Originally set to play out last Saturday, Mother Nature has delayed the girls’ basketball state quarterfinals until Monday and Tuesday. Winners now advance to the semifinals on Thursday with those survivors headed to Colorado Springs for state championship games on Saturday and Sunday. To help you prepare for the action, we’ve run through the tournament histories for all 40 teams still alive.
Photo by Steve Abeyta.
CLASS 1A
South Baca at Briggsdale
Briggsdale is 12-10 all-time in state tournament games and continues a solid recent run that has allowed them to take home hardware every year since 2016. We don’t include 2020 in that run as the season was cancelled before the last two days of the season could be played. The Falcons lost to Cotopaxi in the quarterfinals last season but finished in both 2018 and 19, earned the consolation title in 2017 and then placed second in 2016; falling to Idalia in the championship game. South Baca is 5-4 all-time in tournament games with each win coming since 2016. They topped Sangre De Cristo (38-34) in the quarterfinals last season. They also won the consolation title in 2019 and placed third in 2017. The teams have met once previously with South Baca earning a narrow 53-50 win in the 2017 quarterfinals.
Kim/Branson at Flatirons Academy
Flatirons Academy makes their first ever appearance in the state tournament and they face a Mustangs program that has compiled an 18-10 tournament record including a state championship in 2010. They beat Wiley 51-32 in the finals that year. That’s one of four visits to the title game for the Mustangs as they also placed second in 2018, 2013 and 2009. Kim/Branson picked up a quarterfinal win over Heritage Christian in 2018 and then beat Briggsdale in the semifinals (50-46) before fallin gto Kit Carson in the championship contest.
Dove Creek at Kit Carson
After winning three consecutive state championships from 2017-19 and claiming 75 straight wins overall, Kit Carson did not reach the Great 8 last season. But they’re back this season and trying to build on their 20-11 all-time record in tournament games. Their last tournament loss came in the 2016 quarterfinals as they fell to South Baca 60-47. The Wildcats placed fifth that year and also earned a third-place finish in 2015. Dove Creek is 4-11 in tournament but all of those wins are on the consolation side of the bracket. They’re 0-6 in quarterfinal games in school history. The Bulldogs are also making their first appearance since 2014. They lost to Eads in 56-26 in the quarterfinals that year but then bounced back to beat Kit Carson 62-59 the next day. That’s the only previous playoff meeting.
Fleming at Sangre De Cristo
This marks the second time in three years the Wildcats and T-Birds have matched up in the state quarterfinals. Fleming took the 2019 contest 56-49. That was their third straight quarterfinal win; a streak that ended with a 39-38 loss to Shining Mountain last March. Fleming is 17-11 all-time at the state tournament with finals appearances in 2017, 2011, 1983 and 1982. They captured their lone basketball crown in 1981 by beating Ridgway 61-59. Sangre De Cristo lost to South Baca 38-34 in the quarterfinals last season and also went 0-2 in the 2019 tournament so they’re seeking their first win since 2016. That year they beat Genoa Hugo 50-48 in the quarterfinals but eventually dropped the third-place game; again to South Baca 54-48. The T-Birds own state championships from 1985 (beat Peetz 32-30) and 1984 (Beat Caliche 49-47).
CLASS 2A
Wray at Holyoke
The two league rivals play sometimes two to three times a year during the regular season and district tournament but this will be their first-ever clash in the state tournament. With 33 wins all-time, Wray is a regular visitor to the state tournament including back-to-back state titles in 2008-09 and four straight from 1976-79. Their most recent appearance in the finals was 2017 where they fell short to Paonia. They lost to Del Norte (63-46) in the quarterfinals last year but put together top five finished each of the previous four seasons. Holyoke is 13-15 in tournament action. They beat Ignacio 47-34 in the quarterfinals last year which was their third straight overall after beating the Bobcats and Rangely in the 2018 consolation bracket. Their lone trip to the championship game came in 2006 where they came up short to Limon (55-46).
Rocky Ford at Rye
Another pair of conference rivals that will be meeting for the first time in state tournament play. It’s been a while since either team has tasted success. Rocky Ford is 9-10 all-time and earned their last win in 2010; beating Sanford and Sedgwick County on the consolation side to take fifth place. Rye has just three wins in school history; two of them came in 2012 when they downed Sargent and Del Norte to win the consolation trophy. Their only quarterfinal win came in 2011 when they beat Lutheran 45-43. Last year, the Thunderbolts lost to Sanford (46-31) in the Great 8. Rocky Ford last won a quarterfinal contest in 2008 in beating Paonia 49-42. Their best finish came in 1977 as they beat Palisade for third.
