Instead of providing a preview of the boys’ basketball Great 8 matchups on Saturday, Colorado Preps will look at the state tournament history for all the teams involved. For our historical purposes, the state tournament involves the state quarterfinals, semifinals and championship matchups.
Games and histories are listed in bracket order. Photo by Steve Abeyta.
CLASS 1A
Denver Jewish Day at Belleview Christian
Belleview Christian is back in the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2004. The Bruins went 1-2 that season; beating Creede in the first round but then dropping their next two games against Kit Carson and Otis. Belleview Christian won back-to-back championships in 1999-2000. Denver Jewish Day is the Great 8 for the first time in school history.
Cheraw at Granada
Granada is 34-25 all-time in state tournament games including championships in 1989 and 1991. The Bobcats last entered the Great 8 in 2013 but dropped two straight games to Caliche and Norwood to be eliminated. Their last wins came in 2009 when they edged Hi Plains 53-50 in the quarterfinals and then downed Otis for the third place trophy. Cheraw won back-to-back championships in 2001-02 including a 65-37 win over Granada to capture the second. They’ve had just two wins since that second crown and both came in 2003 when they ended up third. The Wolverines last made the quarterfinals in 2016 where they lost to Holly and Kit Carson.
Mile High Academy at Merino
Merino is in the quarterfinals for a third straight year. They lost a year ago but ended up fourth in 2019. Overall, the Rams have 31 state tournament wins but only six since 1980 when they finished off a string of five consecutive championships (1976-80). Ironically, head coach Chase Debus was an important piece as a player for Caliche when the Buffs snagged four consecutive championships from 2009-12. Mile High Academy made their first ever quarterfinal appearance last season and picked up a 70-63 win over Evangelical Christian.
Haxtun at DeBeque
DeBeque won the 2019 state championship and used a 70-65 semifinal win over Haxtun to reach the finals. It’s their only playoff matchup all-time. The Dragons are in the Great 8 for a third straight year. After winning the 2019 title, they were bounced by Briggsdale last year. DeBeque won the state title in 1998 as well but the wins in 2019 were their first since 2003. Haxtun has two playoff wins since 2005 and both came in 2019 when they ended up third. After falling to DeBeque in the semifinals, they returned the next day to upend Merino in the third-place game. Haxtun has two state championships; 2005 and 1939. They toppled Eads 63-50 in 2005 and held off Alamosa 26-25 for the 1939 Class B championship.
CLASS 2A
Wray at Sedgwick County
Wray has just four state tournament wins in school history including a quarterfinal win over Sanford (49-32) last season. Before that win, the Eagles had not enjoyed state tournament success since 1949. That year they moved past Golden and Frederick to win fifth place and grab their only tournament hardware. They also reached the state tournament in 2007 but lost to Sanford and Meeker. Sedgwick County has made the tournament four times since combining programs of Julesburg and Revere. They grabbed the state title in 2008 (beat Paonia 43-28) and then lost to Holyoke (44-41) in the 2017 state championship game. The Cougars also reached the semifinals in 2016 but that run ended with a loss to Resurrection Christian.
Wiggins at Yuma
For the Tigers, this is just their fourth state quarterfinal appearance since 1994 and their first since 2012. The Tigers lost in the quarterfinals in 2012 but then recovered to beat Sargent and Sanford to land the consolation title. They have one state championship from 1966 when they downed Bayfield. They are 18-17 overall in state tournament play. Yuma landed state crowns in 2018 and 2019 and reached the semifinals last year before the season came to a close because of COVID. The win a year ago was their seventh straight and 33rd overall in state play. They also have state championships in 1981, 1963 and 1958.
Ignacio at Limon
Limon is in the quarterfinals for a third straight year. They beat Peyton 43-34 last year and were prepping for a matchup with Yuma in the state semifinals. The Badgers also took the consolation title in 2019. Overall, the Badgers are 40-22 in state tournament action including back-to-back losses in 2012 and 2013 state finals. They have four state championship trophies but none since 1964. They’re 1-1 all-time against Ignacio; beating the Bobcats 76-64 in the 1964 semifinals and losing 56-37 in the 2010 semifinals. Ignacio has 18 all-time state wins with nine coming since 2009. This is their third appearance in four years and fell to Highland in the quarterfinals last season. Ignacio has one state championship as they beat Basalt 73-65 in 1988. They dropped finals in 2010, 1989 and 1963.
