Boys Basketball Class 2A Regional Predictions
Region 1 Predictions:
#1 Crowley County over #32 Center, #17 Fowler over #16 Haxtun, #1 Crowley County over #17 Fowler.
Class 2A basketball has a lot of parity this year and any team has a chance at making it to the Elite 8. #1 Crowley County has played the most consistent basketball this year going 21-0 and are the #1 seed. Crowley County will play #32 Center in the first round. Center finished 4th in District 1 but have some solid talent. Center played well against Del Norte once this year falling by just 4 points and will need a similar effort. Crowley County must continue to play consistent basketball and must not overlook Center. I have Crowley County over Center. #16 Haxtun vs #17 Fowler is the other game. Haxtun finished third in District 2 beating Akron in the 3rd place game. Haxtun pulled a stunner in the District Tournament beat last year defending State Champion. Haxtun is now looking to prove that they can make a deep run. #17 Fowler played well this year. Fowler currently is 0-3 against Crowley County but Fowler must first take care of business against a solid Haxtun team. Fowler has plenty of height and talent at the guard position to make a run, but consistency has plagued this team all year. Fowler will need to have back to back solid games to have a chance at the Elite 8. I am picking Fowler over Haxtun. The sweet 16 matchups between #1 Crowley County and #16 Fowler could be an epic clash. This is a rivalry game and the fourth meeting between these two teams. One thing I know is that beating a team 4 times in 1 year is extremely tough. This will be a great game and the winner will earn their berth to the Elite 8. I am going Crowley County over Fowler in a 3 point game or less and Crowley County will advance to the Elite 8.
Region 2 Predictions:
#8 Sanford over #25 Mancos, #9 Sedgwick County over #24 Rocky Ford, #8 Sanford over #9 Sedgwick County
Sanford pulled a stunner in the District 1 Championship beating Del Norte to grab a home game. Sanford has had some consistency issues at time this year but seem to be coming together at the right time. Sanford plays Mancos in the first round. Mancos was beat by Ignacio in the District 3 final. Mancos has played well at times this year but also have not played the competition that most of the top teams have played. Sanford must continue to improve on the offensive end and if they can keep coming together and get a true leader on offense watch out for Sanford. I am going Sanford over Mancos. #9 Sedgwick County faces #24 Rocky Ford in the other game. Rocky Ford finished 4th in District 6 losing to Swallows Charter. Rocky Ford didn’t finish they season they way they wanted and now a matchup with Sedgwick County is on the horizon. Rocky Ford will need to quickly bounce back and catch fire in this game to have a shot at the upset. Sedgwick County finished second in District 2 losing to Yuma in the finals. Sedgwick County must not over look Rocky Ford and should set up an great match with Sanford. I am picking Sedgwick County Over Rocky Ford. The Regional Final between Sanford and Sedgwick County is a rematch from last years opening State Tournament game. Sanford fell just short to Sedgwick County but gained valuable experience. Sedgwick County lost quite a bit for that team and Sanford returned quite a bit. Sanford, I think has the talent to beat Sedgwick County and they seem to be peaking at the right time. I am going Sanford over Sedgwick County to advance to the Elite 8.
Region 3 Predictions:
#5 Meeker over #28 Telluride, #12 Simla over #21 Rangely, #5 Meeker over #12 Simla
#5 Meeker got a Regional Host by beating Hotchkiss in the District 5 finals. Meeker also seems to be coming together as a team at the right time. They will have a good shot to continue getting better against #28 Telluride. Telluride got into Regionals by finishing 3rd in District 3. Telluride has upset Ignacio this year and will need another great effort to pull an upset. Meeker must not overlook Telluride and must continue to get better as a team. I have Meeker winning over Telluride. #12 Simla vs #21 Rangely is the other game in this region. Rangely is going in the wrong direction finishing 4th in District 5. Rangely lost to Hotchkiss and Vail Christian to close out the year. Rangely will be looking to bounce back to earlier in the season but with a tough opening round game that may be tough. Simla nearly finished in the same boat as Rangely. Simla went into the District 8 tournament as the #2 seed. Simla was then upset by Evangelical Christian but Simla bounced back nicely upsetting Calhan in the 3rd Place game. Simla will have their hands full against Rangely but should get by them. I am going Simla over Rangely. The Regional final between #5 Meeker and #12 Simla will be a very good game. Meeker has plaid plenty of tough competition that should have them ready for this game. Simla also has played plenty of tough competition and have some confidence after beating Calhan. Meeker I believe is peaking at the right time and I am picking Meeker over Simla to advance to the Elite 8.
