CLASS 1A BOYS BASKETBALL REGIONAL DAILY DIGEST – FEB. 29TH by Kerry Sherman

Picture by South Baca Athletics (South Baca vs Springfield)

CLASS 1A BOYS BASKETBALL REGIONAL DAILY DIGEST – FEB. 29TH

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

Over the next three days, the regional field of 32 will be trimmed to the Great 8 for next week’s state tournament. The first games of the regional tournament get underway today, with contests at Denver Jewish Day.

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REGION ONE (HOSTED BY #1MCCLAVE)

The top-seed, McClave, faces #32 North Park at 3pm on Friday, while the second semifinal between #16 Springfield and #17 Pikes Peak Christian is scheduled for 4:30pm. The winners will meet at 2:30pm on Saturday.

REGION TWO (HOSTED BY #2 CHEYENNE WELLS)

Cheyenne Wells is hosting this region due to two district champions not finishing in the top-16 of the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index. The Tigers host #31 Dove Creek at 4pm on Friday, with #15 Arickaree meeting #18 Denver Waldorf at 5:30pm. The regional final tips at 1pm on Saturday.

REGION THREE (HOSTED BY #3 DENVER JEWISH DAY)

Because their faith prohibits playing games on the Sabbath, the Tigers from Denver Jewish Day will have their regional on Thursday and Friday. They take on #30 South Baca at 5pm today.

The Tigers won the District 8 title by beating Belleview Christian 43-40 in overtime last Saturday. Solly Bielsky had 16 points for DJD, while Keenan Winnerman posted a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds. South Baca finished fourth in District 3, losing a semifinal to Springfield and then falling to Primero 62-52 in the third place game on Friday. Hayden Brooks had 20 points and 12 rebounds in that loss. This is the first meeting between the Tigers and Patriots in the MaxPreps era.

The late semifinal pits #14 Front Range Baptist against #19 Kim/Branson at 6:30pm. Front Range Baptist took fourth place in District 8, with the Falcons coming up short against Flatirons Academy, 52-38. Alex Prelog was held below his season average, but still led FRB with eight points and seven rebounds. Kim/Branson won the title in District 3, beating Springfield 58-54 in OT. The Mustangs had four players in double figures, including David Gamez with 17 points, and Kolter Cranson with a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds. This is the first meeting between these two teams in the MaxPreps era.

REGION FOUR (HOSTED BY #4 STRATTON)

Stratton won the title in District 5 and will meet #29 Moffat at 5:30pm on Friday in the second of the two semifinals hosted by the Eagles. The earlier contest has #13 Otis squaring off against #20 Sangre de Cristo at 2:30pm. The regional final is at 2:30pm on Saturday.

REGION FIVE (HOSTED BY #5 BELLEVIEW CHRISTIAN)

As is the case with Cheyenne Wells, Belleview Christian earned a hosting spot because two district champs fell outside of the top-16 of the Seeding Index. The Bruins will host #28 Granada at 5pm on Friday, with #12 Idalia and #21 Primero following at 7pm. The winners will play at 1pm on Saturday.

REGION SIX (HOSTED BY #6 SIERRA GRANDE)

The champion of District 6, Sierra Grande opens regional play against #27 Wiley at 4pm on Friday. Right after that match-up, #11 De Beque squares off against #22 Cheraw. The regional championship is set for 2pm on Saturday.

REGION SEVEN (HOSTED BY #7 PEETZ)

Winning the championship in District 4 helped Peetz earn the right to host a region, and the Bulldogs will meet #27 Centennial at 4pm on Friday. Tenth-ranked Eads tangles with #23 Genoa-Hugo at 7pm. The winners fight for a state berth at 1pm on Saturday.

REGION EIGHT (HOSTED BY #8 NUCLA)

Nucla’s win in the District 1 final gave the Mustangs a home regional and they will begin things at 7pm on Friday against #25 Prairie. That game follows #9 Flatirons Academy and #24 Briggsdale, who clash at 5pm. The championship contest is scheduled for 2pm on Saturday.