Class 3A Top Ten Boys Basketball Breakdown
Ranking Notes: 3A Boys had the biggest amount of movement following a loaded week of games. The lone team not moving this week was Sterling who beat Manual and stays at #1 for the 3rd straight week. Manual shot up to #2 following a big win against DSST-Stapleton and Manual has only one loss to a 3A team. DSST-Stapleton also shot up the rankings with an impressive win over Kent Denver but lost to Manual so only move up to #3. Kent Denver comes in at #4 following their first loss of the season to DSST-Stapleton. Kent Denver had played a weaker schedule and after playing some competition picked up a loss and barely beat a tough Manitou Springs team (3-4). Faith Christian comes in at #5 moving up a spot following huge wins against previously undefeated Frontier Academy and Resurrection Christian. Alamosa follows Faith Christian due to their head to head loss. Grand Valley continues to impress early on moving up again this week to #7. Grand Valley picked up a solid 21-point win over #3 Meeker 2A and flew past 4A Eagle Valley. Another new team into the rankings is Arrupe Jesuit at #8. Arrupe Jesuit picked up a huge upset win over #3 Platte Valley. Arrupe Jesuit only loss this season is to 4A Prairie View. Platte Valley falls all the way to #8 after their first loss of the season to Arrupe Jesuit. Platte Valley still is off to a solid start. At #10 we have another new team in undefeated La Junta. La Junta might not have the most size, but their tenacious defense and good shooting has them off to a 7-0 start. La Junta will have a lot to prove in league play that they deserve a top 10 spots. After a great week of games 4 teams fell out of the rankings they are Coal Ridge (4), Vanguard (5), Pinnacle (9), and Bayfield (10). Coal Ridge fell out of the rankings following a loss to Montrose which is not a good lose, Vanguard falls out of the rankings following a loss in OT to Colorado Academy who is unranked but very solid. Pinnacle falls out of the rankings following a 7-point loss to Manual and Bayfield drops out of the rankings picking up their 4th loss of the season. Bayfield has played a brutal schedule and starting with their record does not surprise me. Bayfield will be back in the rankings after a tough start.
#1 Sterling (7-0)
Sterling continues their impressive start to the season. Last week they played 1 game and blew past Manual beating them 75 to 53. Sterling through the first part of the season is being led by Bodie Hume 19.3 ppg and Colton Shalla 6.7 ppg. Sterling has 5 players scoring over 5 ppg. Sterling is done for the month of December. After break they open league play against University (3-3) on 1/9 and then Strasburg (4-1) on 1/12. Sterling is the favorite to win the Patriot League but will be challenged by Platte Valley, Brush, Frontier Academy, Strasburg, and Resurrection Christian.
#2 Manual (4-3)
Manual is new to the rankings this week after a big win over DSST-Stapleton. Manual has only 1 lose to a 3A team and that was Sterling last week. Manual other two loses are to 5A Far Northeast Warriors and 4A Ponderosa. Manual also has 4 solid wins over 4A Pueblo East, 4A Falcon, Pinnacle, and DSST-Stapleton. Manual is led by Jaedon Bowles 23.7 ppg and Tre D’antre 11.1 ppg. Manual is done playing for the month of December and will open league play after break against Peak to Peak (2-5) on 1/9 and SkyView Academy (4-2) 1/11. The Metro league will be very competitive this year. I am giving Manual the nod as the league favorite. Manual will be challenged by Colorado Academy, Kent Denver, and Faith Christian.
#3 DSST-Stapleton (5-2)
DSST-Stapleton is also new to the rankings picking up an impressive upset win over Kent Denver. DSST-Stapleton has been very impressive after losing a very talented senior class. DSST-Stapleton has 6 players scoring over 5 ppg and two scoring in double digits. DSST-Stapleton is led in scoring by Vince Jones 16.8 ppg and Andray Thomas Jr. 16.0 ppg. DSST-Stapleton has one final game in the month of December and it’s a big one. DSST-Stapleton plays tonight 12/20 against undefeated Jefferson. This is a huge league game and could set the tone for whoever wins. After break DSST-Stapleton continues league play with games against The Academy on 1/9 and Platte Canyon on 1/13. The Frontier league will also be a great battle with DSST-Stapleton getting the nod as the favorite. DSST-Stapleton will be challenged by Arrupe Jesuit, Pinnacle, Academy, and Jefferson.
#4 Kent Denver (6-1)
Kent Denver picked up their first loss of the season last week losing to DSST-Stapleton 58 to 47. Kent Denver did rebound nicely picking up a solid win against Manitou Springs 79 to 72. A weak early season schedule has some question arise for Kent Denver but competing in the Metro league most questions will be answered. Kent Denver finished up their December schedule and had 4 players scoring over 6 ppg and were led by James Doyle 16.1 ppg and Coby Gold 16.0 ppg. Kent Denver after break continues their non-league schedule with games against #6 Alamosa (5-1) on 1/5 and Monte Vista (4-3) on 1/6. Kent Denver jumps into league on 1/9 against #5 Faith Christian. Kent Denver currently is projected as the #2 team in the Metro league but is not far behind Manual but will be challenged by Faith Christian and Colorado Academy.
