Good schedule on the board on day three of the boys’ basketball season with interesting battles between Eaton-Highland, Longmont-Evergreen and Eaglecrest-Smoky Hill. The last game will impact the rugged Centennial standings while the other two will help determine the post-season brackets in Classes 3A and 4A.
Tonight’s game with Eaton and Friday’s battle with Resurrection Christian are very important to Highland as they make the jump to Class 3A. Despite that move, the Huskies remain in the Mile-High conference where they will mainly face 2A opponents. They could easily win the league title again and earn an automatic trip to the playoffs but the strength of schedule could hurt bracket positioning. Wins over Eaton and Resurrection Christian this week should improve where they would be placed in the pairings.
The Huskies reached the 2A finals two years ago and earned a Final Four bid last season. They return double-digit scorers in Jace Bessire (19.0), Bowen Tolle (14.8) and Holden Morgan (11.5). Tolle (8.4) and Morgan (5.0) also combined for over 13 boards a game. Jessa Vasa (7.0) could also get more shots in the Huskies fast-paced attack.
Eaton is also poised for a strong post-season run. A loss to Manual in the Sweet 16 last season prevented an appearance in the Great 8 but plenty of talent returns from that club. The Reds offer a great inside-out mix offensively led by Ryan Ure, Scott Grable and Gage Butler. Ure, a 6-6 center, posted 14 double-doubles as a junior while Grable and Butler combined for 82 three-pointers. That trio should help the Reds push for a Patriot championship.
Few programs statewide can match the tradition and success of Longmont. Ranked third in Class 4A, the Trojans are also in the state championship race but must replace several quality seniors from last year’s club. That list includes Dallas Dye who topped the team in scoring and rebounds. Also gone is double-digit scorer Ryan Schneider. Eddie Kurjak, who picked up 14 points and nearly seven rebounds a game, returns and the Trojans may lean on him a bit offensively in the early going as the likes of Devon Nowells (8.8) and Keegan Patterson (2.4) step into new roles.
Up first on the schedule is a tough test with 6th ranked Evergreen. The Cougars welcome back three players who combined for 42 points a game a year ago in Griffin Lauritano (18.8), Jackson Mott (12.2) and Jared Stiller (11.1). Lauritano and Stiller were also leaders in rebounding as each averaged over seven per game. That group pushed Evergreen to 15 wins as juniors.
Smoky Hill (9-5) and Eaglecrest (8-6) finished 3-4 in the Centennial a year ago but combined to win 35 games overall. The Buffs post-season run ended with a frustrating 85-82 double overtime loss to Chaparral in round three. The Raptors were bounced in the same round by Valor Christian (60-52).
Zion Ruckard (17.3) paced Eaglecrest in scoring last year but graduated last Spring. The well is not completely dry as the Raptors get back the next four scorers in Ty Robinson (13.3), Skylar Wilson (10.8), Adrian Price (5.7) and Seyi Oladipo (5.3). All are experienced varsity players accustomed the major battles with the conference.
Smoky Hill has a similar setup as leading scorer Quentin Rock (20.8) graduated but Jalen Weaver (18.8), Jordan Whitaker (7.4), DeAngelo Horn (7.0) and Anthony Harris (6.1) all return.
Tonight’s schedule also includes our first look at top ranked Lutheran (3A) and Cherry Creek (5A). Both clubs feature strong player of the year candidates in Baye Fall (Lutheran) and Julian Hammond (Cherry Creek). Hammond provided the Bruins with 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals as a junior while Fall compiled 19 points, 11 rebounds and nearly four blocks as a freshman.
The scheduled matchup between Coal Ridge and Steamboat Springs has been postponed because of COVID concerns. Steamboat is in quarantine and won’t be able to play tonight. The girls’ game between the two schools, also scheduled for tonight, will be played as planned.
Below is the entire Top 10 schedule for Wednesday. Colorado Preps will provide daily coverage of all important games throughout the season.
CLASS 3A
FINAL: #1 Lutheran beat Holy Family 73-59
FINAL: Far Northeast beat #6 Manual 72-65
FINAL: #9 Eaton beat Highland 79-65
#10 Coal Ridge at Steamboat Springs (PPD)
CLASS 4A
FINAL: #2 Lewis Palmer beat Widefield 56-47
FINAL: #3 Longmont beat #6 Evergreen 33-32
FINAL: #5 Golden beat DSST-Conservatory 71-38
FINAL: #8 Harrison beat Discovery Canyon 65-51
FINAL: #9 Erie beat Broomfield 82-63
CLASS 5A
FINAL: #1 Cherry Creek beat Arapahoe 70-60
FINAL: #3 Rangeview beat Ralston Valley 82-60
FINAL: #6 Valor Christian beat Air Academy 66-50
#7 Eaglecrest vs #10 Smoky Hill
