Boys Basketball Class 2A Weekly Preview Week 9
We enter the final Month of the regular season and things feel very unpredictable especially in Class 2A. We have had a few teams rise to form and somewhat separate themselves but plenty of unpredictability remains. This week we will continue to update are Regional Projections and may dive into each district a bit more. (Rankings used are MileHigh Prep Reports Rankings)
Tuesday
Tuesday had a few big games that will impact District seeding and Regional Seeding as well. Two games rose above the rest with 3A Yuma defeating Limon and Evangelical Christian defeating Byers 35 to 33. The final game will have a big impact on both District and Regional Seeding. A few other games to note for Tuesday are Front Range Christian over Longmont Christian 65 to 49, Crowley County over Swink 60 to 34, and Heritage Christian over SkyView Academy 42 to 32.
Wednesday
Wednesday schedule is usually very light in Class 2A, and nothing really changes this week. A pair of games catch my eye for Wednesday Night. #7 Holly (10-3) travels to face Hoehne (7-5). This is a key matchup inside the Santa Fe League. Holly will be looking to bounce back after a tough 61 to 60 loss to Crowley County. Holly nearly pulled the upset but now look to bounce back against Hoehne. Devin Eaton led all scorers with 15 points against Crowley County. Huston Rushton (13 points) and Truman King (8 points) also were key against Crowley County. Holly sits at #10 in the Seeding Index and is a near lock to make it to regionals. Hoehne is pushing thru their toughest part of the schedule. Hoehne has lost 3 of their last 4 games to Fowler, Crowley County, and Las Animas. Hoehne has seen their Seeding Index drop from the teens to #24 where they sit currently. Hoehne could us a big win and a win over Holly gets them off the bubble. Look for Dario Vezzani (14.1 ppg) to lead the way but also look for Jace Rogers (6.8 ppg) and Tanner Rush (6.6 ppg) to have an impact. The other big game on Wednesday features Loveland Classical (9-6) at Golden View Classical (9-5). This game will have big implications on Regionals. Golden View Classical is inching closer and closer to the top 10 in the Seeding Index and sit at #11. They are a near lock for the playoffs. Loveland Classical on the other hand sits at #34 in the Seeding Index and are in danger of missing the playoffs. Loveland Classical needs a Quality win and this could be it.
Thursday
Thursday features 11 games in Class 2A. A few mix 2A vs 1A games including Mancos at Nucla, Cotopaxi vs La Veta, and Rangely at Caprock Academy. Some of those games will be featured in Kerry Sherman 1A preview coming out later today or tomorrow.
This Thursday may lack a top 10 battle, but we have a former top 10 team in Custer County traveling to face #5 Evangelical Christian. Custer County enters the contest at 8-3 and they snapped their two-game losing streak defeating Del Norte 53 to 41. In that game Custer County had 3 players score in double digits and went 14/14 in the fourth Quarter. Cameron Penkoff led all scorers with 17 points. Aidan Zehr, Garrett Olomon, and A.J Stoltzfus all scored over 10 points in that game that helped Custer County stay in the hunt for a top 3 seed in the District Tournament. Custer County sits at #19 in the seeding index and if the season ended today would be the #3 seed in the District Tournament. Evangelical Christian enters the matchup at 12-0 overall and they also picked up a huge win over Byers last night 35 to 33. Jared Guest had a big game for ECA scoring 16 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in the game. Guest was the only ECA player in double figures. ECA looks to remain undefeated against Custer County and will look for Jacob Slankard and Michael Kim to step up to help Jared Guest in scoring. ECA sits at #2 in the seeding index and are a lock for Regionals but hope to snag the #1 seed in their District.
I think another very good game Thursday night moves us into the Santa Fe League. Las Animas travels to face John Mall in a key matchup. John Mall enters the contest at 6-8 and their regional hopes are starting to fade a bit as they fall to #38 in the Seeding Index. John Mall is desperate for a big win and a win over Las Animas would be that win. Elton Chavez (19.6 ppg) continues to be the leader for John Mall, but Nino Cisneros (9.0 ppg) and Adrian Silva (7.0) will be needed to snag the key win. Las Animas enters the contest at 7-5 and they helped their regional chances by defeating Hoehne on Saturday 51 to 33. Las Animas had 3 players brake into double-digit scoring with Jackson O’Connor leading the way with 16 points. Brander Nichols and TJ Ortiz also had double digit scoring getting 10 apiece. Las Animas is still very much on the bubble sitting at #26 so avoiding the upset by John Mall will be key to staying in the top 32.