Denver Christian at Peyton
Peyton lost to Limon in the state quarterfinals last year. The Panthers have just two state tournament wins all-time and both came in 2009 when they reached the 3A state finals. They moved past Erie and Valley before falling to Faith Christian. Including that loss, the Panthers have lost seven straight in state tournament action. Denver Christian has a long basketball history including nine state titles. They’ve gone back-to-back three times with the most recent stretch coming in 2012-13. Their championship win over Limon (53-49) in 2013 is their last state tournament victory. This is just their second appearance since as they lost to Yuma and Byers in 2019.
CLASS 3A
Englewood at St Mary’s
Ranked number one in the bracket, St Mary’s has yet to post a state tournament win in school history. Their only previous appearance came in 2006 where they lost to Colorado Springs Christian (47-42) in the quarterfinals and Buena Vista (70-54) on the consolation side. Englewood’s last tournament appearance came in 1993 but they’ve not won a game since 1983 when they beat Pueblo Centennial (46-41). All-time the Pirates are 10-10. They’ve played in one state final; losing to Fort Collins 59-59 in 1954.
Colorado Academy at Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs is in the final eight for the first time since 2017 when they lost to Sterling 58-50. They also lost to Colorado Springs Christian the same round the year before. The Mustangs last tasted victory in 2016 with a 61-46 decision over Grand Valley. Overall, the Mustangs are 9-12 in state tournament play with a lone championship in 1973. That year they beat Platte Valley (67-64) in the finals in overtime. Colorado Academy is 7-8 in state tournament action with their last win coming against Manitou Springs (65-54) in the consolation final. All of their state appearances have come since 2013.
Manual at Lutheran
Lutheran is in the state quarterfinals for a fourth straight year. They lost to Resurrection Christian in this round a year ago. They have three state championships but all came in Class 2A. The Lions reached the 2018 3A final but fell short to Bayfield (68-57). The Thunderbolts have 11 state crowns in their storied history including 2019. It was their first championship since 1991. This is their third straight appearance to the Great 8 and they edged Centauri 59-56 a year ago. Lutheran beat Manual 61-51 in the 2016 third place game for their only previous playoff meeting.
Aspen at Sterling
A win puts Sterling into the state semifinals for a fifth straight year. They have one title in that stretch (2017) which marked the third crown in school history. They were two wins away from a fourth last season after beating Vanguard (53-37) in the quarterfinals. Aspen is 6-9 all-time in state tournament activity. For Aspen, this is their first appearance since 2010 and their last wins came that season when they moved past Manitou Springs and Buena Vista before coming up short to Faith Christian in the finals. Overall, three of the last four loses for Aspen are against Faith Christian.
CLASS 4A
Pueblo South at Windsor
Windsor has two state championships but it’s been awhile. The Wizards grabbed those crowns in 1923 and 1924 scoring a combined 50 points in those wins. The Wizards reached the state final in 2011 where they lost to Sterling. They beat Broomfield and Pueblo West to get there and those are their last tournament wins. Just one appearance since that run as they fell short to Valor Christian in 2016. Pueblo South is in the final eight for the third time since 2017 and won their previous two quarterfinal pairings against Valor Christian (2018) and Pueblo West (2017). The Colts have two championships; 2001 and 995 and are 26-19 all-time in state action.
Mead at Lewis Palmer
Lewis Palmer is a regular visitor to the state tournament as they’ve won three state championships in the past decade (2019, 2013, 2012) with losses in two other finals (2019, 2018). This is their tenth appearance since 2009 and fourth in the past five years. All-time, the Rangers have 33 tournament wins against 24 losses. Mead is in the bracket for the fifth time since 2016 but collected their first win in that stretch against Lincoln (69-63) last season. That was also their first tournament win since 1957 but they of course did not have a school for most of that time frame. Their only title came in 1957.
