Our list of top basketball games in Classes 3A-4A-5A include heavyweights getting together in 5A as Horizon meets both Broomfield and Highlands Ranch. The schedule also includes long-time rivalry games such as Cherry Creek-Mullen, Colorado Springs Christian-Lamar and Golden-Evergreen. In addition, we look at several surprising teams that collide including Vista Peak-Ponderosa and Monarch-Greeley West.
CLASS 3A
Academy at Faith Christian (Friday)
Off to a 5-1 start with wins over Platte Valley and Kent Denver, Academy looks to take another major step in their program by winning at Faith Christian. The Eagles are just 3-4 but finished December with three straight wins including a nice 36-18 victory over Sterling. Ashley Finch leads Faith Christian with 12 points per game and is second in rebounding with 7.5. Emily Eggers leads that categories with 8.2 per game. Academy gets nearly 30 points a game from the freshman duo of Mikylah Espinoza (16.3) and Aryanna Perez (13.2). Those two combined for 39 points in a three-point loss to Eaton. Junior Janaya Steffy provides nine points and nearly six rebounds a game.
St Mary’s at Vanguard (Friday)
Their schedule was difficult in December but defending state champion St Mary’s cruised to five wins by an average of 31 points per game. Included were victories over Resurrection Christian (35), Machebeuf (55), Pagosa Springs (22), University (19) and Lutheran (24). All opponents except Machebeuf are in or have spent time in the 3A Top 10 this year. Vanguard (4-1) hopes for a top four league finish inside the Tri Peaks. They’ll carry a three-game winning streak into the contest as they ended last month by beating Faith Christian, Pinnacle and Centaurus. Sophomore Alexis Garcia averages nearly 17 points a game for the Coursers who also get 14 a night from senior Breanna Swann. Three juniors, Josephine Howery (17.0), Sierra Hackley (15.4) and Catherine Cummings (12.2) pace the Pirates offense.
Colorado Springs Christian at Lamar (Saturday)
For the past five to six years, this annual meeting has meant a great deal to the Tri Peaks league championship and it should play a role again this season as both teams should end up in the top four. The Lions (6-0) picked up quality wins over Lutheran (52-40) and Pagosa Springs (57-39) in December and overall outscored opponents by 181 points. They feature two of the best players statewide in Megan Engesser (22.7) and Rachel Ingram (15.5). They tallied 41 points against Lutheran and 25 vs Pagosa Springs. Freshman Elleah Hoekert (9.2) has also been a nice boost and Connie Anderson netted a game 17 points in the win over Pagosa. Lamar (3-4) recovered nicely from a rough 0-4 start by winning their final three games before the break. Senior Brecken Payne is a four-year starter and leads the Savages in points (12.7) and rebounds (6.3). Taylor Chavira and Destiny Jenkins each chip in nine points a contest.
Sanford at Pagosa Springs (Saturday)
Despite losing leading scorer and rebounder Morgan Lewis to graduation after last season, Pagosa Springs enters January at 5-2 with wins over Lutheran and Eaton. They should again battle with Centauri for the Intermountain League championship. Hailey Griego (10.4) has nearly doubled her scoring output from last season and also leads the club in rebounding (5.2). Devin Wilson adds 9.6 per game and chips in four rebounds and two steals per game. She’s played extensive minutes since her freshman season. Sanford (4-2) hopes to push Del Norte for the 2A Southern Peaks championship. They lost to the Tigers (51-33) at the La Junta Tournament and then closed the month with a tough loss to Centauri (53-31). Freshman Cheyenne Caldon scores nearly nine points a game to lead a balanced attack. Junior Mackenzie Peterson is next with seven.
CLASS 4A
Canon City at Classical Academy (Thursday)
This one is off the radar for many fans but the outcome will play a role in the Colorado Springs Metro chase. Mesa Ridge remains the favorite but these two clubs could be in the mix for a top two or three finish at years end. Canon City (5-3) downed Widefield 50-26 to start off conference play in their final game before the break. Jerika Moore (18) and Ellie Till (13) combined for 31 in the win. Classical Academy (5-2) has not played a conference game but picked up quality wins over Palmer Ridge and Manitou Springs in their final two games before Christmas. Autumn Boyles (17.6) leads TCA in scoring and has scored at least 21 points in each of their last three games.
Golden at Evergreen (Saturday)
The two tradition-rich programs and long-time rivals get together in the first of two meetings this season and as always, the outcomes of both will help shape the top of the Jeffco standings. Golden (5-5) has battled consistency this season but finished December winning two of their last three. Elli Garnett is the Demons leading scorer (17.2) and rebounder (8.0). Both averages are up by almost 50 percent from last year as she’s been called to do more following the graduation of Makenna Prey and Abby Garnett who scored a combined 36 points a game last season. Evergreen (6-2) has won four straight since a frustrating 44-42 loss to Mullen. Of course, Claudia Dillon is the top Cougar with 21 points and 11 rebounds per game.   Hayley Dillon (11.1) also scores in double figures.
