Class 1A Boys Basketball Update

Class 1A Boys Basketball Update

We have decided for the month of December to look at the top 10 teams and look at their past results and also look at the teams who are off to great starts but not ranked.  This week we will look at the past two weeks and next week we will look back at the previous week and any remaining games until the Winter Break.

#1 Stratton (2-0)

Stratton is off to a great start to the season at 2-0.  They picked up wins over #3 Otis (55-52) and 2A Akron (54-42).  Stratton had just two weeks of practice after a state championship in 6-Man football, so I am interested to see how they improve with more practice.  Stratton has a pair of games remaining for 2023 they face #3 Otis (2-2) again and then close 2023 against Colby KS (3-1). 

Players to Watch: Cyler Notter Sr. (16.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Jose Gallardo Sr. (10.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Von Isenbart So. (7.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg)

#2 Peetz (4-1)

Peetz has kicked off 2023 on the right foot starting at 4-1 overall.  They have a quality win over #3 Otis 69 to 51 plus a quality loss to Leyton NE.  Peetz has one game on the schedule remaining for 2023 against Creek Valley NE (0-4).  Peetz has a tough schedule to open 2024 so ending 2023 on a win would be a big step.

Players to Watch: Rhyder Bayne So. (17.0 ppg, 2.2 apg), Noah Naegele Sr. (11.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg), Chance Seglke Sr. (8.4 ppg, 7.4 apg)

#3 Otis (2-2)

Otis has kicked off the basketball season with a very tough schedule.  They have played four games going 2-2 and facing 3 ranked opponents in those four games.  Otis opened the year defeating Caliche but then ran into #1 Stratton and #2 Peetz.  Otis broke the two-game slide defeating #6 Idalia 48 to 46.  Otis closes out 2023 with a rematch of #1 Stratton on 12/15. 

(No Stats)

#4 Cheyenne Wells (1-2)

Cheyenne Wells has kicked off 2023 with a 1-2 record competing in the Border War Tournament.  Cheyenne Wells fell to Syracuse KS (4-1) and Stanton KS (4-0).  Cheyenne Wells did pick up the win over Elkhart KS (1-3).  Cheyenne Wells will play their first game against a Colorado team this weekend when they partake in the Idalia Invitational.  Cheyenne Wells will face #6 Idalia in the opening round then will await either Cheylin KS or Briggsdale in the next round.  Cheyenne Wells is still a bit of an unknown and hoping this weekend gives us good insight. 

Players to Watch: Carson Noe Sr. (13.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Corey Hill (11.7 ppg, 12.0 rpg), Perry Chadwick Sr. (2.0 ppg, 3.3 apg)

#5 Sierra Grande (3-1)

Sierra Grande is off to a great start at 3-1 overall and secured their first quality win of the season when they defeated Springfield 49 to 46.  Sierra Grande lone loss is to 2A Holly (4-0).  Sierra Grande also picked up wins over Ellicott and Kim/Branson.  Sierra Grande will participate in the C-Town Showdown this weekend and will face 2A #4 Crowley County to open the tournament.

Players to Watch: Brian Ontiveros Sr. (16.5 ppg, 2.8 apg), Aron Ojeda Jr. (10.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg), Jadyn Martinez So. (10.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg)

#6 Idalia (1-2)

Idalia has played just three games to open the 2023 season.  Idalia opened the season with a bang defeating previously ranked Genoa-Hugo 65 to 49.  Idalia has since lost back-to-back games to 2A Akron and #3 Otis.  Idalia will continue the run of ranked opponents this weekend when they face #4 Cheyenne Wells in the Idalia Invitational.  Idalia will then face either Cheylin or Briggsdale in the next game. 

Players to Watch: Kale Morris Sr. (17.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Tarek Glanz Sr. (14.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Fernando Herrera Sr. (8.7 ppg, 3.0 apg)

#7 Eads (3-1)

Eads has opened the 2023/2024 basketball season on the right foot jumping out to a 3-1 record.  They opened the year defeating Hi-Plains then moving into the Border War Tournament.  Eads defeated Elkhart (1-3) and Greeley County KS (1-4) and fell to Syracuse KS (4-1).  Eads will participate in the Lamar Holiday Tournament this Thursday and they open tournament play against Wiley (1-1).  This will be a great tournament for Eads early in the season.

