Hoopsters across the state were able to dust off their sneakers for practices late last week with voluntary team practices, but the first few days after the turn of the calendar will present the chance to compete once again.
Cross-classification games dot the schedule in the small school ranks, but there are also some notable intra-class games that squads are hoping to take advantage of before league play begins.
Here are some of the marquee matchups to keep an eye on this week:
Thursday
Rocky Ford at Center: The Meloneers have allowed less than 30 points per game in going 5-2 so far, but they’ll get a test out of the gate from the 4-2 Vikings, which averages 46.8 points per outing behind Alicia Rios, Ciara Paiz and Ximena Miranda.
Pagosa Springs at Sanford: The Mustangs (5-1) have a couple of tough games right away, also facing Alamosa on Friday. Sanford has been led by a younger crew (just one senior listed on MaxPreps’ roster), while 5-3 Pagosa has also been led in scoring by two juniors — Elizabeth Currier and Karsyn Shahan.
Friday
Fleming at Arickaree: The teams played Dec. 16 in a tournament with Fleming (4-1) waltzing to a 44-24 victory, but the Bison (3-3) will hope to be ready this time for the sophomore combo of Ciana Lousberg and Brooke Schaefer, who combined for 25 points in that game.
Akron at Sedgwick County: Addi Kessinger is a double-double machine, and she’ll look to keep it going for the 4-2 Rams against the Cougars (5-1), who have received significant contributions from junior Abigail Dille and sophomore Lainee Nein so far.
Eads at Kit Carson: Kit Carson has averaged 52 points a game so far but will still be looking to get back on track after losing to McClave before the break. Eads also lost to McClave but carries a 4-3 record into the new year with youngsters Anna Wollert, Taliee Weeks-Johnson and Lexi Shotton charging forward.
Saturday
Sangre de Cristo at Trinidad: A couple of teams with five wins notched on their belts, the Thunderbirds and Miners will clash at THS with Sangre looking to extend a recent run of three straight wins in the series between the teams. Sophomore Danica Shipley will aim to make a difference for the host team, however, carrying an 11.6-point average so far.
Stratton at Briggsdale: What might be the game of the week in small-school girls’ play, Stratton’s Sedonia Isenbart and Briggsdale’s Jenna Krise each will have a lot of attention paid to them as both carry 20-plus-point scoring averages so far. Both teams’ supporting cast has been spectacular as well, as the Eagles and Falcons have both averaged 50 points a contest.
