Class 1A Boys Basketball Weekly Update Week 4

Class 1A Boys Basketball Weekly Update Week 4

We have decided for the month of December to look at the top 10 teams and teams who are off to great starts.   We will look back at the past week plus look ahead to this week & weekend.  This will be the final update for the 2023 season.\

#1 Stratton

Stratton is off to a 3-1 start to wrap up 2023. They were on a three game win streak, beating Otis 55-52 and 58-42 and Akron 54-42. They lost in their most recent game against Colby 53-50 (OT) and will hoping to see a bounce back when they return in the new year when they face Briggsdale on 1/6 on the road. Leading the team so far this season are Cyler Notter with 52 points 6 assists, and 27 rebounds, Jose Gallardo with 38 points and 18 rebounds, Von Isenbart with 37 points 10 assists, and 32 rebounds, and Charlie Tagtmeyer with 11 assists.

#2 Peetz

Peetz wraps up 2023 with a 5-1 record having beat Prairie (72-32), Otis (69-15), Lone Star (79-34), Banner County (66-18) and Creek Valley (66-48). Their single loss is from a close game with Leyton where they lost 55-52. Their first game back in the new year will be on 1/6 against Merino on the road. To players so far for Peetz are Rhyder Bayne with 85 points and 11 assists, Noah Naegele with 59 points, 10 assists, and 41 rebounds, Aiden Hill with 45 points and 21 rebounds, and Chance Segike with 37 assists and 24 rebounds. 

#3 Otis

Otis starts off their season with a 2-3 record. Their wins come against Caliche (76-43) and Idalia (48-46) and their losses are from Peetz (69-51) and Stratton (55-52 and 58-42). The Bulldogs will kick off 2024 against Bethune on 1/5 on the road in a league game.

#4 Cheyenne Wells

Cheyenne Wells wraps up 2023 with a 3-2 record. They lost their first game to Syracuse 44-34, beat Elkhart 32-16, lost to Stanton County 50-26, and have won their last two games against Idalia 62-45, and Cheylin 48-31.  They will resume action on 2024 on 1/4 at home against McClave. Stat leaders for the Tigers are Corey Hill with 75 points and 59 rebounds Carson Noe with 63 points, 14 assists and 37 rebounds, Teagan Eiring with 18 points, Perry Chadwick with 17 assists and21 rebounds, and Zach Dickey with 6 assists. 

#5 McClave

The Cardinals wrap up 2023 with a 5-2 record on the season. They won their first two games against Dove Creek (45-30) and Greeley County (57-28), lost their next two to Stanton County (47-40) and Syracuse (53-41), and then won their last three against Springfield (60-49), Holly (53-39), and Eads (55-45). They will open up 2024 against Cheyenne Wells on ¼ on the road. Stat leaders for McClave are Tuff Kelley with 103 points and 53 rebounds, Conner Forgue with 83 points, 18 assists and 47 rebounds, Ethan Bronniman with 58 points and 16 assists, Mason Barr with 34 assists andJr. Mangaray with 39 rebounds. 

#6 Belleview Christian

The Bruins are off to a 5-0 start to end 2023 and have some strong wins so far this season. They have beat Lyons 82-68, DCA 65-31, Fleming 78-28, ACA 71-60, and Jefferson 80-50. They will play a few games this weekend in tournament play to wrap up the year and will Kick of 2024 against Golden View on 1/5. Top players so far for Belleview Christian are Brandon Ewing with 199 points, 27 assists, and 28 rebounds, Garett Owen with 116 points and 17 assists, Joshua Norman with 53 points and 27 rebounds, and Collin Polson with 12 assists and 35 rebounds.

#7 Sierra Grande

The Panthers are off to a 4-2 start this season. Their wins have been against Springfield (49-46), Ellicott (57-35), Kim/Branson (48-32), and Center (64-29), and their losses are from Holly (63-54) and Crowley County (67-57). They will face Primero on 12/21 to wrap up 2023 and will be back in 2024 on 1/6 against ECA. Leading Sierra Grande Currently are Brian Ontiveros with 105 points and 11 assists, Jayden Martinez with 61 points and 29 rebounds, Aron Ojeda with 58 points and 10 assists, Manuel Miranda with 11 assists, Tyler Kester with 35 rebounds and Ayden Lopez with 16 rebounds. 

#8 Idalia 

Idalia currently sits with a 2-3 record to end 2023. Their wins come agaisnt Genoa-Hugo/Karval (65-49) and Briggsdale (89-54) while their loses are from Akron (43-24), Otis (48-46) and Cheyenne Wells (62-45). The Wolves will kick off 2024 on 1/5 on the road agaisnt St. Francis and on 1/6 against Hi-Plains. Stat leaders for Idalia re Tarek Glanz with 84 points, 11 assists an 31 rebounds, Kale Morris with 72 points and 25 rebounds, Fernando Herrera with 51 points, 14 assists and 25 rebounds, and Kagen Hoyda with 18 assists. 