Vista Peak at Ponderosa (Saturday)
We’re not yet at the halfway point of the regular season but surprising Vista Peak sits atop the 5A RPI standings with their perfect 5-0 mark. The schedule does not stack up against the big school elite such as Regis, Grandview, Highlands Ranch and so on but the Bison did finish December with an impressive 57-37 win over Fruita Monument. Senior Denali Hughes pours in 25 points per game and Kaya Evans 11 for an offense scoring 66 points each game. Ponderosa (6-3) is 16th in 4A RPI and will use this game and matchups next week with Kennedy and Denver South to prep for the rugged Continental chase. Sophomore Liberty Line (16.2) and junior Katherine Higgins (10.1) lead the Mustangs offense and also pull down a combined 13 boards a game.
CLASS 5A
Cherry Creek at Mullen (Thursday)
This is the Centennial league opener for both clubs. The Bruins (5-2) played a very strong December schedule with wins over Fossil Ridge and Horizon in-state along with a 2-2 showing at the Nike Tournament of Champions. One of the losses there came against in-state rival Highlands Ranch (58-49). Junior Jana Van Gytenbeek paces Creek with 19.6 points per game and Lamar transfer Cali Clark (13.6 pts / 11.0 rebs) has transitioned well to the 5A game. Mullen (5-4) was also the Nike Tournament and went 1-3 there with a lone win over in-state opponent Chaparral (41-30). Sophomore Megan Pohs (12.2) and freshman Imani Perez (11.6) are the Mustangs top two scorers.
Mountain Vista at Ralston Valley (Friday)
Mountain Vista dropped a game with Broomfield (53-36) on December 14th and then went 2-2 at the Nike Tournament of Champions to finish December at 8-3. The Golden Eagles have a very tough start to January as after this one, they tangle with Highlands Ranch and Chaparral to open Continental league play. Mountain Vista has 48 three-pointers on the season including 10 from Mackenzie Gamble and nine apiece by Sara Vafaie and Amy Holland. They feature just one senior on their varsity roster. Ralston Valley (5-4) won the consolation crown at the Cherry Creek Tournament but then lost to Regis (78-34) in their final December game. Sophomore Sydney Bevington (13.1) is their lone double-figure scorer.
Horizon at Broomfield (Friday)
No break in the schedule for Horizon (8-2) as the Hawks tangle with Broomfield and Highlands Ranch on back-to-back nights. The tough scheduling is not new as Horizon played Grandview, Mesa Ridge and Cherry Creek in December before taking a trip to Florida where they won all three games. Seniors Alyssa Jimenez (15.2) and Samantha Deem (14.4) combine for nearly 30 points per game. Deem also leads the club with over seven rebounds. Classmate Caleese Ramirez (9.8) is also approaching double digits in scoring. Broomfield (9-2) could easily be unbeaten. They lost in overtime to Cherokee Trail and by one point to Ralston Valley. Senior Steph Peterson (15.4) is tops in scoring and sophomore Courtney Wristen in second (13.0) and first in rebounds (7.7).
Greeley West at Monarch (Friday)
Both clubs are off to surprising starts. Monarch went just 4-20 last year but has opened this campaign at 8-1. Much of that is due to the return of legendary coach Gail Hook who is back on the Coyotes’ sideline. Greeley West won just six games a year ago but sits 5-4 heading into January. West is led by the sophomore tandem of Juanita Aragon (15.8) and Nevaeh Sepeda (11.2) and Monarch by senior Emerson Herrman at 17 points and 12 rebounds per game.
Denver East at Chaparral (Friday)
Not a conference game of course and the teams are a combined 10-9 but the outcome could impact seedings for the state tournament in February and March. Both teams expect to get there and the winner could end up with the higher seed and possibly break into the top 16. Chaparral’s record (5-5) is misleading as four of their losses came at the Nike Tournament of Champions. They’re 5-2 against Colorado opponents. Denver East (5-4) went 2-2 at the Tarkanian Classic and sits 3-2 vs in-state opponents. One quality loss came against Broomfield (48-42) in the season opener.
Highlands Ranch at Horizon (Saturday)
This will be just the fourth in-state game for the Falcons (9-1) who closed the Nike Tournament of Champions with a 58-49 win over Cherry Creek. They’ve also cruised by Pine Creek (80-32) and Arapahoe (61-39) in-state. Seniors Kasey Neubert (16.4), Jamie Bain (13.8) and Autumn Watts (11.6) share the ball well on offense. Bain leads the Falcons with 16 three pointers and sophomore Payton Muma is next with 68.
