Class 2A Boys Basketball Weekly Update Week 7
For the next 2 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 Simla (10-0)
Simla played a pair of games last week and picked up two more quality wins. Simla defeated Byers 76 to 45 on 1/9 and then defeated Burlington 65 to 39 on 1/12 to improve to 10-0 on the season. Simla is sitting at #1 in the CHSAA Seeding Index as well. Simla has just one game this week against Dolores Huerta (1-7). Simla schedule next week is much more difficult with a pair of quality opponents.
(No Stats)
#2 Plateau Valley (8-1)
Plateau Valley continued their hot streak winning their 8th in a row this past week. Plateau Valley defeated Rangely last week 82 to 33 to improve to 8-1 on the season and they sit at #4 in the CHSAA Seeding Index. Plateau Valley has just one game this week against Hayden (4-7). This will be a solid test for bot teams.
Players to Watch: Jack Vig Jr. (16.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg), Jackson Bevan Jr. (11.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg), and Ethan Morse Sr. (8.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg), Parker Ralston Sr. (9.8 ppg, 2.3 apg)
#3 Crowley County (11-0)
Crowley County played 3 games last week and all three were against quality opponents. Crowley County got things going last week defeating Cheraw 54 to 30 on 1/9. Crowley County then picked up a pair of league wins over Swink 51 to 37 and Las Animas 56 to 35. Both league wins were over quality opponents and improves Crowley County to 5-0 in league. The Chargers will have a pair of games this week against Hoehne (4-6) on 1/19 and then a huge test against Holly (7-2) on 1/20. We could nearly decide the Santa Fe league by the end of this week.
(No Stats)
#4 Merino (8-1)
Merino extended their 7-game winning streak this past week picking up a pair of wins. Merino was tested by Wiggins on 1/12 but walked away with a 48 to 42 win on the road. Merino then closed out the week with a 71 to 31 win over 1A Genoa-Hugo. Merino currently sits at 2-0 in league and will look to move to 3-0 when they host Caliche (3-5) on 1/19. Merino will end the week with a non-league top 10 battle when they host 1A #3 Stratton (6-2).
(No Stats)
#5 Denver Christian (7-2)
Denver Christian played a pair of games last week. They blasted Lyons 84 to 27 on 1/9 and then closed the week out with a key matchup against Wray on 1/13. Denver Christian was able to escape with the 46 to 45 win over #6 Wray at home. Denver Christian sits at 7-2 and have just one game this week against 3A Machebeuf (5-1). This will be a very good test for the Thuner as will the next two games next week.
(No Stats)
#6 Wray (5-5)
Wray played a trio of games last week going 2-1 and improving to .500 on the season. Wray opened play last week with a dominate 77 to 27 win over Burlington. Wray followed that up with a league win over Akron 65 to 44 to improve to 5-4 on the season and 1-1 in league play. Wray then faced a key matchup on the road at #5 Denver Christian and fell in a very tight matchup 46 to 45. Wray has a pair of games this week. They open play on Thursday against Caliche (3-5) and then close the week out with a rivalry game against Holyoke (6-3) on Friday.
Players to Watch: Rafael Trejo Sr. (16.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg), AB Ruiz Sr. (10.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg), and Adonay Gonzalez Jr. (8.4 ppg & 2.2 apg), Aaron Tena So. (7.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg)
#7 Limon (7-2)
Limon had a busy week last week playing three games. Limon went 3-0 last week improving their record to 7-2 and 3-0 in league. Limon opened play last week defeating Calhan 87 to 30 and followed that up with a 64 to 10 win over 1A Flagler. Limon closed the week with a 50 to 33 win over Elbert. Limon will play a pair of games this week. Limon will face Evangelical Christian (4-5) on 1/18 and then close the week against Deer Trail (1-8) on 1/20. Limon key test will come next week when they travel to face #1 Simla.
Players to Watch: Jordan Rockwell Sr. (21.7 ppg, 2.8 apg), Mason Jaques Sr. (8.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Treyton Marx Sr. (7.8 ppg, 11.5 rpg)
#8 Sanford (6-4)
Sanford moved back over the .500 mark on the season with a pair of key wins last week. Sanford kicked off last week with a 48 to 44 win over Escalante NM (8-5). Sanford then picked up another quality win defeating #10 Mancos 58 to 47 at home. Sanford is now on a two-game winning streak as they head into league play this week. Sanford has just one game this week against Monte Vista (5-3) at home on Saturday. This is a key game for both teams to kick off league play.
(No Stats)
#9 Heritage Christian (7-1)
Heritage Christian played a pair of games last week dominating both games and improving to 7-1 on the season and extending their 6-game winning streak. Heritage Christian defeated Union Colony Prep 82 to 20 and Lyons 77 to 37 last week. This week Heritage Christian will face Front Range Christian (0-7) Thursday and then close the week out with a key matchup against Wiggins (3-6) on Saturday.
