Mother Nature has trimmed a large share of boys’ basketball games from the schedule tonight but there are still several important games of note. We look at crucial league games in the small school ranks and also touch on a big one inside the 5A Front Range.
Photo is provided by Dwight Siverson.
Edison at Pikes Peak Christian: UPDATE: This game has been postponed – Both teams head into the Black Forest contest unbeaten in conference play. And for Edison, a win puts them in great position to land the league championship as they’ve already beaten pre-season favorite Evangelical Christian. This is the second meeting of the season as Pikes Peak Christian won a December tournament game in overtime 57-54. Andrew Harris scored 15 points in the win with Ethan Moore, Ben Schneider and Uriah Wehner all chipping in 12. Edison was paced by Brett Green with 17 and Rance Marsh with 16. Edison won the rebound battle 45-31 but turned it over 27 times compared to just 17 for Pikes Peak. Edison had won five straight before last week’s loss to South Baca. Pikes Peak has dropped two of three; falling to Fountain Valley and Atlas Prep but scoring a nice conference win at Elbert in-between.
Kit Carson at Cheraw: The Wildcats can officially clinch the High Plains championship with a win. The enter the game 3-0 in conference play with a one game edge Cheyenne Wells, Eads and the Wolverines. They’ve already beaten the other two so a win tonight leaves them one up on and the tiebreak edge with only one league game remaining. Cheraw fell out of a first-place tie with last Friday’s 50-42 loss to Cheyenne Wells where they gave up a double-digit lead. It was their third straight loss overall. Kit Carson has won 12 straight. They’re led by the duo of Sullivan Farmer (13.1) and Jayden McCombs-Farmer (12.9).
Denver Christian at Dayspring Christian/Highland at Dawson: UPDATE: Denver Christian at Dayspring Christian has been postponed – We place these two games together because they represent the top four teams in the 2A Mile High going head-to-head. Denver Christian and Highland share the conference lead with a combined 15-0 mark but the Mustangs and Eagles sit just one game back as each has suffered just one league loss. Wins by Denver Christian and Highland make the league chase a two-team battle while all four teams will share the top spot if Dawson and Dayspring Christian pick up victories. Dayspring looks to rebound from a difficult 97-65 loss to Highland on Wednesday where they allowed 51 first-half points. Tate Bessire dropped in 40 points for the Huskies including 13 of 17 from the foul line. Denver Christian handled Denver Academy 67-40 on Wednesday and must avoid looking ahead to next Friday’s battle with Highland. Dawson has won five in-a-row following their lone league loss to Dayspring Christian.
Meeker at Rangely: Both teams have three league losses but are tied with Paonia and Plateau Valley for third place in the 2A/1A Western Slope. The team that breaks through the mess could earn the number two seed in the district tournament and be placed opposite Vail Christian. The Saints are 6-1 and the top 2A club in the standings but trail 1A DeBeque (8-0) by one game. Meeker has won three straight including wins over Paonia and Plateau Valley. As a result, a win tonight gives them the inside track to the third spot due to having wins over the other three challengers. Cole Rogers (19.3) and Spud White (13.2) have sparked the Cowboys offense with White also leading the team with 8.1 rebounds. Rangely ended a three-game winning streak with a loss to Hotchkiss last Saturday. Sydney Cole, with 13 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game, is their leader. Gabriel Polley adds nine points and six boards. Paonia has two games this week against North Park and Soroco Friday and Saturday. Plateau Valley is at West Grand tonight but then hosts DeBeque on Saturday.
Moffat County at Delta: Seven of the ten 3A Western Slope clubs head to the weekend within one game of the lead. Moffat County (4-1) is part of a three-way tie with Gunnison and Coal Ridge in first place while Delta has two league losses to sit tied with Aspen, Grand Valley and Roaring Fork one game off the pace. Moffat County’s most important win came against Gunnison (65-61) back on January 17th. The league loss came one week later at Grand Valley (65-40). They also host Aspen in a key game on Saturday. Delta snapped a four-game slide by beating Cedaredge 55-38 on Tuesday. They’ve dropped league games to Cal Ridge (59-55) and Grand Valley (58-43).
Fairview at Broomfield: UPDATE: This game has been postponed – A tough road trip for Fairview as the Knights look to maintain a share of first place with in-city rival Boulder. Both Fairview and the Panthers are 7-0 in league play and have a nice two-game advantage on Broomfield, Fossil Ridge and Horizon who are all 5-2. Boulder is favored to beat Monarch while Fossil Ridge should get by Fort Collins tonight. Horizon has a tough test with Mountain Range. Fairview hasn’t lost since a 49-46 decision to Cherry Creek on December 21st. Two of their league wins are by single digits (Horizon and Monarch). Greysen Carter (17.7) and Jalen Page (12.2) are the top scorers and they combine for over 12 rebounds as well. Broomfield has league losses to Horizon and Boulder. They’re coming off a 77-57 win over Loveland as Ryan Collins exploded for 38 points. He hit 15 of 19 shots and bumped his season scoring average to 15.8.
