The postseason field expanded from 32 to 40 teams last season in Class 6A and 5A, opening the door for several struggling programs across the state to end their playoff droughts.

This winter, there’s a few in play.

In 5A, No. 40 Rampart and No. 41 Thomas Jefferson are battling for the final playoff spot with four days remaining in the regular season. The Rams haven’t reached the postseason since 2019-20, while the Spartans’ last appearance came in 2021-22.

Rampart (8-13) is in the better position of the two, with games remaining against 6A No. 11 Pine Creek and No. 36 Pueblo West. The Rams’ remaining strength of schedule could be enough to secure their spot. Though, a win would ease any anxiety ahead of this weekend’s 6A and 5A playoff bracket unveiling.

Thomas Jefferson (10-11) beat 5A No. 54 Montbello on Tuesday to advance to the Silver Division semifinals of the Denver Public Schools Girls Basketball Tournament. The Spartans will likely need a win over 6A No. 44 Denver North on Thursday to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Here’s a look at some of the more compelling remaining regular-season matchups that have league title or postseason implications.

Class 6A

No. 8 Legend at No. 7 Highlands Ranch, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
At stake: Potentially, a few things.

The Falcons (18-3, 8-0) can clinch the 6A/5A Continental League title outright with a win over the Titans (15-6, 7-1). Meanwhile, a Legend victory would give the Titans the league tiebreaker over Highlands Ranch heading into their finale against 5A No. 29 Ponderosa on Friday.

If the Falcons defeat the Titans on Wednesday and then No. 24 ThunderRidge on Friday, they’re likely to earn a top-eight seed in the 6A playoffs, guaranteeing them home-court advantage through Colorado’s Sweet 16.

Class 6A/5A

5A No. 24 Northglenn at 6A No. 14 Riverdale Ridge, Friday, 6:30 p.m.
At stake: The Norsemen (15-7, 9-2 6A/5A Rocky Mountain League) can’t catch Riverdale Ridge (19-3, 11-0) in the standings but can secure a top-24 seed and a first-round bye.

A win would do it for sure. But that may be a tall task against Colorado’s all-time leading scorer, Brihanna Crittendon, and the Ravens, who beat Northglenn 95-11 on Jan. 27.

The Riverdale Ridge senior surpassed Tracy Hill’s 43-year-old state scoring record Saturday in a win over Monarch and had 2,938 career points entering Tuesday night.

Northglenn could secure the 24 seed with the boost it’s likely to get from facing RR.

Class 5A

No. 17 Pueblo County at No. 9 Pueblo East, Friday, 6 p.m.
At stake: Pueblo East (19-1, 7-0 5A/4A South Central League) can clinch a second straight league title with a win on Friday.

The Eagles edged Pueblo County 63-58 in overtime on Feb. 2, when Myah Abeyta posted 22 points, seven rebounds and seven steals.

The Hornets (15-7, 6-1), with a win Friday, can force a tie atop the final league standings. They’re coming off a 71-14 win over No. 58 Pueblo South on Tuesday.

Class 5A

No. 11 Roosevelt at No. 10 Thompson Valley, Friday, 5:30 p.m.
At stake: The 5A/4A Longs Peak League title could come down to the season finale between the Roughriders (14-7, 12-2) and the Eagles (18-4, 13-2).

Roosevelt will need to beat 4A No. 1 Timnath on Thursday to remain in contention for the outright league crown. In the first meeting between Roosevelt and Thompson Valley on Jan. 23, the Roughriders rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit but fell 74-72 despite 46 points from Kyla Lin Hollier.

Class 4A/3A

No. 7 Colorado Academy at 3A No. 1 Denver Christian, Friday, 5:30 p.m.
At stake: Colorado Academy (15-4, 7-1) and 3A No. 13 Forge Christian (14-6, 7-1) are the last two roadblocks between Denver Christian (20-1, 8-0) and the 4A/3A Metro League title.

If either the Mustangs or the Fury beat the Thunder, it would create a complicated tiebreaker scenario at the top of the league standings. Currently, Colorado Academy, Forge Christian and Kent Denver (14-7, 8-1) all sit just one game back of Denver Christian.