Class 2A Boys Basketball Regional Preview
by Anthony Garcia
Postseason is here and the competition will be getting more intense. With teams assigned to their region for the first round of the playoffs, we get brief glimpse at all 32 teams that made the postseason and see where they are going, who they play, and the other competitors in their region.
Sanford Region
#1 Sanford (21-1) vs #32 Ridgway (9-12), @5:30pm
Sanford comes into Regional as the #1 overall seed and winners of the Southern Peaks League. Sanford ended the season on a 10 game winning streak including quality wins over Monte Vista, Center, Custer County, and Sierra Grande. Sanford is a defensive powerhouse holding teams to just 34.6 ppg while scoring 52.1 ppg. Sanford is led by Trason Gartrell (12.5 ppg), Colter Canty (8.1 ppg), and Cahl Larsen (5.7 ppg). Ridgway enters as the #32 seed and finishing as the 5th place team in the San Juan League. Ridgway ended the season on a high note winning 3 straight games including a key win over 3A Telluride. Ridgway is powered by Henry Deppen (24.3 ppg), Brodie Musgrove (10.6 ppg), and Josue Born (8.8 ppg). These two teams did not face each other this year but have two common opponents in West Grand and Crested Butte and both teams went 2-0. These two teams have also never played.
#16 Custer County (14-9) vs #17 Center (14-9), @8:30pm
Custer County comes into regional as the #16 Seed and winners of the West Central League. Custer County ended the season losing their final two games but before that had won 8 straight games including key wins over Vail Christian, ECA, and Center. Custer County is led by Grant Rusk (15.8 ppg), Kal Tunnell (11.6 ppg), and Robert Bachman (9.1 ppg). Center comes into the matchup as the #17 seed and finished in 2nd place in the Southern Peaks League. Center ended the season on a bit of a rough note dropping 4 of their final 6 games. Center is led by Angel Palma, Jaiden Martinez, and Yanixan Padilla. This will be the third meeting between these two teams. Center won the first matchup 47 to 36 and Custer County won the second 47-36. Custer County also leads the all-time series lead 10 to 8.
Merino Regional
#8 Merino (14-9) vs #25 Hoehne (12-11), @5:15pm
Merino enters the regional tournament as the #8 seed and winners of the Lower Platte League. Merino has hit their stride winning 8 straight games including wins over Sedgwick County, Akron, Otis, Holyoke, and Limon. Merino is powered by JJ Powell (13.0 ppg), Zavier Trenkle (9.5 ppg), and Coltyr Goss (7.3 ppg). Hoehne is the #25 seed in the 2A State Tournament. Hoehne finished 4th in the Santa Fe League. Hoehne did not end the season the strongest dropping 5 of their last 7 games. Hoehne is led by Jacob Magninat (15.0 ppg), Alan Meraz (9.3 ppg), and Ethan Lopez (9.1 ppg). These two teams have not meet this season and have 1 common opponent in Simla with both teams falling by 25+ points. Also, Hoehne and Merino have never played each other.
#9 Limon (14-9) vs #24 Holyoke (8-15), @1:45pm
Limon comes into regionals as the #9 seed and winners of the 2A/1A Union Pacific League. Limon played well down the stretch winning 7 of their final 8 games including key wins over Byers, Stratton, Akron, and Byers yet again. Limon is led by Keagan Mellott (10.7 ppg), Aiden Kollath (8.9 ppg), and Daniel Forristall (7.9 ppg). Holyoke enters regionals as the #24 seed and they finished in 4th place in the Lower Platte League. Holyoke ended the season winning just two of their final 7 games but picked up a big one when they upset Haxtun last week. Holyoke is led by Colby Weber (14.6 ppg), Kaden Herman (6.7 ppg), and Mason Sprague (6.3 ppg). Holyoke and Limon did not play each other this season but have common opponents in Burlington, Akron, Stratton, Merino, Simla, and Byers. Holyoke went 3-5 against those opponents while Limon went 6-4. Limon also lead the all-time series against Holyoke 5 to 3.
