Basketball Game Preview: Ralston Valley Mustangs vs. Cherry Creek Bruins

Two dominant guards in Tanner Braketa and Jeremiah Hammond are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Ralston Valley Mustangs will be playing at home against the Cherry Creek Bruins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Ralston Valley knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 55 points or more in their past 23 games -- so hopefully Cherry Creek likes a good challenge.

Ralston Valley is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Colorado's top teams: Arvada West, who was ranked 22nd at the time (Ralston Valley was ranked fourth). Everything went Ralston Valley's way against Arvada West on Saturday as Ralston Valley made off with a 67-47 win. The Mustangs have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won ten contests by 20 points or more this season.

Tanner Braketa

Points

02/22/25 @ Arvada West	22
02/18/25 @ Mountain Vista	19
02/13/25 vs Columbine	18

Ralston Valley's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Braketa led the charge by en route to 22 points. Braketa's big performance that evening made it three games in a row in which he has scored at least 18 points. Another player making a difference was Zeke Andrews, who dropped a double-double with 13 points and ten boards.

Meanwhile, with a playoff win on the line, Cherry Creek rose to the challenge on Tuesday. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past the Titans 53-50. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Bruins have posted since February 21, 2024.

Ralston Valley's victory bumped their record up to 21-2. As for Cherry Creek, their win ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 10-14.

Ralston Valley came up short against Cherry Creek in their previous meeting back in January of 2024, falling 57-49. Will Ralston Valley have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other basketball content.