The delay in the schedule for the boys’ basketball state quarterfinals has given us time to look at each of the 20 contests at a glance.  We go through each contest in each class with a couple of notes to remember as teams look to advance into the state semifinals on Thursday.

Photo provided by Dan Mohrman.

 

CLASS 1A

DENVER JEWISH DAY AT BELLEVIEW CHRISTIAN:  The unbeaten Bruins have outscored opponents 987-499 on the season overall but barely held on to beat Denver Jewish Day in overtime (42-38).  That game came very early in the season and the Bruins have won every game since by at least 20 points.

CHERAW AT GRANADA:  The two High Plains league rivals played just 10 days with the Bobcats scoring a 48-31 win.  The decision gave the Bobcats the league championship and ended the Wolverines perfect season.  It also likely earned them the right to host the state quarterfinal rematch.  The Bobcats led by just two at half but outscored Cheraw 31-16 in the second half.

MILE HIGH ACADEMY AT MERINO:  The Rams record is again deceiving this year as all four losses are against 2A clubs including three teams that are playing the state quarterfinals this week (Yuma, Wray & Sedgwick County).  They’re unbeaten against 1A teams.  Mile High Academy did not have their full roster in an opening 30-point loss to Belleview Christian and the second loss was by just two points to 2A Dayspring Christian.  A win gets them to the semifinals for a second straight year.

HAXTUN AT DEBEQUE:  Wes Ryan poured in 39 points to lead DeBeque past Longmont Christian in the Sweet 16.  It was his third straight game of at least 30 points and marked the sixth time in 15 games he’s reached that level.  Haxtun (11th) is the lowest seed left in the field but has momentum following a one-point road win at Primero last Thursday.  Primero was unbeaten against 1A teams entering that contest.

 

CLASS 2A

SEDGWICK COUNTY AT WRAY:  Wray won the Lower Platte league matchup with ease; downing the Cougars 70-41 on February 11th.  A 24-point second quarter for Wray was the difference as they created a 41-21 halftime edge.  Wray averages 80 points per game and will again look to push tempo.  For Sedgwick County, the first battle was the last of a three-game losing streak.  They’re 8-1 since.

WIGGINS AT YUMA:  Yuma opened 0-3 but has won their last eight games.  They did not face Wiggins in conference play as the game was wiped out when the Indians had to cancel their games over the final week due to COVID.  Their win over Fowler on Thursday was their first official court action since February 20th.  Wiggins has won four straight including a big road win at Holly (59-58) last Thursday.  Three of the Tigers five losses are against teams still fighting for a state title (Wray, Sedgwick County & Merino)

IGNACIO AT LIMON:  After starting the season 1-2, Ignacio carries a 13-game winning streak into the state quarterfinals.  They avenged one of their two losses by beating Sanford on the road in the Sweet 16 last Thursday.  Health is a major reason for their resurgence as key players missed several games through the early part of the schedule.  Limon’s lone blemish is a quality 72-66 setback to top seeded Wray.  They’ve outscored opponents 1,017-564 on the season.

DENVER CHRISTIAN AT PEYTON:  The clubs have three combined losses but all were suffered against 3A opponents.  Peyton to fell to Manitou Springs in their season opener but has won their last 12 contests.  Denver Christian fell to Colorado Academy in game two and Highland in their regular season finale but in-between reeled off 11 straight victories.  Peyton surrenders 37 points a game and has allowed more than 50 only once including in the loss to Manitou Springs.  Denver Christian gives up 44 points a game and has surrendered more 50 points four times this year.

 

CLASS 3A

ENGLEWOOD AT ST MARY’S:  These two played back on January 30th with St Mary’s scoring a 77-49 decision.  Despite the margin of victory, Englewood actually held the Pirates to their second lowest offensive total of the season.  They average 92 points a game overall and picked up 27 points from Sam Howery and 22 from Luke Stockelman in the victory.  Englewood, which hit just 18 of 56 shots from the field, has won 12 straight games since.

COLORADO ACADEMY AT MANITOU SPRINGS:  The Mustangs were the only road team to win in the Round of 16 but they were forced to overtime before downing Centauri 71-62.  It was their third straight win since their only loss to Englewood.  They have just one win over a team still alive in the playoffs (Denver Christian).  Manitou Springs won 13 straight games to open the season before coming up short to St Mary’s (83-62) in the Tri Peaks title game.  They also have just one win against a team still playing for a title and it’s also against a 2A opponent (Peyton).

Aspen High School boys basketball plays against Palisade on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, inside the AHS gymnasium. Photo by Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times.

