The high school boys basketball season in Class 3A-1A is full speed ahead. There are numerous standout performers on the court, and we will once again recognize one player with a Player Prop, as well provide a quick forecast of some games to watch in the state this week.
Player Prop
Jace Mobley, Meeker: The 6-foot-1, 154-pound senior is scoring a team-best 17.7 ppg and grabbing 6.9 rebounds and dishing out 2.4 assists a contest. The senior has powered the Cowboys to a 14-1 record, including 9-0 in the 3A Western Slope League, and just outside the Top 10 of the Colorado Preps latest 3A rankings. Mobley is averaging 24.3 ppg in the team’s last three games – all wins. He will try and keep his momentum going as he leads the Cowboys into games at home against Gunnison (2-13) at 7 p.m., Friday and Cedaredge (7-9) at 1 p.m., Saturday.
Games To Watch
Class 3A
No. 3 Manual (12-4) at No. 4 (Class 4A) Kent Denver (17-2), 2 p.m. Saturday: Manual needs to get things right in a hurry. The Thunderbolts are coming off an 86-69 loss to Adams City Wednesday night. Now, they have to regroup as they face a talented 4A Kent Denver squad. Deshawn Fox (21.9 ppg) and Marquell Marquez (19.5 ppg) are going to have to be at their best if Manual is going to pull off the upset against Kent. Kent Denver is paced by Caleb Fay. The 6-foot-6 sophomore is pouring in 20.6 ppg and he has been sizzling of late. Fay scored 22 points and 32 points in the Sun Devils’ wins over Jefferson Academy and the Academy. Kent Denver now has a chance to face off against a talented Manual squad.
Class 2A
No. 7 Sanford (11-4) at Sargent (12-3), 6 p.m. Friday: Sanford has moved to No. 7 in the latest Class 2A Colorado Preps poll. The Mustangs are coming off wins against Crested Butte (65-46) and Trinidad (56-22) last week. Since losing to Alamosa 32-31 on Jan. 5, Sanford has reeled off seven consecutive wins. Sargent, which lost to Crested Butte 62-47 on Jan. 26, rebounded with two straight wins over Cotopaxi (53-43) and Del Norte (47-37) last week. The Farmers’ offense is fueled by a trio of players – Fernando Venzor (9.9 ppg), Trenton Pasket (9.6 ppg) and Hayden Lester (9.1 ppg) – they all are going to need consistent performances to spring the upset against Sanford.
Class 1A
Otis (9-5) at No. 6 Peetz (13-3), 7:30 p.m. Thursday: Otis is trying to climb into the Top 10 Colorado Preps poll, as it sits outside looking in. After a tough loss at Arickaree 70-66 last Friday, Otis bounced back to trounce Hi-Plains (70-41) Saturday. Otis’ offense is kickstarted by Charlie Kendrick (16.2 ppg) and Sawyer Packer (12.2 ppg, 11 rpg, and 2.0 blocks per game). In this battle of Bulldogs, Peetz comes into the game after a setback to Briggsdale (58-53) on Feb. 2, and a victory over Potter-Dix (85-38). Offensively, Peetz is triggered by Noah Naegele (16.1 ppg and 7.4 rebounds per game), Rhyder Bayne (14 ppg) and Chance Seglke (10.1 ppg). Peetz did defeat Otis 69-51 in the first meeting between teams on Dec. 2. In that game, Bayne, a sophomore scored a game-high 19 points.