Twin Peaks Classical Region
#4 Twin Peaks Classical (22-1) vs #29 Akron (8-15), @5pm
Twin Peaks Classical comes into Regionals as the #4 overall seed and finishing in 2nd in the Foothills League. Twin Peaks Classical had a very strong end to the season winning their final 8 games including quality wins over Golden View Classical, William Smith, Loveland Classical, and Addenbrooke Classical. Twin Peaks Classical is led by Matthew Wurth (13.6 ppg), David Bosire (10.4 ppg), and Jace Ross (10.2 ppg). Akron enters regionals as the #29 seed and finished in 5th place in the Lower Platte League. Akron played a tough schedule this year and showed how they ended the year falling in 7 of their final 8 games. Akron is powered by Kolten Randel (18.1 ppg), Jakzon Livesay (7.8 ppg), and Jace Curtis (7.3 ppg). These two teams did not play each other this season and did not play any common opponents. Akron last played Twin Peaks Classical a year ago defeating them 63 to 38.
#13 Plateau Valley (14-8) vs #20 Trinidad (12-9), @7pm
Plateau Valley moves into the regional round as the #13 seed and they also finished in 2nd place in the Western Slope League. Plateau Valley ended the season strong and finally healthy as they won 6 of their final 7 games including key wins over De Beque, Caprock Academy x2, and Cedaredge. Plateau Valley is led by Colter Ralston (21.0 ppg), London Mitchell (16.2 ppg), and Austin Grundy (9.9 ppg). Trinidad comes into regionals as the #20 seed and finished in 4th place in the Southern Peaks League. Trinidad did not end the season exactly how they wanted losing 4 of their final 6 games. Trinidad is led by Isaiah Moreno (12.8 ppg), Jeremiah Romero (10.8 ppg), and Xavier Garcia (10.4 ppg). Plateau Valley and Trinidad did not play each other this year but have one common opponent in Sargent with both winning. Plateau Valley and Trinidad have never played each other.
Golden View Classical Region
#5 Golden View Classical (19-4) vs #28 Sedgwick County (8-14), @4:30pm
Golden View Classical comes into regionals as the #5 overall seed and the league champions of the Foothills League. Golden View Classical finished the season winning 6 of their final 8 games including wins over Twin Peaks Classical, William Smith, and Loveland Classical. Golden View Classical is led by Jacob Walker (16.9 ppg), Luke Chronowski (12.2 ppg), and George Hermanson (10.8 ppg). Sedgwick County enters regionals as the #28 seed and finished in 3rd place in the Lower Platte League. Sedgwick County ended the season strong, going 3-3 in their final 6 games and getting into regionals. Sedgwick County had a key win over Holyoke to help them get over the hump. Sedgwick County is led by Tate Renquist (12.4 ppg), Joshua Palic (12.1 ppg), and Noah Harens (9.7 ppg). These two teams have not played each other and don’t have any common opponents. Golden View Classical and Sedgwick County did face each other last year with Sedgwick County getting the 60 to 35 win.
#12 Front Range Christian vs #21 Vanguard Classical East, @6:30pm
Front Range Christian enters regionals as the #12 seed and they finished in 4th place in the Mile High League. Front Range Christian did not end the season on a strong note falling in 5 of their final 6 games with quality loses to Heritage Christian, Flatirons Academy, and SkyView Academy. Front Range Chrisitan is powered by Haedan Morton (15.4 ppg), Zach Woo (13.8 ppg), and Caleb Harms (12.3 ppg). Vanguard Classical East comes into regionals as the #21 seed and did not play in a league. Vanguard Classical completed their Varsity season and found success going 14-7. Vanguard Classical finished the season winning 5 straight games including quality wins over Denver Academy of Torah and Village. Vanguard Classical is led by James Coleman (28.7 ppg), Dekimbae High (13.5 ppg), and Landen Campbell (13.0 ppg). Front Range Christian and Vanguard Classical did not play each other but played 3 common opponents in Denver Jewish Day, Pikes Peak Christian, and Lyons. Front Range Christian went 3-0 and Vanguard Classical went 1-2.