Pueblo Central at Longmont
Hard to believe that Pueblo Central does not have a state tournament win since beating Widefield 71-65 in 1971. They’ve made just four quarterfinal appearances since with the most recent coming in 2012. They lost to Lewis Palmer that year and also dropped a 2010 matchup with Longmont. The Wildcats have two state championships with the first coming nearly 100 years ago (1923). That year they beat Pueblo Centennial and then won a second trophy in 1931 (Beat Greeley). On the way to the 1931 crown, Central edged Longmont 28-25 in the quarterfinals. The two clubs also met in 2010 with Longmont scoring a 63-54. Longmont was upset by Classical Academy (42-39) in the state quarterfinals last year but had won in that round four of the previous five years. The Trojans outlasted Lewis Palmer (62-59) for the 2018 state championship; their third in school history but first since 1942.
Steamboat Springs at Montrose
Both clubs are 15-0 this season and each club has six state tournament victories all-time. Montrose last appeared in the state quarterfinals in 1992 and that year marked their last victory as they beat Niwot 59-55. The Indians then dropped a 74-65 decision to Lamar in the semifinals. Montrose has played in one state championship game; falling to Brighton in 1951. Steamboat Springs last scored a state tournament win in 1986; downing Pagosa Springs 53-50 in the third place game. The Sailors last qualified in 2011 but lost to Lewis Palmer; their seventh straight quarterfinal loss since the 1986 win. Steamboat Springs has one state championship in 1971 when they beat Highland (71-68) for the 2A crown.
CLASS 5A
Eaglecrest at Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek is in the state quarterfinals for the fifth time since 2007 but are seeking their first win in that stretch. The Bruins’ most recent trip came in 2019 where they lost to Chaparral (67-62). Their last win occurred in 20016 as they edged Aurora Central (45-43). Cherry Creek has won state championship; beating Arapahoe 55-53 in overtime for the 1995 title. Eaglecrest is 10-6 all-time in state tournament and most of their wins came between 2013-2017 when they won two championships and lost in a third final. Their second title came in 2017 and this is their first appearance since.
Chaparral at ThunderRidge
Monday marks the third state tournament meeting between the two school since 2017. ThunderRidge beat Chaparral 72-64 in a 2017 quarterfinal but the Wolverines scored a 57-45 semifinal win in the 2019 semifinals. Chaparral lost later in the week to Grandview as they missed out on a second state title. Their lone crown came in 2012 as they edged Arapahoe 69-67. The Wolverines also have quarterfinal losses to Fairview last year and Grandview in 2018. ThunderRidge earned back-to-back state championships in 2002 and 2003 and has 18 all-time wins. They did not reach the quarterfinals last year but picked up wins in 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2015. They lost in the semifinals three straight years between 2017-19.
George Washington at Regis
Regis is 16-17 all-time in the state tournament but has not won a game since beating Boulder (63-59) to finish off a string of three consecutive titles from 2009-11. Before that run, the Raiders had not scored a tournament win since 1981. They fell short to Grandview in the quarterfinals last year and suffered losses in that round during the 2016, 2015 and 2013 seasons. George Washington is 29-21 in state tournament basketball with five state championships. The most recent came in 1994 but they’ve been close twice recently; falling to Grandview in the 2018 championship game and to Eaglecrest in 2017. The Patriots are in the Great 8 for a fifth straight year. They lost to Valor Christian last year (67-56). Regis and George Washington have met twice previously in the state tournament with the Raiders taking both games. They won 67-63 in overtime in the 2009 state championship game and then took out the Patriots 52-46 in the 1973 quarterfinals.
Rock Canyon at Rangeview
Rangeview won the 2019 state championship and reached the semifinals last year by beating Columbine (59-43) in the quarterfinals. That left them just two wins away from going back-to-back. The Raiders posted quarterfinal wins in 2016 (Cherokee Trail) and 2012 (Cherry Creek) and sit 16-12 all-time. This is their first ever state tournament game with Rock Canyon. The Jaguars are just 2-2 all-time in the state bracket. Both wins are in the quarterfinals; against Overland in 2018 and Grandview in 2017. Both losses are in the semifinals against George Washington and Eaglecrest.