Limon at Cedaredge
The Badgers are in the state tournament for the fourth straight year and enter with an all-time mark of 24-10. The last win came over Holly (67-45) in the quarterfinals last year which left the Badgers two wins away from the sixth title in school history and first since 2007. Limon went 0-2 at the 2019 event but beat Holyoke 39-30 in the 2018 quarterfinals. This is their first ever meeting with Cedaredge; playoffs or regular season. Cedaredge is 6-9 in state tournament games. They’ve never reached a state final but did grab a third-place trophy in 2016 when they picked up wins over Kiowa and Wray. They also won third in 2007. This is their first appearance since 2018 when they lost to eventual champion St Mary’s in the 3A quarterfinals (64-33).
Yuma at Sanford
Even though Yuma did not make the Great 8 last year, it’s a place in the bracket they are very familiar with. The Indians have reached the state finals six times since 2013 with championships in 2019, 2018 and 2016. Overall, they’ve won seven straight in the state bracket with their last loss coming to Wray (46-44) in the 2017 semifinals. They’re an impressive 23-7 in state tournament games. Sanford is 13-22 all-time including a big 46-31 win over Rye in the state quarterfinals last year. They also beat Limon 46-39 in the 2019 quarterfinals; marking their tournament win since landing the 2011 state championship.
CLASS 3A
Brush at Vanguard
The winner of this game will earn their first-ever visit to the state semifinals. Vanguard is 2-4 all-time and Brush 3-4 with each win coming on the consolation side of the bracket. Vanguard made the quarterfinals last year but dropped a 54-24 decision to top seeded St Mary’s. They also lost to Yuma and Lutheran respectively in the Class 2A quarterfinals in 2013 and 2012. Both victories came in 2013 when they downed Simla and Sangre De Cristo to take home the consolation crown. Brush lost to Eaton (57-33) in the state quarterfinals last season. It was their first tournament appearance since 2010. They have two wins from 2009 as they beat Gunnison and Buena Vista for the consolation trophy. They also topped Coal Ridge (40-24) a year later in the consolation semifinals.
Delta at Lutheran
Delta is in the state quarterfinals for a third straight year and they’re the only visits in school history. The Panthers lost quarterfinal games to Pagosa Springs last year and against Eaton in 2019 so they’re seeking their first ever tournament win. Lutheran has 24 wins against 17 losses in tournament play. They did not qualify last year and dropped a 46-32 decision to Pagosa Springs in the 2019 bracket. Their last wins came in 2016 when they captured the state title; beating Manitou Springs 52-44 in the final. Other wins were against Moffat County and Centauri. The Lions also have a 2A title from 2014 when they beat Yuma. Overall, the school has five basketball championship trophies with the first three coming in 1985, 1996 and 1998.
University at Centauri
For the second straight year, the Bulldogs and Falcons collide in a state quarterfinal. Centauri won on a neutral court last year (52-34) and get to host the matchup this year. They also played in 1984 with the Bulldogs collecting a 60-51 quarterfinal win. University is 7-5 all-time in tournament play with their last win coming 31 years ago; they toppled Rifle 53-35 in the quarterfinals. They’ve made one appearance in the state finals; falling to Lutheran in 1985 (57-38). Centauri is in the quarterfinals for a seventh straight year and in addition to last year’s win over University, they also scored wins over Liberty Common in 2017 and Pagosa Springs in 2016. They have state championship trophies from 2006 and 1993; beating Denver Christian both times.
Eaton at Platte Valley
The county and league rivals have met just once previously at the state tournament but it’s been a few years. Platte Valley topped the Reds 54-44 to win the 2001 state crown. That’s one of three championships for the Broncos as they claimed the others in 2004 and 1987. Eaton has won state title in beating Pagosa Springs 50-47 for the 1999 championship. Eaton has 22 tournament wins in school history including a quarterfinal win over Brush last season. They also downed Delta in 2019. Platte Valley is in the bracket for the first time since 2006 and carry with them a 16-9 record in state action. Their last victories came that season as they beat both Pagosa Springs and Colorado Springs Christian to land the consolation crown.