Region 4 Predictions:
#4 Byers over #29 Union Colony Prep, #20 Clear Creek over #13 Vail Christian, #4 Byers over #20 Clear Creek
Byers soar into Regional after winning the District 4 title. Byers beat Limon in the Championship to secure the hosting Regionals. Byers has been another of the more consistent teams this year in 2A. They have had their struggles but have played well enough to be a title contender. Byers plays #29 Union Colony in the opening round. Union Colony Prep received an automatic berth essentially receiving the #2 seed in their district tournament and the bye in the first round. Union Colony then lost back to back games to finish 4th in District 7. Union Colony has seemed to struggle against top competition and will need their best game of the season to pull the upset. I am going Byers over Union Colony Prep. #13 Vail Christian vs #20 Clear Creek is the other game. Vail Christian finished 3rd in the Western Slope League and they beat Rangely in that game. Vail Christian at times has played well and also have plenty of experience on this team to make a run. Vail Christian has an extremely tough game in the opening round and will be on upset alert. Clear Creek finished second in District 7. They lost to Highland by 7 points. Clear Creek has played a 3A schedule most of the year so hard to judge this team. They do have 3 players scoring over 10 points per game and should be a tough game for whoever they play. Clear Creek will have their hands full against a tough Vail Christian team. I am going with Clear Creek to beat Vail Christian. #4 Byers vs #20 Clear Creek would be your regional final. Like I said it’s hard to know how good Clear Creek is besides their 7 points lose to Highland. Clear Creek will be looking to prove they can make some noise in the Elite 8, but Byers is in their way. Byers is looking to show they are a legit title threat and making it to the Elite 8 is key. Byers will need to continue playing consistent basketball and I am picking them to advance to the Elite 8 over Clear Creek.
Region 5 Predictions:
#2 Yuma over #31 Swallows Charter, #15 Evangelical Christian over #18 Dawson School, #2 Yuma over #15 Evangelical Christian
#2 Yuma has probably played the second most consistent all year. Yuma won the District 2 title beating Sedgwick County for the 2nd time this year. Yuma has proven that they can contend for a title but must first get by #31 Swallows Charter. Swallows Charter finished 3rd in the District 6 tournament. Swallows Charter beat Rocky Ford in that game. Swallows Charter would need to play their best game of the season and hope Yuma is off to pull the upset. Yuma must not overlook Swallows and must get off on the right foot. I am going with Yuma over Swallows Charter. #15 Evangelical Christian vs #18 Dawson School is the other game in the region. ECA has played well at times this year and at other times not so much. ECA has a win over Byers this year and are hoping to play like that in the Region to advance to the Elite 8. ECA will have their hand full in the first round against a tough Dawson School. Dawson School had a bit of a down year but still played well enough to capture a Regional berth. Dawson must find some consistency on offense and if they do team could be in some trouble. ECA will be a tough team to beat and I am picking them to beat Dawson School. #2 Yuma vs #15 ECA will be a solid game. ECA will be looking to shock the world and pull an upset. Yuma is hoping to continue their run for a Class 2A State Title. I am picking Yuma to advance to the Elite 8.
Region 6 Predictions:
#7 Ellicott upset by #26 Sargent, #10 Calhan over #23 Akron, #10 Calhan over #26 Sargent
Ellicott made a shocking run in the District 8 tournament. Ellicott pulled back to back upsets to capture the District Title and are now hosting a regional. The RPI did not do Ellicott any favors and they drew a tough Regional Bracket. Ellicott will face a tough and defensive minded Sargent team in the first round. Sargent finished 3rd in District 1. Sargent has played both Sanford and Del Norte tough this year due to their defense and if Sargent can get a few solid offensive games they could make a run to the Elite 8. Ellicott sudden spark to the District title still has me not sure about Ellicott. Ellicott lost to Center early in January, but they may be coming together as a team and they do have the talent to be a tough team. I am picking Sargent to upset Ellicott and I may be way off on this pick, but I think Sargent defense will fluster Ellicott. #10 Calhan vs #23 Akron is the other Regional game. Calhan finished 4th in the District 4 tournament after losing back to back games. Calhan must get back to playing consistent basketball. Calhan, I still think has the team to make a run to the Elite 8 but must get consistent play. Akron lost quite a bit from last year’s team and still played well enough to make a trip to Regionals. Akron is led by 4 juniors, so any experience gained from this trip will be very important next year. Akron will have to play their best game of the season to pull the upset, but Akron has the potential with just a 3 point lose to Sedgwick County. I am going with Calhan over Akron. #10 Calhan vs #26 Sargent would be an unexpected matchup, but it would be a good one. If Calhan can’t find consistent play I could see a defensive minded Sargent team giving them all they could handle. Sargent must get their offense going and if they can watch out for Sargent. Calhan, I believe will get by Sargent and advance to the Elite 8.
