Class 3A Boys Basketball League Predictions

Class 3A Boys Basketball 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 3A. Some mixed Classes will be in the 2A League Predictions. Remember, for Class 3A 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 3A will play a modified Consolation Bracket.

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4A/3A Tri-Peaks

1. Salida

2. Vanguard

3. Banning Lewis

4. Lamar (4A)

5. Buena Vista

6. James Irwin

7. C.S Christian

8. La Junta (4A)

9. Rye

10. Manitou Springs (4A)

11. St. Mary’s

12. Woodland Park (4A)

13. Florence

14. Ellicott

The 4A/3A Tri-Peaks will automatically get a berth to regionals since they have over 5 teams. Only the team that finishes in First Place in the league regardless of Class will get the automatic berth. Salida is my pick to win the Tri-Peaks League. Salida returns 6 of their top 8 scorers from a season ago including their top 3 scorers. Salida gained valuable experience last season and will look to make another push into the Elite 8 this season. Salida is one of the teams to watch for as a favorite to win it all. Vanguard, Banning Lewis, Lamar, and Buena Vista I believe are the main challengers for the League Title and Regional Berths. Those same four schools I also believe could be in the mix to make it to the Elite 8 in their respective classes. James Irwin, C.S Christian, La Junta, and Rye I also believe are regional contenders. Lamar is my dark horse pick. Lamar has a ton of talent back plus some incoming freshman that could push Lamar into 1^st and possibly a deep playoff run.

My predictions for 4A/3A Tri-Peaks

League Champion: Salida

Regional Contenders: Salida, Vanguard, Banning Lewis, Lamar, Buena Vista, James Irwin, C.S Christian, La Junta, Rye

Dark Horse: Lamar

Player of the League: Kason Westphal Sr. Salida

Others to watch for: Ryan Osness Sr. Salida, Dylan Grant Sr. Salida, JJ Wetters Sr. Vanguard, Matty Dessalegn Jr. Vanguard, Josh Alade Jr. Vanguard, Trey Oden Sr. Banning Lewis, Kobe Welch Sr. Banning Lewis, Jordan Jones Jr. Banning Lewis, Lucas Martinez Sr. Lamar, Alex Williams Jr. Lamar, Jacob Dunning So. Lamar, Julian Lopez-Olsen Sr. Buena Vista, Kaden Schell Sr. Buena Vista, Hudson Wingo Jr. Buena Vista, Matthew Lebron Jr. James Irwin, Miguel Cota-Cordova Sr. C.S Christian, Jace Velasquez Sr. C.S Christian, Monze Alvidres Sr. La Junta, DJ Brown Sr. La Junta, Eli Guzman So. Rye, Isaiah Guzman Sr. Rye, Cohen Barrett Jr. Manitou Springs, Michael Trechter Jr. St. Mary’s, Joe Johnson Sr. Woodland Park, Jaret Lozano Jr. Florence, Tavon Flewellen Jr. Ellicott

4A/3A Metro

1. Kent Denver

2. Forge Christian (3A)

3. Peak to Peak

4. Stargate School

5. Jefferson Academy

6. Eagle Ridge Academy

7. The Academy

8. Colorado Academy

9. Prospect Ridge

10. Denver Christian (3A)

The 4A/3A Metro will automatically get a berth to regionals since they have over 5 teams. Only the team that finishes in First Place in the league regardless of Class will get the automatic berth. Kent Denver is my pick to win the Metro League. Kent Denver returns 2 of their top 5 scorers but lose key pieces and will look to depth to step up this year. Forge Christian, Peak to Peak, Stargate School, Jefferson Academy, and Eagle Ridge Academy all will be league title contenders and regional contenders in their respective Classes. Forge Christian and Denver Christian are the only 3A schools left in the Metro League. Forge Christian will be an Elite 8 contender and should be in the mix for the league title. Denver Christian will be playing their first year in Class 3A and return some 3 of their top 6 scorers. I think Denver Christian could be in the running for a regional bid but will have to adjust to the 3A game.

