Class 1A Boys Basketball Top Ten Breakdown
#1 Cheyenne Wells
Cheyenne Wells opened the season playing in the RL Ballard Tournament. Cheyenne Wells opened the tournament against the previous #1 team South Baca. Cheyenne Wells pulled the upset and beat South Baca 58 to 57. Cheyenne Wells then moved into the championship and faced an improved Kim/Branson team and won that game 47-38. Cheyenne Wells played again last night 12/5 against Wiley. Cheyenne Wells moved to 3-0 beating Wiley 51-27. Cheyenne Wells does not have a game the rest of the week but have a HUGE rematch against South Baca on 12/14.
#2 Heritage Christian
Heritage Christian opened the season playing in the Falcon Invitational. Heritage Christian played Belleview Christian in the first round and took care of business winning 79 to 41. Heritage Christian then played 2A West Grand coming off a state championship win and Heritage Christian won 60 to 45. In the Championship Heritage Christian played Longmont Christian and escaped with a 54 to 50 win. Heritage Christian is being led by Josiah Bowsher 15.7 ppg and Isaiah Bowsher 15.0 ppg. Heritage Christian has one game this week against Rocky Mountain Lutheran and this is another tough matchup for Heritage Christian.
#3 Creede
Creede opened their 2017 season playing in the Thunderbird Shootout. The tournament contained 1 other ranked team. Creede opened their tournament against Centennial beating them 64 to 23. Then faced a tough Sangre De Cristo team and beat them 72 to 58. In the Championship they faced then ranked #10 Sierra Grande. Creede was able to snag the championship beat Sierra Grande 63 to 47. Creede early on is being led by Isaac Borchers 17 ppg and Casper Freedle 13 ppg. Creede this week will compete in the Cotopaxi Tournament. They will face Moffat in the first round. They then will face either Salida JV or Cotopaxi. Creede won’t really be tested until league play when they will have to face some very tough games.
#4 Peetz
Peetz opened the season hosting a four team tournament called the Peetz Carlile Classic. Peetz faced Caliche in the first round and took care of business winning 65 to 40. Then Peetz faced Otis in the championship and won a close 69 to 57 game. Peetz was led by Alex Curlee 16 ppg and Logan Sircy 16 ppg. Peetz is a very senior laden team and their experience will be key. Peetz has two games this week and will be facing Leyton NE (0-2) and Pawnee (1-2). Peetz has a few big games coming up with 2A Haxtun coming up next week.
#5 Holly
Holly last year defending state champions opened the season in style. They played two games in the opening week playing Flagler/Hi Plains and McClave. Holly won both games in dominating fashion winning 67 to 27 & 65 to 41. Holly then faced Greeley County (KS) in the Border War tournament. Holly was able to escape with a narrow 56 to 53 win. That win keeps their winning streak going from last year. Holly this weekend plays Elkhart (KS) and Stanton County (KS) both games will be good tests for Holly.
#6 South Baca
South Baca opened the season #1 in the Preseason poll but were upset by Cheyenne Wells 58 to 57. South Baca rebounded nicely beating Springfield 59 to 38. South Baca early on is being led by Micah Crane 25.5 ppg and Shadow Varnado 14.0 ppg. South Baca does not have to wait long for a rematch with Cheyenne Wells as they play them next week 12/14. South Baca does not have a game this week but have 3 left in the month of December.
#7 Shining Mountain
Shining Mountain opened the season playing in the Hanover Holiday Invitational. Shining Mountain opened against Hanover and won easily 57 to 25. Shining Mountain then played 2A Dolores Huerta in the championship and escaped with a narrow 55 to 53 win. Shining Mountain played last night 12/5 against 2A Front Range Christian. Shining Mountain fell big losing to Front Range Christian (2-0) 66 to 36. Shining Mountain now must quickly rebound as they are playing in the Prairie Classic. They open the tournament against Briggsdale (0-1) and the will face either Prairie or Arickaree/Woodlin. A possible match-up with Arickaree/Woodlin could be a huge game early on.
#8 Primero
Primero opened the season playin in the TSJC Tournament. Primero was the only 1A school at the TSJC tournament and this tournament featured 3 3A schools and this would tell us quite a bit about Primero. Primero opened against Raton (NM) and won easily 60 to 29. Then Primero faced 3A La Junta and fell in a close game 40 to 29. Primero bounced back against 3A Trinidad winning 59 to 54 in OT. Primero competing with 3A teams is a good sign and they look like they could challenge teams in the 1A ranks. Primero early on is being led by Vince Damelio 21.7 ppg and Joey Archuleta 9.3 ppg. Primero has one game this week against Aguilar and then face Kim/Branson next week in a very intriguing match-up.
#9 Longmont Christian
Longmont Christian started the season unranked but quickly moved into the rankings. Longmont Christian played in the Front Range Baptist Invitational. Longmont Christian faced Loveland Protestant in the first round and won easily 68 to 36. They then played #10 Front Range Baptist and in a very competitive game pulled the 60 to 53 victory. Longmont Christian then faced #2 Heritage Christian in the championship but fell just short falling in another very competitive game 54 to 50. Longmont Christian has one game this weekend against Campion Academy. We won’t know a ton more about Longmont Christian until next year.
#10 Front Range Baptist
Front Range Baptist started the season ranked #2. They faced off in the Front Range Baptist Invitational. They played 4A Eagle Ridge in the first round and won 63 to 48. They then faced Longmont Christian in the semifinals and fell just short 60 to 53. Front Range Baptist bounced back nicely beat 2A West Grand 59 to 25. Front Range Baptist had a game last night 12/5 agaisnt Beth Eden and took care of business easily 60 to 25. Front Range Baptist does not play another game till next week but will face a Top Ten 2A team which will be a very intriguing match-up.
MileHigh Prep Report 