Class 3A Boys League Predictions Update 1/21

Class 3A Boys League Predictions Update 1/21

We have just over one month left of regular season play and we wanted to update our League Predictions plus update our regional contenders. We will have the 32 teams we think make the playoffs plus We will also list the 3 to 6 players we think are in the hunt for the MHPR Player of the League as well. Remember this is all for fun and we are not cheering against any team.

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4A/3A Tri-Peaks

1. Banning Lewis (2)

2. Lamar (4A 9)

3. Vanguard (11)

4. C.S Christian (15)

5. St. Mary’s (9)

6. Manitou Springs (4A 24)

7. Salida (40)

8. Woodland Park (4A 44)

9. La Junta (4A 30)

10. Rye (30)

11. Buena Vista (43)

12. Florence (37)

13. James Irwin (50)

14. Ellicott (53)

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. Banning Lewis is my pick to win the Tri-Peaks League. Banning Lewis is perfect on the year at 11-0 and already picked up a huge league win over Vanguard. Lamar, Vanguard, C.S Christina, and St. Mary’s should all challenge for the league crown and be regional teams. Manitou Springs, Salida, La Junta, Rye, and Florence could all be regional contenders.

My predictions for 4A/3A Tri-Peaks

League Champion: Banning Lewis

Regional Contenders: Banning Lewis, Lamar, Vanguard, C.S Christina, St. Mary’s, Manitou Springs, Salida, La Junta, Rye, Florence

Dark Horse: C.S Christian

Player of the League: Matthew Lebron, Banning Lewis

Others to watch for: Maximiliano Cota-Cordova C.S Christian, Eli Guzman Rye, Matty Dessalegn Vanguard, Jacob Dunning Lamar, Sam Salsbery C.S Christian, Michael Reed Manitou Springs, Cruz Artaechevarria St. Mary’s

4A/3A Metro

1. Kent Denver (4)

2. Prospect Ridge (7)

3. Stargate School (14)

4. Peak to Peak (17)

5. Forge Christian (3A 3)

6. The Academy (35)

7. Eagle Ridge (13)

8. Jefferson Academy (28)

9. Denver Christian (3A 16)

10. Colorado Academy (42)

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 is 12-3 overall and 3-0 in league play. They have yet to lose a game to a 4A or 3A opponent with all three loses coming to 5A or 6A opponents. Prospect Ridge, Stargate School, Peak to Peak, and Forge Christian will all challenge for the league crown and should be regional teams. The Academy, Eagle Ridge, Jefferson Academy, and Denver Christian should all be regional contenders.

My predictions for 4A/3A Metro

League Champion: Kent Denver

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

Dark Horse: The Academy

Player of the League: Caleb Fay, Kent Denver

Others to watch for: Jack Brandt Prospect Ridge, Jimeto Orji Jefferson Academy, Levi Clark Forge Christian, Tysen Burton Peak to Peak, Samuel Rich Eagle Ridge, Jayden Cain Denver Christian, Aldo Enriquez Stargate School, Sam Glynn Kent Denver

4A/3A Intermountain

1. Montezuma-Cortez (4A 3)

2. Pagosa Springs (4A 36)

3. Centauri (23)

4. Bayfield (19)

5. Ignacio (33)

6. Monte Vista (27)

7. Alamosa (4A 37)

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. Montezuma-Cortez is my pick to win the IML. Montezuma-Cortez is undefeated and have plenty of quality wins. Can they run the table in the IML? Pagosa Springs, Centauri, Bayfield, Ignacio, Monte Vista, and Alamosa will all take their shot at the top team in the IML. After Cortez I can see any combination of teams finishing in different spots.

My predictions for 4A/3A Intermountain

League Champion: Montezuma-Cortez

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

Dark Horse: Centauri

Player of the League: Trey Hall, Montezuma-Cortez

Others to watch for: Trace Crane Ignacio, Ah-dae Lang Montezuma-Cortez, Hayes Malone Bayfield, Azariah Hurtado Monte Vista, Creede Dozier Pagosa Springs, Ambrose Valdez Ignacio, Sean Jarvies Centauri

2A/3A/4A Frontier

1. Englewood (33)

2. Arrupe Jesuit (3A 24)

3. Pinnacle (23)

4. Bennett (40)

5. Fort Lupton (18)

6. Sheridan (2A 29)

7. Platte Canyon (3A 32)

8. Arvada (48)

9. Middle Park (3A 51)

10. Lake County (3A 56)

11. Alameda (56)

12. Jefferson (3A 57)

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. Englewood is my pick to win the Frontier League. Englewood is 10-5 in Class 4A and picked up a big win over Fort Lupton already in league play. Arrupe Jesuit, Pinnacle are all teams who could challenge for the league crown and should be regional teams. Bennett, Fort Lupton, Sheridan, and Platte Canyon are regional contenders.

