The race for the top seed in the Class 6A girls basketball state tournament is officially bonkers.
Up top (for now anyway) CHSAA No. 1 Valor Christian responded with three wins by more than 20 points following its loss to recent top-10 slayer Arvada West.
No. 2 Monarch, for its part, has continued to roll, winning its last two games by 42 and 53, extending its streak to a class-best 13 games.
No. 3 Cherry Creek closed out the regular season with 10 straight wins of its own with the Centennial League tournament up next.
With 10 days remaining before the end of the regular season, all three teams seem to have a case for the top spot.
Coaches across the state are split. In last week’s poll, the Coyotes got seven first-place votes, the Eagles six and the Bruins five.
So, in this week’s look at the big classifications in girls basketball, we’ll look at a few of the more intriguing races left to be decided in 6A, 5A and 4A.
No. 1 seed in 6A
No. 1 Valor Christian (18-2): The Eagles have just two games remaining on their schedule — though one is to Arvada West, the unranked team (but not for long) it lost to last week.
Senior Macey Huard has kept things rolling, scoring more than 20 points in each of her last four games.
Sophomore Quinn Vansickle, averaging 13.9 PPG, has been strong, too. She added 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting Wednesday in a 63-31 win over Columbine.
The Eagles can win the 6A Jefferson County League title with a win over Arvada West Feb. 15.
No. 2 Monarch (19-1): What do the Coyotes have to do to take the No. 1 spot? Beat teams by 60? 80?
Because they’ve already run rampant through the Front Range League, winning all 11 games by double figures.
They have a star in guard Natalie Guanella. A strong interior presence led by Caroline Walley, Amelia Rosin and Arezo Safin.
Among wins this season, they’ve beaten No. 3 Cherry Creek by 10, No. 10 Ralston Valley by 13 and 5A No. 2 Windsor by 20.
Monarch can win the FRL title with one more win across its last three games. It is on the road at Erie Friday.
No. 3 Cherry Creek (17-3): Remember when the Bruins hit that wall earlier in the season? Like the hardwood had been flipped vertically and the unquestioned No. 1 team in the class suddenly lost three straight.
A reason for panic? No.
Cherry Creek has won its last 10 games since then — stifling No. 4 Cherokee Trail 42-26 to close its regular season schedule on Wednesday.
The Bruins begin the Centennial League tournament Saturday at home against Smoky Hill. They beat the Buffaloes by 54 on Friday.
No. 1 in 5A
No. 1 George Washington (16-4): The Patriots have been streaking since losing four straight around the winter break.
Jaida Redwine averaged 14.4 points per game in January as the Pats outscored league opponents by 144 across six games.
Their only loss in state remains to 6A No. 1 Valor Christian.
GW is home against Denver East Saturday.
No. 2 Windsor (15-5): Are the Wizards being talked about enough? Probably not.
In a stacked 6A/5A/4A NCAC, they held league opponents to 29 ½ points per game through 11 games. Over the last week, they allowed 23 to Longmont, six to Greeley West (yes, six) and 22 to Silver Creek.
Hailee Wright, at the forefront, has averaged more than 14 points per game in league play.
The Wizards end with a tough stretch, traveling to 5A No. 6 Centaurus Friday before hosting No. 5 Mead Feb. 15 and 4A No. 2 Holy Family two days after that.
Roosevelt (19-1): The Roughriders rallied from a 15-point deficit in the first quarter Monday to beat 4A No. 2 Holy Family 72-71 in overtime.
They followed it up with their 19th straight win Wednesday, beating Fort Morgan by 71.
Ryanne Bahnsen-Price led Roosevelt in the month of January, averaging 18.1 points per game. Its only loss of the season remains to 6A No. 3 Cherry Creek.
The Roughriders are home against Northridge Thursday.
No. 1 in 4A
No. 1 Lutheran (19-2): The Lions are in the driver’s seat thanks to their 12-point win over Holy Family on Jan. 30.
Raelyn Kelty has two of her three double-doubles on the season since Jan. 24, leading Lutheran to seven straight wins.
The Lions beat Palmer Ridge 51-36 Friday to keep pace in the 5A/4A PPAC race. The Bears previously beat Lutheran in overtime back on Jan 21.
Lutheran is at Lewis-Palmer Thursday.
No. 2 Holy Family (17-3): Coach Ron Rossi said Fiona Snashall is the most-improved player in the state after his team’s 62-36 win over Longmont Wednesday.
Snashall has been a big reason why the Tigers have flourished this winter as she’s doubled her production from last season in points (12.6), rebounds (11.3), steals (3.1) and blocks (3.2).
“Where she was last year and where she is now, she’s leading the league in rebounds and leading in blocked shots,” Rossi said. “She’s had a triple-double and nine double-doubles. She is just playing really good.”
Holy Family is at 5A No. 5 Mead Friday.
No. 3 D’Evelyn (20-0): Peyton Marvel had 25 points, 11 rebounds and nine steals for a near triple-double as the Jaguars beat Dakota Ridge for the 5A/4A Jefferson County League title Wednesday.
Marvel will be one of the best players in the 4A state tournament in a couple weeks. Whether it will be for the top seed remains to be seen.
The Jags can add to their case for No. 1 when they’re home against 5A No. 10 Green Mountain Friday.
Other races to watch
Pueblo West (13-7, 7-0) and Pueblo County (10-10, 6-1) in the 5A/4A South Central League. West won the first meeting between the two behind 11 points and 10 rebounds from Trynity Martin on Jan. 31. They face off for the final time Feb. 17.
Highlands Ranch (17-3, 7-0), Legend (14-6, 7-0) and Regis Jesuit (13-7, 6-1) in the 6A/5A Continental League. The Falcons beat Regis by 22 on Tuesday and are at Legend Thursday.
Colorado Academy (16-2, 11-0) and Peak to Peak (12-6, 9-1) in the 4A/3A Metro League. The Mustangs won the first meeting, 50-38. They meet again Thursday at CA.