Our goal each day of the remainder of the season is make selections for the best five games of the day. We failed on our first attempt as our list involves six games as the schedule for boys’ basketball on Tuesday is tremendous.
2A: #5 Mancos at #7 Ignacio – The first of two games between the Bluejays and Bobcats as they try to determine the top two spots in the San Juan and highest two seeds in the district tournament. The teams split two contests last year with each winning on their home court. The win by Mancos a year ago snapped a 27-game losing streak to Ignacio. The game is a matchup of contrasting styles as the Bluejays have more size and are very effective in the halfcourt game while Ignacio offers a quicker lineup that likes to apply pressure across the floor.
3A: #1 Resurrection Christian at #3 Sterling – Sterling has won the last four in this series beating the Cougars in both the regular season and district finals each of the past two years. They’ve been red hot of late; connecting on 34 three pointers in wins over Valley (19) and Brush (15) last week. Resurrection Christian has a great win over Lutheran right after Christmas and another one tonight puts them at the top of the list for state championshp contenders in Class 3A. Their long and lanky defense could post some issues for the outside shooters of Sterling.
3A: #8 Eaton at #9 University – It’s the undercard in the Patriot behind Resurrection Christian-Sterling but this contest is equally important to the conference standings. Eaton opens the night tied with Resurrection Christian, Sterling and Strasburg and of course stays there with a win. University is coming off a hard fought nine point loss to Resurrection Christian and needs a win to stay within a game of the league leaders. Scott Grable (Eaton) and Tayt Chacon (University) are among the best players in Class 3A.
3A: #4 Lutheran at #5 Faith Christian – The Metro is often very deep with four to five strong state tournament contenders but it appears that the Lions and Eagles are maybe a step ahead of the remaining league teams. If that’s the case, this game tonight will determine the league champion. Lutheran is very big up front; led by 6-11 freshman center Baye Fall with 25 points and 12 rebounds per game. Faith Christian counters with 6-6 Caleb Ruter and 6-4 Caleb Clark who combine for 26 points and 11 rebounds a night.
4A: #2 Mead at #8 Erie – This game finishes off the first half schedule inside the Tri Valley and a win by Mead gives the Mavericks a nice two-game cushion going into the final month of the regular season. Erie (5-1) is alone in second place but coming off a frustrating 48-45 loss to Skyline last week. It was just the second game all-season where the Tigers failed to break 50 points. The other was a 61-48 loss to Niwot. Mead topped Skyline 73-59 in their first meeting and has been pushed just once in league play; beating Frederick on the road 69-60.
4A: #4 Northfield at Thomas Jefferson – For many years, Thomas Jefferson has been the top 4A team inside the combined City league but a very young Northfield program is trying to unseat the Spartans for that spot. The Nighthawks (10-3) opened league action with a solid 77-51 win over Far Northeast last week. Four players reached double figures led by Marcus Rogers (17) and Nahsyah Bolar (16). Thomas Jefferson (10-4) has won six straight including a 82-67 win over Far Northeast. The Spartans picked up 19 points from Darius Hornbuckle in the win, 12 from Ryan Moe and 10 from Jason Adusie.