#5 Faith Christian (5-2)
Faith Christian is on a nice 5 game winning streak and picked up 3 wins last week. Faith Christian beat St. Mary’s 85 to 64, Frontier Academy 72 to 39, and Resurrection Christian 81 to 68. Faith Christian two early season loses have propelled them through December. Faith Christian is done playing in the month of December and has only 3 players scoring over 6 ppg. The 3 players scoring more than 6 ppg are all in double digits and they are Benjamin Hawkins 21.0 ppg, Alec Muehlemeyer 17.6 ppg, and Jonah Gardner 13.3 ppg. After break Faith Christian has a non-league game against Pinnacle (3-1) on 1/6 and then jump into league play on 1/9 against Kent Denver. Faith Christian is currently projected as the #3 team in the metro league. Faith Christian is chasing Kent Denver and Manual but is not far behind them. Faith Christian will be challenged by Colorado Academy for the #3 spot.
#6 Alamosa (5-1)
Alamosa finished playing their December schedule on 12/9. Rest and practice have probably been needed after playing 6 games in 11 days. Alamosa after break will play a non-league against #4 Kent Denver (6-1) and this will be a huge test for both teams. Alamosa will then jump into league play against Pagosa Springs on 1/9 and Montezuma-Cortez on 1/12. Alamosa is currently the favorite to win the Intermountain league but like I said in the ranking notes Bayfield played a brutal December schedule and will challenge Alamosa for the top spot. Also challenging for the top spot in the Intermountain league will be Pagosa Springs and Monte Vista.
#7 Grand Valley (6-0)
Grand Valley continues their rise in the rankings after another solid week of playing. Grand Valley last week played 2 games flying by both opponents. Grand Valley beat #3 2A Meeker 61 to 40 and 4A Eagle Valley 89 to 64. Grand Valley had a very impressive month of December and had 5 players score over 5 ppg. Grand Valley was led by Kade Hurst 20.2 ppg and Brenden Hagerty 11.8 ppg. Grand Valley after break will play Olathe in a non-league game (I believe) and then jump into league play against Moffat County on 1/13. Grand Valley is currently the favorite to win the Western Slope league, but they will be challenged by Delta, Coal Ridge, Roaring Fork, and Cedaredge.
#8 Arrupe Jesuit (5-1)
Arrupe Jesuit is the 3rd new team this week into the rankings. Arrupe Jesuit pulled a stunner off on Saturday beating previously ranked #3 Platte Valley 65 to 54. Arrupe Jesuit has only 1 lose on the season to 4A Prairie View 70 to 62. Arrupe Jesuit has two solid victories on their resume but to keep the #8 spot must continue to improve through league season. Arrupe Jesuit finished their December schedule with 4 players scoring in double digits and are led by Elijah Chavez 18.2 ppg and Eric Dawson 12.8 ppg. After break Arrupe Jesuit jumps into league play with games against Clear Creek on 1/11 and Lake County on 1/13. Arrupe Jesuit next big game won’t come until 1/20 when they play The Academy. Arrupe Jesuit is currently projected as the #2 team in the Frontier league they are chasing DSST-Stapleton. Arrupe Jesuit will have to compete with Pinnacle, Jefferson, and Academy for the #2 spot.
#9 Platte Valley (6-1)
Platte Valley picked up their first season loss of the season last week losing to Arrupe Jesuit 65 to 56. Platte Valley dropped from #3 to #9 following the loss. Platte Valley did a nice job rebounding though as they blew past Weld Central last night 12/19 68 to 49. Platte Valley is now finished with their December schedule and had 5 players scoring over 6 ppg. Platte Valley was led by Bryson Becker 17.4 ppg and Sebastian Zehnder 10.1 ppg. Platte Valley after break has a non-league game against Fort Morgan on 1/5 and Fort Lupton on 1/9. Platte Valley will start league play on 1/11 against Liberty Common. Platte Valley is currently projected as the #2 team in the Patriot league but will be challenged by Brush, Frontier Academy, Strasburg, and Resurrection Christian for that spot.
#10 La Junta (7-0)
La Junta is the 4th new team into the 3A Rankings this week. They are off to a very hot start at 7-0. La Junta has quality wins against Manitou Springs, Del Norte, Centauri, and Sanford. La Junta biggest strength has been their defense and clutch shooting in close games. La Junta biggest knock is their lack of height but with tough defense they have proven they can make up for that. La Junta only played one game last week blowing past Center 52 to 15. La Junta has finished their December schedule and have 3 players scoring over 6 ppg. La Junta is led by Jon Nuschy 12.7 ppg and Dyson Oquist 11.9 ppg. La Junta after break jumps right into league play against Manitou Springs on 1/5 and Salida on 1/6. Currently the Tri-Peaks league is very much in the air still. La Junta is the lone ranked team, but Vanguard and Colorado Springs Christian have also been ranked this season. Manitou Springs, Lamar, and Salida have also proven to be tough opponents this year. Currently La Junta is projected as the slight favorite to win the Tri Peaks but are followed very closely by Vanguard and Colorado Springs Christian. The Tri-Peaks is very much in the air and will be a very fun race to watch.
Note: The one league without a ranked team is the Confluence League. The league currently does not have a clear-cut favorite, but you have to like Ridgeview Academy, DSST-Green Valley, Fort Lupton, and Weld Central to be the 4 favorites to win the league.
MileHigh Prep Report 