With five top 10 matchups on tap, the Saturday girls’ basketball schedule is a good one. We look through those battles and other important meetings today.
CLASS 1A
The top five matchup between #1 Kit Carson and #4 Genoa Hugo is a non-league contest but is important to overall RPI standings. The Wildcats are #1 and Pirates #2 going into the game so the winner could end up as the top seed in the state tournament should both teams advance that far.
Sangre De Cristo wraps up the Southern Peaks race with a win over Sierra Grande and if that happens, then the Pirates slide to third behind Cotopaxi. Sierra Grande creates a three-way tie between the clubs if they score the road victory.
CLASS 2A
Simla and Rye collide in an interesting matchup of ranked teams as both are trying to climb into the top 10 of RPI standings.  Rye is 11th and Simla 13th. Both could fall short of a district title and that means being on the road for the regional tournament so a better RPI puts them in better shape to reach the state tournament. Rye will battle with Swink for the District 6 crown and Simla most likely faces Peyton for the District 8 title.
Ignacio needs a win over Ouray to keep sole possession of first place in the San Juan. The Bobcats lead Dove Creek by one game overall but have also clinched the top seed for the 2A district tournament.
CLASS 3A
One of the top 10 matchups that involves conference play is found in this division as Centauri meets Alamosa. Alamosa is in second place by one game over Centauri so a win clinches the runner-up spot behind Pagosa Springs. A Centauri leaves both teams with three losses and then a tiebreaker may be needed for district seeding. The top two teams avoid a first round game and earn byes to the district semifinals.
Coming off a loss to Lutheran on Friday, Colorado Academy must beat Jefferson Academy today to stay tied with Faith Christian in third place. Despite the loss, the Mustangs remain in the chase for a top two finish as they have a game remaining with co-leader Skyview Academy next week. Today’s game is a makeup from a Wednesday postponement.
Salida can lock down fourth place in the Tri Peaks with a win over Lamar today. The Spartans put themselves in this position by beating Vanguard Friday night.
Moffat County needs a win over Roaring Fork to maintain second place in the Western Slope. They trail first place Delta by one game and have a loss to the Panthers.
CLASS 4A
With Air Academy and Pueblo South both legitimate state championship contenders, today’s outcome is very important for the state bracket. Air Academy is ranked number one by CHSAA and also holds down the top spot in the RPI standings. Pueblo South, which has a huge conference date with Pueblo West next week, is third with CHSAA and fourth in RPI.
Glenwood Springs and Battle Mountain share the Western Slope lead with identical 8-1 records. Both are in action today so each needs a win to stay in the top spot. The Demons face Steamboat Springs and the Huskies tangle with third place Palisade. Battle Mountain and Glenwood Springs meet again next Tuesday.
Windsor can clinch the Tri Valley championship with a win over Holy Family. The Wizards won the first matchup and have a one game edge on the Tigers atop the standings.  Both teams still have two league games on tap next week but a Holy Family win today likely will result in the two rivals sharing the top spot.
CLASS 5A
Grandview and Cherry Creek continue to sit one-two in the Centennial and will meet again next week. Both teams are in action today wanting wins to maintain their spot in the standings. Grandview faces 4A top five Mullen and Creek tangles with Cherokee Trail.
