We look at the top matchups on Thursday night and break down what the outcomes mean to conference races and the playoff picture for girls’ basketball.
CLASS 5A
Continental: Highlands Ranch is still unbeaten in league play after beating ThunderRidge on Thursday. The Falcons opened the night tied with Regis atop the standings while ThunderRidge dropped two games back with their second league loss.
CS Metro: Fountain Fort Carson moved to 8-1 in league play with a 55-36 win over Palmer. The victory also kept them tied with Doherty atop the conference standings and the two leaders face off next Tuesday.
East Metro: A huge win for Vista Peak as they rolled Thornton 88-58 on Thursday. The Bluejays were unbeaten and alone atop the conference standings but the loss drops them back into a three-way tie with Vista Peak and Rangeview. Rangeview lost to Thornton earlier in the year and will face Vista Peak on the 15th.
CLASS 4A
Colorado 8: Weld Central stayed in a second-place tie with Riverdale Ridge by beating Fort Lupton. The Rebels and Ravens both have one league loss but Riverdale Ridge faces unbeaten and league leading Skyview on Friday. Weld Central is alone in second if Skyview wins that contest while the three teams will be tied for the top spot if Riverdale Ridge springs the upset.
CLASS 3A
Metro: Jefferson Academy picked up an important win over Faith Christian as it keeps them unbeaten in the conference and sets up a first-place showdown with Lutheran on Saturday. Colorado Academy stayed two games back with their win over Prospect Ridge. Lutheran scored a non-league win over Sterling as they prep for the big game on Saturday.
Tri Peaks: As expected, St Mary’s downed Manitou Springs to take complete control of the league chase. The two-time defending state champs remain unbeaten in league play including wins over second place squads Manitou Springs and Vanguard. The game though was a bit closer than the final score indicates as Manitou Springs led 44-41 before the Pirates outscored them 46-14 the rest of the game.
Patriot: Brush held onto fourth place in the Patriot with a 54-25 win over Frontier Academy. The Beetdiggers continue to trail Platte Valley and Eaton by one game in the race for second. They came up short to Eaton earlier in the year but still have a game remaining with Platte Valley. The Broncos must also tangle with first place University on Friday.
CLASS 2A
Black Forest: Peyton delivered a 44-point win over Swallows Charter to remain one game back of Simla and Colorado Springs School. The Cubs and Kodiaks are both perfect and CSS has a win over Peyton on their resume already. The Panthers though can make up some ground and move close to a runner-up finish as they face Simla on Friday.
Southern Peaks: Sargent finishes off a season sweep of Center with a narrow 30-22 win on Thursday. The win should give the Farmers no worse than the third seed behind Del Norte and Sanford in the district tournament.
CLASS 1A
YWKC: Idalia moved very close to securing second place behind Lone Star with their 55-27 win over Bethune.