MANUAL AT LUTHERAN:  The Lions won the Metro league battle 70-50 and took control over the second and third quarters where they outscored the Thunderbolts 38-19.  Manual’s leading scorer Jordan Reed was limited to just seven points as he hit just one of 12 field goal attempts.  Lutheran’s Baye Fall meantime went for 24 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks.

ASPEN AT STERLING:  Both clubs have faced and beaten Faith Christian in the past 10 days so the Eagles may be a good barometer.  Sterling won 55-43 to close out the regular season on March 6th while Aspen rallied to upend the Eagles 61-52 in overtime in the Sweet 16 last Thursday.  Sterling has won 14 straight contests and has beaten six playoff teams this year.  Aspen has picked up wins in their last nine games following an early loss to Coal Ridge.  They’ve beaten four playoff clubs.

 

CLASS 4A

PUEBLO SOUTH AT WINDSOR:  Pueblo South has won seven straight since their last loss to 5A Fountain Fort Carson.  Their other setback came against Pueblo Central as they split two games and shared the South Central crown with the Wildcats.  They may be playing with house money after outscoring Erie 33-18 in the fourth quarter to stun the Tigers 75-74.  The game winner came on a long banked in three-pointer from Tarrance Austin at the buzzer.  Windsor also played Erie at mid-season and suffered their only loss of the season (71-59) but has won their last eight.  Included in the run are strong victories over Mead and Longmont who are both still alive in the 4A bracket.

MEAD AT LEWIS PALMER:  Mead has three losses overall with all of them coming together in a tough nine-day stretch against Windsor, Longmont and Holy Family.  Since that period, the Mavericks have won six straight games including Holy Family as they avenged the earlier loss with a 71-45 blowout in the Sweet 16.  Elijah Knudsen scored 21 in the first game with Holy Family and exploded for 45 in the rematch including a whopping 10 three-pointers.  Lewis Palmer missed 17 days of action dealing with COVID but has made up for it by playing nine game since February 23rd.  They’ve won all but one including playoff wins over Elizabeth and D’Evelyn by 21 points apiece.

PUEBLO CENTRAL AT LONGMONT:  Pace will be important in this one.  Longmont plays a more deliberate style as they average just 50 points a contest with only two games above 60 for the season.  That pace also helps a stubborn defense give up just 41 points a night.  Pueblo Central conversely averages nearly 67 points a game and gives up 54.  They’re still alive thanks to a put-back at the buzzer by Kaden Betts in a 74-73 win over Mountain View.  The sophomore finished with a season-high 31 points.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AT MONTROSE:  These two teams have had very similar seasons.  Both are 16-0 overall and both advanced to the state quarterfinals with come-from-behind wins over Jeffco opponents last Thursday.  Both teams have had just four games apiece decided by single digits and both have solid victories over 3A Western Slope champion Coal Ridge.  Steamboat Springs won their matchup by just three points; Montrose by six.

 

CLASS 5A

EAGLECREST AT CHERRY CREEK:  This is round three this season between the Centennial league opponents.  Cherry Creek won the first two matchups but with both decided by nine points apiece, neither was easy.  The Bruins survived a scare with Smoky Hill (80-75) on Tuesday while Eaglecrest outscored Mountain Vista (80-70).  Other than the two losses to Cherry Creek, the Raptors lost early decisions to Fossil Ridge and Chaparral.  Creek has outscored opponents by 301 points.

CHAPARRAL AT THUNDERRIDGE:  ThunderRidge was unbeaten in the Continental but since they only played five league games, the title was awarded to Chaparral based on their win over Regis late in the season.  Now the two get to decide the title on the court with the winner advancing to the state semifinals.  Chaparral is battle-tested with six games decided by single digits.  They’re just 3-3 in those games but have won their last two.  ThunderRidge has played four such games and is 2-2 with losses in their last two.

GEORGE WASHINGTON AT REGIS:  Both clubs have the ability to score points but GW plays a bit faster pace as they and their opponent combine for 138 points a game compared to just 125 for Regis.  One common opponent is Denver East.  George lost to their league rivals in double overtime (97-94) while the Raiders collected a 75-65 decision.  Another is Chaparral.  Regis came up short 61-59 in overtime while George earned a defensive minded 59-57 win.

ROCK CANYON AT RANGEVIEW: The Raiders have won 60 straight games including the last state championship contested on the court (2019).  After beating Columbine in the state quarterfinals last year, they were just two wins away from going back-to-back.  They’ve extended the streak with 15 more wins this year including a hard fought 46-44 win over Rock Canyon on February 1st.  The one advantage the Raiders had was on the boards where they outrebounded the Jags 28-21.  Both teams had 14 turnovers, nine free throws and each shot right at 40 percent from the field.  Rock Canyon is 9-2 since that game with quality losses to Chaparral and ThunderRidge in league play.