Prairie needs it as they’re not in the top 30 of our composite rankings. Briggsdale will get in regardless of outcome as they sit 11th in our seeding points.
The winner between Evangelical Christian and Simla is the Black Forest league champion. ECA narrowly beat Elbert earlier this week (53-52) to remain perfect in conference play. Simla has a loss to Elbert but a win today gives them the tiebreaker and league crown. Without the crown, the Cubs are a bubble team. They enter the contest ranked 23rd in seeding points. ECA is safe either way. They’re 10th but a win could possibly get them into the top eight where they would receive a first-round bye.
Class 3A has at least three other games to mention. Sterling hosts Faith Christian in a game that impacts the eventual state playoff bracket. Sterling is third in points and trying to hold off Manitou Springs for that spot; Faith Christian is 8th and trying to stay ahead of Englewood, Colorado Academy and Aspen to collect a first round bye.
Centauri must beat Bayfield to clinch the Intermountain league championship outright. A stumble leaves the door open for Alamosa to create a tie if the Moose beat Montezuma Cortez as expected. Centauri is 5th in seed points but Alamosa is 22nd and on the bubble. And in the Frontier, DSST-Montview collects second place behind Pinnacle by beating Bennett. Should the Tigers gain the win, they share second with Montview and Middle Park. Pinnacle is likely the only league member to earn a postseason bid as no other conference team is in the top 30 of points. And the 3A bracket consists of only 24 teams this year.
Below is the Top 10 schedule and other important games for Saturday. Results can be reported by text to 970.380.7737.
Colorado Preps will post another set of composite rankings on Sunday and then use them to set up projected pairings. Official rankings and brackets from CHSAA are set for release on Monday. First round games are next Tuesday with the Sweet Sixteen on Thursday. Winners there advance to the Great 8 on Saturday. Higher seeded teams host all playoff games until the state finals which will be played at World Arena in Colorado Springs March 19-20th.
Photo by Denver Christian schools.
CLASS 1A
FINAL: 2 DeBeque beat Meeker 85-78 (OT)
FINAL: #4 Primero beat Hanover 55-45
FINAL: #6 Granada beat Kim/Branson 60-49
FINAL: Vail Christian beat #7 Caprock Academy 72-51
FINAL: Simla beat #9 Evangelical Christian 44-41
FINAL: Briggsdale beat Prairie 72-58
FINAL: Hi Plains beat Cheyenne Wells 35-32
CLASS 2A
#1 Wray vs Arickaree/Woodlin (cancelled)
FINAL: #2 Limon beat Fowler 60-56
FINAL: #3 Peyton beat James Irwin 68-25
FINAL: Highland beat #4 Denver Christian 58-45
FINAL: Del Norte beat #6 Sanford 54-39
FINAL: #8 Mancos beat Ridgway 63-41
CLASS 3A
FINAL: #1 St Mary’s beat #4 Manitou Springs 83-62
FINAL: #3 Sterling beat #7 Faith Christian 55-43
FINAL: #5 Manual beat Prospect Ridge 79-46
FINAL: #6 Centauri beat Bayfield 68-40
FINAL: #10 Englewood beat Eagle Ridge Academy 69-63
FINAL: Bennett beat DSST-Montview 53-47
FINAL: Alamosa beat Montezuma Cortez 53-42
FINAL: Coal Ridge beat Roaring Fork 48-27
CLASS 4A
FINAL: #5 Mead beat Northridge 69-42
FINAL: #9 Steamboat Springs beat Palisade 74-45
CLASS 5A
FINAL: #1 Cherry Creek beat Eaglecrest 83-76
#3 Rangeview vs Vista Peak (Cancelled)
#4 ThunderRidge vs Valor Christian (Cancelled)
#6 George Washington vs Denver South (Cancelled)
