CLASS 1A BOYS BASKETBALL REPORT – WEEK TWO BY KERRY SHERMAN

CLASS 1A BOYS BASKETBALL REPORT – WEEK TWO

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

The opening week of hoops is in the books, and a number of top teams suffered defeats early. Week two has even more big match-ups on tap.

#1 MCCLAVE (1-0)

The top-ranked Cardinals got 19 points from Mason Barr in a 65-36 win over Idalia last Saturday. Tuff Kelley added a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Drew Howe chipped in a dozen points. Kelley also recorded seven blocked shots. The Cardinals are back in the northeast part of the state this weekend, visiting 3A #6 Yuma on Friday, and Fleming on Saturday.

#2 STRATTON (1-0)

Stratton had to wait until Tuesday to get the season started, but the Eagles made the wait worthwhile. They took down Greeley County (KS) 56-52 in the first night of the Border Wars. They will square off against Stanton County on Friday, and Syracuse on Saturday.

#3 CHEYENNE WELLS (2-0)

The Tigers got a big opening night performance from Corey Hill in last Friday’s 68-35 win over Flagler, as the CSU-Pueblo signee recorded 31 points and 23 rebounds. Caden Muth added 17 points. Cheyenne Wells then opened the Border Wars on Tuesday night with a 50-37 victory over Syracuse. The Tigers face Elkhart on Friday and Stanton County on Saturday to wrap up the Border Wars.

#4 ELBERT (2-0)

Elbert won the title at the Flatirons Academy tournament over the weekend, beating #9 Otis 70-54, and #10 Flatirons Academy 64-48. The Bulldogs are off until next Tuesday, when they travel to 2A #5 Byers.

#5 DE BEQUE (3-0)

The Dragons got out of the gate with three tournament wins last weekend, taking care of Olathe (63-45), Ridgway (68-56), and Ouray (66-48). De Beque hosts the Western Slope Winter Classic this weekend.

#6 PRAIRIE (2-0)

Prairie won the title at the Carlile Classic at Peetz last weekend, with the Mustangs collecting wins over Caliche (53-21) and #7 Peetz (46-42 OT). Mason Holloway scored 20 second half points in the victory over Peetz on Saturday. The Mustangs will host the Prairie Classic this weekend, with an opening round game against Lone Star.

#7 PEETZ (2-1)

Prior to the loss to Prairie last Saturday, the Bulldogs had taken a 65-17 win over Lone Star in the opening round of the Carlile Classic. They bounced back after the loss in the title game to beat Lone Star for a second time on Tuesday, winning that match-up 66-18. The Bulldogs go to Leyton (NE) on Thursday.

#8 SIERRA GRANDE (1-1)

The Panthers dropped a heartbreaker to 2A Byers, 66-61) in the opening round of the Cheraw tournament last weekend, but responded by beating the hosts 58-23 for third place. Jadyn Martinez had 20 against Byers and scored a team-high 16 against Cheraw, while Rolando Najera went for a team-best 23 against Byers. Sierra Grande opens the Center tournament on Friday with Ignacio.

#9 OTIS (1-1)

Grady Bechtle posted a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds in Otis’ 70-54 loss to Elbert in the opening game of the Flatirons Academy tournament, and Dalton DeMers added 11 points. Bechtle added another double-double in a 71-35 Bulldog victory over Front Range Baptist, racking up 18 points and 18 boards. Cambric Klinzmann added one of this own, registering 14 points and 15 rebounds. Otis is in another tournament this weekend, the Akron Holiday Tournament, and the Bulldogs open up against Heritage Christian on Friday.

#10T FLATIRONS ACADEMY (2-1)

The Bison handled Front Range Baptist 70-55 in the opening round of the Flatirons Academy tournament, getting 22 points from Caleb Doughty, and a monster double-double of 22 points and 24 boards from Gunnar Ast. Doughty had another 22-point outing against Elbert in the 64-48 loss to the Bulldogs, and Ast tallied 10 points and 13 rebounds. Tuesday night saw the Bison eke out a 58-54 win over Denver Waldorf, who opened the week sharing the final spot in the top-10 with Flatirons Academy. The Bison travel to Arickaree/Woodlin on Saturday.

#10T DENVER WALDORF (1-1)

Denver Waldorf cruised past Sheridan 71-26 last Tuesday in its season-opener, with the Spartans getting 26 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and five steals from Cayden Quinn. Henry Lottridge posted his own double-double, recording 17 points and 20 rebounds. The Spartans dropped a 58-54 decision at home against Flatirons Academy this Tuesday. Denver Waldorf opens the Prairie Classic on Friday with a tilt against Union Colony Prep.