Ball Fever: New Year gets underway

Welcome back and Happy New Year hoops fans! What an exciting finish to 2022, in and out of state for our big school 6A and 5A schools. We’ll take some looks back at what some of our top 10 coaches poll squads did to end the year and take a “Look Ahead” at what’s to come this week!

Wednesday Jan. 11

Conference time for 5A #3 Mead who has ran off 9 straight wins since losing the season opener. The Mavs are paced by 6’6 senior guard who is putting up a scorching 20 points per game in the early season.

Another senior guard averaging 20 points per outing in Zach Schmeeckle has Silver Creek joining the top 10 this week. Silver Creek is 7-3 early on and ranked #9 hosting Centaurus who has beaten two teams that Creek couldn’t so this should be interesting.

The 5A #6 squad Windsor has reeled off 5 straight wins and start conference play on the road at Longmont. Davig Hageman is “stat-stuffin” for Windsor at 19 points, 3 assists, 2 steals per game.

Ralston Valley received 26 top 10 votes this week but didn’t quite break the top 10. They will have their first of 2 tangles with 6A #5 Valor and the Eagles will have their hands full trying to slow super scoring soph Tanner Braketa who’s dropping 25 points each night!

5A #5 Dakota Ridge now has won 5 straight games and 8-2 overall. They will be starting conference play at Golden who is hungry for a win at 3-8 so far.

We have a new #1 in 5A and it’s a balanced Mesa Ridge squad that is now 10-0 down in the Springs. Widefield is looking for it’s first win of the season but we don’t see it coming vs. a hot new #1.

Thursday Jan. 12

Frederick, at #2 in 5A, remains one of two undefeated teams in our 5A top 10. Niwot will be hosting the conference game and will face the task of trying to shut down Frederick’s 80 point per game pace led by Luke Justice’s 22 points per game. Bring your track shoes!

6A top 10 Alert! Highlands Ranch has joined at the #10 spot at 8-1 on 5 game winning streak but starting league play at #2 Rock Canyon will be no easy task. Welcome to the “Jungle”, Falcons!

Smoky Hill has started to gain #1 votes in the coaches poll but they come in at #4 this week. One would be hard pressed to find a hotter team in the state than the Buffaloes who are coming off impressive out of state missions in Arizona and California including going 3-0 while in Cali! Smoky is 9-2 and have not lost in state. On this night they take on 4A Manual and the T-Bolts better put their seat belts on to try and slow Smoky’s 77 points per game.

Former #1 Mountain Vista at it again this week in Continental play vs. Castle View. Caden Stevens’ 18 points, 8 rebounds will lead the way!

Friday Jan. 13

We have Boulder and Fort Collins action but nothing to do with CU/CSU…time for #1 Fossil Ridge and Boulder to get it on. Kyle Blauch is averaging a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds and the Panthers will need all of that to have a shot at knocking off the Sabercats.

New 5A #1 Mesa Ridge will be tested by Vista Ridge, who is coming into this battle with a solid 9-2 record of their own and Tyson Monck averaging 19 points, 8 rebounds per game.

5A top 10 Alert! #3 Mead vs. #9 Silver Creek. Quite a week for Silver Creek attempting to prove they deserve that new spot in the top 10.

#5 ThunderRidge will face upset minded Legend in Continental action.

Young soph Ethan Berninger stands at 6’4 and leads Dakota Ridge, #5 in 5A, against Conifer to start conference play.

#6 Windsor will again put its win streak on the line and this time vs a familiar for in league battle at Greeley West.

In their first meeting of the season Columbine will have a chance at home to take down #7 Valor Christian in league play.

Saturday Jan. 14

Sheesh!!! “Stat-stuffin” for real is Mr. Deaundre Samuels at 21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block per game. Samuels leads the #6 East Angels who are now on a 9 game winning streak after starting off 0-2. After a lengthy break the Angels will hope there’s no rust as they host Douglas County in non conference play.

Frederick is putting their 80 point per game track shoe pace on the court again, this time on the road at Northridge who is hurting for a win at 2-5.

Mullen High School has been playing some strong ball of late and big guard Jordan Leslie has been on fire at 25 points per game. They will test Highlands Ranch on this night and the Falcons look to hold onto their top 10 spot.

Here we go, hoop fans! Week 5 of the season looks to be just as exciting as previous weeks. Get out and enjoy…always 72 & Sunny in the gym! #BallFever