Class 3A Girls Basketball District Predictions Week 8
I have ran out of time for the Girls and just giving a quick run thru this week. I will make sure to dive into much more depth next weel. Remember in Class 3A Seven District/Leagues qualify two teams automatically into the State Bracket, with the remaining 18 teams determined by RPI.
Confluence/Colorado League
Regional Automatic Qualifier Prediction:
1. DSST-Byers
2. Englewood
District Tournament Contenders: (No Regional Contenders)
3. DSST-College View
4. Eagle Ridge Academy
5. Strive Prep
6. Fort Lupton
The Confluence/Colorado District will probably only get the 2 Automatic Berths into the Regional Tournament. DSST-Byers is my pick to win the District with Englewood finishing in second. Currently no teams sit inside the top 40 of the RPI. Whoever wins the District and finishes second gets in to regionals.
Confluence/Colorado RPI
#41 DSST-Byers, #42 Eagle Ridge Academy, #43 Englewood, #46 Strive Prep, #54 Fort Lupton, #55 DSST-College View,
Frontier League
Regional Automatic Qualifier Prediction:
1. The Academy
2. Denver West
Regional Contenders
3. Bennett
4. Arrupe Jesuit
5. Middle Park
Before the season started I thought the Frontier could possibly get 6 to 8 teams into regionals but I think that number is closer to 2 or 3 now. My pick to win the Frontier League stays as The Academy with Denver West as my pick to finish in second. Currently the other 3 contenders for a regional spot are Bennett, Arrupe Jesuit, and Middle Park. Bennett will have the best shot as they sit inside the top 40 of the RPI.
Frontier RPI:
#17 The Academy, #33 Denver West, #39 Bennett, #44 Arrupe Jesuit, #49 Middle Park,
Intermountain League
Regional Automatic Qualifier Prediction:
1. Alamosa
2. Pagosa Springs
Regional Contenders:
3. Centauri
4. Montezuma-Cortez
The Intermountain has just 5 teams, but I believe 4 of the 5 teams could compete for regional spots. My pick to win the IML is Alamosa, but Pagosa Springs is a tight second place and they meet for the second time tomorrow night. Centauri is in good position to reach regionals as well with the #21 RPI. Montezuma-Cortez is also a contender but sit at #40 in the RPI and will need some key wins down the stretch to get in.
Intermountain RPI:
#9 Pagosa Springs, #19 Alamosa, #21 Centauri, #40 Montezuma-Cortez
Metro League (Girls)
The Metro League update is written by Doug Wright. Once again thank you for the update and the great insight into the Metro League!
1. Lutheran
2. SkyView Academy
3. Colorado Academy
4. Prospect Ridge
5. Kent Denver
6. Jefferson Academy
7. Peak to Peak
8. St. Mary’s Academy
9. Faith Christian
10. Machebeuf
11. Manual
12. Stargate School
Lutheran (7-4, 4-0 Metro League) remains the dominant Metro League girls’ team, as evidenced by convincing wins over #3 Colorado Academy and #5 Kent Denver. We expect the 2021 State championship runners-up to again sweep through the Metro League undefeated and make another playoff run. Lutheran aside, the Metro League remains hugely competitive. The #2 team in the league, SkyView Academy (11-0, 4-0 Metro League), is having another strong year as it becomes an established presence in the top tier of Metro League teams. Except for a narrow victory over Prospect Ridge, the undefeated Hawks have yet to play any of the better Metro League teams, so we must withhold judgment on the team’s ultimate prospects pending those results. Colorado Academy (9-3, 4-1 Metro League) was thumped on the road at Lutheran but has otherwise played solid basketball. Upcoming games with SkyView Academy, Prospect Ridge and archrival Kent Denver await the young Mustangs team. Prospect Ridge (9-3, 4-1 Metro League), is coming off a close home loss to #2 SkyView Academy. A three point win over St. Mary’s Academy makes us concerned whether Prospect Ridge has the ability to stay with the strongest Metro League teams. Kent Denver (7-5, 4-1 Metro League) moves up one place in the standings to #5 thanks to a victory over previous #5 Peak to Peak. Early February games against Prospect Ridge, SkyView Academy and archrival Colorado Academy will determine the Sun Devils’ ultimate placement in the league. Jefferson Academy (8-4, 4-0 Metro League) moves up two spots in the rankings to #6 thanks to its 4-0 start in the league. The Jaguars have yet to play any of the four highest-ranked league teams, however. Peak to Peak (8-4, 2-2 Metro League) drops two spots following a loss to Kent Denver and a blowout loss to Lutheran.
