Class 1A Boys Basketball Regional Predictions
Regionals are here and it’s win or go home time. Reaching Regionals is one of many steps for teams looking to reach the State Championship. To reach the state tournament is simple. Win your Region and you will go to the State Tournament. 8 regions and 8 teams advance to the State Tournament. Remember this is just my opinion, we are doing this for fun, and we are not cheering against any team. We know all the hard work that each team has put in to reach this point. Good Luck to all 32 teams!
Region 1 at McClave
#1 McClave over #32 Arickaree
#16 Granada over #17 Evangel Christian
I think the #16 vs #17 game will be a good one. Granada has more momentum coming into the game as they ended their season winning 3 of their last 5 games. ECA broke a four game slide when they defeated Cotopaxi and will look to get a winning streak going.
#1 McClave over #16 Granada
This would be a rematch from earlier in the season. McClave won this matchup 64-40 over Granada back on January 30th. Both teams have improved and we will see if Granada can pull the upset.
Region 2 at Elbert
#8 Elbert over #25 Cheraw
#9 Otis over Rocky Mountain Lutheran
I like both of the higher seeds in the opening rounds but both Cheraw and Rocky Mountain Lutheran should push these teams. The higher seeds cannot overlook their opponents.
#8 Elbert over #9 Otis
The best matchup in the Regional Finals! I keep going back and forth on who I want to pick in this matchup, and I feel like this is a game that should be played in Greeley. Elbert ended the season losing 3 of their last 5 games against top teams like Simla, Denver Waldorf, and Cheyenne Wells. Otis ended the year winning 5 of their last 6 games with their lone loss coming to Prairie. I could see either team winning.
Region 3 at Flatirons Academy
#4 Flatirons Academy over #29 Flagler
#13 Denver Jewish Day over #20 Holly
Denver Jewish Day vs Holly should be a great opening round matchup. Both teams have shown flashes of contending with top teams. I will be watching to see who wins this matchup.
#4 Flatirons Academy over #13 Denver Jewish Day
Flatirons Academy has been a perennial state tournament team, and they will be tested by a high scoring Denver Jewish Day or a tough Holly team. I think the size of Flatirons Academy makes the difference against either opponent.
Region 4 at Stratton
#5 Stratton over #28 Front Range Baptist
#12 Sangre De Cristo over #21 Kim/Branson
Sangre De Cristo and Kim/Branson have already played each other with Sangre getting the 64-46 win. It’s never easy to beat an opponent twice and look forward to this matchup in the opening round.
#5 Stratton over #12 Sangre De Cristo
Stratton could be pushed by a very fast tempo Sangre De Cristo team. If Stratton controls the tempo and plays their style they will advance. Stratton is still the only 1A team to beat McClave this year.
Region 5 at Nucla
#2 Nucla over #31 Kit Carson
#15 De Beque over #18 Ouray
De Beque vs Ouray should be a great battle. If De Beque is fully healthy they are one of the top teams in Class 1A. Ouray lost to De Beque back in December when they were fully healthy so they have seen what it takes to beat them.
#2 Nucla over #15 De Beque
As mentioned above if De Beque is fully healthy they can contend with any team. When Nucla defeated De Beque back in January De Beque was missing one of their key starters. I do think if De Beque is healthy they could pull the upset. Nucla was tested down the stretch by Ouray and Plateau Valley.
Region 6 at Denver Waldorf
#7 Denver Waldorf over #26 Idalia
#10 Sierra Grande over #23 Caliche
I think both of the high seeds will be favored but I also think the lower seeds Idalia & Caliche could test and make things very difficult for the higher seeds.
#10 Sierra Grande over #7 Denver Waldorf
Another amazing matchup in the Regional Finals, if it happens. Both teams come in riding momentum and playing their best basketball. Sierra Grande may have ended the regular season with a loss but they lost to #1 Sanford by just 2 points. Denver Waldorf ended the regular season winning 10 straight games including wins over Caliche, Elbert, and Denver Jewish Day. Should be an amazing matchup!
Region 7 at Cheyenne Wells
#3 Cheyenne Wells over #30 Springfield
#19 Pikes Peak Christian over #14 Wiley
Wiley vs Pikes Peak Christian will be one of the better matchups of the opening round. I can see it go either way and both teams will hope to take their shot at the #3 team in the state.
#3 Cheyenne Wells over #19 Pikes Peak Christian
Cheyenne Wells has a lot of State Tournament experience back and are well coached and they will look to get back to Greeley. Pikes Peak Christian has improved a lot this season and they will hope to pull a huge upset.
Region 8 at Prairie
#6 Prairie over #27 Mile High Academy
#11 Peetz over #22 Denver Academy of Torah
The higher seeds will be favorites in these matchups. They cannot overlook these opponents but look for the higher seeds to advance.
#6 Prairie over #11 Peetz
If Prairie vs Peetz happens it will be the third meeting between these two opponents, this season. Prairie holds the 2-0 season series. Prairie defeated Peetz 53-44 and 46-42. Both were highly competitive games and don’t expect that to change as it’s very tough to beat a team 3 times in one season.
State Tournament Matchups
#1 McClave vs #8 Elbert
#4 Flatirons Academy vs #5 Stratton
#2 Nucla vs #10 Sierra Grande
#3 Cheyenne Wells vs #6 Prairie
MileHigh Prep Report 