My predictions for 4A/3A Metro

League Champion: Kent Denver

Regional Contenders: Kent Denver, Forge Christian, Peak to Peak, Stargate School, Jefferson Academy, Eagle Ridge, Colorado Academy, Denver Christian

Dark Horse: Denver Christian

Player of the League: Caleb Fay Jr. Kent Denver

Others to watch for: Elivs Lloyd Sr. Kent Denver, Gil Schayes Sr. Kent Denver, Owen Hovis Sr. Forge Christian, Levi Clark Jr. Forge Christian, Jakan Sederwall Sr. Forge Christian, Elijah Eschemeyer Sr. Peak to Peak, Tysen Burton Jr. Peak to Peak, Connor Rusch Sr. Stargate School, Hunter Roark Sr. Stargate School, Camden Cottrell Sr. Stargate School, Josh Neely Sr. Jefferson Academy, Jimeto Orji Jr. Jefferson Academy, Boston Harris Sr. Jefferson Academy, Aiden Wanrow So. Eagle Ridge, Isaiah Garcia Sr. Eagle Ridge, Clyde Love Sr. Colorado academy, Liam Schilling Sr. Prosepct Ridge, Jackson Brandt So. Prospect Ridge, Ryan Wind Sr. Denver Christian, Kaden Moore Sr. Denver Christian, Trey boychuk Sr. The Academy, Gavin Massler Sr. The Academy

4A/3A Intermountain

1. Centauri

2. Pagosa Springs (4A)

3. Montezuma-Cortez (4A)

4. Monte Vista

5. Bayfield

6. Ignacio

7. Alamosa (4A)

The 4A/3A Intermountain League will automatically get a berth to regionals since they have over 5 teams. Only the team that finishes in First Place in the league regardless of Class will get the automatic berth. Centauri is my pick to win the IML. Centauri does lose a few key seniors from last years team but bring back the talent to push for the League Title and a deep playoff run. Pagosa Springs, Montezuma-Cortez, Monte Vista, and Bayfield look to be the main contenders for the league and regional contenders. I cannot county out Ignacio and Alamosa but are losing a lot of seniors from last year’s team. My dark horse pick is Monte Vista. They move up from Class 2A to Class 3A and they return their entire roster off a 15-8 team. How will they compete against teams in Class 3A this season.

My predictions for 4A/3A Intermountain

League Champion: Centauri

Regional Contenders: Centauri, Pagosa Springs, Montezuma-Cortez, Monte Vista, Bayfield

Dark Horse: Monte Vista

Player of the League: Colt Lewis Sr. Pagosa Springs

Others to watch for: Carson Bagwell Sr. Centauri, Troy Sowards Sr. Centauri, Jace Haslett Sr. Centauri, Creede Dozier Jr. Pagosa Springs, Seth Zeigler Sr. Pagosa Springs, Trey Hall So. Montezuma-Cortez, Caidin Leonard Sr. Montezuma-Cortez, Tay Wheat Sr. Montezuma-Cortez, Azariah Hurtado Jr. Monte Vista, Alex Marquez Sr. Monte Vista, Kaden Madrid Sr. Monte Vista, Cooper Rodrick Sr. Bayfield, Lincoln Williams Sr. Bayfield, Vincent Mccullough Jr. Bayfield, Trace Crane Jr. Ignacio, Coty Webb Sr. Ignacio, Victor Zepeda Jr. Alamosa

4A/3A City (Not In Order)

1. Manual

2. Bruce Randolph

3. KIPP Collegiate

4. Robert F STEAM

The 4A/3A City League will automatically get a berth to regionals since they have over 5 teams. Only the team that finishes in First Place in the league regardless of Class will get the automatic berth. Just 4 of the 14 teams in the City League are 3A teams. I am going to just quickly touch on the 3A teams for our Weekly Previews and we will talk about the league title races but, I am not going to dive into the full league. The 3A teams in the City play in a tough 4A League. Manual has the tradition, but they lost a big senior class and could be rebuilding this year. Bruce Randolph could be a regional contender in Class 3A but will have to finish middle of the pack and up. Robert STEAM is a brand-new school and we will keep an eye out for this team.