My predictions for Metro
League Champion: Lutheran
Regional Automatic Qualifiers: Lutheran & SkyView Academy
At-Large Region/State Contenders: Colorado Academy, Prospect Ridge, Kent Denver, Jefferson Academy
Patriot League
Regional Automatic Qualifier Prediction:
1. Platte Valley
2. University
Regional Contenders:
3. Eaton
4. Resurrection Christian
5. Brush
6. Highland
7. Frontier Academy
8. Liberty Common
9. Valley
10. Strasburg
The Patriot once again is very competitive with 10 of the 12 teams sitting near .500 and I think up to 8 teams could get into regionals. So far, I would say the top 4 teams sit above the rest of the league but 5 thru 10 could pull an upset or two. Platte Valley is my pick to win the Patriot with University finish in second place and getting the other automatic berth. I do think Eaton and Resurrection Christian are near locks for the regional tournament. Highland, Brush, Valley, Frontier Academy, and Strasburg all sit inside the top 32 currently and more than likely you must finish inside the top 30. Strasburg, Frontier Academy, Valley are all on the bubble being closer to 30. Liberty Common sits outside the top 30 currently at #37.
Patriot RPI
#1 Platte Valley, #3 University, #5 Eaton, #13 Resurrection Christian, #22 Highland, #24 Brush, #25 Valley, #28 Frontier Academy, #29 Strasburg, #37 Liberty Common
Tri-Peaks League
Regional Automatic Qualifier Prediction:
1. Vanguard
2. St. Mary’s
Regional Contenders:
3. C.S Christian
4. Ellicott
5. Lamar
6. Buena Vista
7. La Junta
8. Manitou Springs
9. Salida
The Tri-Peaks is another staple in Class 3A. This year they will be loaded once again. I think 7 teams could get into regionals/state this year. Vanguard stays as my pick to win the Tri-Peaks League with St. Mary’s as my pick to finish in second and grab the other automatic berth. C.S Christian and Ellicott are near locks for the regional tournament. Manitou Springs Lamar, Buena Vista all sits inside the top 30 but all 3 are on the bubble. La Junta and Salida are outside the top 30 and will need a good run down the stretch to get into the regional tournament.
Tri-Peaks RPI:
#2 Vanguard, #6 C.S Christian, #7 St. Mary’s, #10 Ellicott, #26 Manitou Springs, #27 Lamar, #30 Buena Vista, #31 La Junta, #36 Salida
Western Slope
Regional Automatic Qualifier Prediction:
1. Grand Valley
2. Delta
Regional Contenders:
3. Moffat County
4. Coal Ridge
5. North Fork
6. Basalt
First, I would like to give a shoutout to CP Martinez. He has provided me some great insight into the Western Slope League and his information is key to these predictions. Grand Valley is my pick to win the Western Slope League with Delta finish in second and grabbing the other automatic berth. Coal Ridge, North Fork, and Moffat County are all inside the top 20 of the RPI and are in solid position to reach regionals. Basalt is the lone team mentioned outside the top 30 at #38. They will need a big run down the stretch to push for a regional spot.
Western Slope RPI:
#4 Grand Valley, #8 Coal Ridge, #14 North Fork, #16 Delta, #18 Moffat County, #38 Basalt
MileHigh Prep Report 