#9 Eads

Eads wraps up 2023 with a 5-2 record. They have beat Hi-Plains 54-41, Elkhart 46-45, Greeley County 50-32, Wiley 48-35, and Kit Carson 33-15. Their two losses are from Syracuse 45-46 and McClave 55-45. They will resume action in 2024 against Kit Carson on 1/5 and against Walsh on 1/6. Stat leaders for the Eagles are Porter Spady with 80 points, 30 assists and 52 rebounds, Brentley Lening with 68 points, 14 assists, 36 rebounds, Stockton Mitchek with 51 points and 13 assists, and Case Nelson with 35 rebounds. 

#10 Arickaree

The Bison are off to a 6-0 start on the season to wrap up 2023. The boys have been able to win against Biggsdale (78-46), Genoa-Hugo/Karval (55-51), Fron Trange Baptist (53-48), Weldon Valley (70-20), Gilpin County (61-22) and Fleming (61-36). They will resume play in the new year on ¼ against Deer Trail and on 1/5 against Fleming both at home. Leading the team so far this season are Jake King with 82 points and 15 assists, Nicholas Hermes with 59 points and 28 assists, Dillon Noletubby with 55 points and 26 rebounds, Jorge Ramos with 17 assists, Zarron Kulbal with 44 rebounds and Austin Wright with 31 rebounds. 

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 or close to being ranked.

Denver Jewish Day

Denver Jewish Day has started their season off with a 3-0 record. They have been able to beat Front Range Christian 59-28, Pikes Peak Christian 65-55 and Golden View in a close game of 45-42. They will be start games up again the new year on 1/9 against Rocky Mountain Lutheran and on 1/10 against Skyview Academy. Stat leaders for Denver Jewish are Keenan Winnerman with 48 points and 16 rebounds, Lev Friedman with 44 points and 16 assists, Solly Bielsky with 41 points and 5 assists, David Ramershteyn with 11 assists, and Aaron Daniel with 16 rebounds.

Nucla

Nucla ends 2023 with a 4-1 record with their first loss coming in their most recent game against Telluride (40-38). Their wins are over Olathe (61-51), Rangely (61-47), De Beque (52-48), and Monticello (46-25). They will return in 2024 with a league game at home against Ouray on 1/6. Top players so far for the Mustangs are Steele Arnold with 94 points, 7 assists, and 22 rebounds, Brycen Rummel woth 57 points, 17 assists and 35 rebounds, Slade Gillen with 56 points and 30 rebounds and Owen Dinsmore with 7 assists. 

Front Range Baptist

The Falcons are off to a 5-1 start to end 2023. Their wins are over Gilpin County (73-22), Briggsdale (64-41), Denver Academy or Torah (46-32), Campion Academy (53-41) and Dawson school (57-49). Their lone loss is from Arickaree in a close game of 57-49. When they come back in 2024, they will play on 1/11 against Flatirons Academy and on 1/12 against Victory Prep Academy. State Leader for the team are Alex Prelog with 103 points, 14 assists and 36 rebounds, Ethan Granthan with 48 points and 17 assists, Benjamin VanDenBerghe with 48 points and 55 rebounds, and Brenden Jaques with 16 assists and 36 rebounds. 

Cheraw

The Wolverines are currently 4-1 on the season, winning all of their games after losing their first game to Sargent 51-39. Their wins are against Creede 59-31, Soroco 60-33, ECA 61-55 (OT) and Hanover 64-36. They will try to keep the winning going in the new year when they kick it off with Crowley County on 1/9 on the road. 

Springfield

Springfield starts off their season with a 4-2 record to end 2023. They lost their first game to Sierra Grande 49-46, and lost later in their schedule to McClave 60-49, but have wins agaisnt South Baca 48-42, Wiley 59-46, Granada 34-24, and Walsh 49-43. They will kick off 2024 at home against Granada on 1/5 and Cheyenne Wells on 1/6. Stat leaders for the Longhorns are Colby Betterton with 126 points and 57 rebounds, Collin Swanson with 44 points, 6 assists and 32 rebounds, Leland Gable with 43 points and 7 assists, and Cooper Stolebarger with 42 points.

Genoa-Hugo

The Pirates wrap up 2023 with a 3-2 record with wins against Hanover (51-35), Flagler (60-20), and Hi-Plains (42-33). Their two losses come from Idalia (65-49) and Arickaree (53-51). They will kick of the 2024 portion of their season on 1/5 against Limon at home and on 1/6 against Calhan on the road. Leading the team so far this season are Trey Smith with 121 points, 12 assists and 29 rebounds, Konner Rowden/Stum with 55 points, 13 assists and 31 rebounds, Dane Lockhart with 42 points and 28 rebounds, and 28 rebounds.