There are two heavyweight boys’ basketball matchups in the small school ranks Saturday. The first is on the Western Slope between Vail Christian-DeBeque with the second on the Eastern Plains between Yuma-Sedgwick County. All four teams are unbeaten in their respective conference and winners take a major step to claiming the league title. We preview those two games and a few others in our top games list for Saturday.
Vail Christian at DeBeque: Both teams are unbeaten in the 2A/1A Western Slope and since all other league teams have at least two losses, it’s highly probably that the winner ends up with the conference championship. DeBeque is ranked #1 and is the defending state champion in Class 1A. They’ve also won 40 straight games. Vail Christian sits 9th in Class 2A and improved to 10-1 with Friday’s win over West Grand 59-41. Both clubs feature all-state level offensive talent. Alec Moritz (19.8) and Jamison Lee (17.8) combine for over 37 points a game for Vail Christian. Moritz has been under 16 points in a game only twice; Lee just three times. Wes Ryan is the returning player of the year in Class 1A and the junior has even better numbers this year; averaging 22.7 points and 11.5 rebounds. He went over the 1,000-point career mark earlier this year and he’s only a junior. Ryan gets help from other double figure scorers; Jaden Jordan (13.2), John Chapman (12.1) and Logan Wingfield (10.3). No other Vail Christian player averages more than six per game.
Sedgwick County at Yuma: Equally important as Vail Christian-DeBeque is this top 10 battle inside the 2A/1A Lower Platte. Yuma (11-1) is the two-time defending state champions and enters the game ranked #2 in Class 2A. Sedgwick County (13-0) has yet to lose and is ranked #9. Both teams are 3-0 in league play so the winner will stand alone atop the standings and since Yuma also has a win over Wray this year, the Indians can move very close to the championship. For the Cougars, this will be their third game in three days as they beat Perkins County NE on Thursday and Merino on Friday. They’re also battling some illness in their camp as four regular players missed some time on Thursday but all played against Merino. Yuma also played on Friday; beating Holyoke 60-38. They’re led by the returning duo of Clay Robinson (15.0) and Chase McCreath (13.5). Each also pull down nearly eight rebounds a game.
Byers at Burlington: The Bulldogs and Cougars have a combined record of 14-11 and neither is ranked in the top 10 but the outcome is very important to the Union Pacific race. The Cougars are 2-0 in league play and Byers 3-0 with both tied with Limon in first place. The Badgers remain favored but today’s winner is the top challenger to Limon. Byers (8-5) has split their last four games but has just one loss to a 2A opponent (Wiggins). They’re coming off a defensive minded 39-29 win over Calhan and today’s game starts a brutal stretch where they also face Yuma and Denver Christian next week. Zaine Mikita (16.2) and Caden Eyman (12.2) are the top scorers while Ty Miller adds seven points and 11 rebounds. Burlington (6-6) has won their last three including an impressive 48-42 overtime win over Peyton. They’re led by high scoring Andrew Burton.
Manitou Springs at Lamar: Both clubs are battling for a top four finish in the Tri Peaks to earn a first-round bye in the district tournament. Manitou Springs (11-2) is in better shape as they’ve won their first seven league games to earn a first-place tie with Vanguard (8-0). Lamar’s loss to Salida (67-55) on Friday was their second straight in league play and now the Savages (5-2) are battling St Mary’s for third and fourth. Lamar’s offense features five players averaging between seven and nine points a game. Michael Woodall (9.8) and Luis DeLatorre (9.7) top the list. Manitou Springs beat Salida (82-61) last week with four players reaching double figures. Isaiah Thomas had 21, Joah Armour 18, Joey Allen 12 and Lars Marquardt 10.
Eaglecrest at Overland: The Raptors are a perfect example of how deep and talented the 5A Centennial is this year. They’re ranked fourth in Class 5A statewide this week but need a win today to keep sole possession of fourth place in the conference. The Raptors and Blazers are both 4-3 and sit one game back of Smoky Hill (5-2) in the race for third. Eaglecrest snapped a three-game conference slide by beating Cherokee Trail 61-55 on Wednesday. Overland beat Arapahoe 54-36 that same night for their second straight league win. Game one went to Eaglecrest rather easily (77-51) as Zion Ruckard netted 18 points and Skylar Wilson 15. Overland hit just 17 of 58 shots in that game with Vinnie Viekalas chipping in 15 points.
