Boys Basketball League Predictions Class 3A
As promised I will be doing league Predictions for Classes 3A, 2A, and 1A. I am going to pick the Top 3 in Class 3A and 1A because in 3A only the Top 2 are guaranteed spots into the State Tournament and in 1A only the Top 3 make it to Regionals. In 2A I will be doing the Top 4 for each league because most league get 4 teams into the playoffs. I would predict the playoff but with RPI weighing heavily into the process I figured picking the Top 3/4 would be a good way to predict who makes it into the State Tournament. (These picks include the District Tournaments and not just the regular season.)
Confluence
- DSST-Green Valley Ranch
- Ridge View Academy
- Lotus School
The Confluence is one of the weaker League in 3A and picking was extremely tough. RPI wise this league may only get 2 teams into the State Tournament but until the first RPI is released I am unsure. DSST-Green Valley Ranch was a preseason Top 10 team but have not lived up to the expiations. I still think they walk away with the league. Second and Third are very much up for grabs I went with Ridge View Academy due to their offensive fire power but I could see Lotus School, Weld Central, Fort Lupton, and William Smith challenge for the #2 spot as well as the #3 spot.
Frontier
- DSST-Stapleton
- Arrupe Jesuit
- Pinnacle
This could be one of the more competitive league title fights. The Frontier league is about 5 teams deep and currently have 2 teams ranked in the Top 10. I went with DSST-Stapleton to win the league title due to their only 3A lose coming to #2 Manual and have solid wins over Kent Denver and Jefferson. I have Arrupe Jesuit at #2 picking up a monster win over #9 Platte Valley and solid wins against 4A Prairie View and Ridge View Academy. #3 is Pinnacle with a solid win against Bayfield but were beat by 20 by Faith Christian. The other 2 teams that will challenge for a top 3 spots are Jefferson and Academy.
Intermountain
- Alamosa
- Bayfield
- Pagosa Springs
The Intermountain League looks to be very competitive this year with every team in league at .500 or higher. Alamosa is picked #1 after beating Kent Denver this past weekend and really have proven they are a real threat not just for a league title but a Top spot in the State Tournament. Bayfield sits at #2 and are the defending League Champions. Bayfield got off to a slow start this year after winning the 2A Football title but have won a pair of impressive games against 2A Ignacio and 4A Durango. Bayfield will be a tough team to beat and could challenge Alamosa for the #1 spot. Sitting at #3 is Pagosa Springs. The jury is still out on Pagosa Springs. They have solid wins against Salida, Buena Vista, and Palisade but losses to South WY and Montrose. Pagosa Springs gets tested early in league against Alamosa and well see how far they have come. The Bottom 3 in the Intermountain also won’t be easy wins Monte Vista is much improved from a year ago but still may not be ready for a Top 3 finish. Montezuma-Cortez also is improved from last year and are off to a solid 5-3 start. Centauri is off to a very quick 7-2 start but picked up losses to Monte Vista and La Junta but will challenge the Top 3 teams as well. The Intermountain league will be a league where you must show up each night or could easily get knocked off.
Metro
- Manual
- Faith Christian
- Kent Denver
Probably the most competitive league in 3A is the Metro league with 3 teams ranked in the Top 6 and only 2 teams with losing record in the league. The Metro League will be fun to watch which teams can play the most consistent type of basketball. Manual is the #1 team for me after beating a very good DSST-Stapleton team and their only loss to a 3A team is to Sterling. Manual though is not a clear-cut favorite for the league title. Faith Christian has as much of a claim to be #1 with wins against Alamosa, Resurrection Christian, and Pinnacle they will challenge for the #1 spot. Kent Denver also is hoping for the league title but after losses to DSST-Stapleton and Alamosa will be looking to prove they deserve the title and have a good shot against Faith Christian on 1/9. The Top 3 spots also are not a complete guarantee with Colorado Academy, Machebeuf, and Jefferson Academy all challenging for a Top 3 spots.
Patriot
- Sterling
- Platte Valley
- Resurrection Christian
The Patriot is home of the Defending State Champion and currently #1 Sterling. Sterling is the clear-cut favorite to win the Patriot League but don’t expect a cake walk to that title. Sterling returned a ton of talent from the state title team and led by Bodie Hume. At #2 I have Platte Valley who is off to a very quick start a 7-1. Platte Valley picked up an early season upset over Faith Christian but picked up a tough loss to Arrupe Jesuit which moved them to #9 in the rankings. Platte Valley though is not a lock at #2 and will be challenged by a group of teams. At #3 I have Resurrection Christian which have found some success beating Coal Ridge last week by 15 and Wheat Ridge (4A) before break by 11. Resurrection Christian currently only has 1 loss to a 3A team (Faith Christian). The Top 3 will be challenged by a group of solid teams including Brush, Strasburg, and Frontier Academy. The Patriot League will be a very fun race to watch especially for the #2 and #3 spot.
Tri-Peaks
- Colorado Springs Christian
- Vanguard
- Salida
I can honestly say picking the 3rd team in the Tri-Peaks was tough. #1 Colorado Springs Christian and #2 Vanguard are near locks for the Top 2 spots. They must show up and play each night, but I believe they are in an ahead of the rest of the league. The #3 spot before last week I had La Junta but after back to back losses to Manitou Springs and Salida they have fallen. I moved Salida into the #3 spot after beating La Junta by 20+ points. Manitou Springs is right behind them though and will challenge for that spot. La Junta I have behind both but will still be a tough team to beat and must keep Lamar and Buena Vista from catching them.
Western Slope
- Grand Valley
- Roaring Fork
- Coal Ridge
The Western Slope looks to be about 6 to 7 teams deep and have some very good teams fighting it out at the top. Grand Valley has been the most impressive team so far out of the Western Slope. Grand Valley is currently undefeated and has solid wins against Colorado Springs Christian, Jefferson Academy, Salida, and Meeker. Grand Valley has surprised me so far, this season but holding onto the #1 spot won’t be easy. Grand Valley will look to prove they deserve the #1 spot and of course a Top 10 ranking. #2 is Roaring Fork who beat Delta last week by 12. Roaring Fork has only 1 loss this season to 4A Steamboat Springs and solid wins against 4A Rifle, 4A Northglenn, and Weld Central. Roaring Fork is behind Grand Valley currently but with the early season win over Delta have already given themselves a huge lift over another very solid Western Slope Team. At #3 is Coal Ridge who just edged out Delta for the #3 spot. Coal Ridge opened the season beat Colorado Academy and Paonia but fell to Montrose and Resurrection Christian recently. Coal Ridge though could easily challenge for the Top spot in league but also will be looking to hold off Delta from jumping them. Delta like I mentioned could still challenge for a Top 3 spots and are likely locked in for the #4 spot. Moffat County, Cedaredge, and Olathe will be your next 3 after Delta who will also be looking to pull an upset off.
MileHigh Prep Report 