Now, the second season is underway for 32 teams in the Class 3A, 2A and 1A boys basketball as they each take aim at coveted state championships.
After this weekend eight teams in each class will compete in their respective 8-team state tournaments March 13-15. The 1A tournament will take place at the University of Northern Colorado’s Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley. The 2A tournament is at Blue Arena in Loveland and 3A is at University of Denver’s Hamilton Gym.
Here a look at some intriguing games in each class this week.
Class 3A
No. 15 Roaring Fork (17-6) vs. No. 18 Denver Christian (10-13), 6 p.m., Friday, at Windsor Charter Academy
This certainly is a compelling match-up. Both these teams are in the middle of the pack in the state tourney.
Roaring Fork rolled through the 3A Western Slope League with a 12-0 record. The Rams have won six of their last seven games, including two in a row. RF is led by Lucas Carballeria (16.2 ppg) and Kiko Pena (10.9 ppg and 13.1 rpg).
Denver Christian will counter with Ryan Wind (14.7 ppg and 9.7 rpg) and Kaden Moore (11.3 ppg).
DC is trying to regroup after losing its last six games in a row in the regular season. The winner of this game moves on to play the victor between No. 2 Windsor Charter Academy and No. 31 Fountain Valley. That regional championship game is at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Class 2A
No. 12 Fowler (14-9) vs. No. 21 Crested Butte (13-10), 7 p.m., Friday, at Plateau Valley
Fowler may be the high seed, but the Grizzlies are reeling with a 1-3 record in its last four games.
Fowler, which lost to Crowley County (55-48) on March 1, is paced by Isaiah Montoya (15.8 ppg) and Cael True (7.6 ppg). Crested Butte has Adin Kurak (20.6 ppg) leading the charge. Eli Hulm (9.3 ppg) also chips in some solid offense. CB is coming off a 44-30 win over Center on March 1.
The winner of the Fowler-Crested Butte game advances to play the victor between N. 5 Plateau Valley and No. 28 Union Colony Prep. That game will happen at noon, Saturday at Plateau Valley.
Class 1A
No. 9 Elbert (17-6) vs. No. 24 Kit Carson (11-12), 6:30 p.m., Friday at Sierra Grande
Elbert has been rolling posting a 15-2 record in its last 17 games. The Bulldogs are coming off a 40-38 defeat to Cheyenne Wells on Feb. 28.
Ethan Tesman is Elbert’s leading scorer at 15.8 ppg and Caleb Cornell (11.8 ppg) and Eli Cornell (11.8 ppg) also are scoring in double-figures.
Kit Carson comes into the playoffs on a two-game winning streak. KC is fueled by Josiah Irwin (11.3 ppg) and Mason Marriott (8.7 ppg).
The winner of this game moves on to play the winner between No. 8 Sierra Grande and No. 25 Wiley. That game takes place at 1 p.m., Saturday.
