It’s a good Friday schedule for boys’ basketball and with our Friday Five report, we select the best five games in each classification. Every game except one is a conference games and the outcome will impact the respective league chases. The lone non-conference game between Yuma-Byers in Class 2A will affect RPI and post-season bracketing.
CLASS 1A
Cheraw at Kit Carson
Briggsdale at Peetz
Arickaree/Woodlin at Otis
Sierra Grande at Cotopaxi
Dove Creek at Ouray
NOTES: Kit Carson (3-0) has the High Plains conference lead but they’re far from clinching the title. They lead four teams by one game and Cheraw is one of those challengers. The Wolverines are also 11-3 overall and have spent many weeks in the rankings this year. Kit Carson moved into the polls this week. The North Central race is still up for grabs. Peetz (4-1) is tied with Prairie (5-1) for the conference lead but Briggsdale (4-2) is only one game back in the loss column. Peetz won the first meeting 55-37. Briggsdale also has a game remaining with Prairie so they remain very much in contention. Arickaree/Woodlin and Otis battle for the YWKC lead. Arickaree/Woodlin (9-3) has three more wins overall but the Bulldogs have posted two impressive wins since getting a top player back in the lineup from injury. Sierra Grande could use a win over Cotopaxi to remain one game back of first place Sangre De Cristo in the Southern Peaks. The Panthers go to Sangre De Cristo on the 9th and a win this evening makes that game even more important. Ouray is heavily favored to top Dove Creek and a win keeps them tied with Mancos atop the San Juan standings.
CLASS 2A
Simla at Peyton
Crowley County at Rocky Ford
Gilpin County at Heritage Christian
Denver Christian at Dayspring Christian
Byers at Yuma
NOTES: Tonight’s winner between Simla and Peyton takes over the Black Forest lead. Both teams are 4-0 in league play. Simla has already beaten third place DH Prep and fourth place Thomas MacLaren so a win sets them up as the league champion. Peyton is coming off a tough loss to Swallows Charter. Rocky Ford already leads Crowley County by three games in the race for second in the Santa Fe East. The Meloneers rolled to a 69-31 win in the first meeting. The outcome between Denver Christian and Dayspring Christian will help sort out the top three spots in the Mile High. Denver Christian is tied with Highland atop the standings while Dayspring Christian is alone in third but two games off the pace. If Denver Christian wins, then the survivor between Gilpin County and Heritage Christian will move into a third-place tie with Dayspring. The anticipated battle between Yuma-Byers is a non-conference game but has regional and possibly state tournament seeding implications. Yuma is 5th in RPI and Byers is 8th.
CLASS 3A
Resurrection Christian at Strasburg
Platte Valley at University
Centauri at Pagosa Springs
Bayfield at Montezuma Cortez
Weld Central at Fort Lupton
NOTES: Resurrection Christian looks to stay alone in second inside the Patriot by beating Strasburg on the road. The Indians opened the week sharing second place but has suffered losses to Brush and Sterling and now are battling to for a top four league finish. If Resurrection Christian gets the victory, then the winner between Platte Valley — University is alone in third. The IML chase is also very crowded. Bayfield stays alone atop the standings by beating Montezuma Cortez and Centauri can stay in second with a win at Pagosa Springs. Bayfield is 5-1, Centauri is 3-2 while Alamosa, Pagosa Springs and Montezuma Cortez are all at 3-3. Fort Lupton will watch the outcome between Alameda-Conifer (4A) with great interest. Should Conifer get that victory, then the Blue Devils move within one game of the Colorado 8 lead by beating Weld Central.
CLASS 4A
Sierra at Canon City
Widefield at Classical Academy
Pueblo East at Pueblo West
Alameda at Conifer
Durango at Fruita Monument
NOTES: Harrison (10-1) has the CS Metro lead but the race for second behind the Panthers involves three teams. Classical Academy (8-2) is currently second but Sierra and Widefield are just one game back in the loss column. Wins by Sierra and Widefield leave all three teams tied for second place and that scenario also gives Harrison a comfortable two-game cushion. Pueblo West opens the night with a one game edge on Pueblo East in the South Central chase. Alameda (4-0) and Conifer (3-1) hold down the top two spots in the Colorado 8 race. A win by the Pirates puts them in great shape for a very rare conference championship. Fruita Monument (4-0) must get by Durango to remain one game up on Montrose. Durango (1-2) can remain in the title chase with an upset.
CLASS 5A
Grandview at Smoky Hill
Cherry Creek at Eaglecrest
Broomfield at Fairview
Fountain Fort Carson at Palmer
Brighton at Gateway
NOTES: Overland’s win over Grandview on Wednesday tightened up the Centennial race as the Wolves lead over Smoky Hill is down to just one game. That makes tonight’s game a battle for the top spot. Grandview rolled the Buffs 63-40 in the first meeting. Eaglecrest (6-3) needs a win over Cherry Creek (4-5) to stay alone in third. Broomfield (5-2) must knock off first place Fairview (7-0) to have any chance at the Front Range championship. Boulder and Greeley West (both 6-1) sit between the Knights and Eagles in second place. Fountain Fort Carson looks to stay perfect in the CS Metro. They already lead Palmer and Doherty by three games and another win should sew up the title. Three teams remain unbeaten in the East Metro and two of them collide when Brighton goes to Gateway. The winner becomes the top challenger to Rangeview atop the standings.