Simla Regional
#2 Simla (18-4) vs #31 Belleview Christian (9-14), @3:30pm
Simla enters regionals as the #2 overall seed and winners of the 2A Black Forest League. Simla ended the season winning 4 straight games and 7 of their final 8 games. Simla picked up quality wins over ECA, Salida, Elbert, and Holyoke in those 8 games. Simla is led by Tatum Kocerha (23.5 ppg), Evan Guy (14.7 ppg), and Connor Maranville (8.8 ppg). Belleview Christian comes into regionals as the #31 seed and finished in 8th place in the Mile High League. Belleview Christian ended the year losing 4 straight games and winning just 2 of their final 6 games. Belleview Christian is led by Justus Cunningham (15.9 ppg), Kentrell Beasley (10.7 ppg), and Bryce Polson (9.4 ppg). Simla and Belleview Christian faced each other this season with Simla getting the 69 to 24 win over Belleview Christian back in December.
#15 Crowley County vs #18 Caprock Academy, @6:30pm
Crowley County jumps into regionals as the #15 seed and finished in 3rd place in the Santa Fe League. Crowley County ended their season on a strong note winning 4 of their top final 6 games including key wins over Thomas MacLaren, Las Animas, and Rye. Crowley County is led by Majestic McNeil (17.7 ppg), Landon Smith (11.0 ppg), and Ghett Hughes (8.5 ppg). Caprock Academy enters regionals as the #18 seed and finished in 4th place in the Western Slope League. Caprock Academy did not end the season how they would have liked dropping 6 of their final 7 games. Caprock Academy did have quality loses to De Beque, Plateau Valley, Ridgway, Vail Christian, and Ouray. Caprock Academy is led by Justin Hardies (11.1 ppg), Tristin Bird (9.4 ppg), and Zach Jordan (7.4 ppg). Caprock Academy and Crowley County did not face each other this season and don’t have any common opponents. These two teams have also never played each other.
Vail Christian Regional
#7 Vail Christian (16-4) vs #26 Dolores (13-10), @5:30pm
Vail Christian enters regionals as the #7 overall seed and your league champions in the Western Slope League. Vail Christian also ended the season on a strong note winning 5 of their last 7 games including key wins over Plateau Valley, De Beque, Caprock Academy, and Lotus School. Vail Christian is led by Oliver Neumann (15.9 ppg), Rayman Romanin (10.0 ppg), and Wyatt Hansen (7.4 ppg). Dolores comes into regionals as the #26 seed and finished in 3rd place in the San Juan League. Dolores helped get into regionals by winning 4 of their final 6 games with key win over Ouray. Dolores was led by Koby McClellan (15.0 ppg), Miles Brown (9.0 ppg), and Michael Rantz (8.4 ppg). Dolores and Vail Christian played 5 common opponents in Hayden, De Beque, West Grand, Telluride, and Nucla. Vail Christian went 4-1 and Dolores went 2-5. Vail Christian & Dolores have never played each other.
#10 Haxtun (15-8) vs #23 Las Animas (13-10), @7pm
Haxtun comes into regionals as the #10 overall seed and finished in 2nd place in the Lower Platte League. Haxtun ended the season with some momentum winning 6 of their final 7 games. Haxtun picked up key wins over Akron, Idalia, Caliche, and Sedgwick County. Haxtun is led by Chase Goddard (18.8 ppg), Madden Larsen (11.4 ppg), and Kanin Koberstein (7.8 ppg). Las Animas enters as the #23 overall seed. Las Animas finished in 1st place during the regular season for the Santa Fe League. Las Animas did not end the season as they hoped falling in 3 of their final 5 games. Las Animas is led by Aaron Vargas (13.5 ppg), Kree Wallace (9.0 ppg), and Jerome Ethridge (7.3 ppg). Haxtun and Las Animas did not play against each other and have no common opponents. Also, the two teams have never played each other.