Three other games to mention for Thursday night are CS School (6-5) at Simla (9-3), 3A Clear Creek (6-7) at Denver Christian (6-7), Rocky Ford (2-10) at Hoehne (7-5)
Friday
Friday features 24 games and there are some big matchups for Friday. There are some 1A vs 2A key games some of those are Merino at Akron, Byers at Stratton, and De Beque at Plateau Valley. Some of those games will be featured in Kerry Sherman 1A preview.
In my opinion the biggest game Friday #3 Wray at #1 Limon. This is a monster matchup between two teams favored in Class 2A to win it all. This is a non-league matchup and a non-district matchup. Wray enters the matchup at 8-5 and they bounced back from their loss to rival Yuma by defeating 4A Berthoud 73 to 64. Wray had a pair of players break into the 20-point mark with AB Ruiz scoring 25 and Rafael Trejo scoring 20 points. Chris Arambula had 8 points to help round out scoring. Wray is now looking for another key win and upsetting Limon would do just that. Wray sits at #6 in the Seeding Index and is a lock for Regionals, but the main question is were will they be seeded. Limon feel for the first time this season falling to Yuma 61 to 51. It was a tale of two halves with each team having a dominate half. Yuma was leading Limon 34 to 13 at halftime before Limon had a huge third quarter to cut the lead to 40 to 32. Limon would push in the 4th quarter, but Yuma held off the charge. Limon will look to bounce back and will need its key players in Jordan Rockwell and Kaden Becker to have big games this weekend. Limon sits at #3 in the Seeding Index and are a lock for regionals. Limon is sitting behind ECA in their District so a win over Wray could push them back as the #1 seed in the District Tournament.
We stay outside of league play for are next matchup. This is a key District 1 matchup though between Monte Vista and Custer County. Monte Vista enters the matchup at 6-4 and they will have some key momentum heading into the matchup after defeating Cotopaxi 50 to 44. Monte Vista had another big night from freshman Azariah Hurtado who scored 17 points. Memphis Garcia also had a big night with 12 points as Monte Vista keeps their regional hopes alive. Monte Vista sits at #29 in the seeding index, and they are on the bubble, but they will have another shot at improving their hopes this weekend. Custer County as mentioned above play a big game Thursday night against ECA. Custer County will be tested on back-to-back nights and look for their main starters to carry the load.
We move back to the north into the Lower Platte League with another key matchup between 3A #4 Yuma and Wiggins. Yuma has been on a roll in 2023 with only 1 loss to #3 Highland. Yuma in 2023 has compiled 6 key wins and they look for #7 Wednesday against Sidney NE (13-4) or against Wiggins on Friday. Yuma has made the transition well to 3A and they have dominated Lower Platte League play and we will see if they can continue that this week. Wiggins also is on a solid streak winning 4 out of their last 5 games. They only played one game last week defeating Sedgwick County 68 to 37. Things get much more difficult for Wiggins down the stretch face Yuma, Caliche, Akron, Holyoke, and Wray. Wiggins will need their key players of Cole Kerr (20.7 ppg) and Omar Perez (13.2 ppg) to have a few big weeks. Wiggins sits at #14 in the seeding index, and they are a near lock for regionals. If the District Tournament started right now Wiggins would be the #3 seed in District 2.
