Class 1A Boys Basketball Weekly Update Week 6
For the next 3 weeks of January, we will continue to look at the top 10 ranked teams via the MileHigh Prep Report Rankings and 6 other teams who are just outside of the rankings. Then during the final week of January until Districts we will switch to breaking down the playoff bubble. This week we will look back at the past week plus look ahead to this week & weekend.
#1 Stratton (4-1)
Stratton has played just one game to kick off 2024 defeating Briggsdale 56 to 43. This win was a bounce back win after falling to Colby KS in OT to end 2023. Stratton has a huge game tonight against #5 Cheyenne Wells (5-2). This could be an early preview of a Final 8 game. Stratton will wrap up games for the week against Fleming (3-4) on Friday.
Players to Watch: Cyler Notter Sr. (13.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Jose Gallardo Sr. (8.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg), Von Isenbart So. (11.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg)
#2 Peetz (7-2)
Peetz has been busy to start 2024 playing 3 games already and have a fourth this Friday. Peetz opened 2024 with a loss to 2A Merino 62 to 47 but have since bounce back defeating 3A Lyons 63 to 56 and #10 Arickaree 49 to 46. Peetz has improved their record to 7-2 and they will look to move to 8-2 when they travel to face 2A Haxtun (3-6) on Friday.
Players to Watch: Rhyder Bayne So. (15.5 ppg, 2.3 apg), Noah Naegele Sr. (12.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Chance Seglke Sr. (9.7 ppg, 6.8 apg)
#3 Belleview Christian (8-1)
Belleview Christian has flown up the ranking’s thanks in part to a solid showing at the Katte Classic to end 2023. Belleview Christian has opened 2024 play with a pair of wins over Golden View Classical 73 to 41 and Mile High Academy 89 to 31. Belleview Christian has a huge game tonight against Denver Waldorf (7-0) at home. Belleview Christian will wrap up play this week against 2A Front Range Christian (0-6) on Friday.
Players to Watch: Garrett Owen So. (23.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg), Brandon Ewing Jr. (22.1 ppg, 4.7 apg), Joshua Norman Jr. (9.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
#4 Otis (3-3)
Otis has played just one game so far in 2024 defeating Bethune 65 to 24. Otis will quickly see their schedule pick up and have a huge game tomorrow against #8 Idalia (5-3). Otis will wrap up this week’s play against Caliche (2-4) on Saturday. Otis will get a big test tomorrow and we will see if they can get over the .500 mark.
Players to Watch: Sawyer Packer Sr. (11.2 ppg, 11.6 rpg), Charlie Kendrick Jr. (11.2 ppg, 3.8 apg), Carter Wells Sr. (11.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
#5 Cheyenne Wells (5-2)
Cheyenne Wells opened 2024 with a pair of quality wins. Cheyenne Wells kicked things off with an OT Thriller over #6 McClave 61 to 56. Cheyenne Wells followed that win up with a 48 to 37 win over Springfield. Cheyenne Wells will now take their shot at the #1 team in Class 1A in Stratton (4-1) tonight. Cheyenne Wells will wrap up play this week with a game against Cheraw (4-1) on Saturday, another quality opponent.
Players to Watch: Carson Noe Sr. (12.7 ppg, 2.9 apg), Corey Hill (16.6 ppg, 13.7 rpg), Zach Dickey Jr. (4.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
#6 McClave (5-4)
McClave saw their 3-game winning streak snapped to open 2024 falling in OT to #4 Cheyenne Wells 61 to 56. McClave two night later fell to 2A #1 Simla 58 to 44 to fall to 5-4 on the season. Both losses are quality losses, and we help this team going forward. McClave has just one game until 1/25 and that is tonight against Springfield (5-3). McClave already defeated Springfield 60 to 49 and we will see if they can duplicate that result tonight.
Players to Watch: Tuff Kelley Fr. (14.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg), Conner Forgue (12.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Ethan Bronniman Jr. (7.2 ppg, 2.6 apg)
#7 Sierra Grande (6-2)
Sierra Grande has played just one game in 2024 and it was a hard-fought win over 2A ECA 47 to 45. That win pushed Sierra Grande to 6-2 on the season. Sierra Grande has just one game this week against Cheraw (4-1) on Saturday. This is a key matchup for both teams as both look for momentum early in 2024.
Players to Watch: Brian Ontiveros Sr. (16.6 ppg, 1.6 apg), Aron Ojeda Jr. (11.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Jadyn Martinez So. (11.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
#8 Idalia (5-3)
Idalia has played a trio of games to open 2024 and are 3-0 to start the year. Idalia is riding a 4-game winning streak currently as well. Idalia kicked things off with a 63 to 29 win over St. Francis KS, 73 to 44 win over Hi-Plains, and a 68 to 19 win over Deer Trail. Idalia will face a huge task tomorrow when they face #4 Otis (3-3). This will be a huge game for both league standings and the CHSAA Seeding Index.
