Class 2A Top Ten Boys Basketball Breakdown
Ranking Notes: Some movement in the 2A Poll. Fowler dropped out of the rankings following losses to Centauri and Del Norte. Fowler sits at #11 and I expect them to be back in the rankings by the mid-point due to their talent. Meeker moves up to #3 following a good start and Sanford stays put at #4. Yuma moves up to #5 even though they picked up their first loss to undefeated Goodland KS. Byers joins the rankings after a few blowouts wins over solid teams and their lone loss is to #5 3A Vanguard. Del Norte and Vail Christian both move up a spot and Highland drops to #9 and are right on the edge of being unranked and most get some solid wins. Ignacio has not played anyone yet and stay at #10.
#1 Crowley County (5-0)
Crowley County is off to a hot start at 5-0. The played 2 games last week and took care of business in both. Crowley County beat Limon 49 to 40 and then beat Ellicott 46 to 33. Crowley County is being led by Bradley Carnes-Clabey 13.0 ppg and Hayden Carter 11.0 ppg. Crowley County has 1 other scorer over 10 points a game. Crowley County has two games left in December against Las Animas (1-3) on 12/15 and Swallows Charter (0-2) on 12/16. After break Crowley County will opens league play where they are the favorite in District 6.
#2 Sedgwick County (3-0)
Sedgwick County has opened the season at a perfect 3-0. They played two games last week rolling through Haxtun 49 to 28 and South Platte NE 55 to 17. Sedgwick County has on more game in the month of December against Creek Valley NE (3-1). This game should test Sedgwick County but also give them momentum heading into break. Sedgwick County after break opens league play but also has a non-league game two days later. We really won’t know much about Sedgwick County until January but currently are the favorites to win District 2 just ahead of Yuma.
#3 Meeker (3-0)
Meeker started their season last week and made quick work of a tournament they hosted. Meeker went 3-0 with wins over a JV team, Cedaredge 71 to 38, and Aspen 63 to 42. Meeker through three games is being led by Zach Dinwiddie 14.7 ppg and Logan Hughes 13.0 ppg. Meeker has good scoring depth with 3 other scorers over 7 ppg. Meeker has 2 games left in the month of December and they will really test how good this team is. Meeker this week will play #8 3A Grand Valley (4-0) and then next week will play #4 3A Coal Ridge. These two games will really test how good Meeker is. Meeker after break opens league play where they are the favorite in District 5.
#4 Sanford (3-1)
Sanford opened their non-league schedule on 12/1 but really the main test of their schedule took place this past week at the La Junta Holiday Shootout. Sanford went 2-1 in the tournament and was the runner up. Sanford opened the tournament against 3A Lamar and took care of business 57 to 41. Sanford then played an improved 3A Monte Vista team and held on late to win 56 to 54. Sanford meet an undefeated La Junta team in the championship of the tournament and it was a great game. Sanford had a chance to win it at the buzzer and the shot cam up just short and Sanford fell to 3A La Junta 42 to 41. Sanford has two games left in December both of which will challenge them. Sanford plays 3A Monte Vista (3-3) on 12/15 and then to close December play 3A Centauri (4-2). If Sanford can win both they will have plenty of momentum heading into break. Sanford will open league play after break and Sanford hold a slight edge on being the favorite in District 1 over Del Norte.
#5 Yuma (4-1)
Yuma came out of nowhere this year and had a solid weekend in the Goodland KS tournament. Yuma played Norton KS in the first round and beat them 59 to 23. Yuma then picked up their first loss of the season to undefeated Goodland KS 57 to 44. Yuma did bounce back in the third-place game and beat Colby 56 to 55. Yuma has 3 games left in the month of December. Yuma on 12/14 plays Chase County NE (0-3) and then plays rival Wray (1-3) on 12/15. Yuma after break opens league play against Wiggins. Yuma currently is projected to finish second in District 2.
#6 Byers (4-1)
Byers like Yuma came out of nowhere and after starting the season with a loss have rebounded nicely and have won 4 straight games. Byers last week played two games and took care of business in both winning by 20 points in each game. Byers beat Stratton/Liberty 89 to 60 and Front Range Christian 72 to 40. Byers the played a game last night 12/12 and beat 1A Genoa-Hugo 70 to 41. Byers has two games left in the month of December and are looking for momentum heading into break. On 12/15 they play Wiggins (3-3) and then close December against Elbert (1-4) on 12/16. Byers after break has two more non-league games against Evangelical Christian and Simla. Byers plays in the 2A/1A Union Pacific League and are in District 4. They only play a couple District 4 opponents but are considered the favorites.
#7 Del Norte (5-2)
Del Norte is off to a solid start this year at 5-2 and have yet to lose to a 2A team. Del Norte played in the La Junta Holiday Shootout and went 2-1 in the tournament and finished as the consolation champions. Del Norte opened the tournament with a 47 to 36 loss to 3A La Junta. Del Norte did bounce back nicely beating Fowler 46 to 30 and in the consolation championship beat 3A Lamar 53 to 38. Del Norte already played a game this week and took care of 1A Sierra Grande 71 to 58. Del Norte is being led by Carlos Parra 30.2 ppg and Izeah Peterson 12.0 ppg. They are the only two players scoring over 5 ppg for Del Norte. Del Norte has one last game in December against Dolores (3-3). Del Norte opens league play right after break where they projected to finish second in District 1.
#8 Vail Christian (3-1)
Vail Christian has started the season solid going 3-1 to start the year. Vail Christian played 2 games last week beating team of bigger classifications. Vail Christian played 4A Eagle Valley on 12/5 and won 101 to 69. Vail Christian followed that win up by beating Basalt 65 to 57. Vail Christian through 4 games is being led by Bryan Trujillo 14.5 ppg and Sebastian Moritz 13.5 ppg. 7 players for Vail Christian are scoring 5 ppg or more. Vail Christian has one last game in December on 12/15 against Aspen (1-3). Vail Christian will open league play right after break against North Park. Vail Christian is currently projected to finish second in District 5 but will battle Paonia, Plateau Valley, and Hotchkiss for that spot.
#9 Highland (2-3)
Highland started the season hot at 2-0 but have since lost 3 straight games are looking to rebound before break. Highland last week played 1 game against Eaton and fell short losing 72 to 66. Highland then played a game this week and feel to #3 3A Platte Valley 59 to 45. Highland is being led by Tate Bessire 17.3 ppg and Trey Allmon 16.3 ppg. Highland has 3 players scoring 10 ppg or more. Highland even with the slow start will have a good shot to rebound before break when they play 3A Liberty Common (3-2) on 12/14. Highland after break opens league play in District 5. Currently they are the favorites in District 5 but will have to compete against Twin Peaks Charter (5-1), Union Colony Prep (3-1), Clear Creek (3-1), and Dayspring Christian (2-1).
#10 Ignacio (2-0)
Ignacio played their second game of the season yesterday 12/12 and took care of business against Dolores 69 to 45. Ignacio through just 2 games has 4 people scoring over 10 ppg but have not played a quality opponent. Ignacio is being led by Lawerence Ruffin-Valdez 19.0 ppg and Ocean Hunter 15.0 ppg. Ignacio will face their biggest challenge though in the Montezuma-Cortez Tournament. Ignacio opens the tournament against Grand County UT (4-1) and then will face either 3A Basalt or Montezuma-Cortez. Ignacio will have a few questions answered after this tournament. Ignacio then plays one more game in December against Mancos on 12/19. After break Ignacio will be tested yet against playing in a tournament against 3A Bayfield and Montezuma Cortez. Ignacio is the huge favorite in District 3 but will be challenged by Mancos.
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