Class 2A Boys Basketball Weekly Update Week 10

Class 2A Boys Basketball Weekly Update Week 10

We make a small change to the way we are doing the 2A Weekly Preview this week.  We will look at the top 10 teams according to the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index.  We will then look at three teams who are on the rise and wrap things up with 6 teams on the bubble.  Remember all rankings are the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index.  We less than one month left of the regular season and its crunch time.  To quality for regionals, you must win your District or be ranked in the top 32 of the seeding index.

#1 Simla (14-0) (LW:#1)

Simla continues to hold onto the #1 spot in the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index.  Simla played just one game last week and cruised to the 67 to 37 win over #31 CS School.  Simla has just 5 games remaining 2 of which will be key games.  Simla, I believe cannot lock up the #1 seed in the district 8 tournament until they face Elbert on 2/16.  I think at a minimum Simla is at least the #2 seed.  Simla has a pair of games this weekend.  They kick things off on Friday against 1A #5 Stratton (11-3).  This will be a huge contest for both teams.  Simla will end the weekend with a rivalry game against #42 Calhan (4-9). 

(No Stats)

#2 Crowley County (17-0) (LW:#2)

Crowley County is your regular season Santa Fe League Champions.  They wrapped things up last week defeating Swink 54 to 31 and Las Animas 73 to 37.  Crowley County has just one regular season game remaining and it’s a non-league matchup against 3A #51 Ellicott (0-16).  Crowley County will be the #1 seed in the District 6 tournament and are hoping to have a shot at the #1 overall seed going into the regional tournament.

Players to Watch: Gunner Hughes Jr. (21.3 ppg, 3.7 apg), Elijah Mcneil Sr. (11.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Anthoni Walter Jr. (8.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg)

#3 Merino (13-2) (LW:#3)

Merino got the ship going back in the right direction last week after falling in a tough matchup to Limon two weeks ago.  Merino picked up hard fought wins over Akron 35 to 24 and Sedgwick County 39 to 34.  Merino is still sitting tied for first place in the LPAA and the league title will be determined this weekend.  Merino has a pair of key games, and both will go a long way to determining not only the league title but districts and regionals.  Merino will open things up this weekend against #13 Fowler (9-6) on Thursday.  Merino will end the weekend with the league title match against 3A #2 Yuma (13-2).  If Merino wins both they win the regular season league title.  Merino with a win over Holyoke gives them the #1 seed in the district 2 tournament a loss could make things a bit more interesting.

(No Stats)

#4 Plateau Valley (14-1) (LW:#4)

Plateau Valley had a full week last week playing three games and going 3-0 in those games.  Plateau Valley picked up wins over Rangely 70 to 32, De Beque 56 to 26, and West Grand 57 to 14.  Plateau Valley did capture a quality win over De Beque and they have just four games remaining.  Plateau Valley will step out of league play for a non-league matchup with 3A #35 North Fork (7-8).  This will be a quality matchup for both teams.  Plateau Valley will close the weekend against #56 Soroco (2-11).  Plateau Valley cannot wrap up the #1 seed in the district 5 tournament or the regular season league title until they face Vail Mountain on 2/17.

Players to Watch: Jack Vig Jr. (16.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Jackson Bevan Jr. (10.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Parker Ralston Sr. (9.0 ppg, 2.8 apg)

#5 Heritage Christian (13-2) (LW:#8)

Heritage Christian had a big week last week playing three games going 3-0 and jumping from #8 in the Seeding Index to #5.  Heritage Christian defeated 3A SkyView Academy 62 to 44, Gilpin County 91 to 29, and Holyoke 73 to 62.  Heritage Christian extended their winning streak to four last night defeating 3A Clear Creek 63 to 54.  Heritage Christian has a very difficult four game stretch coming up and we could see them move up or down the seeding index.  This weekend Heritage Christina will face 3A #21 Dawson School (9-8) and wrap the weekend up against #8 Wray (9-7).  Both are huge tests for the Eagles.  Heritage Christian is in good position to be the #1 seed in the District 4 tournament.

Players to Watch: Raul Bertinato Sr. (15.1 ppg, 4.6 apg), Levi Hermsen Jr. (12.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Nehemiah Baldwin Sr. (9.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg)

#6 Sanford (11-4) (LW:#6)

Sanford continued their winning ways pushing their winning streak to 7.  Sanford picked up a pair of wins last week defeating Crested Butte 65 to 46 and Trinidad 56 to 22.  Sanford could wrap up the regular season title and #1 seed in the District 1 tournament this weekend.  Sanford will face #17 Sargent (12-3) on Friday and #28 Cotopaxi (10-5) on Saturday.  Both games are key games for Sanford as they push to improve their seed plus a pair of wins gives the Mustangs the regular season SPL and the #1 seed in the District 1 tournament.

