Two weekends of action are left in the regular season so many games carry important to league championship races. We provide a list of such games on tap tonight and breakdown what they mean to conference standings in our Friday’s Best report.
CLASS 1A
Springfield at Wiley
Arickaree/Woodlin at Briggsdale
NOTES: Coming off a tough loss to Sangre De Cristo on Thursday, Springfield looks to regroup with a win over Wiley. The Longhorns open the game tied with South Baca atop the Ark Valley so they remain in the chase for a top district seed. The Longhorns and Patriots meet next week and a win tonight makes that game winner-take-all for the title. Wiley (2-1) remains in contention for a piece of the league title and a win this evening puts them in position for at least a top two finish. Briggsdale and Arickaree/Woodlin are both expected to be in the Northeast regional tournament and RPI will be used to seed the bracket. The Falcons are 3rd in RPI and Arickaree/Woodlin 15th.
CLASS 2A
Holly at Rocky Ford
Sargent at Del Norte
Peyton at Dolores Huerta
Simla at Rye
Limon at Byers
Hotchkiss at Meeker
NOTES: Holly and Rocky Ford are both 8-3 and tied for second behind Swink in the Santa Fe East. The Lions have wrapped up the top spot but tonight’s winner will get the higher district seed. Holly won the first meeting 56-48 on December 8th. Del Norte is favored to win the Southern Peaks title but faces one of their top challengers tonight. The non-conference meeting went to Del Norte 42-24. Peyton clinches the Black Forest title with a win at Dolores Huerta. The Panthers scored a huge win at Simla last week. Simla looks to rebound from the game with a tough road trip to Rye. It’s a non-league game but very important to RPI standings as the Cubs are 10th and Thunderbolts 12th entering the contest. Limon clinches the Union Pacific championship with a win over Byers. The Badgers lead the Bulldogs and Genoa Hugo by one game in the league standings. Because of Thursday’s win over Soroco, Meeker can officially clinch the Western Slope title with another win over Hotchkiss tonight.
CLASS 3A
Pagosa Springs at Alamosa
Lutheran at Colorado Academy
NOTES: Pagosa Springs (8-0) and Alamosa (7-1) are one-two in the Intermountain standings. Pagosa won the first battle 45-30 and a season sweep gives the Pirates the league championship. The two teams likely share the top spot if Alamosa avenges the earlier loss. Lutheran cannot officially clinch the Metro crown with a win but it puts them in great shape. The Lions are tied with Colorado Academy and Skyview Academy for the league lead. They’re already beaten Skyview Academy and will have just one more conference remaining with Manual after tonight’s game.
CLASS 4A
Mesa Ridge at Classical Academy
Denver East at Thomas Jefferson
NOTES: Mesa Ridge clinches the CS Metro championship with a second win over Classical Academy. The teams hold down the top two positions but are separated by three games in the standings. Mesa Ridge took the first game 63-49. Denver East (6-0) has the DPL lead by one game over Denver South and Thomas Jefferson. East has already beaten Denver South so a win this evening should lock up that championship.
CLASS 5A
Fossil Ridge at Broomfield
Mountain Vista at Regis
Fruita Monument at Grand Junction
NOTES: Fossil Ridge may be facing their final hurdle to winning another Front Range championship. The Sabercats are unbeaten in league play but Broomfield is tied for second with Horizon and both teams are one game off the pace. A Broomfield win creates a three-way entering the final week. Fossil Ridge has a win over Horizon and Horizon has already beaten Broomfield. Regis shares the Continental lead with Highlands Ranch and the two highest ranked teams in 5A are set to battle next Tuesday.  That game becomes the conference championship game if the Raiders get by Mountain Vista tonight. The Golden Eagles are 5-1 and one game back of the two leaders. Three teams remain in the chase for the Southwestern championship and two of them collide on Friday. Grand Junction sits tied with Montrose atop the standings with Fruita Monument one game back. The Tigers downed Fruita 39-36 in the first meeting. Both clubs also have another game with Montrose next week.
