Our list of top games for Wednesday makes stops in the 4A CS Metro for a first place battle and both the 4A and 5A Jeffco where league leaders must beat a top challenger to stay in first.’
Photo by Lance Wendt.
Classical Academy at Harrison: The second of three games on tap this week that will likely decide the 4A CS Metro. The first game took place Monday as Widefield beat Harrison and the third features TCA against Widefield on Thursday. The result from Monday left all three teams with two losses apiece so if Classical Academy wins tonight, their game with the Gladiators tomorrow should decide the eventual champion. If Harrison wins this evening, then Widefield gains control of the race with a win on Thursday since they’ve beaten the Panthers twice. Harrison won the first game with TCA 44-23 as they held the Titans to seven points or less in every quarter including just three in the fourth. The Titans made just eight of 46 shots (17 percent) including a tough 2-20 from the three-point line and 5-15 from the free throw line. Harrison had just 12 turnovers compared to 24 for the Titans. CJ Harris paced the Panthers with 16 points and the Titans collected nine from Kade Walker.
Green Mountain at Golden: Another great rivalry game inside the 4A Jeffco as Golden needs a win to maintain sole possession of the conference lead. They’re up by one game over Wheat Ridge with Green Mountain another game back in third. Golden, which has a game remaining against Wheat Ridge on the 21st, can still clinch the championship with a win tonight if Wheat Ridge loses another game before the matchup. The Farmers tangle with Standley Lake tonight, D’Evelyn on Friday and Evergreen on the 19th. To stay in the championship picture, Green Mountain must repeat their 57-53 win over Golden from earlier this season. Blake Schnell topped the Rams with 18 points including four three-pointers. Trey Towndrow added 14 points and Austin Peterson also nailed three treys. Alan Acevado (16) and Kevin Mulligan (13) led the Demons.
Grandview at Eaglecrest: The teams are separated by four games in the 5A Centennial chase but it’s another good matchup in a very talented conference. Grandview (9-1) shares first place with Cherry Creek while Eaglecrest (5-5) has fallen to a fourth-place tie with Overland. Game one went to the Wolves 46-36 and it was their second of their current eight game winning streak. Eaglecrest has lost five of seven and is coming off a frustrating double overtime loss to Arapahoe (79-78) last week. Should Grandview post the win then Cherry Creek must beat Arapahoe to keep pace. The Wolves and Bruins are set for a second meeting next Wednesday. Grandview’s Caleb McGill (17.3) and Lian Ramiro (15.5) combine for nearly 33 points a game on the season and together scored 41 (of 46) for the Wolves in their first win over Eaglecrest. The Raptors put three in double figures with Zion Ruckard and Skylar Wilson each getting 11 and Ty Robinson 10.
Valor Christian at Dakota Ridge: Valor Christian, Columbine and Ralston Valley are all ranked in the Top 10 this week but all three teams sit one game back of Dakota Ridge in the 5A Jeffco. That could change tonight as despite their sole possession of first place, Dakota Ridge is underwater for the season (9-10) and this is their first game against one of the big three inside the conference. Taeshaud Jackson averages a double-double for the Eagles with 16 points and 12 rebounds per game. Gino Corridori is also close with 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds a night. Brayden Rhoades (13.8) is also a third double figure scorer. Valor Christian had an up and down five day stretch to close January as they crushed Columbine (64-45) but then fell to Ralston Valley (60-58). They’ve won three straight and scored at least 76 points in all three wins over Lakewood, Pomona and Bear Creek. Amondo Miller (12.5), Talin Unruh (11.8) and Roger Rosengarten (11.6) average double digits for Valor. Unruh has been very strong of late with five straight games of at least 16 including matching a season high of 20 in last week’s win over Pomona.
