Top-10 battles highlight big month in Colorado boys basketball

While it may not be easy to reconcile the fact that the calendar has flipped the page to another year, there is no denying that 2014 was good to a number of high school programs.

Now that the holidays have come and gone, the Colorado boys basketball scene is starting to heat back up again. A handful of teams have already started league play, and the rest of the state isn't far behind. This is the month that could make-or-break some programs, and there are a number of intriguing matchups that could serve as a precursor to the start of the postseason in February.

Here are 10 games to watch in January:

Class 5A

• Overland (Aurora) (6-4) at Eaglecrest (Centennial) (6-3), 7 p.m., Jan. 9
Competition in the 5A Centennial League began Wednesday, and this early battle should be one of the best of the season. Overland's four losses came to three out-of-state teams and top-ranked Regis Jesuit (Aurora), and the Trailblazers are coming off big victories against Chaparral (Parker) and Mullen (Denver). Junior De'ron Davis has been unstoppable thus far, but Eaglecrest has been just as impressive. Two of the Raptors' losses came in the Tarkanian Classic, and four players are averaging in double figures – led by impressive sophomore Colbey Ross. Both teams also have to pay a visit to No. 8 Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) later in the month.



• Warriors (Montbello) (Denver) (9-1) at Regis Jesuit (Aurora) (9-0), 7 p.m., Jan. 13
Another top-10 matchup in 5A pits No. 7 Montbello against current No. 1 Regis Jesuit. The Raiders are undefeated, and the closest challenge thus far was a 16-point victory against Overland. The January schedule is a gauntlet - in addition to Montbello, the team faces Rangeview (Aurora) and both 5A finalists from last season, Denver East and Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins). Regis Jesuit is among the deepest and most balanced squads in the state. Montbello has been riding the hot hand of senior Malik Hart, who is averaging 18.5 points per game. The Warriors' only loss came to undefeated Dakota Ridge (Littleton).

• Legend (Parker) (8-3) at Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch) (8-1), 7 p.m., Jan. 16
This early Continental League contest figures to be one of several to watch over the next month-plus. A semifinalist a year ago, Mountain Vista had won six games in a row headed into a Jan. 8 meeting with Fossil Ridge, a rematch of a 5A semifinal last March. Seniors Brady Subart and Ray Beresford are both averaging more than 17 points per game, and the senior-heavy Golden Eagles' only setback came by three points to Rock Canyon (Highlands Ranch). Legend has also won six in a row, including an impressive victory over Cherry Creek, and junior Monroe Porter has anchored a balanced lineup.

Class 4A

• Air Academy (US Air Force Academy) (7-1) at Palmer Ridge (Monument) (7-0), 7 p.m., Jan. 13
The 4A Pikes Peak League currently has three teams ranked in the top 10, and the Kadets and Bears are in the top five. Senior Matthew Cameron averaged more than 20 points per game for Palmer Ridge in December, as did senior David Louthan for Air Academy. Paul Ambuul is right behind at 18.7 points per game, and Air Academy's only loss came to 5A's Mountain Vista.

• Silver Creek (Longmont) (7-1) at Longmont (7-0), 6:30 p.m., Jan. 27
This Northern League rivalry figures to get even hotter when these two teams face off later this month. Top-ranked Longmont has dominated opponents and took down No. 9 Mead earlier this season by nine points. Junior Justinian Jessup is averaging 18.8 points per game but has been just as dangerous on defense, averaging 4.3 steals. Silver Creek's Jackson Engles leads a big lineup that has crashed the boards with regularity – the Raptors have three players averaging more than five rebounds a game.

• Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) (5-3) at Golden (7-2), 7 p.m., Jan. 31
There are a handful of other top-10 battles in January, but this 4A Jeffco clash could help decide the league's outcome. Golden handed Conifer its first loss of the season Wednesday evening, and the second-ranked Demons have been perfect against in-state opponents. Senior Ryan Thistlewood is averaging 14.1 points a game. Valor Christian opened league play with a victory over Wheat Ridge and already owns a victory over No. 7 Pueblo Central. Sophomore Jalen Sanders averaged 16.7 points and 9.1 rebounds in December, one of three players scoring in double figures for the Eagles.

Class 3A

• Alamosa (5-2) at Lutheran (Parker) (9-1), 6 p.m., Jan. 10
After being one point away from knocking off eventual semifinalist Faith Christian (Arvada) in the 3A Sweet 16 a year ago, Alamosa is off to another strong start. The team won its first four games before falling to 3A No. 1 Colorado Springs Christian and 4A Falcon. Alamosa faces Colorado Academy (Denver) the night before tackling Lutheran, so 2015 already is presenting challenges. Lutheran, a 2A semifinalist last winter, saw its seven-game winning streak to start the season ended by Palisade. But the Lions have four players scoring in double figures, led by seniors Josh Clausen (18.3 points) and James Willis (17.8).

• Colorado Academy (6-4) at Faith Christian (7-1), 7 p.m., Jan. 23
This rematch of the 2014 state semifinals pits two teams expected to contend for a state title once again. Faith Christian's only loss came outside of the state, and senior Spencer Bazz has been lighting up opponents at a clip of 18.5 points per game. Colorado Academy has dropped three in a row and also faces No. 5 Jefferson Academy (Broomfield) and No. 6 Kent Denver (Englewood) this month. Seniors Justin Bassey and Chris Kuelling and junior Christian Hyatt are all averaging more than 20 points per game.

Class 2A

• Akron (6-0) at Resurrection Christian (Loveland) (6-0), 4 p.m., Jan. 27
The 2A field has a number of current unbeaten squads, though all that will likely have changed by the time these two squads tangle. Few teams can hang with Resurrection Christian's offense – the Cougars have averaged more than 87 points per game, and sophomore Tanner Ervin is scoring at a rate of more than 20 points a game. Resurrection Christian has already topped the 90-point plateau on three occasions. Akron, the state runner-up a year ago, is no slouch on offense either – the Rams average nearly 78 points per game, and sophomore Jordan Herder scored at least 26 points in each of the team's first five games. Senior Jared Clarkson is averaging 22 points a game.

Class 1A



• Sangre de Cristo (Mosca) (6-0) at Springfield (6-1), 1 p.m., Jan. 10
Neither of these teams was in the 1A state tournament last March, but both have made big strides this season. Sangre De Cristo's closest margin of victory has been 14 points, and the top-ranked Thunderbirds are paced by senior Ethan Caton's 11.2 points and 6.0 rebounds a game. Springfield has four players averaging in double figures in points – senior Ross Dunlap leads the way at 12.6 points per game.