Top 10 Colorado girls basketball games in January

Girls basketball teams no longer have the luxury of saying they are still feeling things out, figuring out what type of team they will be. League play has arrived, and for the most part, the top-scale contenders have been established.

With that in mind, here's a look at some of the keynote matchups in January. While there are several dozen marquee games, these 10 promise to have long-reaching ramifications and likely will be alluded to come seeding time.

Class 5A

ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch) (9-2) at Highlands Ranch (10-3), 7 p.m., Jan. 23
This could prove to be an all-the-marbles game in the stout Continental League and could very well determine the No. 1 seed. The longtime rivals, who accounted for nine straight championships in a stretch that began in 2000, are bona fide state contenders once again. Each squad is balanced this season, but keep an eye on leading scorers Taylor Rusk of ThunderRidge and freshman Leilah Vigil of Highlands Ranch.

Grandview (Aurora) (8-0) at ThunderRidge (9-2), 7 p.m., Jan. 27
It was with hesitation to include the same team twice on a top-10 list, but we'd be remiss to ignore a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup. ThunderRidge has yet to lose in state while Grandview, behind talented sophomore Michaela Onyenwere, hasn't lost at all. The Wolves have already triumphed in two tournaments, ousting top-10 teams in each title game.

Broomfield (7-2) at Monarch (Louisville) (10-1), 6:30 p.m., Jan. 29
The nearby schools finally can meet in girls hoops now that Broomfield has moved up to 5A. The Eagles have flourished, too, with the only losses to top-ranked ThunderRidge in tournament finales. Thursday's win over Highlands Ranch was a firm indication the Eagles are ready for the big-school circuit, particularly with the presence of Colorado State-bound Callie Kaiser. Monarch, meanwhile, has been ultra-consistent with only a loss to Grandview.

Class 4A

Pueblo East (8-2) at Pueblo West (7-3), 7 p.m., Jan. 13
This one is huge anyway for in-town reasons. Add to it that it's the Nos. 4 and 5 teams in the state and you can bet things will be rocking on Tuesday. East's Jailen Minich is averaging 16.7 points a game while Pueblo South counters with Haley Simental's 22 points per contest. One other tidbit to add to the intrigue: It's the South Central League opener.

Holy Family (Broomfield) (5-2) at Broomfield (5-2), 2:30 p.m., Jan. 24
This has always been an epic, pack-the-gym, crosstown, cross-classification matchup. It still will be, but instead of a 3A-4A matchup, it will be a 4A-5A tilt as both teams have moved up. Holy Family and point guard Katie Chavez (15.7 points, 5.8 assists, 4.2 steals per game) will look to one-up the Eagles in their own gym, while Broomfield will aim to repeat last season's convincing 73-53 win that was the Tigers' lone loss in a 26-1 season.

Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) (8-1) at D'Evelyn (Denver) (5-4), 7 p.m., Jan 27
The Eagles are getting all the love in the polls and rightfully so after their sizzling start. Kendall Bradbury leads the squad with a 23.2 scoring average, a lofty total that includes a 38-point effort in an out-of-state win against Sacramento. But No. 8 D'Evelyn, which played an ambitious early schedule, can put up the points too behind Morgan Ducklow (15.3 per game). Choose the ‘over' on this one.

Class 3A

Eaton (6-1) at Sterling (7-0), 7 p.m., Jan. 20
Top-ranked Sterling is seeking an unbeaten record in the Patriot League, and an unbeaten record overall in fact. Things have progressed smoothly for the Tigers so far behind junior playmaker Jenna Knudson (16.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.0 steals per game), but this one won't be easy. No. 6 Eaton and its vast contingent of contributors believe the Reds have improved vastly since that 50-35 loss on Dec. 9 and are eager for another shot.

Faith Christian (Arvada) at Lutheran (Parker), 2:30 p.m., Jan. 31
Lutheran endured a tough first loss Tuesday, a 55-54 decision to No. 5 Manitou Springs. By the time this Metro League showdown rolls around, the No. 2 Lions and senior Kaleigh Paplow might still feel they have something to prove against a top-scale opponent. No. 7 Faith Christian and senior Carsen Cambier will be up for the challenge.

Class 2A

Akron (6-0) at Yuma (5-0), 2:30 p.m., Jan. 24
Yuma has nearly doubled their opponents in the first five games as Logan Hixon has lit up the scoreboard and Katrina Terrell has been a terror on the glass. Things won't be so easy against Akron and the 1-2 punch of AJ Miller and Jordan Baer. The teams entered the break ranked Nos. 1 and 3 (Yuma on top) and are on a collision course for this showdown.

Class 1A

Briggsdale (4-2) at Fleming (3-1), 3 p.m., Jan. 31
The 1A classification is so spread out that there aren't many No. 1 vs. No. 2-type games during the regular season. This top-10 matchup is a dandy though, as Briggsdale coach Colin Nicklas will bring his high-scoring Falcons to Fleming for a rematch. In a Dec. 19 contest at Briggsdale, Fleming triumphed 51-45 behind 12 points and six assists from guard Megan Chintala.