Class 3A Boys and Girls Thursday League Game Predictions
Since I won’t get to Class 3A Final Predictions and get to look more in depth at the RPI till tomorrow I have decided to give my predictions on tonight’s games for both boys and girls. I will dive into much more depth into the leagues and regionals tomorrow. Remember to go check out coloradopreps.com for full League Brackets.
Class 3A Boys
Confluence/Colorado League
Englewood over Fort Lupton
Eagle Ridge Academy over DSST-Green Valley Ranch
These are semifinal games and I expect both games to be very good. I think the best game will be Eagle Ridge vs DSST-Green Valley and I think comes down to the wire.
Frontier League
Middle Park over Pinnacle
The Academy over DSST-Montview
These are the semifinal games. 2 very good matchups and I think any of these 4 teams can beat each other.
Bennett over Arrupe Jesuit
Denver West over Jefferson
These two games are consolation games and matter more for RPI and a shot at an at-large berth.
Intermountain League
Centauri over Bayfield
Alamosa over Pagosa Springs
These are semifinal games. The top 3 seeds all look to be in good shape to reach regionals, but Bayfield is out so look for them to fight to upset Centauri. Alamosa vs Pagosa Springs should be a good match and comes down to who comes out hot.
Metro League
Automatic Regional Qualifiers Predictions:
The Metro League update was provided by Doug Wright.
1. Colorado Academy
2. Faith Christian
Regional At-Large Contenders:
Manual
Lutheran
Kent Denver
Colorado Academy continues to roll through the Metro League. The senior-laden Mustangs easily moved into the Metro League tournament semifinals, where they will play a tough Manual squad on its home floor. We expect Colorado Academy to advance to the league finals, but it won’t be easy as Manual teams tends to peak at season’s end. The other semifinal pits second seed Faith Christian against an improving Lutheran squad that upended Kent Denver in the quarterfinals. Both Faith Christian and Lutheran are solid, well coached teams that could make noise in the Class 3A State championship—the Lions are, in fact, the defending State champions, albeit with a much different cast of players. Looking at RPI, each of the final four Metro League teams will make the State tournament, as will Kent Denver. The Sun Devils’ season has imploded of late, but their early season prowess carries them into the tournament. Prospect Ridge Academy is currently #32 in RPI, and its loss to Manual in the quarterfinals could spell doom for the Miners’ State championship prospects.
RPI for Metro League
#1 Colorado Academy, #7 Faith Christian, #10 Manual, #17 Lutheran, #19 Kent Denver, #32 Prospect Ridge Academy
Class 3A Girls
Confluence/Colorado League
Eagle Ridge Academy over Strive Prep
DSST-Byers over Englewood
These are semifinals games. It’s win or go home for all 4 teams involved. I do not think any at-large berths will come from this league so finish in 1st and 2nd will be the only way to regionals.
Frontier League
The Academy over Arrupe Jesuit
Denver West over Bennett
Both games are semifinal games and for Arrupe Jesuit and Bennett they are fighting to improve their RPI and for possibly their only shot at reaching regionals. Bennett could get in as an at-large but need a win either today or Saturday.
Metro League
The Metro League update was provided by Doug Wright.
Automatic Regional Qualifiers Predictions:
1. Lutheran
2. Skyview Academy
Regional At-Large Contenders:
Prospect Ridge Academy
Colorado Academy
Kent Denver
Jefferson Academy
As we have been saying, the 2022 Class 3A girls’ Metro League is Lutheran and everyone else. The Lions, who were runners-up in the 2021 Class 3A State championship, completed an undefeated regular season in the league, moved easily into the league tournament semifinals to face Prospect Ridge Academy and should claim the Metro League tournament championship as well. Skyview Academy also advanced easily into the semifinals and should advance to the finals over Jefferson Academy. There could be as many as four other Metro League teams advancing to the 3A State tournament. Prospect Ridge Academy and Jefferson Academy both posted mild upsets in the league championship quarterfinals, reflecting the parity among the league’s #3-#6 ranked teams. Based on RPI, we expect Prospect Ridge, Colorado Academy and Kent Denver also to make the tournament. With a #30 RPI, Jefferson Academy may need to upset Skyview Academy in the league semifinals to advance to the State tournament. Despite losing in the quarterfinals, bitter rivals Colorado Academy and Kent Denver should meet in a rematch in the consolation finals of the Metro League tournament on Saturday.
RPI for Metro League
#10 Lutheran, #12 Skyview Academy, #19 Colorado Academy, #21 Prospect Ridge Academy, #23 Kent Denver, #30 Jefferson Academy
MileHigh Prep Report 