CLASS 1A BOYS BASKETBALL REPORT
BY: KERRY SHERMAN
The new year is here and with it comes a flurry of key games in the first full weekend. We are still a few weeks away from the midpoint of the season, but these early-season results still carry a lot of weight. We’re using our MHPR rankings for our Class 1A reports. This is a look at the games this weekend featuring teams inside the top-10.
#1 MCCLAVE (5-1)
Fresh off their title in the Lamar Holiday Basketball Tournament that closed out 2025, the Cardinals play their first High Plains League game on Friday, at Eads. That’s followed by a trip to Hoehne on Saturday. McClave won’t play its first home game for another two weeks. The reigning Player of the Year in the classification, Tuff Kelley, has led the way so far by averaging 20 points, 12 rebounds, and close to four blocks. Mason Barr is also in double figures in scoring, putting in 11.2 points a game.
#2 CHEYENNE WELLS (6-0)
The Tigers held five of their first six opponents to fewer than 50 points, and the last two only tallied 29 and 27. The latter of those was #7 Peetz in the championship clash of the Idalia tournament. They also open High Plains league play on Friday, as they host Granada. Cheyenne Wells will be on the road on Saturday, visiting Springfield. The Tigers also have a big contest at #3 Stratton next Tuesday. Corey Hill has been as good as advertised, averaging 27.5 points, 15.7 rebounds, and better than three blocks a night. Trey Scheler (10.8) and Caden Muth (9.7) give the Tigers three quality scorers.
#3 STRATTON (2-2)
Stratton had a rough go in the Border Wars, going 1-2 against Kansas foes. Two of the three games were decided by four points apiece, and the remaining saw a 10-point final separation. The Eagles closed out 2025 with a 63-20 romp at Hi-Plains. They will spend the weekend on the road, playing a pair of 2A LPAA foes in Holyoke and Akron. Those lead up to next Tuesday’s big meeting with Cheyenne Wells at home.
#4 ELBERT (2-1)
After going a full month between games, Elbert got back to action on Wednesday against 3A Denver Christian. The Bulldogs led 26-24 at the half, but were outscored 13-6 in a pivotal third frame. They fell by a 47-44 count. Elbert gets back at it on Saturday, at Kit Carson, and the Bulldogs will also have a contest at Peyton next Tuesday.
#5 DE BEQUE (8-2)
De Beque only suffered one loss in December, with that coming to a school from New Mexico. The Dragons opened January with another loss to an out of state opponent, as they fell at Green River (WY) 78-64 on Wednesday. Burke Largent buried six three-pointers and put up a career-high 39 points, but the Dragons could not win their second straight. Largent is averaging 22.6 points a game to lead the team, and Jace Graham follows with 19.1 ppg. De Beque will host Plateau Valley in its Western Slope opener on Friday, and will also host Caprock Academy in league play next Wednesday.
#6 PRAIRIE (6-1)
Prairie got out of the gates 6-0, winning titles at the Carlile Classic and the Prairie Classic, and reaching the finals of the NJC Holiday Tournament. The Mustangs were handed their first defeat of the season in that contest by 3A #9 Wiggins, 40-29. They will spend their first weekend back at home, with match-ups against Arickaree/Woodlin and 2A #6 Haxtun.
#7 PEETZ (5-2)
Peetz had a strong start to the season, with the only losses coming to Prairie in the final of the Carlile Classic, and to Cheyenne Wells in the title game of the Idalia tournament. Connor Schumacher (12.2) and Rhyder Bayne (12.0) lead the Bulldogs in scoring. The duo combines for close to seven steals and 5.5 assists a night. Peetz is home against Merino on Saturday, and will travel to Arickaree/Woodlin next Tuesday.
#8 FLATIRONS ACADEMY (5-1)
After a loss to Elbert in the finals of its own tournament in the opening weekend of play, Flatirons Academy finished December with a flourish, winning its final four games. Only one of those was decided by fewer than 13 points. Caleb Doughty (19.7 ppg) and Gunnar Ast (18.2 ppg, 15;2 rebounds) have been a formidable 1-2 punch early in the season. The Bison open Mile High play on Friday at Belleview Christian, and will remain inside the league at Union Colony Prep next Tuesday.
#9 OTIS (2-2)
Otis opened the season with a loss to Elbert in the Flatirons Academy tournament, and also had a loss to 3A Heritage Christian in the Akron Holiday Tournament, and finished the month of December with a 2-2 mark. Grady Bechtle leads a balanced attack that sees five players scoring at least six points a night, with 16.8 points. He also pulls down 13.8 rebounds a game. Austin Hornung gives the Bulldogs 9.8 points a night, while Cambric Klinzmann averages nine points and 9.8 rebounds. The Bulldogs have their YWKC opener at Bethune on Friday, and then they step out of league action on Saturday when they host Fleming. Otis is on the road next Tuesday at Haxtun.
#10 NUCLA (8-0)
Nucla handled its business in December, going 8-0 and winning by an average of 17.5 points a game. The Mustangs get into San Juan Basin play on Thursday, with a jaunt to Ridgway on tap. Another league match-up follows on Saturday, as Mancos pays a visit. The Mustangs have three players scoring in double figures, led by Holten McCluer at 16.4 ppg. Brycen Rummel is right on his heels at 15.5 ppg, and Austin Garvey rounds out the trio at 11.9 ppg.
MileHigh Prep Report 