The boys basketball quest is on for the gold ball for teams in Class 3A, Class 2A and Class 1A.
Regional play will take place March 1-2. Those regional tournaments will take the Top 32 teams in each of the classifications determined by the CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index.
Here’s a look at some matchups that should be worth watching.
Class 3A
Regional hosts (in order by seed): Forge Christian, Bishop Machebeuf, The Vanguard School, Yuma, Centauri, Highland, Meeker, and Peyton. The top eight seeds host both the first round and the Sweet 16.
No. 16 Stargate School (13-9) vs. No. 17 Buena Vista (14-8), 7 p.m., Friday: This is an intriguing game for sure. The Eagles are coming off two losses – but in closer review – they dropped games to No. 1 Forge Christian (51-48) and No. 4 Yuma (57-56). Now can Stargate keep its momentum going and get over the hump and claim a victory against Buena. Stargate is paced by Dylan Perkins (15 ppg), Connor Rusch (14.4 ppg) and Hunter Roark (12.3 ppg). Buena Vista is coming off back-to-back wins and the Demons are led by Julian Lopez-Olsen (13.4 ppg), Kaden Schell (11.8 pp) and Hudson Wingo (9,9 ppg). The winner of this game will likely meet No. 1 Forge Christian, a team Stargate would love to revenge against.
No. 12 Manual (15-7) vs. No. 21 Platte Valley (10-12), 7:30 p.m., Friday: Manual has lurked around the Top 10 in the power rankings most of the season. The Thunderbolts are 1-1 in their last two games – a 73-69 win over Yuma and a tough 77-32 defeat to Forge Christian. Manual has one of the most potent 1-2 punches in Deshawn Fox (23 ppg) and Marquell Marquez (17.4 ppg). If the Thunderbolts can find a way to get the win against PV, they will definitely stand a puncher’s chance against No. 5 Centauri, which if favored against No. 28 Timnath. Platte Valley will try and spring the upset behind the strength of Braylon Edstrom (21 ppg).
The winner will advance to play the winner of Centauri vs. Timnath.
Class 2A
Regional hosts: Simla, Merino, Crowley County, Plateau Valley, Heritage Christian, Denver Christian, and Mancos.
No. 11 Holly (16-6) vs. No. 22 Loveland Classic (15-6), 5:30 p.m., Friday: The Wildcats have no shortage of talent, and the question is whether they can translate their talent into a win and then more than likely set up a battle with No. 6 Sanford. Holly was riding a three-game winning streak with wins over Las Animas (61-50), Hoehne (67-54) and Fowler (52-50) before falling to No. 3 Crowley County (56-38) in a district final. Now, the Wildcats with the help of double-figure scorers Truman King (15.5 ppg), Devin Eaton (15.4 ppg) and Andre Salgado (12.7 ppg). Loveland Classic was on a heater winning 10 games in a row before dropping a 59-53 decision to Union Colony Prep (59-53) on Feb. 22.
Holly will have its hands full with Loveland Classic’s Caedon Meyer (17 ppg), Luke Sainz (12.5 ppg) and Trevan Coberly (10.5 ppg).
The winner of this game will play the victor between No. 6 Sanford-No. 27 Golden View Classical Academy, which takes places at 2:30 p.m. Friday.
No. 9 Limon (17-5) vs. No. 24 Akron (9-12), 8 p.m., Friday: Limon is perennial powerhouse seemingly in every sport. The Badgers ended the season with a 10-3 record, but two of those losses were to No. 1 ranked Simla. Limon’s offense is fueled by Jordan Rockwell (19.1 ppg), Treyton Marx (10.3 ppg) and Mason Jaques (10.3 ppg). Limon will try and muscle past Akron to set the stage for a game with No. 8 Mancos. Akron’s top scorer is Anderson Filla (13.4 ppg). Akron has also lost to Simla (68-44) on Jan. 27. The Limon-Akron winner tangles with the victor between No. 8 Mancos (17-4) and Sedgwick County (8-12).
Class 1A
Regional hosts: McClave, Cheyenne Wells, Denver Jewish Day, Stratton, Belleview Christian, Sierra Grande, Peetz, and Nucla.
No. 13 Otis (14-7) vs. No. 20 Sangre de Cristo (14-7), 2:30 p.m., Friday: These teams have identical records, and each team will try and find a spark to move on and like face No. 4 Stratton on Saturday. Otis gets its offensive punch from Charlie Kendrick (15.2 ppg) and Sawyer Packer (12.6 ppg). The Bulldogs gave Stratton all it could handle before losing 55-52 on Dec. 7 and then fell to Stratton 55-51 on Feb. 23. Sangre will try and end Otis’ season behind Kaiden Smit (16 ppg) and Deagon Rogers (11.3 ppg).
No. 11 De Beque (16-4) vs. No. 22 Cheraw (9-11): The Dragons are somewhat of an unknown quantity, but they are definitely a dangerous team sporting a 16-4 record. De Beque’s losses have come against Nucla (52-48), Plateau Valley (70-37), Plateau Valley (56-26) and Nucla (54-53). The Dragons have a 6-1 record in their last seven games and are getting firepower from Burke Largent (18.8 ppg), Scottie Vines (15.1 ppg) and Jace Graham (13.8 ppg). Cheraw’s top scorer is Tim Provost (13.3 ppg).
The winner gets the victor between No. 6 Sierra Grande and No. 27 Wiley. Those teams meet at 4 p.m. Friday.