2A/3A/4A Frontier

1. Fort Lupton

2. Middle Park (3A)

3. Bennett

4. Lake County (3A)

5. Arrupe Jesuit

6. Pinnacle

7. Englewood

8. Platte Canyon (3A)

9. Arvada

10. Jefferson (3A)

11. Sheridan (2A)

12. Alameda

The 4A/3A/2A Frontier League will automatically get a berth to regionals since they have over 5 teams. Only the team that finishes in First Place in the league regardless of Class will get the automatic berth. Fort Lupton is my pick to win the Frontier League. Fort Lupton returns their top 3 scorers from last season and could be an Elite 8 contender in Class 4A this year. Middle Park, Bennet, Lake County, Arrupe Jesuit, and Pinnacle are the main league title contenders and regional contenders. Class 3A teams are Middle Park, Lake County, Platte Canyon, and Jefferson. Middle Park and Lake County are 3A Regional Contenders and Middle Park could be a team to watch as they return key pieces. Lake County is my dark horse pick as they return key pieces plus a year of experience.

My predictions for 4A/3A Frontier

League Champion: Fort Lupton

Regional Contenders: Fort Lupton, Middle Park, Bennett, Lake County, Arrupe Jesuit, Pinnacle

Dark Horse: Lake County

Player of the League: Shane Callahan Jr. Fort Lupton

Others to watch for: Jovan Gonzales Jr. Fort Lupton, Guillaume Nkiadiambu Jr. Fort Lupton, Joey Gagnon Sr. Middle Park, Weston Wiedel Sr. Middle Park, Luke Paugh Sr. Middle Park, Wen Stiers Sr. Bennett, Jayden Ivory Sr. Bennett, Austin Stiers Jr. Bennett, Isaiah Martinez Sr. Lake County, Canaan Hall Sr. Lake County, Jaren Peters Jr. Lake County, Ari Cowans Jr. Arrupe Jesuit, Xavier Martinez Jr. Arrupe Jesuit, Caleb Arellano Jr. Pinnacle, Soren Singer Jr. Englewood, Jonah Singer Jr. Englewood, Max Flores Jr. Platte Canyon, Trevor Kirklin Jr. Platte Canyon, Cameron Henderson Jr. Arvada, Luis Fajardo Sr. Jefferson, Demitrias Martinez Sr. Jefferson, Bobby Garcia Jr. Sheridan, Amando Monarrez Jr. Sheridan, Brian Sanchez Jr. Alameda

3A Western Slope

1. Grand Valley

2. Roaring Fork

3. Meeker

4. Cedaredge

5. Olathe

6. North Fork

7. Gunnison

The 3A Western Slope will automatically get a berth to regionals since they have over 5 teams. Only the team that finishes in First Place in the league regardless of Class will get the automatic berth. Grand Valley is my pick to win the Western Slope League. Grand Valley returns their top 4 scorers from a season ago. They will look to build off last season and push for the league title. Roaring Fork, Cedaredge, and Meeker will be the main league title contenders and the main regional contenders from the Western Slope League. Olathe is my dark horse pick. Olathe returns key players, but can they learn how to sustain success for a full season.

My predictions for Western Slope

League Champion: Grand Valley

Regional Contenders: Grand Valley, Roaring Fork, Meeker, Cedaredge

Dark Horse: Olathe

Player of the League: Andrew Horner Sr. Grand Valley

Others to watch for: Porter Ostermiller Sr. Grand Valley, Leonardo De La Cruz Sr. Grand Valley, Lucas Carballeira Jr. Roaring Fork, Ethan Wilson Jr. Roaring Fork, Kiko Pena Jr. Roaring Fork, Drew Drake Sr. Meeker, Said Rodriguez So. Meeker, Trent Sanders So. Meeker, Rylan Brooks Jr. Cedaredge, Jacob Bowler Sr. Cedaredge, Logan McIntire Sr. Cedaredge, Isaiah Gordon Jr. Olathe, Garret Millsap Sr. Olathe, Moss Inman Sr. North Fork, Forrest Gonzalez Sr. North Fork

