Class 3A Top Ten Boys Basketball Breakdown
Last year was my first year covering basketball and I feel I did a good job towards the end of the year but early on I just tried to just post schedule and rankings. This year I am hoping to do breakdowns nearly every week on the top 10 and then once the RPI is released focus on that.
#1 Sterling
Sterling opened their season by traveling east to Nebraska to play in the Western Conference Tournament. Sterling opened the season 3-0 and beat two solid Nebraska teams in the process. Sterling also beat 1 Colorado team and they were Greeley West (4A). Nebraska beat every team by at least 15 points and that is a good way for the defending state champions to open the season. Thru the first 3 games Sterling is being led by Bodie Hume 14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg and Isaac Harris 9.7 ppg, 3.3 apg. On the schedule Sterling has Fort Morgan (4A) tonight and then will be at a very competitive Buena Vista tournament this weekend. I see in the BV tournament that Jefferson Academy (2-1) and #5 Bayfield are already scheduled for Sterling.
#2 Kent Denver
Kent Denver comes in at #2 in the rankings. They opened their season by playing in the 8th Annual Herman Schayes Memorial Tournament. Kent Denver played Bayfield and St. Mary’s in their first two games and walked away 2-0. Kent Denver was played tough by Bayfield only beating them by 3 points. Early on Kent Denver is being led by Coby Gold 21 ppg, 2.0 rpg and James Doyle 17 ppg, 6.0 rpg. Kent Denver has 3 games scheduled this week facing University (1-0), Eaton (1-2), and James Irwin (1-2). They do have some 4 very tough games in a row 2 before break and 2 after break and that will give us a much better look at Kent Denver.
#3 Faith Christian
Faith Christian has not yet opened their season, but they do tonight when they face a very tough Platte Valley team that beat DSST-Green Valley ranch by 14. Faith Christian this weekend then travels to play in the Glenwood Springs Demon Invitational. Faith Christian will face 4A Glenwood Springs Thursday, #6 Alamosa Friday, and 4A Canon City Saturday. We shall learn more about Faith Christian after week #2 of play.
#4 Coal Ridge
Coal Ridge played 1 gam in the first week and got a good early season challenge from Colorado Academy. Coal Ridge was able to hold off a late rally from Colorado Academy and win 53 to 49. In the game Coal Ridge was led by Kevin DiMarco 21 points and Brandon Herrera 11 points. Coal Ridge has one game this week against Paonia on Thursday which will be another good challenge. Coal Ridge schedule really picks up next week with 4 games.
#5 Bayfield
Bayfield stayed ranked in the top 10 despite dropping their first two games. Most of Bayfield’s players were on the State Champion football team and were basically on 4 practices and for them to only lose by 3 to #2 Kent Denver and 3 to a tough Pinnacle team they deserved to keep their ranking this week. Things do not get much easier for Bayfield though as they are playing in a very competitive Buena Vista tournament and have Salida and #1 Sterling schedule for that tournament. Early on for Bayfield they are being led by Ryan Phelps 18.5 ppg, 14.0 rpg and Keyon Prior 13.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg.
#6 Alamosa
Alamosa opened their season hosting a tournament. Their tournament consisted of Palmer Ridge (who was playing in the 3A state championship for Football), Montrose, and Elizabeth. Alamosa was able to cruise by Palmer Ridge 57-31 and then was challenged by Montrose 46-43 and Elizabeth 53-42. Alamosa this week travels to Glenwood Springs to compete in the Glenwood Springs Invitational. Alamosa will face 4A Canon City Thursday, #3 Faith Christian Friday, and 4A Glenwood Springs Saturday. The Faith Christian game is a Final 8 rematch and should really tell us a ton about both of these team.
#7 Vanguard
Vanguard opened their season with 1 game and competed in the Corridor Classic. Vanguard opened the season with a solid 79-69 victory over 4A Canon City and then went 2-0 in the Corridor Classic. Vanguard beat a very solid 2A Byers team 78-40 and then beat Strasburg 73-66. This week Vanguard only plays one game against Evangelical Christian who nearly upset Fowler in their first game. Vanguard has 2 more games in December both of which will give us a good look at Vanguard.
#8 Delta
Delta opens their season tonight 12/5 against Hotchkiss who went 3-0 to start the year. Delta also plays Basalt on Thursday. Delta game against Hotchkiss tonight is a good measuring stick for them early on. Basalt does host a tournament next week and seeing how they do in that tournament will be key for measuring this team.
#9 Grand Valley
Grand Valley started the season unranked but quickly showed they could be the real deal. Grand Valley opened their season in the Jefferson Academy tournament and played against Colorado Springs Christian who was ranked #7 last week and Jefferson Academy. Grand Valley opened against CSCS and pulled a huge upset beating CSCS 55-49. Grand Valley used an 11-5 3rd quarter to pull the upset. Grand Valley then dominated Jefferson Academy 80-38 to move to 2-0. Grand Valley was led by Kade Hurst 18.0 ppg, 4.5 apg and Indra Griggs 14.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg. Grand Valley this week competes in the Buena Vista tournament and has Buena Vista and Salida scheduled.
#10 The Academy
Academy didn’t not face anyone in the opening week but open their season tonight 12/5 against Strasburg (1-1). The Academy will be tested by a tough Strasburg team and will give us an early season look at how good Academy is. The Academy then will compete in the Machebeuf tournament this weekend. They are schedule to play University (1-0) Friday and Frontier Academy (3-0) Saturday. We will have a good idea about Academy after this week.
MileHigh Prep Report 