Players to Watch: Raul Bertinato Sr. (13.2 ppg, 10.7 rpg), Alex Lundy So. (9.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Levi Hermsen Jr. (12.2 ppg, 1.8 apg)
#10 Mancos (5-2)
Mancos finally kicked off play in 2024 going 1-1 in their opening weekend. Mancos opened 2024 with a solid 69 to 51 win over 3A Thomas MacLaren. Mancos then faced #8 Sanford on the road falling to Sanford 58 to 47. Mancos will look to bounce back this week and it won’t be easy as they face a pair of quality opponents. Mancos will face Telluride (6-4) on Friday which is a key matchup for league and Seeding Index. Mancos will then close the week out against Sargent (8-1) on Saturday. Both will be a good shot for the Bluejays to pick up quality wins.
Players to Watch: Brian Veach Sr. (18.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Kaiden Wyatt Jr. (11.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Chris Medina Sr. (10.3 ppg, 1.3 apg), Kail Wayman Sr. (7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
Other Teams just outside of the top 10
We look at 6 teams who are not ranked but are off to a great start this season.
Fowler (9-2)
Fowler played a pair of league games last week going 2-0. Fowler improved their overall record to 9-2 and league record to 6-0. Fowler picked up wins last week over Hoehne 42 to 29 and a 60 to 28 win over Rocky Ford. Fowler will see their schedule get much tougher for the next couple weeks with quality opponents stacked up. Fowler has a pair of games this week and open play against league opponent Walsenburg (5-4) on Thursday. Fowler will end the week with a non-league game against 3A Peyton (5-4) on Friday.
Players to Watch: Gage Gottbehuet Sr. (16.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg), Harrison Proctor Sr. (8.1 ppg, 3.7 apg), Cael True Jr. (6.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg), Hagen McCuistion Jr. (7.2 ppg, 2.0 apg)
Loveland Classical (9-1)
Loveland Classical played a trio of games last week going 2-1 on the week. Loveland Classical defeated Ascent Classical 76 to 21 and Rocky Mountain Lutheran 83 to 29. Loveland Classical then faced their toughest opponent of the season in 3A #10 Windsor Charter. Loveland Classical fell in that game 63 to 62 but proved they are a team to watch for. Loveland Classical has a pair of games this week against Nederland (2-5) on Thursday and 3A Timnath (4-6) on Saturday. Loveland Classical next big test is next week against Front Range Baptist.
Players to Watch: Caedon Meyer Sr. (19.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg), Luke Sainz Sr. (14.7 ppg, 2.1 apg), Trevan Coberly Jr. (12.5 ppg, 3.3 spg)
Byers (6-3)
Byers played three games last week. Byers opened the week with a tough 76 to 45 loss to Simla on 1/9. Byers did bounce back with a pair of wins defeating Genoa-Hugo 86 to 42 and Dolores Huerta 74 to 39. Byer’s record improved to 6-3 on the season. Byers will play a pair of games this week against Flagler (3-6) on Friday. Byers will then face a huge test on Saturday against 3A #2 Strasburg (9-1). Byers will have a tough schedule to end the season.
Players to Watch: Quincy Eacret So. (14.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Chase Long Jr. (11.8 ppg, 3.4 apg), Zach Cary Sr. (9.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
Monte Vista (5-3)
Monte Vista did not play a game last week but moved onto our radar following a 52 to 44 win over 3A Ignacio. Monte Vista has a 5-3 record, and they will look for their biggest win of the season when they travel to face Sanford (6-4) on Saturday. This is a key league game for both teams. Monte Vista will see their schedule pick up next week and they face another key game against Crested Butte (5-2) on Tuesday.
Players to Watch: Alex Marquez Jr. (15.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Azariah Hurtado So. (12.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg), Kaden Madrid Jr. (6.3 ppg, 2.8 apg)
Sargent (8-1)
Sargent continued their winning ways in 2024 picking up their 3rd and 4th straight wins. Sargent defeated Creede 61 to 15 and La Veta 55 to 41. Sargent will start to see their schedule pick up in difficulty and I think we will learn more about the farmers on Saturday. Sargent this week has a pair of games against Trinidad (0-8) on Thursday and then hit the road to face #10 Mancos (5-2) on Saturday. The Saturday game will really show us where Sargent is sitting as a team.
Players to Watch: Fernando Venzor Jr. (11.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Hayden Lester (9.6 ppg 7.1 rpg), Lucas Garcia (8.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
Holyoke (6-3)
Holyoke wraps up the teams just outside the top 10 and in my mind are the closest of the teams mentioned to being ranked. Holyoke played two games last week going 1-1. Holyoke defeated Haxtun 71 to 26 before falling to 3A #4 Yuma 67 to 41. Holyoke has just one game this week and it’s a big one. Holyoke will host rival #6 Wray (5-5) on Friday Night. This is a huge game for not only League Standings but CHSAA Seeding Index as well.
Players to Watch: Wyatt Sprague Sr. (18.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Cash Weber Sr. (11.3 ppg, 3.3 apg), Reid Sprague Jr. (9.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
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