CLASS 1A BOYS BASKETBALL REGIONAL REPORT – SATURDAY by Kerry Sherman

Picture by Cassie Gallegos (Wiley vs Pikes Peak Christian)

CLASS 1A BOYS BASKETBALL REGIONAL REPORT – SATURDAY

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

One of the eight trips to the state tournament in Greeley has been booked, as Prairie won its region with a come-from-behind win over rival Peetz on Friday. The other seven are on the line on Saturday, with only one team seeded 20^th or worse still in the Sweet 16.

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MCCLAVE REGION

#1 MCCLAVE (22-2) VS #16 GRANADA (17-6) 12:30PM

The Cardinals made it 13 straight in the win column with a commanding 75-40 win over Arickaree/Woodlin on Friday. Tuff Kelley posted a 17-point, 10-rebounds double-double to lead the way, and McClave also got 12 points from Mason Barr, and 10 from Kielan Mallard. Granada needed overtime to get past Evangel Christian Academy 63-54. The Bobcats trailed 38-36 entering the fourth. McClave claimed a 64-40 win over the Bobcats on Jan. 30^th in High Plains league play. Barr pumped in 24 points for the Cards in that victory, and Edgurr Morales had 17 for Granada.

ELBERT REGION

#8 ELBERT (17-7) VS #9 OTIS (18-6) 1PM

Elbert put its regular season finale loss to Cheyenne Wells in the rear view mirror with a 66-40 win over Cheraw. The Bulldogs will meet another set of Bulldogs, as Otis got past Rocky Mountain Lutheran 61-47. Elbert and Otis met in the first game of the season in a tournament hosted by Elbert. The hosts got a 70-54 win in that match-up, with Eli Cornell pouring in 33 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, and Ethan Tesman adding 21 points. Grady Bechtle led Otis with 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Dalton DeMers chipping in 11 points.

FLATIRONS ACADEMY REGION

#4 FLATIRONS ACADEMY (20-4) VS #20 HOLLY (14-10) 1PM

Flatirons Academy got pushed a little harder than expected by Flagler on Friday, but the Bison still pulled out a 56-46 victory. Holly pulled off the only upset in the opening round, as the Wildcats beat Denver Jewish Day 57-54. The Bison and Wildcats have not played during the MaxPreps era.

STRATTON REGION

#5 STRATTON (21-3) VS #12 SANGRE DE CRISTO (21-3) 2:30PM

Von Isenbart popped off for 32 points to lead Stratton by a short-handed Front Range Baptist squad, 82-59. Sangre de Cristo broke a 41-all tie late in the third quarter to move past Kim/Branson 65-52. This will be the first meeting between the Eagles and Thunderbirds in the MaxPreps era.

NUCLA REGION

#2 NUCLA (24-0) VS #15 DE BEQUE (15-8) 1:30PM

The Mustangs remained unbeaten on the season by handling Kit Carson 75-49 on Friday. It marked the eighth time this season that Nucla scored at least 70 in a game. Brycen Rummel surpassed 1500 career points in the win. De Beque survived its outing with Ouray, as the Dragons pulled out a 63-61 victory. Nucla won an earlier meeting with the Dragons, 80-36, in late January. Austin Garvey led five Mustangs in double figures with 28 points. Rummel added 13 points, eight rebounds, and eight steals. Trenton Sandidge had 18 points for De Beque.

DENVER WALDORF REGION

#7 DENVER WALDORF (18-4) VS #10 SIERRA GRANDE (19-5) 1PM

Denver Waldorf had a close call in the opening round, but eventually pushed its winning streak to 11 with a 39-31 decision over Idalia. There was no need for white knuckles for Sierra Grande, as the Panthers raced to a 36-8 halftime lead over Caliche, and cruised to a 72-46 victory. Denver Waldorf and Sierra Grande have not played in the MaxPreps era.

CHEYENNE WELLS REGION

#3 CHEYENNE WELLS (22-2) VS #14 WILEY (19-5) 2PM

Corey Hill posted a double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds, and Trey Scheler scored a team-leading 19 points to help Cheyenne Wells defeat Springfield 60-34. Caden Muth notched eight assists. Wiley put together a strong finish to advance past Pikes Peak Christian 60-51. Cheyenne Wells and Wiley met just over a month ago, with the Tigers claiming a 43-29 victory. The Tigers had only led 17-15 at the half. Hill had 32 points and 21 rebounds for Cheyenne Wells, while Grant Mauch led the Panthers with nine points.

PRAIRIE REGION

#6 PRAIRIE (21-4) QUALIFIED FOR GREAT EIGHT

The Mustangs completed a three-game sweep of rival Peetz, as Prairie collected a 47-40 win in the Sweet 16. Tatum Bailey led all scorers with 16 points.