Another big night of boys’ basketball across Colorado as teams continue to battle for league championships and better playoff position.  Colorado Preps provides a “what’s at stake” list below and we’ll update as final scores are reported tonight.  Final scores can be sent to Colorado Preps via text at 970.380.7737.

PHOTO BY VIBRANT VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

 

  • Granada is favored against Kit Carson tonight and an expected Bobcats win keeps them tied with McClave and Wiley atop the rugged 1A High Plains race.  McClave beat Cheyenne Wells in league play last night and Wiley faces Eads tomorrow.
  • Briggsdale should get by Peetz tonight and they need a win to remain alone atop the 1A North Central chase.  The Falcons are one up on Peetz, Briggsdale and Prairie.  They toppled Fleming last week and have Prairie on the schedule for the 18th.  Briggsdale edged Prairie 49-48 in non-league play back in December.
  • The winner between Sanford and Crested Butte takes over the outright lead in the 2A Southern Peaks.  Both are 3-0 with a one-game edge on Del Norte.  Crested Butte is coming off a win over Del Norte from earlier this week.
  • Limon needs a win over 1A Stratton tonight to keep a piece of the Union Pacific lead.  The Badgers and Byers are both unbeaten in league action and they play next Friday.  Stratton could also use a win as they’re battling Burlington for third.  Limon and Burlington also meet tomorrow.  Byers is away from league activity this week but challenge #2 Denver Christian on Saturday.
  • Fowler beat Rye 33-20 at home in January and now they make the trek to Rye for a rematch tonight.  The Grizzlies need the season sweep to stay alone atop the Santa Fe.  They lead Holly by one game in the loss column.
  • The Lower Platte league could loosen a bit this weekend.  Yuma (4-0) and Merino (2-0) are co-leaders and both are in action on Friday.  The Indians take on #10 Holyoke while the Rams are favored against Sedgwick County.  Wins of course keep them tied.  Merino also has a tough test with Holyoke tomorrow.  The Dragons still have league title hopes as well as they’re tied with Wiggins and Wray in third; all three have one league loss.
  • Another game that will impact the league standings is the top 10 battle between Wray and Haxtun.  Haxtun has two league losses and is probably out of the title chase but can still damage the hopes of Wray by upsetting the defending state champions.
  • Centauri has the much better overall record and higher statewide ranking but entering the first of two rivalry games with Alamosa, the Falcons trail the Moose by one game in the Intermountain league standings.  Alamosa creates a nice two-game cushion in first with a win while Centauri creates a tie with a victory.  The Falcons only loss this entire season came in league play to Pagosa Springs.  Alamosa has beaten the Pirates twice already in conference.
  • Sterling and Resurrection Christian are the last two unbeatens inside the 3A Patriot and they meet tonight in Loveland.  The winner takes over sole possession of the conference lead and the loser is alone in second since all other league teams have at least two conference losses.
  • Colorado Academy leads the 3A Metro so a win over Jefferson Academy tonight keeps them there.  The Mustangs lead Kent Denver (4-1) and Faith Christian (6-1) by one game.  Kent Denver meets Prospect Ridge tonight and Faith Christian is favored against Machebeuf on Saturday.
  • St Mary’s looks to stay two games up in the 3A Tri Peaks by beating Banning Lewis tonight.  Should the Pirates gain the victory, they will need to win just two of their four remaining conference games to lock up the championshp.
  • Green Mountain (9-1) leads D’Evelyn (9-2) by one game in the 4A Jeffco.  The Rams lone loss is against third place Golden (6-3) and the rematch with the Demons is set for tonight.  Game one went to Golden 48-38.
  • The 4A Northern conference continues to be fun as Windsor, Mead and Holy Family share the lead with one league loss apiece.  One falls off the pace tonight as Mead and Holy Family lock horns.  Windsor meets a good Silver Creek club this evening and a win means they will share the top spot with the Mead-Holy Family survivor.  Should Windsor fall short, the Mead-Holy Family winner takes over the league lead.  Tiebreaker wise, Windsor has a win over Holy Family and a loss to Mead.
  • The next two days will sort out spots two through five in the 4A Longs Peak.  Frederick has clinched the league title and will be the number one seed for the conference tournament which begins next week.  Severance and Roosevelt play tonight and then Thompson Valley meets Riverdale Ridge on Saturday.  All four teams have two league losses so there plenty of possible scenarios on the table for those clubs.
  • Palisade can virtually clinch the 4A Western Slope championship this weekend.  The Bulldogs (6-0) lead Steamboat Springs (5-1) by one game and Eagle Valley (5-2) by two.  They play the Devils tonight and then the Sailors on Saturday.  Palisade won the previous battles with each; downing Eagle Valley 79-58 and Steamboat 52-42.
  • Fossil Ridge (5-0) and Horizon (6-0) are atop the 5A Front Range standings and they’re set for a major battle next Saturday.  But both are in action tonight needed wins to maintain a share of first place.  The Sabercats are home to Poudre (3-3) while the Hawks tangle with Mountain Range (0-6).  Both are favored to stay unbeaten.
  • Coming off a big win over Smoky Hill last week, Eaglecrest needs a victory against Cherokee Trail to maintain the outright lead in the 5A Centennial.  The Raptors are 7-1 with Smoky Hill tied with Overland in second (both 6-2).  The Buffs are favored against Mullen tonight while the Trailblazers should also get by Arapahoe to stay one game back.
  • Doherty has an important weekend in the 5A/4A Pikes Peak league as they meet Pine Creek tonight and Fountain Fort Carson tomorrow.  The three teams have two league losses apiece and share third place.  With two wins, Doherty basically locks down a top three finish.  Lewis Palmer (7-0) leads the way with Air Academy (5-1) one game back.  Doherty handed Air Academy their only league loss so two wins this weekend also keep the Spartans in range of second.