The girls’ basketball schedule winds to a close this weekend and the final two-day stretch is filled with league championship games. Winners clinch automatic playoffs berths and improve their standing in the playoff bracket while many of the losers will remain in good position for a postseason push.
In Class 1A, Kit Carson and McClave clash for the High Plains league championship. McClave returned from quarantine last night and suffered a tough loss to #5 South Baca but they can still claim the league title with a win tonight. Kit Carson is 12-0 on the season and battling Briggsdale for the top overall seed in the playoff bracket.
Outside the rankings, there are two games of note between Fleming-Lone Star and Manzanola-La Veta. Fleming is 7-3 on the season and were ranked 13th in official seeding points released by CHSAA on Wednesday. They’ve also beaten Sedgwick County and Flatirons Academy in the past week. Lone Star is the YWKC champion and sits 8-3 overall. They’re also 15th in seeding points so a win should lock down a home playoff game in round one.
Manzanola (1-7) and La Veta (1-8) have combined for just two wins this year but they battle for the Fishers Peak championship tonight. The winner earns an automatic playoff bid and will be the 24th seed in the pairings on Monday. La Veta is 43rd in seeding points and Manzanola is 54th. UPDATE: This game will not be played as La Veta school officials have confirmed they cannot play. That gives the title to Manzanola.
The Springfield-Wiley matchup doesn’t factor into the Ark Valley title chase but the outcome is extremely important to the postseason layout. Springfield is 17th in points and needs to climb at least one more spot to play at home in round. Wiley is also looking to bump up by at least one spot. The Panthers were 24th in seeding points on Wednesday but they would be bumped out of the bracket by the Manzanola-La Veta winner if they stay there.
In Class 2A, Sanford needs to beat Center tonight and Del Norte tomorrow to wrap up the Southern Peaks championship. The Indians lead both challengers by one game but will be heavily favored to win both. Holyoke looks to finish off a perfect season by beating Limon; the Badgers were 9th in seeding points so an upset could land them a first-round bye. Wray and Yuma also continue their great in-county rivalry. While Wray is a lock for the playoffs and may earn a top eight seed, Yuma may only qualify with a win. They’re 26th in points.
Rocky Ford and Sangre De Cristo are both playoff bound but each gets in a great test before the playoffs start next week. Both clubs in great shape to land a bye to the Sweet 16 next Thursday; the Meloneers are 6th in Class 2A seeding points and the T-Birds are 3rd in Class 1A.
Two huge games in 3A between Centauri-Pagosa Springs and Brush-Eaton. Centauri can win the Intermountain league crown outright with a second win over the Pirates while Pagosa Springs creates a two-way tie for the title if they avenge an earlier 53-48 loss. Platte Valley has clinched the Patriot title and Brush can land second if they beat Eaton. A win by the Reds leaves the two tied with University for the runner-up spot. All four clubs were in the top eight of 3A seeding points released by CHSAA on Wednesday which would give all four a bye to the second-round.
Ellicott and St Mary’s also collide tonight with a share of third place in the Tri Peaks on the line. They’re both 8-2 and tied with Lamar (7-2) in that position going in. Lamar is favored at Woodland Park tonight.
Regis and Chaparral close out the 5A Continental chase in a big. The Raiders (7-0) stand alone atop the race with Chaparral tied with Highlands Ranch in second. Regis is the outright champ with a win while a Chaparral victory gives all three teams a share of the top trophy. Seeding points wise, Regis is 3rd with Chaparral 6th.
The top 10 schedule and other top matchups are listed below. Colorado Preps will update scores throughout the night. Results can be reported by text at 970.380.7737.
Photo provided by Mayhan Photography.
CLASS 1A
FINAL: #1 Briggsdale beat Caliche 77-22
FINAL: #2 Kit Carson beat #8 McClave 53-33
FINAL: #5 Rocky Ford (2A) beat #3 Sangre De Cristo 48-43
FINAL: Fleming beat Lone Star 45-36
FINAL: Springfield beat Wiley 43-32
FINAL: Manzanola over La Veta (Forfeit)
CLASS 2A
FINAL: #1 Sanford beat Center 62-21
FINAL: #3 Holyoke beat #9 Limon 52-37
FINAL: Resurrection Christian beat #6 Heritage Christian 58-52
FINAL: #8 Wray beat Yuma 76-47
FINAL: Sedgwick County beat Haxtun 57-38
CLASS 3A
FINAL: #1 Vanguard beat Florence 81-15
FINAL: #2 Centauri beat #10 Pagosa Springs 47-25
FINAL: #3 Lutheran beat Peak to Peak 58-25
FINAL: #4 Platte Valley beat Strasburg 55-31
FINAL: #5 Eaton beat #8 Brush 60-44
FINAL: #6 Delta beat Grand Valley 57-27
FINAL: #7 University beat Liberty Common 59-26
FINAL: #9 Academy beat Arrupe Jesuit 76-43
FINAL: St Mary’s beat Ellicott 65-52
CLASS 4A
FINAL: #5 George Washington beat Regis Groff 58-10
FINAL: #6 Windsor beat Mountain View 69-25
FINAL: Summit beat Rifle 53-39
CLASS 5A
FINAL: #3 Regis beat #6 Chaparral 53-47
FINAL: #4 Highlands Ranch beat Rock Canyon 74-31
FINAL: #9 Fossil Ridge beat Boulder 63-30
FINAL: Fruita Monument beat Grand Junction 41-28
