Class 2A Boys & Girls Basketball Elite 8 Predictions
The Sweet 16 provided some great games and now we look to the Great 8. A lot of traditional teams are in the Great 8 and should make for some phenomenal games. All Class 2A game are scheduled for Monday but the possibility to play Tuesday is an option. Also the Final 4 was moved to Thursday March 18th.
Class 2A Boys
Playoff Prediction Record: 13-3, 81%
#1 Wray over #8 Sedgwick County, 3/15 @7pm
Wray moved into the Great 8 following the 86 to 57 victory over Monte Vista. Wray had a huge 1st and 3rd quarter to power them to the victory. Wray reached the Great 8 for the 2nd straight year and face league rival Sedgwick County. Sedgwick County moved into the great 8 following the 57 to 52 victory over Mancos. Sedgwick County outscored Mancos in the 1st and 4th quarter to snag the close victory. Sedgwick County is back in the Elite 8 and now look to avenge their regular season loss to Wray. I am going with Wray over Sedgwick County. Wray defeated Sedgwick County during the regular season 70 to 41. I expect a much closer game the second time around. I think the playoff experience that Wray has will be the difference, but this will be a fun game.
#4 Yuma over #12 Wiggins, 3/15 @6pm
Yuma moved into the Great 8 following the 66 to 65 victory over Fowler. Yuma had to hold on late as Fowler made a late push to come from behind. Yuma was able to hold on to the close win over Fowler and move into the Great 8. Yuma now face league rival Wiggins in a rematch. Wiggins moved into the Great 8 following the 59 to 58 upset of #5 seeded Holly. Wiggins used a 19 to 13 4th quarter to come from behind and upset Holly. Wiggins now must refocus and try and pull another upset in the Great 8. Wiggins and Yuma did not play during the regular season but are league rivals. These two teams know each other well. I am going with Yuma over Wiggins in a close game. I do think Yuma playoff experience is the difference, but I expect Wiggins to be in this game following the momentum of last weeks win.
#2 Limon over #10 Ignacio, 3/15@6pm
Limon moved into the Great 8 following the 68 to 41 victory over Lake County. Limon built a 45 to 14 lead in the first half and cruised to the victory. Limon looked dominate in the win and should be rested for a tough game against Ignacio. Ignacio picked up the 51 to 39 upset of Sanford in the Sweet 16. Ignacio was without Brady McCaw who was hurt in the first quarter. Ignacio played well in the 4th quarter to snag the upset. Ignacio now makes their second road trip to Limon to try and pull another upset. I am going with Limon over Ignacio. Ignacio, I think will give Limon all they can handle but I think homecourt proves to be the difference. Limon, I think also can score with anyone and will probably have to keep a high pace of scoring to avoid the upset. This should be a great game and will be a fast-paced.
#6 Denver Christian over #3 Peyton, 3/15 @6pm
Peyton moved into the Great 8 following the 61 to 46 victory over Meeker. Peyton outscored Meeker 39 to 24 in the second half to pull away and grab the win. Peyton had a huge day from Brennen Meyers who scored 30 points against Meeker. Peyton now must refocus and great ready for the size of Denver Christian. Denver Christian moved into the great 8 with the 56 to 39 victory over Del Norte. Denver Christian led the entire way and used a 17 to 12 4th quarter to hold off Del Norte. Denver Christian played well against the guard heavy Del Norte team and now face a similar style team in Peyton. I am going with Denver Christian over Peyton. Denver Christian must take advantage of their height in this game to upset Peyton. If Peyton can withstand the height, I think Peyton pulls off this win. This will be the best game in my opinion in the Great 8.
Class 2A Girls
Playoff Prediction Record: 12-4, 75%
#1 Holyoke over #8 Wray, 3/15 @6pm
Holyoke received the Forfeit win over Lotus School in the Sweet 16. Holyoke last played on March 5th but I do not expect much rust for Holyoke and probably is a well earned break for Holyoke. Holyoke must be ready against League Rival Wray. Wray moved into the great 8 following the 74 to 67 victory over Sedgwick County. Wray was able to avenge the early season loss to Sedgwick County and once again reach the Great 8. Wray is hoping to continue the revenge tour. I am going with Holyoke over Wray. These two teams meet up a few weeks ago with Holyoke taking the 61 to 55 victory. I expect a similar game and should be a great game to watch. I do think Holyoke snags the win but expect a hard-fought game.
#4 Rye over #5 Rocky Ford, 3/15 @5:30pm
Rye moved into the Great 8 following the 72 to 43 victory over Burlington. Rye built their lead outscoring Burlington 43 to 17 in the first half. Rye played well in this game and now look to try and move past the Great 8 and avenge their loss last season in the Great 8. Rocky Ford moved into the great 8 beating Ignacio 49 to 40 avenging their regional final loss. Rocky Ford built their early lead outscoring Ignacio 24 to 12 in the first half. Rocky Ford had a huge performance by Abi Snyder who scored 28 in the win. Rocky Ford will now look to avenge their loss to Rye from earlier this season. I am picking Rye over Rocky Ford. Rye beat Rocky Ford 52 to 48 during the regular season, and I expect another close fought game between the two league rivals. I think Rye having home court advantage will be key and I think multiple scorers for Rye also prove to be a big key. Should be another great game between league rivals.
#2 Cedaredge over #10 Limon, 3/15 @6pm
Cedaredge moved into the Great 8 following the 60 to 28 victory over Del Norte. Cedaredge used a big second half outscoring Del Norte 34 to 11 to pull away and get the win. Cedaredge defensively held Del Norte to under 10 points per quarter. Cedaredge now face another traditional power in Limon. Limon moved into the Great 8 with the 51 to 46 upset of Heritage Christian in OT. Limon played a great game to pull the upset and now look to use the momentum to try and pull another upset of Cedaredge. I am going with Cedaredge over Limon. I think Cedaredge defense proves to be the difference in this game. Limon to pull the upset need a huge game from Marx. I think this will be a great game but going with Cedaredge.
#3 Sanford over #22 Yuma, 3/15 @5pm
Sanford moved into the great 8 following the 52 to 35 victory over Olathe. Sanford built an early 28 to 12 lead and used that to hold off a surge from Olathe in the third quarter. Sanford used their defensive pressure in the game and now look for another trip to the final 4. Yuma continued their Western Slope rampage upsetting Paonia 31 to 26 to move into the Great 8. Yuma is playing their best basketball and having huge performances by Sr. Ema Richardson. Yuma looks to continue their Cinderella run against Sanford. I am going with Sanford over Yuma. Sanford must be able to score against Yuma defense and I do think this will be another low scoring game. Yuma has a ton of momentum but face a team who can get scoring from multiple players. This will be a good game but I think Sanford gets the Win.
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