We move south down into the Santa Fe League for are next two key matchups. The first is Swink traveling to face Holly. Swink enters the matchup at 8-6 and they just had their 3 game winning streak snapped by Crowley County Tuesday. Swink will look to bounce back against Holly. Swink will have a very pivotal 4 game stretch to end the year and probably determines if they make regionals or not. Swink will face Holly, Fowler, Hoehne, and Las Animas to end the season. Swink sits at #25 in the Seeding Index and each game will have a big impact on their rank. Swink will look for it’s leaders in Hunter Bauserman (12.3 ppg), Nate Cabrera (10.5 ppg), and Garland Guerin (9.7 ppg) to step up and try and push Swink into Regionals. Holly as mentioned above has a key matchup against Hoehne Wednesday before their game against Swink. Holly is also closing in on their final games so winning the remaining should help their seed come Regional Tournament. Holly will be tested this week.
The second key matchup in the Santa Fe League features the #2 Crowley County traveling to face Las Animas. Crowley County sits at 17-0 overall and they have just two games remaining one against Las Animas and a key matchup against 3A Ellicott on 2/9. Crowley County nearly has the #1 seed in the District Tournament wrapped up and a win over Las Animas should punch that ticket. Crowley County also has a shot at the #1 seed in the State Tournament but need to win out. Crowley County continues to be led by Gunner Hughes (15.5 ppg) and Elijah Mcneil (10.1 ppg). Las Animas enters the matchup at 7-5 and as mentioned above they will face John Mall Thursday. Las Animas has a very pivotal run of games coming up and they need some key wins. Las Animas sits at #26 in the seeding index. Their final schedule will be key and they need win against John Mall, Calhan, Swallows Charter, and probably Swink to for sure lock up that spot at regionals.
The final matchup to touch on is a SPL matchup. Sanford (6-7) travels to face 3A Crested Butte. A year ago, this was a top 10 battle but this year not so much. #9 Sanford has reached the rankings again and now look to make a run. Sanford has won three straight games and has given them key momentum. Sanford will be heavily favored in their next 5 games before their end of season matchup against Del Norte. Crested Butte moved into 3A and sit at 7-5. Crested Butte sits just outside the top 32 at #33 in the seeding index. A win over Sanford would probably boost them into the top 32. We will see were Crested Butte ranks after this game.
A few other games to mention for Friday are Cotopaxi (9-4) at Sargent (6-6), Caliche (4-8) at Haxtun (8-6), Holyoke (8-6) at Sedgwick County (2-11), Vail Mountain (5-6) at North Park (4-8), and Vail Christian (10-2) at Hayden (5-8)
Saturday
Saturday also features a jam-packed session with 21 games. Saturday has some key league matchup and some of those matchups will have big implications on Regionals.
The main event for Saturday features the Union Pacific League when Burlington travels to face Limon. Burlington enters the matchup at 7-6 overall and will be on a 2-game losing streak. Burlington fell to Goodland KS on Tuesday night. Burlington did play tough against the bigger opponent and had solid outings from Keziah Williams who had 23 points and Daniel Chacon who had 16 points. Burlington will look for those two plus Garrett Richardson and Henry Goodnow to step up and help Burlington try and upset Limon. Burlington sits at #18 in the seeding index. Their regional fate is still up in the air, they are not on the bubble but have some key games remaining that will affect that. Limon enters the matchup at either 12-1 or 11-2 depending on their matchup against Wray Friday night. Limon has a very difficult schedule remaining with games against Wray, Burlington, ECA, Byers, Fowler, Stratton, and Sterling left. As mentioned, Limon sits at #3 in the Seeding Index.
We move back into the Lower Platte League for are next key matchup. Wray will hit the road north to face Haxtun. Wray will be coming off their matchup against Limon Friday night and will have to bounce back regardless of the results to face Haxtun. Wray remaining schedule also is difficult with games remaining against Limon, Haxtun, Caliche, Sedgwick County, Heritage Christian, and Wiggins. Wray sits at #6 in the Seeding Index. Haxtun snapped their 2-game losing streak Tuesday defeating Briggsdale 63 to 47. This was a much-needed win for Haxtun as they look to reach regionals. Haxtun will face Caliche Friday before they tangle with Wray on Saturday. Haxtun final 3 games are against Akron, Peetz, and Merino. Haxtun sits at #24 in the Seeding Index and are on the bubble. Haxtun will need wins against Caliche, Akron, and Peetz to probably lock up a regional spot.
