A quick rundown of the best five games in girls’ basketball for Tuesday night as we pick from all the games on tap in all classifications.
1A: #5 Lone Star vs #8 Shining Mountain: Lone Star is ranked #2 in RPI and Shining Mountain is #3 but both teams need a good test against a quality opponent. The Longhorns have one win over a top 10 rival as they edged Genoa Hugo 33-32 in the season opener. They also earned a tough win at Idalia 36-23 earlier this month. Shining Mountain has played just one Top 10 opponent and fell to Briggsdale 54-36 but they have nice wins over 2A opponents Dawson and Union Colony Prep.
1A: #9 Genoa Hugo vs Idalia: The Pirates are much in the statewide rankings than Idalia but the two clubs are separated by just two spots in the RPI. The Pirates are #19 and Idalia #21 so the game is very important to those standings and post-season bracketing.
3A: #8 Eaton vs University: Both teams are 2-0 in the Patriot conference and share the early lead with Liberty Common. Both are also 9-2 overall. Eaton has already beaten Platte Valley so another win puts them in great shape for no worse than a top two finish. University moved past both Brush and Resurrection Christian last week and their scenario is similar. A win should get them into the top two at the end of the conference race.
3A: #9 Delta at Montrose: It’s a good intra-classification matchup between two rivals separated by less than 25 miles. Delta moved back into the 3A Top 10 this week while Montrose has a strong case to be including in the 4A poll. The Indians are 12-2 on the season with losses to Durango and Palmer Ridge. Delta, who has battled injuries all season, sits at 7-3 overall but the Panthers are 5-0 since Christmas.
4A: #6 Berthoud at Windsor: Both teams lost Tri Valley conference games to Holy Family (6-0) last week so this one could help determine second place. Berthoud is 5-1 and alone in second place. They lead Windsor (5-2) and Erie (4-2) by one game in the standings. Both the Spartans and Wizards get a second crack at Holy Family later in the season.