3A Patriot

1. Yuma

2. Resurrection Christian

3. Strasburg

4. Highland

5. Windsor Charter

6. Platte Valley

7. Wray

8. Wiggins

9. Brush

10. Liberty Common

11. Frontier Academy

The 3A Patriot will automatically get a berth to regionals since they have over 5 teams. Only the team that finishes in First Place in the league regardless of Class will get the automatic berth. Yuma is my pick to win the 3A Patriot League. Yuma is your defending State Champions and they return their #1 and #3 scorers from a year ago. Yuma will have to have depth step up this year to hold off the rest of the league. Resurrection Christian I believe is the top contender and a team that could also win a state title this year. Resurrection Christian is the Class 4A defending state champion. They also return their #1 and #3 scorers from a year ago. Strasburg, Highland, and Windsor Charter in my opinion are other teams who could contend for the league title but are regional and possibly Elite 8 Contenders. Platte Valley, Wray, Wiggins, and Brush are regional contenders. My dark horse this year is Windsor Charter. Windsor Charter changes into the Patriot League a much tougher league than their previous league, how do they contend again some of the top 3A teams.

My predictions for Patriot

League Champion: Yuma

Regional Contenders: Yuma, Resurrection Christian, Strasburg, Highland, Windsor Charter, Platte Valley, Wray, Wiggins, Brush

Dark Horse: Windsor Charter

Player of the League: Brody Sheffield Jr. Yuma

Others to watch for: Jonathan Thomson Sr. Yuma, Alex Pensado So. Yuma, Ty Yoder Sr. Resurrection Christian, Cade Crutcher Sr. Resurrection Christian, Graham Riggs Sr. Resurrection Christian, Tyce Bollers Sr. Strasburg, Nick Glatfelter Jr. Strasburg, Cade Hemphill Jr. Strasburg, Sawyer Morgan Sr. Highland, Brogan Palmer Jr. Highland, Kellen Ball Sr. Windsor Charter, Andrew Schams Jr. Windsor Charter, Dayton Long So. Windsor Charter, Regan Edstrom Jr. Platte Valley, Talyn Short Sr. Platte Valley, Aaron Tena Jr. Wray, Adonay Gonzalez Sr. Wray, Jr Meyer Sr. Wiggins, Jackson Adams Jr. Wiggins, Edgar Ortiz Jr. Brush, Payson Poland Jr. Brush, Pierce Richardson Sr. Liberty Common, Lucas Carmichael Sr. Frontier Academy

3A Black Forest

1. Peyton

2. Fountain Valley

3. Thomas MacLaren

4. Dolores Huerta

The Class 3A Black Forest will not get an automatic berth into regional unless they do combine with the Class 2A Black Forest. If not the only way a team from the 3A Black Forest can qualify for regionals is being inside the top 32 of the CHSAA Seeding Index. Peyton is my pick to win the Class 3A Black Forest. Peyton is a top team in Class 3A this season and have Elite 8 aspirations. Peyton returns 4 of their top 5 scorers from a season ago including their top scorer. Peyton will be a team to watch. Fountain Valley is a regional contender this season as well they return 7 of their top 8 scorers including their top two scorers from last year.

My predictions for 3A Black Forest

League Champion: Peyton

Regional Contenders: Peyton, Fountain Valley

Dark Horse: Fountain Valley

Player of the League: Michael Perry jr. Peyton

Others to watch for: Gabriel Gatti Jr. Peyton, Bryce Love Jr. Peyton, Jaden Lopez-Hardy jr. Fountain Valley, Nick Prantl Jr. Fountain Valley, Tenzin Tinley Sr. Fountain Valley, Caiden Zoerb-Orta Jr. Thomas MacLaren

Regional Predictions

I am going to pick the 32 teams I think qualify for Regionals. Remember to qualify for Regionals you either need to win your League or be in the top 32 of the CHSAA Seeding & Selection Index.

Black Forest

Peyton, Fountain Valley

City

Bruce Randolph

Frontier

Middle Park, Lake County

Intermountain

Centauri, Monte Vista, Bayfield

Metro

Forge Christian, Denver Christian

Mile High

Lyons, SkyView Academy, Estes Park,