Welcome back, hoops fans! With the warm weather we were having it wasn’t quite feeling like “winter” but that didn’t stop the hoops from heating up on the court in the early part of our season. Now, post break, we head into week four and there’s a ton of excitement coming for our 5A and 4A Top 10 squads. Let’s dive in!
The Look Ahead
Tuesday, Jan. 4
One of our state’s top squads starts off the action Tuesday with 5A No. 2 (9-1) Fossil Ridge hosting 4A No. 10 Longmont. The Sabercats only loss has come to to the state’s No. 1 squad ThunderRidge in tourney play and they are fresh off a sweep of three Wyoming teams in pre-break tournament play! The Sabercats are paced by guard Brock Mishak’s 23 points per game.
Another ranked squad with only one loss is Douglas County at 8-1 and will face Pine Creek to open up the new year.
Vista Ridge is sitting just outside of our 5A Top 10 and garnered 19 votes this week. They look to keep the momentum rolling vs. Mesa Ridge.
Pueblo East is not off to the best start at 2-8 and it certainly doesn’t get any easier as No. 1 Lewis-Palmer, averaging almost 80 points per game, pay a visit led by Cameron Lowe’s 18 points per game.
Rock Canyon was highly competitive in the Arizona Holiday tournament but caught three losses out of state. Now ranked No. 5 in 5A they look to stay unbeaten in state vs. Dakota Ridge.
If you get a chance to check out Pueblo Central it’s worth the price of admission with Kadyn Betts averaging a 24 point, 12 rebound “double-double” per game. They remain at No. 4 in 4A and take their 10-1 record to Canon City.
Wednesday, Jan. 5
Horizon has a three-game win streak going and are ranked No. 9 in 5A. They will take on Northglenn.
5A Top 10 action! No. 7 Smoky Hill and No. 8 Eaglecrest are both home from out of state tournaments are a game of the night candidate! The Buffaloes’ gym will be rockin’ for this one…
Centaurus doesn’t score in bunches at 50 points per game, but something is working as they sit at 9-0 and are the No. 5 squad in 4A. Holy Family is always tough and sit at 6-2 themselves going into this match up.
Thursday, Jan 6
Another streaking squad who didn’t taste defeat in 2021 is Montrose, chiming in as 4A No. 6. They are set to tangle with Canon City in an early 5 p.m. start.
Time for 5A No. 1 to start their 2022 run! ThunderRidge has a lot more than just Zack Keller’s 18 points and 9 rebounds per game, but that’s not a bad 6’9 “big fella” to follow. They face Fairview who only has one win so far.
Mountain Vista, 6-3, showed well at the Cherry Creek Tournament, but just landed outside of the new 5A Top 10. They will look to show they still belong vs. Valor Christian.
Game of the Night Candidate! We’ve talked about Cameron Lowe’s scoring for No. 1 Lewis-Palmer, and they travel to 8-1 Chaparral, No. 3 in 5A. Joel Speckman, along with Luke Williams’ 18 points per game, are handling the “stat-stuffin” for Chap. This will be fun!
No. 3 Mead split their games at the Tarkanian Classic, but have the momentum of winning their last two in Vegas. The inside/out combo of Shiers and Knudsen look to go get another “W” at Greeley Central.
Need another unbeaten? No. 2 Pueblo South, now 9-0, look to keep Sierra winless down south.
Northern “braggin’ rights” are on the line as the No. 2 Fossil Ridge and Rocky Mountain rivalry rekindles. Can the Sabercats cool off Aidan Kuhl’s 24 points per game?
5A No. 6 Regis Jesuit has returned from holiday tourney play and travel to the city to face Northfield.
Friday Jan. 7
4A “Top 10 Alert” down south! No. 1 Lewis Palmer is in for a solid test at No. 8 Discovery Canyon. Let the “braggin’ rights” and conference action begin!
Not Top 10 action, but it’s “YOUTH NIGHT” over at Legend when they host Ralston Valley. One thing the Fever Crew will do is support free youth night! Salute, Coach Brenning.
Longmont is sitting at No. 10, but watch out for Silver Creek who is at 6-1 early in the season.
Brayden Maldonado’s 18 points per game and the high flying “multi-sport stud” Anthony Harris Jr. lead No. 7 Smoky Hill into Arapahoe’s Sitting Eagle gym.
No. 8 Eaglecrest knows FULLY WELL to not let Overland’s 1-8 early season record fool them. Coach Fisher tests his Overland squad early and often in non conference and Vegas competition every year. This will be another #CentennialTough battle!
Montrose, 4A No. 6, has your 8 p.m. late Friday night action at Rampart!
Saturday Jan. 8
The No. 4 Denver East Angels are quietly plugging along after winning the Mullen Holiday Tourney. They are now 9-1 heading into a big time “Top 10 Alert” when they host No. 3 Chaparral in an early “city vs. the suburbs” 1230 p.m. showdown!
Rock Canyon and Fairview have a 1 p.m. meeting.
More 1 p.m. Saturday ‘fix’ as Mead has a non-conference tilt with Severance.
Montrose takes their winning streak to Pueblo West.
Broomfield is 5-1 early on, but this one will be a different task when No. 1 ThunderRidge pays a 4 p.m. Saturday visit!
Going to get real private and personal when No. 6 Regis Jesuit and Valor Christian compete!
#5 Centaurus hosts Thompson Valley to close our big school 5A/4A Top 10 action for this week…
So much going on in our world and state (prayers and positive energy for all affected in Boulder/Louisville/Superior) to be able to enjoy a small “escape” of enjoying your favorite neighborhood or Top 10 squad should be enjoyed with family and friends. Get and enjoy if you can!