Players to Watch: Porter Spady Sr. (12.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Brentley Lening Sr. (12.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Stockton Mitchek Jr. (8.3 ppg, 2.8 apg)

#8 McClave (2-2)

McClave has opened 2023 with a 2-2 record.  McClave kicked things off at 2-0 defeating Dove Creek and Greeley County KS (0-4).  McClave has since fallen in back-to-back games to Stanton KS (4-0) & Syracuse KS (4-1).  McClave will be in the Lamar Holiday Shootout where they will face Springfield (2-1) and this will be a quality matchup for both teams.

Players to Watch: Tuff Kelley Fr. (13.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Conner Forgue (10.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Ethan Bronniman Jr. (7.5 ppg, 2.5 apg)

#9 Belleview Christian (3-0)

Belleview Christian is off to a great start this season starting at 3-0 overall.  Belleview Christian has not played the toughest schedule so far with their best win coming over Lyons 82 to 68.  Things get tougher for Belleview Christian as they face Addenbrooke Classical (4-2) tomorrow and then will participate in the Katte Classic Tournament next weekend where they will face opponents ranging from Class 4A thru 2A.  We will dive more into that tournament next week.

Players to Watch: Garrett Owen So. (25.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Brandon Ewing Jr. (25.3 ppg, 4.3 apg), Joshua Norman Jr. (11.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg)

#10 Arickaree (3-0)

Arickaree is off to a fantastic start at 4-0 overall and one of their best starts in a long time.  Arickaree opened 2023 with a trio of quality wins over previously ranked Briggsdale (78-46) & Genoa-Hugo (53-51).  Arickaree then kept things going defeating Front Range Baptist (53-48).  Arickaree moved to 4-0 defeating Weldon Valley last night 70 to 20.  Arickaree will compete in a tournament this weekend and they open play against Gilpin County (0-4).

Players to Watch: Jake King Jr. (13.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Nic Hermes Sr. (11.5 ppg, 5.3 apg), Austin Wright (10.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg)

Team who are off to great starts and not ranked

We look at 6 teams who are not ranked but are off to a great start this season.

Moffat (5-0)

Moffat has opened the 2023/2024 season on a high note kicking things off a 5-0 overall.  Moffat has wins over South Park, Cotopaxi, Cripple Creek, Custer County, and South Park again.  Moffat best win is over 2A Cotopaxi, and they are searching for another quality win.  Moffat will participate in the Primero Christmas Tournament where they open up against Primero (2-2).  They will then face either Hanover or Antonito depending on results.

Players to Watch: Ziah Pesqueira Sr. (16.8 ppg, 4.2 apg), Riley Heater (10.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg), Noble Cole Sr. (9.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg)

Nucla (3-0)

Nucla is off to a great start in 2023 opening with a 3-0 record and a pair of quality wins.  Nucla opened 2023 with a win over 3A Olathe.  Nucla kept things rolling picking up quality wins over 2A Rangely and De Beque.  Nucla will participate in a tournament this weekend and face Monticello UT (1-5).  Not sure which tournament but will be the final two games for Nucla in 2023.

(No stats)

Walsh (2-0)

Walsh has played just two games to open 2023 and they are off to a 2-0 start.  Walsh defeated Rolla KS and Kim/Branson to kick things off.  Walsh will participate in the Lamar Holiday Shootout.  This will be the first true test for Walsh on the season.  Walsh will open against Kit Carson on Thursday.

(No Stats)

Denver Jewish Day (2-0)

Denver Jewish Day has played just two games so far this season.  Denver Jewish Day opened with a win over Front Range Christian and then picked up a quality win over Pikes Peak Christian on Monday 65 to 55.  Denver Jewish Day has just one game left in 2023 against Golden View Classical (3-2).

Players to Watch: Keenan Winnerman (21.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Lev Friedman (18.0 ppg, 5.5 apg), Solly Bielsky (10.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Cheraw (4-1)

Cheraw has kicked off 2023 with a 4-1 record.  Cheraw opened 2023 with a loss to Sargent (4-0) but have since won four straight games with wins over Creede, Soroco, Evangelical Christian, and Hanover. Cheraw best win is over ECA (2-2) in OT.  Cheraw will wrap up 2023 with a game against Kim/Branson (1-4) tomorrow.

(No stats)

Springfield (2-1)

Springfield has played just 3 games so far in 2023 and are off to a 2-1 start.  Springfield fell to Sierra Grande to open 2023 but have won two straight games with wins over South Baca (48-42) and Wiley (59-46).  Springfield will participate in the Lamar Holiday Shootout this weekend and open up play against #8 McClave.  This will be a great test for Springfield. 

Players to Watch: Colby Batterton (17.3 ppg, 10.0 rpg), Cooper Stolebarger (13.3 ppg, 14.0 rpg), Leland Gable (12.7 ppg, 4.0 spg)