The winter season is heating up. The state wrestling tournament for boys and girls will be in full swing at Ball Arena Thursday through Saturday.

While grapplers will take aim for state championship glory – basketball teams in Class 3A, 2A and 1A, are trying to position themselves for the postseason.

Here’s a sample of some players who have been turning heads of late.

LEBRON SHINING FOR BANNING LEWIS ACADEMY: He’s certainly not King Lebron James by any stretch of the imagination; however, Matthew Lebron has put together an outstanding season for Banning Lewis Academy.

The junior point guard is pouring 23.1 ppg and dishing out 3.4 assists a game. Lebron has helped the Stallions win eight games in a row and improve to 12-3 overall in the Class 3A ranks.

Lebron scored 24 points in a 58-46 win over Lamar on Feb. 8. The 5-foot-11, 150-pounder will try and keep things rolling when he and his mates clash with at La Junta (5-11) Thursday and James Irwin (2-10) Saturday.

THREE-PRONG ATTACK POWERING DOVE CREEK: Success in numbers has been the case for Dove Creek in Class 2A. The Bulldogs are sporting a 14-5 record, including an 8-0 mark in league play, thanks to some balanced scoring.

Liam Hassell is leading the way at 13.3 ppg and 7.8 rebounds, but Sheldon Gardner (10.2 ppg and 7.9 rebounds a game) and Josh Kibel (10.1 ppg) are also solid contributors for the victory.

Dove Creek defeated Telluride (58-46) on Feb. 11 and will try to extend its winning streak to 11 games when it hosts Dolores (6-13) at 11 a.m., Feb. 15. Dolores is coming off a 47-45 win over Sargent on Tuesday.

DON’T LOOK NOW BUT HOLLY IS IN MIX: Athletically speaking, Holly seems to run out some solid teams.

Well, the Holly boys’ team has run its record to 10-5 as it tries to make a push to make into the playoffs.

The Wildcats have won six of their last seven games with their only blemish to legitimate 1A state championship contender McClave (63-48) on Feb. 1. Holly will try and extend its modest two game winning streak when it entertains Walsh (5-11) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Holly concludes the weekend with a 2 p.m. non-league game with Syracuse (12-3).

Holly is paced by seniors Devin Eaton (20.2 ppg) and Truman King (16.3 ppg).

Class 3A

Highland (14-3) at Resurrection Christian (18-0), 7 p.m., Friday

Highland is considered one of the top teams in Class but needs to try and bounce back after getting thumped by Windsor Charter Academy (81-55) on Tuesday. Highland’s top scorers are Sawyer Morgan (18.3 ppg) and Brogan Palmer (11.3 ppg). RC counters with a potent offense led by double-figure scorers Ty Yoder (17.7 ppg), Graham Riggs (14.1 ppg) and Cade Crutcher (12.8 ppg).

This should be a good late-season test for both schools.

Class 2A

Limon (8-8) at Byers (13-4), 7 p.m., Friday

Limon is the reigning Class 2A state champion, but the state championship powerhouse school has had the greatest season.

Well, Limon is trying to make up ground. The Badgers have a five-game losing streak mixed in with their current four-game winning streak.

To keep any chance of making the postseason Limon needs to find a way to upend the pesky Bulldogs. Limon is lead in scoring by Keagan Mellott (10.5 ppg).

Byers has Quincy Eacret (13.5 ppg) in its fold. The Bulldogs have kept themselves in the state title talk and will try and stay there by defeating perennial power Limon.

Class 1A

Sierra Grande (14-2) at Hoehne (8-8), 6 p.m., Thursday

The Sierra Grande Panthers have been getting notice this season, thanks to posting a stellar record. SG’s only losses are to 2A Byers (48-41) to open the season and Sanford (66-45). Sanford is considered a Top 10 team in the Class 2A ranks.

SG is guided by Jadyn Martinez (19.9 ppg), Aron Ojeda (17.3 ppg) and Rolando Najera (10.1 ppg).

Hoehne will have its eyes on an upset and will need a big game from Bobby Terry (9.9 ppg). The Farmers had their four-game winning streak snapped when it lost to Kim/Branson (85-60), on Feb. 7.