CLASS 1A BOYS BASKETBALL REPORT – WEEK EIGHT by Kerry Sherman

CLASS 1A BOYS BASKETBALL REPORT – WEEK EIGHT

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

With most teams preparing for the stretch run, it’s a great time to take a look at milestones we’ve already seen in the first half of the year, and get an idea of others that could happen before the season is in the books. Two seniors have gone over 1000 points in their careers so far this season, with quite a few more trying to join them. Another player could hit 1500 if his team can make a deep enough run.

Reaching the club this season are Tanner Fiscus from Briggsdale and Kale Morris from Idalia. Morris joins his older sister, Camren, as two of only three players in Idalia his to reach the plateau. He could be joined by teammate Tarek Glanz, but the Wolves would probably have to make it to state for that to happen. Factor in that Glanz only played three games last year after returning from knee surgery early in the football season, and you can tell what kind of career he has had in the maroon and silver.

Another senior with an outside shot at the milestone in Noah Naegele from Peetz. Again, he would need his Bulldogs to make state, as well as see a bump in his production each night. Porter Spady from Eads, Cyler Notter from Stratton, and Brian Ontiveros from Sierra Grande are all more likely candidates to get there. Spady is just over 100 points away, while Notter and Ontiveros could hit the mark as soon as next weekend.

Trey Smith from Genoa-Hugo sailed past that milestone late last season and at this point of his final year, he’s fewer than 250 points from 1500. The Pirates have dealt with key injuries this year, putting more of the scoring load on his shoulders. He’s scoring at a 22 points per game clip.

The junior class has a couple of players who could reach the milestone by the end of this year. Colby Batterton (Springfield) is close to 800, and Brandon Ewing (Belleview Christian) is nearing 750. Charlie Kendrick of Otis could potentially reach 1000 this year, but early next year seems like a more realistic target, and Eddie Harmon from Pikes Peak Christian is on track to do it later next year.

If you haven’t been keeping an eye on the sophomores you’ve missed some dynamic scorers. Garrett Owen (Belleview Christian), Pistol Chavez (Flatirons Academy), Cavan Pasek (Ouray), Burke Largent (De Beque), Cayden Quinn (Denver Waldorf), and Rhyder Bayne (Peetz) all have a shot at hitting the milestone next year. And don’t lose sight of Corey Hill from Cheyenne Wells, which at 6’8” and close to 250 pounds is hard not to notice, who has burst on the scene this year and will threaten the accomplishment before his time is done.

Tuff Kelley from McClave is the lone freshman averaging double figures. The talented big man contributes 14.5 points a game and nine rebounds for the Cardinals. The class also features Trotter Watkins (Kim/Branson), who is in the top-20 of the classification for three-pointers. He’s dropping just short of two per contest.

Looking at the league races, Belleview Christian and Denver Jewish Day share the lead in the 5280, with Flatirons Academy just a half game back. The Bison get their first shot at one of the co-leaders on Thursday, when they host Denver Jewish Day. Belleview Christian visits Flatirons next Thursday and will host Denver Jewish Day in the regular season finale in mid-February.

Friday night will see a huge showdown in the YWKC, as Arickaree hosts Idalia. A win by the visiting Wolves, who have won eight straight, would all but lock up the league title. Arickaree still has another clash with Otis looming on the horizon.

Moffat is looking to run away with the Southern Peaks, and the Cowboys will host Centennial on Friday. The Rams are a half game back in the standings. Sierra Grande will still have a say, as the Panthers will play the first of three straight league contests on Friday at Creede. They will then host Antonito on Friday, and go to Moffat next week.

As noted earlier, Corey Hill has developed into a major weapon for Cheyenne Wells, averaging 17.5 points and more than 13 rebounds a game for the Tigers. They’ve won nine straight and lead the High Plains by half a game over both Granada and Eads. Eads has a big one at home on Friday against Cheraw, while Granada visits McClave.

While Peetz remains the favorite in the North Central, the Bulldogs will have to pass a couple of tests over the next few weeks to lock up the league. First, they will visit co-leader, Prairie, on Friday. Next Friday, the Bulldogs will host Briggsdale.

Being the top 1A team in the Western Slope isn’t enough for De Beque. The Dragons have a chance to win the league title, leading the division at 4-0, ahead of 2A Plateau Valley by half a game,, and 2A Vail Mountain by a full game. The Dragons visit the only other 1A team in the league, North Park, on Friday.

The co-leaders in the Black Forest, Hanover and Pikes Peak Christian, meet at PPC on Friday. The winner most likely earns the league title. However, third place Miami-Yoder is still in the mix if Hanover pulls off the road win. That would open the door for the Buffs to create a three-way tie with a win at Hanover in the final week of regular season play. The Buffs would also have to avoid a loss at Kiowa next week for that scenario to be possible.

Stratton begins Union Pacific league play next week against Deer Trail, and the Eagles will play five straight against UP opponents. They are considered one of the favorites, along with 2A Byers and Limon. Conditioning will be key, as the Eagles are about to embark on a stretch of six games in 10 days.

Nucla and Dove Creek both trail 2A Telluride by one game in the loss column in the San Juan Basin standings. The Mustangs host Telluride on Thursday, ahead of a big non-league clash with De Beque on Saturday. Dove Creek won’t see Nucla and the Miners until the final weekend of the regular season.

Right now, the Ark Valley is a three horse race. South Baca, Springfield, and Kim/Branson are all 1-0 in league play. The trio starts their round robin on Tuesday, when Springfield visits South Baca. The weekend involves a couple of big non-league contests, with South Baca hosting McClave on Thursday and Kim/Branson visiting Eads on Saturday. Friday has Kim/Branson hosting a dangerous Walsh squad in league action.