We moved down to the Santa Fe League for are next key matchup. Fowler will hit the road to face Swink. Swink as mentioned above is hitting a very pivotal part of the schedule and they are going to need a win or two somewhere during their final 4 games. Knocking off Holly or Fowler probably would be what they need to get into regionals. Swink sits at #25 in the Seeding Index. Fowler snapped a two-game slide Saturday defeating 3A Thomas MacLaren 43 to 30. Fowler will now look to focus on Swink and also look to secure a better spot at Regionals. Fowler sits at #17 in the seeding index and in very good position to reach regionals. Fowler will close the season against Swink, Hoehne, Limon, and Swallows Charter. Fowler will look for their key starters in Gage Gottbehuet (13.9 ppg), Landy Mason (10.6 ppg), and Harrison Proctor (10.3 ppg) to power them thru the end of the season.
We leave league and district play for a key non-league matchup between Holyoke (8-6) at Heritage Christian (9-4). Holyoke has found some momentum and are on a 3-game winning streak. They could push that to four before this game as they face Sedgwick County Friday Night. Holyoke sits at #22 in the seeding index and are in a solid position to reach regionals. Holyoke could really boost their hopes if they can defeat Heritage Christian Saturday. Holyoke continues to be led by Wyatt Sprague (15.6 ppg), Cash Weber (12.8 ppg) and Reid Sprague (12.0 ppg). Heritage Christian has bounced back well after falling to Machebeuf last Tuesday defeating Denver Academy and SkyView Academy. Heritage Christian will face Gilpin County Thursday but will be heavily favored in that game. Heritage Christian will look to improve their resume against Holyoke and add another win over a Lower Platte League Team. Heritage Christian has been powered by Raul Bertinato (13.7 ppg) and Levi Hermsen (12.3 ppg). Heritage Christian sits at #12 in the Seeding Index and are in good position to be the #1 seed in their district tournament.
We jump back into league play and this time is a matchup between Elbert and Simla in the Black Forest League. Elbert enters the matchup at 6-5 overall and they look for their best win over the season. Elbert will face Cripple Creek Friday night but will be heavily favored in that matchup. Elbert sits at #28 in the Seeding Index and are square on the bubble. Elbert has a interesting mix of game down the stretch and the few that could benefit their rankings are tough games. Elbert will have key remaining games against Simla, Fountain Valley, Deer Trail, and CS School. Elbert could use a big win and upsetting Simla would be that ticket. Logan LaFollette (18.3 ppg) will need help from Eli Cornell (9.3 ppg) and Ethan Tesman (7.7 ppg). Simla bounced back from their loss to Limon defeating Akron Saturday 52 to 31. Simla will face CS School Thursday and that is another game to keep a close eye on. Simla will have a jam-packed schedule to end the year with plenty of quality competition remaining. Simla has been powered by 4 players averaging over 9.0 ppgs. Caston Cox (16.6), Brent Bowker (10.9), Brayden Glover (9.4), and Treven Kocerha (9.3). Simla sits at #4 in the Seeding Index and if the season ended today would be the #3 seed in the district 8 Tournament.
We wrap things up Saturday Telluride for essentially the League Title in the San Juan League. Mancos (9-5) hits the road to face Telluride (6-6). More than likely only the District Champion in District 3 gets into Regionals possibly a 2nd team and it would be either Telluride or Mancos. These two teams also look to settle the league championship this Saturday as well. Mancos enters at 9-5 overall and sit at #30 in the Seeding Index. They could essentially lock up the #1 District Tournament seed with a win. Telluride enters at 6-6 overall and sit at #36 in the seeding index. Telluride with a win could possibly jump Mancos for the #1 seed in the District Tournament but more importantly would get them closer to a spot at regionals if they don’t win the District Tournament.
Some other games to note for Saturday are John Mall (6-8) at Holly (10-3), Wiggins (9-5) at Caliche (4-8), Crested Butte (7-5) at Cotopaxi (9-4), Monte Vista (6-4) at Center (3-10), Del Norte (7-5) at Sargent (6-6), and Merino (8-5) at Sedgwick County (2-11).
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