With break over, Colorado boys hoops action heats back up

It may have been a short winter break for some boys basketball teams around the state, but coaches are hoping it was enough to energize their players moving forward.

With the winter season resuming this week, programs are getting back into the mix in pursuit of a spot in the postseason. As tournament play wraps up, the league season will take center stage over the next several weeks.

Only a handful of teams have remained undefeated through the first of month of play, with a few – like Columbine (Littleton) in Class 5A – enjoying a resurgence in the program. The Rebels (6-0) won only seven games last season but have claimed a number of close contests this season.

Two defending state champions – Pueblo West in 4A and Colorado Springs Christian in 3A – emerged unscathed in December, but that won't last long as the two teams play each other Thursday in the Rampart tournament.

So what will the rest of January hold? It's a bit too early to forecast that just yet, but it is safe to say there are a number of contests that bear watching.

Here are 10 games from the five classifications that should stand out this month:

Class 5A
• ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch) (9-1) at George Washington (Denver) (9-1), 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 6
This non-league tilt pits a pair of one-loss teams that enjoyed a strong first month of the season. Both programs suffered their only setbacks in the Jerry Tarkanian Classic. ThunderRidge fell by nine points to Godby (Fla.), then returned home and rolled past Cherokee Trail. The Grizzlies take on two-time defending state champion Overland before facing GW. Senior Corey Seng is averaging more than 22 points a game.
The Patriots fell to Lone Peak (Utah) 89-82 in the tournament, but the team has been dominant through the early part of the season. Senior Jervay Green is averaging 20 points and 4.5 assists, and junior Jon'il Fugett isn't far behind at 18.3 points per game.

• Cherokee Trail (Aurora) (6-2) at Grandview (Aurora) (9-0), 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 11
The two Aurora schools are close in proximity to one another, and both are fighting to stay in the hunt in the Centennial League. Cherokee Trail won its first five games before dropping two of its final three in December, but the Cougars have talented senior Jaizec Lottie leading the charge at nearly 20 points a game.
Grandview was a combined 23-26 in the previous two seasons, but the Wolves are off to a roaring start. The team won four games in the Tarkanian Classic, and senior Lechaun Duhart is averaging just shy of 22 points a game. Grandview dropped a pair of four-point games to the Cougars last season.

• Eaglecrest (Centennial) (6-2) at Smoky Hill (Aurora) (7-2), 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20
The Centennial League is a gauntlet on a nightly basis, and this season is no exception. Eaglecrest went 3-1 in the Tarkanian Classic but has a challenging month ahead. The Raptors start and end the month in a rematch of last year's title game with Overland (Aurora), and in between have undefeated Grandview and perennial power Denver East. Senior Colbey Ross has been his usually consistent self, averaging 20.4 points and more than four assists a game.
For a young Buffs team that has only three seniors and won just four games a year ago, January will provide a stiff test. Smoky Hill's month is book-ended with games against Grandview, but this is a team that gave top-ranked George Washington a fight back on Dec. 13. Sophomore Kenny Foster has averaged 15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists thus far.

Class 4A
• Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) (5-3) at Golden (8-1), 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 7
The first of two meetings between the Jeffco League rivals takes place this weekend in a doubleheader at Golden. State runner-up Valor Christian split its four games in the Tarkanian Classic and resumes the 2016-17 season against No. 6 Mead before facing No. 3 Golden four days later. The Eagles are riding the play of seniors Jalen Sanders (19.5 points) and Kayle Knuckles (15.8 ppg).
Golden's only setback came to Holy Family, but the Demons won their next six games. Junior Adam Thistlewood is averaging nearly 18 points a night, and senior Kayden Sund has chipped in with 14.1 points.

• Holy Family (Broomfield) (5-3) at Mead (Longmont) (7-1), 6:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20
Speaking of Holy Family and Mead, the Tri-Valley rivals have the first of their two meetings later this month. The Tigers own a victory against Golden, but have played a tough schedule that included games against top-ranked Pueblo West and No. 8 Lewis-Palmer. Sophomore Tanner Baird leads a balanced lineup at 13.6 points a game.
Mead is riding a six-game winning streak going into its contest with Valor Christian, including a sweep of three games at the Pueblo East Coaches Classic. Senior Michael Ward leads the Mavericks at 21.6 points a night, and senior Alex Sandstrom has added 15.6 points a game.

• Lewis-Palmer (Monument) (4-2) at Sand Creek (Colorado Springs) (8-1), 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 27
The second of two meetings between the Pikes Peak rivals could help decide the league crown. The first meeting is Wednesday, with Lewis-Palmer looking to gain some momentum heading into league play. The Rangers' two losses came by a combined six points, and senior Angelo Battistelli is averaging 14.2 points a game.
Sand Creek kicked off 2017 with an 87-53 rout of Palmer (Colorado Springs) behind 43 points from D'Shawn Schwartz, who was averaging a double-double going into the game.

Class 3A
• Kent Denver (Englewood) (6-1) at Alamosa (5-1), 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 6
The Sun Devils make their longest road trip of the regular season Friday to take on state runner-up Alamosa. Kent Denver was only a 54-48 defeat to Manitou Springs away from a perfect December, backed by four players scoring in double figures.
Alamosa dropped its opener to Palmer Ridge (Monument) before winning its next five. That included an overtime victory over Faith Christian (Arvada) thanks to 26 points from senior Ryan Brubacher. Junior Angelo Ramirez tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.

• Colorado Springs Christian (5-0) at Manitou Springs (7-0), 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 24
While it's hard to argue against going with a game against defending 4A state champion Pueblo West, this Tri-Peaks League contest will be one to watch. It's a rematch of a state quarterfinal last winter, won by the Lions on their way to a second consecutive title. Senior Justin Engesser has been a force in the early going, averaging 21.2 points.
Manitou Springs won its first seven games, including a six-point triumph over Kent Denver before the break. Senior Lucas Rodholm (18.4 ppg) had 26 points in that contest and is one of three Mustangs scoring in double figures.

Class 2A
• Akron (5-0) at Highland (Ault) (6-0), 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20
After going 10-9 a year ago, Akron is already halfway to last season's win total. Among the early highlights was a three-overtime victory over Merino in which Akron held its opponent without a point in the final OT.
Highland won 19 games a year ago, but couldn't get past Paonia in the regional tournament. Leading scorer Cole Rouse returned and is leading the Huskies again, and sophomore Koby Anderson is averaging nearly a double-double at 15.8 points and nine rebounds.

Class 1A
• Weldon Valley (Weldona) (6-0) at Peetz (6-0), 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19
Of the handful of undefeated teams remaining in 1A, Weldon Valley and Peetz are more than familiar with each other. The North Central League foes faced off twice a year ago, both victories by Peetz – albeit by a combined five points.
Weldon Valley has been paced in the early going by seniors Ben Cartwright (16.5 points) and Adam Parachini (11.2 points). The Warriors also defeated defending champion Fleming. Peetz still has 2A top-ranked Sedgwick County ahead before facing Weldon Valley. The Bulldogs counter with a pair of juniors with similar numbers to the Warriors in Logan Sircy (15.6 ppg) and Alex Curlee (11 ppg).