Players to Watch: Kale Morris Sr. (16.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Tarek Glanz Sr. (14.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Fernando Herrera Sr. (9.9 ppg, 2.4 apg)
#9 Eads (5-2)
Eads ended 2023 with a tough loss in the Lamar Holiday Shootout, but have since opened 2024 with a pair of wins. Eads opened 2024 with a 66 to 26 win over Kit Carson and followed that up with an exciting 57 to 56 win over Walsh. Eads won’t play another game till 1/19 when they have #1 Stratton on the road.
Players to Watch: Porter Spady Sr. (15.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg), Brentley Lening Sr. (13.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Stockton Mitchek Jr. (8.2 ppg, 2.4 apg)
#10 Arickaree (8-1)
Arickaree has kicked 2024 off with 3 games and continue to quick start to the season playing a pair of games this weekend. Arickaree opened 2024 with a pair of wins over Deer Trail (80 to 14) and Fleming (65 to 28). Arickaree then saw their 8-game winning streak snapped with a close lose to #2 Peetz 49 to 46. Arickaree will look to bounce back tomorrow against Hi-Plains (1-6) and Saturday against Flagler (3-4).
Players to Watch: Jake King Jr. (15.3 ppg, 2.9 apg), Nic Hermes Sr. (9.6 ppg, 4.6 apg), Dillon Noletubby (10.2 ppg, 4.0 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.
Denver Jewish Day (4-1)
Denver Jewish Day has opened 2024 with a pair of games defeating Rocky Mountain Lutheran 68 to 29 and falling to SkyView Academy 59 to 39. Denver Jewish Day will look to bounce back following that loss. Denver Jewish Day will face Prairie (4-4) tonight to wrap up the week.
Players to Watch: Keenan Winnerman (16.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Lev Friedman (14.0 ppg, 5.5 apg), Solly Bielsky (15.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg)
De Beque (5-2)
De Beque has kicked off 2024 on the right foot picking up a key win over 2A Vail Christian 69 to 55. De Beque has just one game remaining for the week when they face West Grand (1-6) on Friday. De Beque will see their schedule get tough as we move deeper into January.
Players to Watch: Burke Largent So. (19.4 ppg, 4.9 apg), Jace Graham So. (13.9 ppg, 10.6 rpg), Scottie Vines Sr. (13.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg)
Moffat (8-1)
Moffat is off to a great start on the season at 8-1 and have opened 2024 at 2-0. Moffat defeated Creede 62 to 29 and Weldon Valley 68 to 46 to start 2024. Moffat will face Antonito (0-6) tomorrow and Lake City (0-0) on Saturday. Moffat won’t face the top teams in the district until the end of January.
Players to Watch: Ziah Pesqueira Sr. (17.6 ppg, 4.3 apg), Noble Cole Sr. (10.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg), Jacob Martinez Sr. (8.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg)
Cheraw (4-1)
Cheraw has yet to kick off their 2024 portion of their schedule but they get things started hot out the gates. Cheraw will face Walsh (3-4) tonight in a key matchup. Cheraw will then follow that up with a home game on Saturday against #7 Sierra Grande (6-2). We will learn a lot about Cheraw after the next two games.
(No stats)
Denver Waldorf (7-0)
Denver Waldorf has opened 2024 play with a 68 to 46 win over Denver Academy of Torah. Denver Waldorf will now see their schedule get much tougher as they face #3 Belleview Christian (8-1) tonight. This is a big game to show us how good Denver Waldorf is. Denver Waldorf will then face Denver Jewish Day next week 1/17.
Players to Watch: Cayden Quinn So. (17.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg), Erik Krakauskas Sr. (15.9 ppg, 2.0 apg), Henry Lottridge So. (8.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg)
Genoa-Hugo (4-3)
Genoa-Hugo has opened 2024 with a pair of games against 2A opponents. Genoa-Hugo fell to Limon 66 to 38 but bounce back nicely with a 48 to 41 win over Calhan. Genoa-Hugo does not see their schedule get any easier as they face 2A Byers (4-3) tomorrow and then 2A Merino (6-1) on Saturday. Genoa-Hugo will be battle tested after their opening stretch of games in 2024.
Players to Watch: Trey Smith Sr. (23.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Konner Rowden-Stum Sr. (11.0 ppg, 2.6 apg), Dane Lockhart Sr. (8.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
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