(No Stats)

#7 Denver Christian (12-4) (LW:#5)

Denver Christian fell two spots from #5 to #7 this week.  Denver Christian had three games last week going 3-0 but only one was against a quality opponent.  Denver Christian defeated Gilpin County 87 to 18, Clear Creek 86 to 47, and Front Range Christian 99 to 27.  Denver Christian is still in very good position to be the #1 seed in the District 7 tournament.  Denver Christian added to their quality wins last night defeating 3A Dawson School 45 to 38.  Denver Christian has just 3 games remaining and only one this weekend.  Denver Christian will face #43 Dayspring Christian (4-11) on Friday.  Denver Christian only big test remaining is against #5 Heritage Christian to end the season.

(No Stats)

#8 Wray (9-7) (LW:#9)

Wray is down to their final 3 games of the regular season, and they moved up one spot from #8 to #9 after a big week of games.  Wray went 2-0 last week defeating Haxtun 73 to 38 and Limon 64 to 63.  The Limon game was a quality win and should help them for seeding.  Wray would need some help to be the #1 seed in the District 2 Tournament but are in very good position to be the #2 seed.  Wray has a pair of games this week both quality opponents.  Wray will face #29 Sedgwick County (6-9) on Friday before a huge test against #5 Heritage Christian (12-2).  Wray could easily see their seeding index rise if they go 2-0 this weekend.

Players to Watch: Rafael Trejo Sr. (17.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg), AB Ruiz Sr. (12.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Aaron Tena So. (8.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

#9 Holly (12-4) (LW:#10)

Holly wraps up the top 10 of the CHSAA Seeding Index.  Holly extended their win streak to three and had a big week picking up three wins.  Holly defeated Swink 55 to 48, Walsenburg 69 to 51, and Hoehne 62 to 50.  All three wins were key to Holly for the District 6 Tournament.  If the District 6 tournament is seeded by League Standings, then Holly will be the #3 and if it’s seeded by Seeding Index Holly will be the #2 seed.  Holly has three games remaining and two this week.  Holly will face 3A #49 Rocky Ford (1-14) on Friday and then wrap this up with a key test against 1A #1 Cheyenne Wells (13-2). 

Players to Watch: Truman King Jr. (16.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg), Devin Eaton Jr. (14.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg), Andre Salgado Sr. (12.1 ppg, 4.1 apg)

#10 Limon (12-4) (LW:#7)

Limon took a small tumble in the seeding index dropping from #7 to #10.  Limon went 1-1 last week falling to Wray 64 to 63 but bounced back with a quality win over Burlington 60 to 49.  Limon has just three games left and all three will test the Badgers.  Limon has two games this weekend against #12 Byers (9-6) on Friday and #14 Fowler (11-5) on Saturday.  Both games will be key to the Badgers holding onto a top 10 spot in the seeding index.  Limon also needs a win over Byers to hold onto the #2 seed in the district 8 tournament. 

Players to Watch: Jordan Rockwell Sr. (17.7 ppg, 3.9 apg), Mason Jaques Sr. (11.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Treyton Marx Sr. (9.2 ppg, 11.4 rpg)

Three Teams on the Rise

We dive into three teams who are currently on the rise.

#14 Telluride (10-4) (LW:#14)

Telluride stays on our teams on the rise list despite not moving in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  Telluride sits in the driver’s seat in the District 3 tournament as they have a key head to head win over Mancos on 1/19.  Telluride has just 3 games left on their schedule and will only play one game this week.  Telluride will face 1A #18 Nucla (8-6) on Friday in a key matchup.  Telluride is also in position to win the San Juan League title and with a pair of wins could do that. 

Players to Watch: Grayson Berry Sr. (14.6 ppg), Townes Merritt Sr. (14.0 ppg), Cash Livermore Sr. (6.7 ppg)

#17 Vail Mountain (8-5) (LW:#23)

Vail Mountain made one of the biggest jumps in the CHSAA Seeding Index last week moving from #23 to #17 this week.  Vail Mountain played one game last week defeating North Park 53 to 37.  Vail Mountain this week picked up a huge win over Vail Christian 54 to 50.  The win over Vail Christian moves Vail Mountain into second and should set up the league title matchup with Plateau Valley to end the season.  This week Vail Mountain will face #47 Rangely (4-12) on Thursday and close the weekend against #58 West Grand (2-12) on Saturday.

