Class 1A Boys League Predictions
The official start to basketball was last week and most teams will kick off play sometime next week. We dive into each league that we are putting as Class 1A. Some mixed Classes will be in the 2A League Predictions. Remember, for Class 1A you now must be ranked inside the top 32 of the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index to make it to Regionals or win your league (Minimum of 5 teams). Regionals will still be first two rounds with the highest seed as the host and the brackets will not be reseeded before state. Class 1A will still play a full Consolation Round.
YWKC League
1. Otis
2. Arickaree
3. Lone Star
4. Idalia
5. Hi-Plains
6. Bethune
The YWKC League will get an automatic qualifier into regionals since they have five teams in their league. Otis is my pick to win the YWKC league. They will have a big hole to fill in the rebounding department but return 4 of their top 5 scorers. Arickaree is my pick to finish in second place. They lose just 1 senior from last years team and could be a big challenge to Otis for the league title. Lone Star is my pick for 3rd. Lone Star returns 6 of their 7 top scorers from a season ago. Increasing scoring from the rest of the team will be key to Lone Star finishing in the top half of the league and pushing to go to regionals. Idalia if my pick to finish in 4th. Idalia loses their top 3 scorers from a season ago and will look to some youth to take a big step forward this year. Hi-Plains is my pick to finish in 5th. Hi-Plains could have the talent back to push for a higher finish in league. Hi-Plains does lose their top scorer but return the rest of the roster. Bethune rounds out the YWKC league. Bethune does return their top two scorers from a year ago, but we will see how much Bethune improved this season.
My predictions for YWKC League
League Champion: Otis
Regional Contenders: Otis, Arickaree, Lone Star, Idalia
Dark Horse: Idalia
Preseason-Player of the League: Charlie Kendrick Sr. Otis
Others to watch for: Mitchell Stivers Jr. Otis, Grady Bechtle Jr. Otis, Austin Hornung Jr. Otis, Jake King Sr. Arickaree, Dillon Noletubby Sr. Arickaree, Austin Wright Jr. Arickaree, Grant Kuntz Sr. Lone Star, Anderson Weather Jr. Lone Star, Gabe Kechter So. Idalia, Tat Towns Sr. Idalia, Kolby Morris So. Idalia, Aiden Cordell Sr. Hi-Plains, Hugo Vara Sr. Hi-Plains, Ty Morris Sr. Bethune, Josh Salinas So. Bethune
1A Southern Peaks
1. Sierra Grande
2. Sangre De Cristo
3. Creede
4. Antonito
5. Centennial
6. Moffat
The 1A Southern Peaks will get a team automatically into regionals since they have 5 teams. The SPL this season is top heavy with two teams easily above the rest and teams 3 thru 6 being unknown. Sierra Grande is my pick to win the 1A SPL. Sierra Grande does lose a big piece in their top scorer but have plenty of talent back to push for the state tournament. Sangre De Cristo is my pick for second. They lose a big piece in their #2 scorer and top rebounder. Sangre De Cristo could return the rest of the roster from last season that was heavy freshman. Creede, Moffat, Antonito, and Centennial all can go from #3 thru #6. They all lose key pieces from last season. Creede is my pick for 3rd. Creede returns their #2 scorer from a season ago and could bring in a few freshmen that could help out this season. Antonito is my pick for 4th. Antonito will look for the sophomore class to take a big step forward this season and their #2 scorer to become a leader. Moffat lose their top 4 scorers from last season and will lean on a young team to step up and lead. Centennial lose their top 3 scorers and will look for scorers #3 thru #6 to step into main playmakers.
My predictions for 1A Southern Peaks
League Champion: Sierra Grande
Regional Contenders: Sierra Grande, Sangre De Cristo
Dark Horse: Antonito
Preseason-Player of the League: Jadyn Martinez Jr. Sierra Grande
Others to watch for: Aron Ojeda Sr. Sierra Grande, Rolando Najera Jr. Sierra Grande, Deagaon Rogers Jr. Sangre De Cristo, Kolby Shellabarger Jr. Sangre De Cristo, Jaron Mason Jr. Sangre De Cristo, Jaxson Fazio Sr. Sangre De Cristo, Rylan Trant Jr. Antonito, Octavian Martinez So. Antonito, Prest Heater So. Moffat, Tulasi McBride Jr. Moffat, Zach Jacquez Jr. Centennial, Michael Gonzales Jr. Centennial, Jose Molina Sr. Centennial
1A North Central
1. Peetz
2. Prairie
3. Briggsdale
4. Fleming
5. Weldon Valley
The North Central League will get an automatic berth into regionals because they have 5 teams in their league. The North Central I think could be very competitive this season with plenty of teams brining back talent. Peetz is my pick to win the North Central. Peetz returns a key leader. Peetz will look for the supporting cast to take a big step forward this season. Prairie is my pick to finish in second. Prairie returns all but 1 player from their roster last season. Prairie could challenge for the league crown if they can improve offensively from a season ago. Briggsdale is my pick for third place. Briggsdale lose their top scorer and over 28ppg. Briggsdale does return their #2, #3, and #4 scorers from last season but can they improve enough to challenge for the league crown. Fleming is my pick for fourth. Fleming loses their top two scorers from a season ago and will look to a young new core to take a big step forward this season. Weldon Valley will be my dark horse pick this season. They return their top 3 scorers from last season, but can the bench step up enough this year to push for the league crown and a regional spot.
