Change may be on the horizon as far as how postseason brackets are formulated in small-school girls basketball, particularly in Class 3A and 2A. But for now, upcoming district tournaments are still going to be vital in creating the 32-team field for each classification.
Yes, there are still regular season games to be played, and the CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index will continue to fluctuate even through the completion of district tournaments. But there are several teams all over Colorado looking to make big moves in the index over the next two weeks in order to put themselves in position to qualify for the big dance.
Here’s a look at a few teams in each classification that happen to be hovering around the cutoff, and how this final week of the regular season may help or hurt them heading into districts.
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Class 3A
Sittin’ pretty: Platte Canyon (9-6), Rocky Ford (8-11), Woodland Park (8-10). Platte Canyon is on a little bit of a dip with three straight losses, but the Huskies have three games this week against teams with losing records. Rocky Ford’s 19 games are up, and the Meloneers will look to reset at districts after losing six of seven games. Woodland Park ends its schedule Thursday against Manitou Springs (7-12), so the Panthers will get a fun challenge before prepping for districts.
Spot on: Thomas MacLaren (9-8). Sitting right in spot No. 32, the Highlanders would like nothing more than two wins to finish out their pre-district slate. They face Dolores Huerta Tuesday before a tougher test against 2A bubble team Addenbrooke Classical (13-4) Thursday.
Need some sort of run: Liberty Common (6-10), Gunnison (5-12), Crested Butte (5-9), Prospect Ridge (5-12). Facing tough opponents like Timnath and Olathe to end the year may help Liberty Common and Gunnison if they can pull off upsets, while the Titans of CBHS have a couple of winnable games ahead this weekend. PRA will likely finish 5-5 in Metro League play, indicating the Miners are battle-tested ahead of districts.
Class 2A
Sittin’ pretty: Twin Peaks Charter (12-5), Byers (6-11). The Timberwolves are 12-5 overall but 8-5 for the purposes of seeding. That said, Twin Peaks has had the best season in the school’s existence to this point and could strengthen their positioning with a good Foothills League tournament run this weekend. Byers held its own against Limon late last week and games against Colorado Springs School and Yuma present an opportunity to creep closer to .500.
Spot on: Cotopaxi (11-7). After two straight losses, the Pirates hope to right the ship at Center (10-6) on Saturday. Then, a win or two in districts is probably a must.
Need some sort of run — Trinidad (8-9), Swink (7-10), Addenbrooke Classical (13-4). The Miners had a tough-luck run of five losses by a combined 34 points, but stopped that streak Monday with a win. They’ll need to build on that. Swink does not have a favorable schedule this week (vs. McClave, vs. Sangre de Cristo) but the Lions still have districts to view as an opportunity. And, as previously mentioned, ACA’s game against Thomas MacLaren is a big one for both teams.
Class 1A
Sittin’ pretty: Pikes Peak Christian (11-5), Hanover (7-6), La Veta (7-10). PPCS has quietly put together a nice season and will look to avenge a two-point loss to Hanover when the teams meet Thursday. The Hornets will be looking to win that game as well as a tough Tuesday game against Miami-Yoder (7-8). La Veta has a tough end to the regular season with games against Sierra Grande (7-9) and South Baca (13-4).
Spot on: Creede (10-7). The Miners can strengthen their position with a couple of pretty winnable games this week against Centennial and Lake City.
Need some sort of run: Caprock Academy (8-10), Front Range Baptist (6-12), Weldon Valley (6-10). The Eagles could use a good showing at home against Hayden Friday night in addition to some district success. The Falcons host a tough Rocky Mountain Lutheran on Tuesday night looking to build off a Monday victory against Mile High Academy. Weldon Valley lost to 2A Twin Peaks by just four points last weekend, and the Warriors face 11-4 Prairie this weekend looking for an upset.