My predictions for 4A/3A Frontier

League Champion: Englewood

Regional Contenders: Englewood, Arrupe Jesuit, Pinnacle, Bennett, Fort Lupton, Sheridan, Platte Canyon

Dark Horse: Pinnacle

Player of the League: Jonah Singer Englewood

Others to watch for: Bobby Garcia Sheridan, Javon Gonzales Fort Lupton, Nathaniel Zebroski Arvada, Austin Stiers Bennett, Mylz Palmer Fort Lupton, Caleb Arellano Pinnacle, Marion Munoz Pinnacle, Jacob Trail Middle Park, Louie Garcia Arrupe Jesuit

3A Western Slope

1. Roaring Fork (12)

2. North Fork (20)

3. Meeker (25)

4. Olathe (22)

5. Cedaredge (46)

6. Gunnison (54)

7. Grand Valley (44)

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. Roaring Fork is my pick to win the Western Slope League. Roaring Fork is 9-2 to kick off the year and 4-0 in league play. North Fork, Meeker, and Olathe all look to challenge for the league crown and are your regional contenders.

My predictions for Western Slope

League Champion: Roaring Fork

Regional Contenders: Roaring Fork, North Fork, Meeker, Olathe

Dark Horse: Olathe

Player of the League: Lucas Carballeira Roaring Fork

Others to watch for: Isaiah Gordon Olathe, Trent Sanders Meeker, Elijah Gordon Olathe, Zach Mannon Cedaredge, Diego De’Barros North Fork, Kiko Pena Roaring Fork

3A Patriot

1. Strasburg (1)

2. Resurrection Christian (7)

3. Yuma (4)

4. Windsor Charter (5)

5. Liberty Comon (10)

6. Platte Valley (21)

7. Highland (13)

8. Wiggins (8)

9. Brush (35)

10. Frontier Academy (29)

11. Wray (31)

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. Strasburg is my pick to win the Patriot League. The Patriot League is loaded with top teams and whoever wins this league title will be battle tested. Resurrection Christian, Yuma, Windsor Charter, and Liberty Common are who I think give Strasburg the biggest test for the league crown and will be regional teams. Platte Valley, Highland, and Wiggins I think are also teams who are near lock for regionals. Brush, Frontier, Academy, and Wray will be regional contenders.

My predictions for Patriot

League Champion: Strasburg

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

Dark Horse: Liberty Common

Player of the League: Brody Hopwood, Strasburg

Others to watch for: Brody Sheffield Yuma, Dayton Long Windsor Charter, Egan Koenig Resurrection Christian, Andrew Schams Windsor Charter, Caiden Castillo Liberty Common, Regan Edstrom Platte Valley, Michael Adamson Wiggins

3A Black Forest

1. Peyton (6)

2. Thomas MacLaren (34)

3. Fountain Valley (42)

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 will be in the hunt to host a regional and will need to take care of business down the stretch. Thomas MacLaren is a regional contender in the Black Forest League.

My predictions for 3A Black Forest

League Champion: Peyton

Regional Contenders: Peyton, Thomas MacLaren

Dark Horse: Fountain Valley

Player of the League: Michael Perry, Peyton

Others to watch for: Jaden Lopez-Hardy Fountain Valley, Bryce Love Peyton, Nathaniel Dillavou Thomas MacLaren, Lance Mathews 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

Patriot

Strasburg, Resurrection Christian, Yuma, Windsor Charter, Liberty Common, Platte Valley, Highland, Wiggins, Brush, Wray

Western Slope

Roaring Fork, North Fork, Meeker, Olathe

Frontier

Arrupe Jesuit

Intermountain

Centauri, Bayfield, Ignacio, Monte Vista

Metro

Forge Christian, Denver Christian