Heritage Christian Region
#3 Heritage Christian (17-6) vs #30 Crested Butte (11-12), @4:30pm
Heritage Christian enters regionals as the #3 overall seed and league champions of the Mile High League. Heritage Christian is played solid basketball currently winning 6 of their final 8 games including quality wins over Sedgwick County, Front Range Christian, Belleview Christian, and Flatirons Academy. Heritage Christian is led by Alex Lundy (14.8 ppg), Caleb Trujillo (13.1 ppg), and Guede Wade (12.3 ppg). Crested Butte jumps into regionals as the #30 seed. Crested Butte was outside the top 32 entering the final week but winning 5 of their final 6 games including key wins over Trinidad and Center got them into the top 32. Crested Butte is led by Owen Pugh (10.2 ppg), Tyus Fischer (9.6 ppg), and Bennett Crabtree (6.5 ppg). Heritage Christian and Crested Butte did not play each other and have no common opponents. These two teams have also never played each other.
#14 Campion Academy (13-4) vs #19 Dayspring Christian (12-11), @12pm
Campion Academy comes into regionals as the #14 overall seed. Campion Academy was an independent team this year and were able to qualify for regionals going 13-4 overall. Campion Academy finished the year winning 6 of their final 7 games. Campion Academy is led by Izuchi Nwankwo (22.1 ppg), Jonny Lopez-Morquecho (10.4 ppg), and Conner Jahn (5.4 ppg). Dayspring Christian enters regionals as the #19 overall seed. Dayspring Christian finished in 6th place in the Mile High League. Dayspring Christian finished the season strong winning 4 of their final 6 games including key wins over Clear Creek x2 and Belleview Christian. Dayspring Christian is led by Max Krehbiel (10.6 ppg), Jake Kooienga (9.3 ppg), and Calvin Kooienga (8.2 ppg). Dayspring Christian and Campion Academy did not play each other but have one common opponent in Dawson School, both teams won that matchup.
Byers Regional
#6 Byers (18-5) vs #27 Fowler (10-13), @4:30pm
Byers comes into regionals as the #6 overall seed and Byers finished in 3rd place in the Union Pacific League. Byers ended the year winning 4 of their final 6 games but did drop two games to Limon down the stretch. Byers also had quality wins over Heritage Christian and Holyoke in their final 6 games. Fowler enters regionals as the #27 overall seed and finished in 5th place in the Santa Fe League. Fowler did end the season strong winning 3 of their final 5 games including a key win over Crowley County. Fowler is led by Joe Salvo (11.9 ppg), Connor Campbell (7.1 ppg), and Titus Ballard (6.4 ppg). Fowler and Byers did not play each other this season but did have 3 common opponents in Calhan, Simla, and Limon. Byers went 1-3 against those opponents with Fowler going 1-2. Byers last played Fowler in 2019 with Fowler getting a 76-61 win.
#11 Swallows Charter (19-4) vs #22 Union Colony Prep (12-11), @6pm
Swallows Charter comes into regionals as the #11 overall seed and finished in 2nd place in the Santa Fe League. Swallows Charter is playing there best basketball currently winning 12 straight games including key wins over Hoehne, Crowley County, Fowler, and Trinidad. Swallows Charter is led by Charles Perry (11.3 ppg), Mike Vazquez (8.6 ppg), and Nate Carter (8.2 ppg). Union Colony Prep enters regionals as the #22 seed and they finished in 9th place in the Mile High League. Union Colony Prep ended the season winning 4 straight games and 4 of their last 6. Union Colony Prep best win during their run was over 3A Dawson School. Union Colony Prep was led by Tanner Sarchet (20.9 PPG), Noah Herndon (10.9 ppg), and Daniel Vazquez (8.4 ppg). Union Colony Prep and Swallows Charter did not play each other and did not have any common opponents.
MileHigh Prep Report 