Class 3A 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. (Rankings used are from MileHigh Prep Report)
#1 Highland (4-2)
Highland is the #1 team in Class 3A and they have opened the season with a 4-2 record. Both of Highland losses were to 4A/5A teams in Golden (5-1) and Steamboat Springs (3-3). Highland does have a pair of quality wins over SkyView Academy and Prospect Ridge. Highland has completed their 2023 schedule and open 2024 against Sterling on 1/5.
Players to Watch: Carson Steinke Sr. (19.6 ppg, 3.4 apg), Sawyer Morgan Jr. (17.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg), Jacob Wares Sr. (10.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
#2 Manual (2-1)
Manual has played just 3 games so far to open the 2023 season. Manual started the year with a quality win over #9 Yuma and a win over Englewood. Manual did fall in their last game to 4A DSST-Montview (6-1) 71 to 67. Manual will look to bounce back tonight when they host 4A Kennedy (1-4). Manual will close the 2023 part of the schedule when they face The Academy on 12/18.
Players to Watch: Deshawn Fox Sr. (26.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg), Marquell Marquez Sr. (19.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg), Jovin Collins-Falcon Sr. (10.3 ppg, 4.3 apg)
#3 Strasburg (5-0)
Strasburg is off to a great start to the 2023/2024 season. Strasburg has wins over Weld Central, Cedaredge, Byers, Sterling, and University. So far all 5 opponents are considered quality opponents. Strasburg will look to close the 2023 part of their schedule with a win as they face 4A Eaton on 12/16.
Players to Watch: Tyce Bollers Jr. (15.4 ppg, 2.2 apg), Austin Velasco Sr. (14.0 ppg, 10.8 rpg), Landen Martin Sr. (10.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg)
#4 Vanguard (4-0)
Vanguard has opened the season with a 4-0 record. Vanguard so far has a pair of quality wins over Pueblo Centennial and Salida. Vanguard defeated Salida on Tuesday and was a great game with the final score of 73 to 67. Vanguard has a pair of games remaining in 2023 against Ellicott (0-5) and Gunnison (1-2). Vanguard next big test won’t come until 2024.
(No Stats)
#5 Salida (4-1)
Salida is off to a solid start at 4-1. Salida has a lot of new starters but so far haven risen up to the challenge and have proven they cannot be discounted. Salida has a pair of quality wins over #8 Centauri and 2A #6 Sanford. Salida did fall in their last contest to #4 Vanguard 73 to 67. Salida will have another huge test on Saturday when they have 4A Pagosa Springs (4-1).
(No Stats)
#6 Windsor Charter (5-0)
Windsor Charter is off to a great start at 5-0 overall. Windsor Charter does have a pair of quality wins over Meeker and 5A Palisade. Windsor Charter has a busy schedule to end 2023 with 4 games remaining. Windsor Charter will face 2A Hayden tonight then Prospect Ridge and Lyons to end this week. Windsor Charter will close 2023 with a game against Timnath.
Players to Watch: Andrew Schams (15.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Kellen Ball (12.6 ppg, 4.8 apg), Brayden Cole (6.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
#7 Stargate School (3-1)
Stargate School has kicked off the 2023/2024 season with a 3-1 mark. Stargate School kicked off the season with a pair of wins over SkyView Academy and Bruce Randolph. Stargate School then fell to 5A Thornton (5-2) by just 1 point. Stargate School has since bounce back defeating Liberty Common. Stargate School close 2023 with a game against Pinnacle.
Players to Watch: Dylan Perkins (17.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg), Connor Rusch (14.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Hunter Roark (13.5 ppg, 3.5 apg)
#8 Centauri (2-2)
Centauri opened the season on a hot note winning back to back games over Dove Creek and 4A Durango. Centauri has since dropped back-to-back games against ranked opponents in Salida and 2A Sanford. Centauri does look to be getting healthy at the right time and they will look to end 2023 on a high note. Centauri will face La Junta on Friday and Gunnison on Saturday. Centauri will have one game remaining on 12/19 against 4A Lamar.
(No Stats)
#9 Yuma (3-1)
Yuma opened the 2023/2024 season with a loss to #1 Manual 79 to 70. Yuma has since found their grove winning three straight games including a pair of quality wins over 2A #1 Wray and Platte Valley. Yuma defeated Brush on Tuesday and could turn into a quality win later in the season depending how Brush ends the season. Yuma will partake in the Bank of Colorado Tournament this weekend and kick off tournament play against Rangely tomorrow.
Players to Watch: Brody Sheffield (22.7 ppg, 4.0 apg), Jonathan Thomson (16.3 ppg, 13.0 rpg), Edwin Munoz (15.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
#10 Forge Christian (3-1)
Forge Christian is your defending State Champions and have kicked off the season with a 3-1 record. Forge Christian opened the season with a trio of wins over Denver Christian, Glenwood Springs, and Coal Ridge. Forge Christian then fell to 4A Aspen in OT 58-53. Forge Christian has just one game remaining tomorrow against 4A D’Evelyn.
Players to Watch: Peyton Miller (13.0 ppg, 3.3 apg), Owen Hovis (12.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Jakan Sederwall (9.3 ppg, 4.7 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.
SkyView Academy (2-2)
SkyView Academy started the season preseason ranked but fell in a pair of close quality loses to #1 Highland and #7 Stargate School. SkyView Academy was replaced in the rankings by Stargate School. SkyView Academy has bounced back well winning two straight games over Arrupe Jesuit and Woodland Park. SkyView Academy has one game remaining against Bruce Randolph tonight.
Players to Watch: Kyle Cosart (15.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg), Isaac Dove (12.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Markus Lloyd (12.5 ppg, 3.0 apg)
Meeker (1-1)
Meeker has played just two games so far this season. Meeker defeated 2A Hayden and fell to #6 Windsor Charter. Meeker looks to have just one game remaining on their 2023 schedule against 2A Vail Christian which will be a quality opponent. If more games are added we will take a look at them next week.
Players to Watch: Jace Mobley (12.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Jonathan Fitzgibbons (11.0 ppg, 14.0 rpg), Ethan Quinn (7.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
Banning Lewis (4-2)
Banning Lewis was a team listed under the teams to watch and so far they are off to a great start sitting at 4-2 overall. Banning Lewis opened the year with a win over Thomas MacLaren before falling to 4A opponents Kent Denver and DSST-Green Valley Ranch. Banning Lewis has since won three straight games over St. Mary’s, Peyton, and CS School. Banning Lewis will close 2023 with a matchup against 4A James Irwin.
Players to Watch: Trey Oden (12.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Joseph Bjegovich (11.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Tyson Robertson (7.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
Buena Vista (5-0)
Buena Vista is off to a hot start sitting at 5-0 overall. Buena Vista has quality wins over Lake County, Florence, and Vail Christian. Buena Vista has just one game remaining and will be their toughest test when they travel to face 4A Pagosa Springs (4-1) tomorrow.
Players to Watch: Hudson Wingo (12.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Kaden Schell (12.5 ppg, 3.0 apg), Qwyntin Barnthouse (10.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
Machebeuf (3-1)
Machebeuf is off to a solid start at 3-1 overall. Machebeuf lone loss came to 4A DSST-Conservatory. Machebeuf has defeated Frontier Academy, Bennett, and Pinnacle. Machebeuf is still searching for a big quality win. Machebeuf will close 2023 against 4A Manitou Springs.
MileHigh Prep Report 