Region 7 Predictions:
#6 Ignacio over #27 Denver Christian, #11 Limon over #22 Hotchkiss, #11 Limon over #6 Ignacio
Ignacio regained form from their only league lose of the year. Ignacio won the District 3 tournament to advance to Regionals. Ignacio got no help at all from the RPI and drew a very tough Regional. Ignacio in the first round will face #27 Denver Christian. Denver Christian at times this year has been tough. Other times Denver Christian did not play well. Denver Christian finished 4th in their District Tournament. Ignacio must continue to come together as a team and must not over look Denver Christian. I am going Ignacio over Denver Christian. #11 Limon vs #22 Hotchkiss is the other regional game. Limon comes into the matchup finishing second in District 4. Limon lost a close one to Byers but still had a good RPI to snag the #11 spot. Limon has played well all year beating the opponents they were supposed to but struggled against teams that were better or the same as them. Limon one big win on the year was against Calhan. Limon will need to find a way to elevate their play against good teams and I believe they can. Hotchkiss made a surprise run in the District 5 tournament. Hotchkiss was seeded as the #5 team and then upset Paonia and Rangely to make it to the District Final. Hotchkiss run fell short losing to Meeker 60-55. Hotchkiss could provide to be a tough out for Limon. Hotchkiss seems to be peaking and Limon will have to elevate their play to make sure they are not upset. Limon, I believe will raise up and get past a tough Hotchkiss team. #6 Ignacio vs #11 Limon should be a great game. Ignacio is looking to avoid back to back year of not making it to state but Limon is standing in their way. Limon is looking for a trip to the state tournament something they have not done in the past 3 years. Limon will have to play great perimeter defense and stop the 3 ball. Limon also must play well on offense if it turns into a shootout. Ignacio must play their style of basketball to snag a State Playoff Spot. I am going with Limon to upset Ignacio to advance to the Elite 8.
Region 8 Predictions:
#3 Highland over #30 Front Range Christian, #14 Del Norte over #19 Paonia, #3 Highland over #14 Del Norte
#3 Highland snagged a regional host by winning the District 7 title. The RPI did not help out Highland and they at least drew one team that could be a problem. Highland plays #30 Front Range Christian in the opening round. Highland should be able to get regional started on the right foot and should win that game. Front Range Christian snagged a regional spot by upsetting Burlington to get to regionals. Highland cannot overlook Front Range Christian and must take care of business. #14 Del Norte vs #19 Paonia is the other Regional game and is a rematch from the opening round of State last year. Paonia lost a ton of talent from last year but finished 5th in the District 5 tournament to get to regionals. They will have their hands full by Del Norte team who is hoping to rebound from a District final loss. Del Norte lost to Sanford in the District finals and will be hoping to rebound against Paonia. Del Norte is hoping to regain some confidence but most not overlook Paonia. I am going Del Norte over Paonia. #3 Highland vs #14 Del Norte could have been an Elite 8 game easily but now these two teams will have to sort it out in the Regional finals. Del Norte must regain composure before the Sanford loss and must get their main players to play like they did early in the season. Del Norte will give Highland their best shot. Highland will also need their main players to step up and play. Both teams play well on defense, but I think offensively is were this game will be won or lost. If Del Norte can regain their confidence against Paonia Highland may be in trouble. Highland will to play a good game as well and must continue to play with the same consistency they have shown. This was honestly my toughest pick and I switched it multiple times. I am giving Highland the slight edge on Del Norte. Highland is playing at home and return more pieces from their State Tournament team a year ago. I am going Highland over Del Norte by less than 3 but I could see Del Norte pulling the upset as well.
Elite 8 Teams
Crowley County
Sanford
Meeker
Byers
Yuma
Calhan
Limon
Highland
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