With eight wins in its first nine games, the boys’ basketball program at Liberty High School is off to its best start since 2007-08.

In Aaron Thomas’ second year at the helm, the Lancers (8-1) haven’t cooled off much since opening the winter with a win over two-time defending 5A champ Mesa Ridge.

They opened the season with four straight wins before having a second-half rally fall short against Palmer in a 75-68 loss on Dec. 14. What followed was four more wins in a row, a streak that saw them beat opponents by an average of 24 ½ points.

In this week’s look-in on Class 6A-4A boys’ hoops, let’s touch on a few surprise starts from across the state.

Class 6A

Liberty Lancers

This season: 8-1.

Last season: 7-15.

How they got here: The 6A No. 13 Lancers are two seasons removed from finishing 2-20.

They got a new coach in Thomas after the 2022-23 campaign and he led them to seven wins last season.

This winter, they’ve won eight of their first nine games on the back of 6-foot-6 sophomore Cameron Cunningham, who is averaging 18 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

They’ll travel to 5A No. 2 Discovery Canyon (8-1) on Tuesday.

Arapahoe Warriors

This season: 7-2.

Last season: 11-13.

How they got here: The 6A No. 8 Warriors are off to a good start as they search for their first winning season since 2019-20.

They’ve been good in tight games — 4-0 in games decided by 10 or less.

After dropping their first game of 2025 to 4A No. 2 Kent Denver, they handily beat Columbine and Palmer this past week.

On Friday, they’re home against Castle View (5-6).

Class 5A

Cheyenne Mountain Red-Tailed Hawks

This season: 7-1.

Last season: 2-21.

How they got here: The 5A No. 12 Red-Tailed Hawks had won just 18 combined games over the previous four seasons. But they’ve found success early this winter.

Before the break, they ended a three-game losing streak to Pine Creek with a 51-41 victory on Dec. 10. Their one loss of the season came two days later as they fell to 5A No. 10 Falcon despite getting 29 points from breakout sophomore Alex Treglia.

Opening 2025, they beat Pueblo East by 18 on Thursday. On Saturday, they’ll face 5A No. 6 Durango (7-2) in the programs’ first meeting since 2013.

Mullen Mustangs

This season: 7-3.

Last season: 12-12.

How they got here: The 5A No. 5 Mustangs have been impressive through the first month of the season as all three of their losses have come to teams ranked in the top five in their respective class — 6A No. 2 Ralston Valley, 5A No. 4 Lutheran and 4A No. 2 Kent Denver.

Before the break, junior Mason Bonner had five double-doubles in eight nights. On the season, he is averaging 17.8 points on 63% shooting to go along with 10. 3 rebounds.

Class 4A

Jefferson Academy Jaguars

This season: 7-1.

Last season: 10-13.

How they got here: The 4A No. 9 Jaguars have looked good out of the gate, with their lone loss of the season coming by three points to 4A No. 4 Lamar on Dec. 12.

Junior Jimeto Orji is averaging 18.1 points on 55% shooting to go along with 10.5 rebounds. Josh Neely is averaging 19.6 points on a 52% clip.

They’ll play their first game in three weeks at Pomona (4-5) on Tuesday.

Montezuma-Cortez Panthers

This season: 8-2.

Last season: 8-14.

How they got here: The 4A No. 15 Panthers have had little trouble with their move from 3A to 4A, winning eight of their first 10 games of the winter.

They currently have three players averaging double figures in points — sophomore Trey Hall (12.4 PPG), seniors Tay Wheat (12.3) and Caidin Leonard (11.7).

They’d won seven straight before falling at 5A No. 6 Durango on Tuesday.

Next weekend, they’ll have two games in less than 24 hours, with Centauri on the night Jan. 17, and Alamosa the following afternoon.