My predictions for North Central
League Champion: Peetz
Regional Contenders: Peetz, Prairie, Briggsdale, Fleming, Weldon Valley
Dark Horse: Weldon Valley
Preseason-Player of the League: Rhyder Bayne Jr. Peetz
Others to watch for: Connor Schumacher So. Peetz, Logan Vallier Jr. Peetz, Brennan Bringelson Jr. Prairie, Hunter Johnson So. Prairie, Lane Schock Sr. Prairie, Scot Francis Jr. Briggsdale, Kaeden Gebauer Sr. Briggsdale, Dallas Glass Sr. Briggsdale, Travis Johnson Sr. Fleming, Dane Cunningham So. Fleming, Conner Marchant So. Fleming, August Filter Jr. Weldon Valley, Zander Braun So. Weldon Valley, Dane Johnston Sr. Weldon Valley
High Plains
1. Cheyenne Wells
2. McClave
3. Granada
4. Cheraw
5. Eads
6. Kit Carson
The High Plains League could be one of the top leagues in Class 1A plus will also get an automatic berth into regionals because they have over 5 teams in league. I could see all 6 teams fighting for a regional berth and look for a competitive league season. Cheyenne Wells is my pick to win the High Plains. Cheyenne Wells lose 3 of their top 5 scorers from last season but return their #1 and #3 scorers. Cheyenne Wells have plenty of athletes but must have them step up this season to replace they key loses to graduation. McClave is my pick for second. McClave returns 3 of their top 5 scorers but do lose their #2 and #4 scorers from a season ago. McClave will look for the junior class to step up this season to help replace the ppg lost. Granada was hit by the injury bug last season but return plenty of talent to push for the league title. Granada will lose their #2 scorer, but the rest of the roster is back plus a talented freshman class. Teams #4 thru #6 are all very close and health of players will be key. Cheraw is my pick for 4th. Cheraw returns their #1 and #3 scorers from a season ago, but key depth has graduated. Main concern for Cheraw is their depth scoring. Eads lose their top two scorers from a year ago and they could be up higher, but they had key injuries during Football and not sure who will be healthy for basketball. Eads if healthy can challenge the top 3 teams but we will see what they have after December. Kit Carson could be a team to watch this upcoming year as they return their top 4 scorers from a year ago. Depth is a huge concern for Kit Carson, but they could end up in the #4 spot with the talent they have back.
My predictions for High Plains League
League Champion: Cheyenne Wells
Regional Contenders: Cheyenne Wells, McClave, Granada, Cheraw, Eads, Kit Carson
Dark Horse: Kit Carson
Preseason-Player of the League: Corey Hill Jr. Cheyenne Wells
Others to watch for: Zach Dickey Sr. Cheyenne Wells, Bryson Hyle Sr. Cheyenne Wells, Tuff Kelley So. McClave, Ethan Bronniman Sr. McClave, Mason Barr Jr. McClave, JR Mungaray Jr. McClave, Maddox Coleman Sr. Granada, Terence Hainer Sr. Granada, Elijah Rodriguez Sr. Granada, Tim Provost Sr. Cheraw, Braden Stoker Sr. Cheraw, Stockton Mitchek Sr. Eads, Cade Nelson Sr. Eads, Kadan Dunlap Sr. Eads, Josiah Irwin Sr. Kit Carson, Brennan Framel Sr. Kit Carson, Oshea Farmer So. Kit Carson, Fernando Ferrales Jr. Kit Carson
Fishers Peak (Will not get automatic berth)
1. Primero
2. La Veta
3. Manzanola
4. Aguilar
The Fishers Peak League will not get an automatic berth into regionals and teams will have to qualify by being in the top 32 of the CHSAA Seeding Index. With just four teams in the league the Fishers Peak league will rely on their out of league schedule to help them get into regionals. Primero is my pick to win the league. Primero could be a contender to reach the state tournament returning their entire roster from last season. Staying healthy will be key but Primero could be a team to watch make that run to State. La Veta is my pick to finish in second. La Veta returns 3 of their top 5 scorers but lose their top scorer from a season ago. La Veta will look for the #2 and #3 scorers to step up and lead them to regionals. Manzanola is my pick for 3rd. Manzanola will look to get the offense going this season. They will still be a young team and will be lead by mostly sophomores and juniors. Aguilar is my pick to round out the fishers peak. Aguilar is brining back their basketball program for boys this season according the CHSAA Bulletin. If someone knows more let me know.
