CLASS 1A BOYS BASKETBALL DAILY DIGEST – FEB. 24TH by Kerry Sherman

CLASS 1A BOYS BASKETBALL DAILY DIGEST – FEB. 24TH

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

Kim/Branson became the first team to officially qualify for regionals with a win over Springfield last night to claim the title in District 3. Seven more auto qualifiers will punch their tickets into the field of 32 by winning their respective tournaments today.

DISTRICT ONE (GAMES AT OLATHE HS)

The top two seeds made it to today’s championship contest, and #1 De Beque will host a regional pod with a victory over #2 Nucla. The Dragons were sixth in the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index this morning, safely putting them in a hosting spot. Nucla was 16^th, and a win would push the Mustangs up the standings, meaning a home regional, too.

These two teams met twice this year, splitting a pair of tight contests. How tight? Nucla scored a total of 107 points, while the Dragons scored 106. Nucla won 52-48 in December, and De Beque collected a 58-55 win last month. Steele Arnold led everyone with 28 points for the Mustangs in the first meeting, while Burke Largent had 19 for the Dragons. They were the leading scorers in the second clash, with Arnold scoring 17 and Largent, 20. Jace Graham had a double-double for De Beque in both games, 11 points and 10 rebounds in game one, and 19 points and 16 rebounds in game two.

Two other teams in the district currently hold the final two regional spots, but the next 24 hours or so will be highly tense. Dove Creek is 31^st and North Park began the day 32^nd.

DISTRICT TWO (GAMES AT LAMAR COMMUNITY BUILDING)

The day in Lamar begins with a third place game between #2 Eads (7^th) and #5 Granada (26^th). Both are safely in the regional field, but today is about bragging rights and improving seeding for next week. It should be a banger, as Eads pulled out a 69-67 win in overtime last Friday. Porter Spady had 24 and nine for the Eagles, who also had Brentley Lening go for 19 points. Case Nelson posted a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Maddox Coleman went off for 33 points and eight rebounds to lead the Bobcats. Jonus Guevara added 16 points, eight boards, and six assists.

Speaking of bangers, the championship game has the top two teams in the Seeding Index, Cheyenne Wells (1^st) and McClave (2^nd) in a rematch of a game from early-January that was won by the Tigers in OT, 61-56. Cheyenne Wells outscored McClave 41-20 after the intermission. Corey Hill had 22 points and 19 rebounds for the Tigers, and Carson Noe added 20 points. Conner Forgue (19) and Tuff Kelley (15) combined for 34 points for the Cards.

Along with the four teams in action today, look for Cheraw (23^rd) to make the regional bracket. Wiley (29^th) has a very good shot at making it six out of seven from the district in the field.

DISTRICT THREE

Last week, Springfield (15^th) came from behind in the fourth quarter to beat Kim/Branson (20^th) 59-54 to claim the Ark Valley title. Last night, it was the Mustangs getting a measure of revenge, beating the Longhorns 58-54 in overtime to earn the District 3 championship. The Mustangs had four players in double figures, led by David Gamez with 17. Kolter Cranson added a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds; Brock Doherty, 12 points; and Cameron Rosas, 10 points.

Unless there is a lot of shake-up today, Kim/Branson won’t host a regional next weekend, with the Mustangs sitting outside of the top-16. Primero (21^st) and South Baca (28^th), who played for third, should join the two finalists in regionals.

DISTRICT FOUR (GAMES AT NORTHEASTERN JUNIOR COLLEGE)

Peetz (12^th) meets up with Briggsdale (27^th) for the district title today and a shot at hosting a regional is on the line for the top-seeded Bulldogs. Despite being outscored 26-15 in the second half, Briggsdale beat the Bulldogs 58-53 three weeks ago. Tanner Fiscus led the way with 22 points and 11 rebounds, but he had plenty of help from Kaeden Gebauer (15 points) and Scot Francis (13 points). Noah Naegele led Peetz with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Rhyder Bayne and Connor Schumacher added 14 points and 11 points, respectively.

These two will be joined in the field of 32 by Prairie (24^th). Fleming started the day 35^th, but the Wildcats would need a lot of things to go right to qualify for next weekend.

DISTRICT FIVE (GAMES AT BRUSH HS)

One of the two finalists breezed to today’s championship tilt, while the other had to scratch and claw to make. Top-seeded Stratton (4^th) trailed Otis by six late in the first half, and ended up eking out a 55-51 victory. The third-seeded Wolves from Idalia (9^th) outscored Lone Star 44-9 over the two middle frames to win 70-32.

Stratton beat Idalia last Thursday, 48-35, using a 15-3 first quarter to seize control. Von Isenbart went for 22 points to lead the Eagles, while Kagen Hoyda and Tarek Glanz both had 10 for the Wolves.

The winner will host a regional pod next weekend, and Stratton could still be in play as a host with a loss. Otis (12^th) and Arickaree (14^th) are locks for next weekend, and Hi-Plains is just outside of the bubble at 34^th.

DISTRICT SIX (GAMES AT CENTAURI HS)

Sierra Grande (13^th) hosts a regional pod next weekend with a win today over Sangre de Cristo (19^th), who probably needs a win and a bit of help to get into the top-16 and earn a hosting spot. The first time the two played, two weeks ago, Sangre worked out a 45-43 victory by outscoring the Panthers 14-10 in the fourth quarter. Kaiden Smit led the T-birds with 14 points and 16 rebounds, while Brian Ontiveros had 29 points for Sierra Grande.

Centennial (25^th) looks to be safely into the regional field, but Moffat (30^th) could have to sweat things out this weekend.

DISTRICT SEVEN (GAMES AT LIMON HS)

The teams involved in today’s third place game are both playing their final contest of the year, as both Hanover (45^th) and Cripple Creek-Victor (46^th) are well outside of the top-32. Cripple Creek-Victor won the regular season meeting 61-46, getting 21 points from Myles Durham and 14 from Luciano Varas. Tyler Decker posted 20 points for the Hornets.

Winning the championship may not be enough to get either Pikes Peak Christian (18^th) or Genoa-Hugo (21^st) a home regional next weekend. They did not play each other this season, but when they met in the district final last season, they put on a show. The Pirates won 64-59, getting 21 points from Trey Smith, 19 from Konner Rowden-Stum, and 16 from Dane Lockhart. Eddie Harmon had 16 for Pikes Peak Christian.

DISTRICT EIGHT (GAMES AT ENGLEWOOD HS)

All four of the teams playing today are inside the top-10 of the Seeding Index, with the third place contest featuring Flatirons Academy (8^th) and Front Range Baptist (10^th). The Bison squeaked out a 61-59 victory over Front Range Baptist in January, with Pistol Chavez leading four players in double figures, scoring 18 for Flatirons Academy. Alex Prelog had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Falcons.

The winner of the championship game between Belleview Christian (3^rd) and Denver Jewish Day (5^th) is guaranteed a home regional next weekend, but the loser will also have a very good shot at hosting. Denver Jewish Day won the regular season contest 68-55 less than two weeks ago, as the Tigers had five players in double figures. David Romershteyn led that group with 17 points. Solly Bielsky (14 points), Lev Friedman (13 points, 11 assists), Keenan Winnerman (12 points), and Aaron Daniel (10 points, 10 rebounds) joined him. Joshua Norman led the Bruins with 18 points. Brandon Ewing and Ryan Reyes added 12 and 11, respectively.

Joining the top four teams in the regional bracket will be Denver Waldorf (17^th). Denver Academy of Torah is 36^th and will most likely miss the regional round.