A non-conference game between traditional programs leads the boys’ basketball top games list for Thursday but there are also four other league games of note set for tonight. We breakdown the games and let you know how results will impact conference standings.
2A – Plateau Valley at Paonia: This is the first two important games for Plateau Valley this week as they also host Hayden on Saturday. All three teams involved trail Western Slope leading DeBeque and Vail Christian by one game so both could be considered early elimination game. The Cowboys are led by Austyn Vig with 15 points and 12 rebounds a game while Paonia provides more balance; featuring nine players between four and nine points per game. They lost to Hayden last week but have quality league wins over West Grand and Vail Mountain. Plateau Valley dropped a league game to Vail Christian but responded with wins over Vail Mountain and Rangely.
3A – Faith Christian at Colorado Academy/Lutheran at Machebeuf: We cheat here a bit and list two games from the same conference as both will impact the top of the Metro standings. Lutheran is coming off a huge win over Faith Christian on Tuesday and they open action tied with Colorado Academy and Machebeuf in first place. Faith Christian is one game back and tied with Jefferson Academy, Manual and Peak to Peak in fourth. If Lutheran and Faith Christian win as expected, then the Lions are alone in first going into next week. Baye Fall led Lutheran with 17 points and six rebounds against Faith Christian. Mamadou Sow added 12 points and Josh Greiving five assists.
3A – University at Strasburg: Both teams are coming off tough losses and each needs a win to stay in contention for a top three finish in what’s turning out to be a rugged Patriot league race. University sits at 1-2 in league play but their losses are against top 10 opponents Resurrection Christian and Eaton by a combined 19 points. Strasburg had a share of first place but fell off the pace with their unexpected 47-44 road loss at Platte Valley earlier this week. The Indians have a tough remaining schedule with games against Sterling, Eaton and Resurrection Christian still on tap.
4A – Thomas Jefferson at Harrison: Excellent matchup of two tradition rich programs who are having solid 2019-20 campaigns. The Panthers are 10-2 on the season and bounced back from a stunning 63-52 loss to Widefield last week by downing Classical Academy 44-23 on Tuesday. CJ Harris was the lone Panther to reach double figures as he finished with 16. Makeah Scippio and Donta Dawson pulled down seven rebounds. Thomas Jefferson is 10-5 overall but coming off a 69-68 loss to Northfield two nights ago. It snapped the Spartans six game winning streak. James Abbey totaled 25 points in the win and hit 11 of his 12 field goal attempts. Keshaun Taylor had seven rebounds. League wise, Harrison tops the CS Metro and sits 6th in RPI so they’re in great shape to host an early state tournament contest. Thomas Jefferson is 18th in RPI and needs to move up a bit to earn the same consideration.
4A – Frederick at Erie: With Mead starting to run away with the Tri Valley chase, the outcome of this one will help impact spots two through four. Both teams are 10-4 on the season with Erie 5-2 and tied with Windsor and Skyline in second place. Frederick is alone in fifth but just one game back of those three clubs. Joe Cartelli (16.5) leads Frederick in scoring and has reached double figures in 12 of 14 games including 33 against Littleton. Erie looks to recover from their 30-point drubbing at Mead Tuesday night. They get 11 points a game from both Kevin Loy and Ladorian Havard.