My predictions for Fishers Peak
League Champion: Primero
Regional Contenders: Primero, La Veta
Dark Horse: La Veta
Preseason-Player of the League: Brett Kendall Sr. Primero
Others to watch for: Mathew Pachorek Sr. Primero, Xavier Garcia Sr. Primero, Aiden Komaroski Jr. Primero, Isiah Rodriguez Sr. La Veta, Tristan Musgrave Sr. La Veta, Matthew Gonzales Sr. La Veta, Dillon Pittmann So. Manzanola, Jullian Chavez So. Manzanola
1A Black Forest
1. Evangelical Christian
2. Elbert
3. Hanover
4. Pikes Peak Christian
5. Miami-Yoder
6. Colorado D&B
The 1A Black Forest will get an automatic berth into regionals as they have more than 5 teams in their league. The Black Forest league should be competitive as 5 of the teams return key pieces to challenge for the league crown and regional spot. Evangelical Christian is my pick to win the Black Forest League. ECA moves down from Class 2A and will be a main contender right away. ECA returns their top 2 scorers, but depth must step up for the Eagles if they plan on a deep run this season. Elbert is my pick for second. Elbert drops from Class 2A down to Class 1A. Elbert lose their top scorer from a season ago but return the rest of the roster. Can Elbert improve enough to take the league crown and push for a state tournament berth is the main question. Hanover is my pick for third. Hanover returns 4 of their top 5 scorers from a season ago. Hanover will look for the depth to step up and provide #3, #4 and #5 scoring depth. Pikes Peak Christian is my pick for fourth. PPC returns their top scorer from a season ago but lose their #2 thru #4 scorers. Who else steps up for PPC is key to them challenging for the league crown and a regional spot. Miami-Yoder is my pick for 5th. Miami-Yoder lose their top scorer from last season but should have the talent back to be a challenger. Depth will have to step up for Miami-Yoder to push the league leaders. Colorado D&B rounds out the Black Forest. Colorado D&B played just four games last season.
My predictions for 1A Black Forest
League Champion: Evangelical Christian
Regional Contenders: Evangelical Christian, Elbert, Hanover, Pikes Peak Christian
Dark Horse: Hanover
Player of the League: Brock Jones Sr. Evangelical Christian
Others to watch for: Bo Galliart Sr. Evangelical Christian, Levi Dejong Jr. Evangelical Christian, Ethan Tesman Jr. Elbert, Eli Cornell Jr. Elbert, Caleb Cornell Sr. Elbert, Steve Smith Sr. Elbert, Tyler Decker Sr. Hanover, Junior Diaz Sr. Hanover, David Byers Sr. Hanover, Eddie Harmon Sr. Pikes Peak Christian, Max Singler Sr. Pikes Peak Christian, Jel Walleerstedt Sr. Miami-Yoder, Gavin Howard Sr. Miami-Yoder, Caleb Bernhart Sr. Miami-Yoder
1A Ark Valley
1. Holly
2. Kim/Branson
3. Springfield
4. Wiley
5. Walsh
6. South Baca
The 1A Ark Valley will get an automatic berth into regionals. They have 6 teams, and I am excited to see the race between the top 3 teams in this league. Holly is my pick to win the league. Holly will return their top two scorers from last season and will look for more depth to step up this season. Holly drops from 2A down to 1A this year. Kim/Branson is my pick for second. Kim/Branson had a very good freshman class a year ago and they will look for them to take a step forward. Kim/Branson return 5 of their top 6 scorers from last season. Springfield is my pick for 3rd. Springfield loses their #2 scorer, but they return 4 of their top 5. Springfield will be a contender. The first three teams I listed I could see in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Wiley is my pick for fourth. Wiley returns 2 of their top 5 scorers from last season and they will look for some depth to step into starting roles. Walsh is my pick for 5th. Walsh lose 4 seniors from last season team, and they will also be looking to reload and push into the top 3. South Baca rounds out the Ark Valley. South Baca lose 3 of their top 5 scorers including their top scorer. South Baca will be looking for new leaders this season.
