Led by an early candidate for Class 5A player of the year, Taylin Serlen, the girls’ basketball team at Standley Lake is having its best start in recent memory.

The Gators, who lost by 20 in the opening round of the postseason a year ago, are currently second in the 5A CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index following a 9-0 start. They’ll look for their biggest win of the year when they host No. 6 Evergreen Friday night.

With preps basketball returning this week after winter break, let’s take a look at a couple key 6A-4A matchups to kick off 2024.

Class 6A

No. 2 Cherokee Trail at No. 18 Regis Jesuit; Friday at 7 p.m.: The Cougars (8-2) started off with eight wins in a row, then lost to a pair of out-of-state teams ahead of the break. They have a nice one-two punch in Delainey Miller (13.4 PPG, 7 RPG) and Damara Allen (10.9, 7.2), who make them one of the favorites to win the Centennial League.

They’ll get a tough test on the second night of a back-to-back in Regis Jesuit (6-3), and its star, Hana Belibi. Belibi is averaging 19.2 PPG and scored 35, 23 and 24 in her last three games before the break.

No. 24 Ralston Valley at No. 3 Cherry Creek; Wednesday at 7 p.m.: The Bruins (6-2) have had a nice opening to the season, namely in wins over 5A defending champ Roosevelt and 6A runner-up Monarch. Tianna Chambers (15 PPG) & Co. will now look to push them to 5-0 at home.

The Mustangs (6-3) are looking to beat Cherry Creek for a second straight season. Their 47-43 win a year ago snapped a five-game skid against the Bruins.

Class 5A

No. 6 Evergreen at No. 2 Standley Lake; Friday at 7:30 p.m.: The Gators are averaging nearly 60 points a game, while the Cougars (6-1) are allowing just 34 PPG to their opponents.

Serlin is at 23.4 PPG for Standley Lake, the most in the class. Addison McEvers leads the Cougars with 11.3 PPG and 6.6 RPG.

No. 4 Air Academy at No. 7 Pueblo West; Wednesday at 7 p.m.: The Kadets (6-1) were rolling through the first month of the season until their 37-point loss to 4A No. 8 Riverdale Ridge on Dec. 19.

Caitlin Kramer leads last year’s quarterfinalist with 20.6 PPG on 53% shooting. Trynity Martin is averaging 11 PPG and 7.5 RPG for the Cyclones (6-3).

Class 4A

No. 3 University at No. 14 Lutheran; Thursday at 7 p.m.: The Bulldogs (7-1) won seven in a row to open the season, then played defending 4A champ Holy Family tough before falling 51-43 on Dec. 14.

Their first game in 22 days is against Lutheran (3-6), a team with a not-so great record after a difficult opening schedule. The Lions, though, have beaten the Bulldogs in five straight meetings dating back to 2012, including a 46-37 win last year.

No. 5 Kent Denver at No. 24 Eagle Ridge Academy; Jan. 9 at 4:30 p.m.: The Sun Devils (8-1) were impressive through the first month of the season. That included a 17-point win over No. 6 Peak to Peak before the break, in which their leading-scorer, Anya Peper (17.7 PPG), had 24 points.

ERA (6-2) has won four straight, thanks in part to Jaz Greenwood. The sophomore already has three triple-doubles this season.