While postseason action gets underway in a few fronts tonight, other girls basketball teams are trying to win conference champions and lock down higher playoff seeds.
Much of the fun is centered in Class 1A where the game between Evangelical Christian and Elbert will help sort out the Black Forest race and district bracket. ECA is coming off a big win over Simla on Tuesday that left the Eagles and Cubs tied with Kiowa atop the standings. They all have one league loss with Elbert a game back in fourth (4-2). If Elbert gets the win tonight, they jump to third with ECA sliding to fourth. That result also gives the conference crown to Simla based on a head-to-head win over Kiowa; assuming the Indians get by Hanover as expected tonight. An ECA win leaves the three-team tie in place for first with a tiebreaker needed to seed the district bracket. If the conference uses RPI, then Kiowa has the advantage for the top speed as they sit #14 in RPI compared to #19 for Evangelical Christian.
Idalia and Stratton also collide tonight and that outcome will have a bearing on district tournament seeding. It’s a non-league game but the two schools will compete together in the District 5 tournament. Lone Star will be the number one seed there but this one game could help decide spots two and three. It could also serve as a preview of a district semifinal. Stratton is #12 and Idalia #15 in today’s RPI standings.
Fleming and Sedgwick County collide in a top 10 battle tonight. The Cougars could use a win to stop a recent slide of three straight losses. They also face a huge game for district seeding with Akron tomorrow night. Fleming is coming off a tough loss to Flatirons Academy last Saturday and with tonight’s game their regular season finale, a win boosts their mood heading into the district tournament.
Couple of championship games can be found in Class 4A tonight. Mesa Ridge and Canon City battle for the CS Metro South crown. The Tigers have a one game edge based on their overtime win over the Grizzlies earlier this year. A second win gives Canon City the crown and automatic playoff bid. A Mesa Ridge forces a two-way tie for the top spot.
Skyview has already clinched the automatic bid from the Colorado conference as they won the regular season championship. Tonight’s rematch with Weld Central determines the league tournament title. Green Mountain also looks to land a third consecutive Jeffco crown by beating Wheat Ridge. The Rams are tied with D’Evelyn in first place but own the tiebreaker.
Up in Class 5A, Monarch and Fossil Ridge are co-leaders atop the Front Range standings. Monarch won the head-to-head battle so they will capture the title by beating Broomfield tonight and Loveland tomorrow. A slip up in either opens the door for Fossil Ridge who would then claim the crown by beating Boulder tonight.
Playoff wise, there are early round games in Class 2A District 6 and the 3A Patriot tonight. Winners advance to the quarterfinals in each bracket.
Below is the entire schedule for top 10 teams. We’ll update scores throughout the night and then below the rankings, update some games that impact league championship races. Final scores can be sent to Colorado Preps by text to 970.380.7737.
CLASS 1A
FINAL: #6 Sedgwick County (2A) beat #2 Fleming 57-49
FINAL: #3 McClave beat Wiley 52-16
FINAL: #6 Dove Creek beat Monticello UT 72-26
FINAL: #8 Idalia beat Stratton 37-35
#10 Kiowa vs Hanover
CLASS 2A
FINAL: #9 Heritage Christian beat Denver Christian 53-31
FINAL: #10 Peyton beat Thomas MacLaren 62-22
CLASS 3A
FINAL: #5 Delta beat North Fork 53-33
FINAL: #8 Colorado Springs Christian beat Fountain Valley 58-17
CLASS 4A
FINAL: #7 Green Mountain beat Wheat Ridge 67-18
CLASS 5A
FINAL: #3 Highlands Ranch beat Denver East 88-23
FINAL: #4 Monarch beat Broomfield 50-32
OTHER GAMES OF NOTE
1A: Evangelical Christian at Elbert (Black Forest)
FINAL: Haxtun beat Wiggins 66-62 (2 OT)
FINAL: Canon City beat Mesa Ridge 53-43
FINAL: Skyview beat Weld Central 71-21
FINAL: Fossil Ridge beat Boulder 54-14
DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS
FINAL: Las Animas beat John Mall 54-25 (2A District 6)
FINAL: Crowley County beat Swallows Charter 37-34 (2A District 6)
FINAL: Highland beat Frontier Academy 58-42 (3A Patriot)
FINAL: Valley beat Sterling 35-25 (3A Patriot)
FINAL: Strasburg beat Liberty Common (3A Patriot)