Players to Watch: Grant Iverson So. (8.8 ppg), Hunter Iverson Jr. (8.3 ppg), Christian Mills Sr. (7.4 ppg)

#23 Loveland Classical (9-5) (LW:#26)

Loveland Classical pushed their winning streak to 5 and have quickly moved back up the CHSAA Seeding Index moving from #26 last week to #23 this week.  Loveland Classical had to forfeit their first four games or would be a team inside the top 14 of the CHSAA Seeding Index.  Loveland Classical is in great position to be the #2 seed in the District 4 tournament.  Loveland Classical has two games remaining and both will be this week.  Loveland Classical will face 1A #4 Denver Jewish Day (11-2) tonight.  This is a huge matchup for both teams.  Loveland Classical will end the regular season against #45 Poudre Community (3-3) on Thursday. 

Players to Watch: Caedon Meyer Sr. (18.3 ppg), Luke Sainz Sr. (13.2 ppg), Jaden Jorgenson Sr. (7.6 ppg)

Teams on the Bubble

We look at 6 teams who are on the bubble and fighting for a spot at regionals.

#29 Sedgwick County (6-9) (LW: #29)

Sedgwick County remain on the bubble at #29 but they are close to #28.  Sedgwick County sits at .5176 and #28 Cotopaxi is .5184.  Sedgwick County played Merino very tough on Saturday but fell by 5.  Sedgwick County is 1-5 in their last 6 games they have a pair of very tough games this week.  Sedgwick County will face 3A #2 Yuma (13-2) on Thursday and #8 Wray (9-7) on Friday.  Sedgwick County fate will come down to their final two games against 1A Briggsdale and 1A Fleming to close the season both will be must win games or Sedgwick County needs a big run in the District Tournament.

(No Stats)

#30 Hoehne (7-8) (LW:#30)

Hoehne remain at the #30 spot for back-to-back weeks.  Hoehne is sitting at .507 in the Seeding Index well ahead over #31 CS School who sits at .482.  My only concern for Hoehne is their remaining schedule is very difficult face 3 opponents who are inside the top 16 of the CHSAA Seeding Index and one team who is hoping to jump into the top 32.  Hoehne has a pair of games this week kicking things off against #14 Fowler (11-5) on Thursday.  If Hoehne can pull the upset, they would jump off the bubble.  Hoehne then closes the weekend against #36 Del Norte (5-10) on Saturday.  The game against Del Norte is a must win game if Hoehne plans on holding off Del Norte for a spot at regionals.

Players to Watch: Levon Bachicha Jr. (10.2 ppg), Nathan Zamora Jr. (8.1 ppg), Bobby Terry jr. (6.9 ppg)

#31 CS School (6-8) (LW:#36)

CS School moves into the top 32 this week and made a huge jump from #36 last week to #32 this week.  Shows every game is important especially for bubble teams.  CS School last week picked up the 59 to 57 win over Calhan, lost to Simla 67 to 37, and closed things out with a key win over Dolores Huerta 58 to 41.  CS School has four games remaining and just one this week.  CS School will face 1A #28 Miami-Yoder (7-3) tonight.  This is a big game for CS School as a win moves them closer to the #30 spot.  CS School final three games are against Byers, Fountain Valley, and Elbert.  They may need at least one win in their final three games to hold off the teams behind them.

(No stats)

#32 Addenbrooke Classical (6-8) (LW:#33)

Addenbrooke Classical moves into the top 32 this week after being at #33 the past two weeks.  Addenbrooke Classical went 1-1 last week picking up a win over STEM-Highland Ranch 56 to 42 and falling to DSST-Green Valley 75 to 35.  Addenbrooke Classical has just 3 games remaining and two of which are must win games.  Addenbrooke Classical will face 3A #53 William Smith (1-8) tonight and 4A #47 STEM-Highland Ranch (8-9) on Friday.  Addenbrooke Classical final game is against 1A Denver Waldorf next week.

Players to Watch: Calum Michelsen So. (12.2 ppg), Joseph Wingrove Jr. (9.3 ppg), Riley Summers Jr. (8.8 ppg)

#33 Swink (5-11) (LW: #31)

Swink falls out of the top 32 this week and will also be looking to snap a 7-game losing streak.  Swink will need at least one win in their final 3 games to possibly jump back into the top 32 and their schedule is difficult.  Swink will have just one game this week.  Swink will face #26 Las Animas (8-7) on Friday.  This is a huge game and a win probably moves the Lions back into the top 32.  Swink will end the season against 1A McClave and 1A Sangre De Cristo. 

(No Stats)

#34 Hayden (6-10) (LW:#32)

Hayden is another team who falls out of the top 32 and sit now at #34.  Hayden fell in both of their previous games falling to Vail Christian 53 to 40 and North Park 49 to 41.  Hayden will need at least one win in their final two games and probably a solid showing in the district tournament.  Hayden will have just one game this week.  Hayden will face 1A #8 De Beque (11-3) on Saturday.  Hayden will close the season against Caprock Academy next week.

Players to Watch: Cale Howard Sr. (13.0 ppg), Grady Frentress Sr. (8.7 ppg), Adrian Drew Sr. (6.3 ppg)