The prep boys basketball season keeps moving around in stages and in Class 3A, 2A, and 1A, teams are positioning themselves for top postseason seeds or just beginning a push to make the playoffs.

For the second season to happen for teams players need to step up and here’s a snapshot of some players who are doing just that.

Dynamic duo

The 3A Centauri Falcons have had a memorable season so far sporting a 12-0 record. A big key for the Falcons has been the play of the dynamic senior duo of Troy Sowards (14.5 ppg) and Carson Bagwell (14.2 ppg). In the Falcons most recent victory – a 50-39 decision over Bayfield – Sowards had 13 points.

Bagwell, meanwhile, had a season-high 28 points in his team’s 58-44 win over Sanford on Dec. 17.

Sowards and Bagwell and their mates will try and keep things rolling when they host Ignacio (7-5) at 7 p.m. Friday.

Dragons in the mix

The Holyoke Dragons seemingly always have outstanding sports teams. The Dragons basketball team is trying to put itself in the mix for the 2A playoffs. The Dragons have an 8-4 record this season and have won three of their last four games – including a 60-56 victory on the road against Haxtun on Jan. 18.

Holyoke’s offense has been fueled by Colby Weber (17.1 ppg) and Reid Sprague (16 ppg). The Dragons have a key game at 4 p.m. Friday when they entertain Akron (6-6).

Weber scored a season-high 23 points in a 58-40 win over Akron on Dec. 21. Reid Sprague scored a season-best 29 points in a season-opening win over St. Francis (78-40).

Cotopaxi is on the rise

The Cotopaxi Pirates have a modest 5-2 season record, but don’t sleep on this squad in Class 1A.

The Pirates have a strong offense led by seniors Terrance Evans (17 ppg) and Joel Tezak (13.7 ppg). Evans had a season-best 28 points in a 63-12 win over Cripple Creek-Victor on Dec. 6. Tezak has scored a season-best 18 points in two games this season.

Up next for Cotopaxi is a home game against South Park (1-9) at 7 p.m., Thursday.

Class 3A

YUMA (10-2) AT HIGHLAND (11-0), 7 p.m., Friday

This is certainly the marquee matchup in 3A this week. Yuma and Highland are considered top 5 teams in the Class 3A ranks and Yuma is the reigning state champion.

Yuma is paced by Brody Sheffield (21.5 ppg), Jonathan Thomson (13.3 ppg) and Alex Pensado (11.5 ppg). Highland is led by Sawyer Morgan (19.1 ppg) and Brogan Palmer (11.5 ppg).

This game will be a great barometer for both teams.

Class 2A

CRESTED BUTTE (4-3) AT CENTER (8-4), 5:30 p.m., Friday

Crested Butte is a team trying to make a run for the postseason. The Titans, who have won four of their last five games, are paced by Adin Kurak (19.6 ppg), and Bridger Flores (10.4 ppg). Center meets Sargent (4-5) at 5 p.m. Thursday at home and then will entertain Crested Butte the next day. Center counters with Lucas Garcia (10 ppg).

Class 1A

DE BEQUE (8-4) AT NUCLA (9-2), 6:30 p.m., Thursday

This is a key game with two teams that plan on being in the postseason mix. De Beque is led by Jace Graham (20.9 ppg) and Burke Largent (20.8 ppg). The Dragons snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Vail Mountain (53-48) and North Park (53-31). Nucla will counter with Brycen Rummel (15.2 ppg) and Slade Gillen (10.8 ppg).

Nucla lost to Ridgway (65-58) on Jan. 9 and then regrouped to defeat Mancos (58-32) and Ouray (51-36) to set up the Mustangs’ critical game with De Beque.