CLASS 4A
Grand Junction Central at Holy Family
Grand Junction Central has yet to win a state tournament game as they dropped previous quarterfinal pairings to Horizon, Harrison and Sterling. This is their first trip since 2009 and only their second since 1996. Holy Family has 29 wins against 14 losses in school history with six Class 3A state championships over a seven year stretch from 2008-14. They’ve yet to win a title in Class 4A but was a state finalist last year when the season was cancelled. They beat Pueblo West 50-39 in the state quarterfinals last year and then downed Green Mountain 39-31 in the semis. They lost to Mullen in the 2019 semifinals.
Falcon at Mullen
Falcon has just one previous state tournament appearance. It came in 2011 and ended with a 52-45 loss to Mesa Ridge in the state quarterfinals. Mullen is 24-9 all-time and was set to play Holy Family in the state finals last year after beating Canon City (quarterfinals) and Berthoud (semifinals). They also landed the 2019 state crown; beating Pueblo South 63-44 in the finals. That title was the fifth in school history but first since 2006. Their last tournament loss was in 2016 against Valor Christian (61-58) but have won five straight since.
Erie at Green Mountain
The Tigers and Rams have combined for five tournament wins. Erie has two of them with both coming on the 2A level in 1993 and 1998. They fell to Berthoud (64-60) in the 4A quarterfinals last season. Green Mountain collected their third in last year; beating Sierra 64-33 in the quarterfinals before falling to Holy Family in the state semifinals. It was their first victory since 1979 when they beat both Rocky Mountain and Thornton to win the 3A consolation title. Last year also marked the Rams first tournament appearance since 1995.
George Washington at Windsor
The Patriots have advanced to the state quarterfinals for just the third time in school history. They experienced losses in both previous trips; falling to Doherty in 1993 and Fort Collins in 1983. Windsor is 7-5 in tournament contests. Their last win came in 2017 as they topped Rifle in the state quarterfinals; their only win since 1995. The Wizards won a state title in 1994 (beat Lamar 69-53) and lost to Wray in the 1978 2A state finals.
CLASS 5A
Rangeview at Valor Christian
Some school history this week for Rangeview as the Raiders play in a state quarterfinal for the first time ever. They face a Valor Christian program that has eight wins against four losses in previous visits including back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 2015 and 2016. Since those totals, the Eagles have experienced frustration falling in the 5A semifinals to Grandview each of the past two years and to Evergreen in the 2017 4A semifinals.
Ralston Valley at Highlands Ranch
The teams have met twice previously in the past decade with Highlands Ranch taking both matchups. The Falcons took out the Mustangs 66-46 in the 2016 semifinals and also won the 2013 quarterfinal pairing 57-43. Those two wins are among the 32 compiled by Highlands Ranch since girls basketball was sanctioned as a sport in 1976. The Falcons are in the tournament for the seventh straight and been involved every year but once since 1999. They have seven titles; the last coming in 2011. Ranch captured three in-a-row in both 2006-08 and 2000-02. They’ve been eliminated in the state semifinals by Cherry Creek each of the past two years. Ralston Valley (1-6) scored their lone tournament win in 2016; downing Broomfield 74-58 in the quarterfinals. The next day they were eliminated by Highlands Ranch.
Arapahoe at Regis
In the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2013, Arapahoe also seeks their first tournament win since that appearance. They beat ThunderRidge 54-45 in that quarterfinals but then fell to Highlands Ranch 64-54 in the semifinals. They’ve never reached a state final. Regis meantime is a regular visitor to the seasons’ final game; winning championships in 2013 and 2014 and placing second in 2018, 2011, 2009, 2008 and 2006. They lost to Highlands Ranch (51-44) in the quarterfinals last season and in the previous three tournaments, saw their seasons come to a close with a loss to Grandview in either the semifinals (2017, 2019) or championship game (2018).
Chaparral at Grandview
Chaparral is 1-4 in tournament games including a 55-38 loss to Grandview in 2013 for their only previous playoff meeting. That also marks Chaparral’s last visit to the Great 8. The Wolverines lone tourney win came in 2008 as they downed Overland (58-49) in the quarterfinals. They’ve lost four straight quarterfinal pairings in 2013, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Grandview beat Fruita Monument and Valor Christian last year to earn a fourth consecutive trip to the state championship game. They placed second in 2019 but went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. It’s part of a recent trend where the Wolves are always one of the last teams standing. They also reached the semifinals three times in four years from 2013-16.