My predictions for 1A Ark Valley
League Champion: Holly
Regional Contenders: Holly, Kim/Branson, Springfield
Dark Horse: Wiley
Player of the League: Colby Batterton Sr. Springfield
Others to watch for: Devin Eaton Sr. Holly, Truman King Sr. Holly, Drayden McCray So. Holly, Kolter Cranson Sr. Kim/Branson, Trotter Watkins So. Kim/Branson, David Gamez So. Kim/Branson, Cameron Rosas So. Kim/Branson, Leland Gable Jr. Springfield, Colin Swanson Sr. Springfield, Rhett McDonald Sr. Wiley, Milton Hernandez Sr. Wiley, Dallas Calzonetti Sr. South Baca, Jorey Billings Sr. South Baca
1A 5280 League
1. Denver Waldorf
2. Denver Jewish Day
3. Front Range Baptist
4. Mile High Academy
5. Denver Academy of Torah
6. Rocky Mountain Lutheran
The 5280 League will get an automatic berth in regionals. The 5280 has 6 teams possibly two more if they field a team this season. The 5280 should be competitive and we will see who challenges to push the top team in league. Denver Waldorf is my pick to win the 5280 League. Denver Waldorf returns 3 of their top 5 scorers including their top 2 from last season. They will be a contender to reach the state tournament this year. Denver Jewish Day has had a phenomenal two year run but are losing a huge chunk of last years team. DJD will return their #2 scorer, and he will be looking for a new supporting cast. Front Range Baptist is my pick for 3rd. Front Range Baptist lose their top scorer from last season, and they also just return 2 of their top 6 scorer from last season. Front Range Baptist will be looking for depth to step up and support the two leading scorers. Mile High Academy is my pick for fourth. Mile High Academy returns their top 6 scorers from last season and should be in the mix for a regional berth. They must improve offensively but will be a team to watch. Denver Academy of Torah is my pick for 5th. Denver Academy of Torah returns their entire roster from last year but we will see how much they improved and if they can challenge the top teams in the league. Rocky Mountain Lutheran rounds out the 5280. RML return their top 3 scorers from a young team. RML will look to see big improvement with a team led by mostly sophomore and juniors.
My predictions for 5280 League
League Champion: Denver Waldorf
Regional Contenders: Denver Waldorf, Denver Jewish Day, Front Range Baptist, Mile High Academy
Dark Horse: Mile High Academy
Player of the League: Cayden Quinn Jr. Denver Waldorf
Others to watch for: Henry Lottridge Jr. Denver Waldorf, Seth Carr Jr. Denver Waldorf, Solly Bielsky Jr. Denver Jewish Day, Ronen Trujillo Jr. Denver Jewish Day, Mark Sutton Sr. Front Range Baptist, Benjamin Vandenberghe Sr. Front Range Baptist, Max Ramos So. Mile High Academy, Rogan Annis Jr. Mile High Academy, Josh Makizimana Sr. Mile High Academy, Shmuely Brackman Jr. Denver Academy of Torah, Daniel Fiedler Sr. Denver Academy of Torah, Ben Kahn-Rose Sr. Denver Academy of Torah, Gavin Borchadt Jr. Rocky Mountain Lutheran, Abraham Rivas So. Rocky Mountain Lutheran, Blake Harris Jr. Rocky Mountain Lutheran
Regional Predictions
I will still give my regional predictions for the 32 teams I think make regionals. I am missing a few leagues that are 2A/1A or 3A/2A/1A league and they will be mentioned tomorrow.
5280
Denver Waldorf, Denver Jewish Day
Ark Valley
Holly, Kim/Branson, Springfield
Black Forest
Elbert, Evangelical Christian, Hanover
Fisher Peak
Primero
Hi-Plains
Cheyenne Wells, McClave, Granada, Cheraw, Eads
2A/1A Lower Platte
Caliche
3A/2A/1A Mile High
Flatirons Academy
North Central
Peetz, Prairie, Briggsdale, Fleming
2A/1A San Juan
Ouray, Nucla
Southern Peaks
Sierra Grande, Sangre De Cristo
2A/1A Union Pacific
Stratton
2A/1A Western Slope
De Beque, North Park
2A/1A West Central
Cotopaxi
YWKC
Otis, Idalia, Arickaree, Lone Star
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