Colorado boys basketball teams set to begin chase for Great 8

One year removed from playing in the Class 2A state semifinals, the Lutheran (Parker) boys basketball team is about to embark on a new challenge.

After moving up a classification this season, the Lions made plenty of noise in 3A this winter. In doing so, Lutheran earned one of 32 spots in the Class 3A state tournament that gets underway Friday.

The Lions (18-4) landed the No. 3 overall seed and play host to La Junta in the first round. A victory there would set up a Sweet 16 matchup against either Buena Vista or Bennett, and from there the Great 8 awaits March 12-14 at Lockridge Arena on the Colorado School of Mines campus in Golden.

The Lions are one of five Metro League teams seeded in the top 11 overall, with Faith Christian (Arvada) landing the No. 1 seed.

"Honestly the field is so deep, I didn't have any idea where they would put us. Knowing the depth of our league, I had a feeling that our league would certainly earn some respect because it's just so deep," Lutheran coach Ryan Bredow said. "I think where we are, the No. 3 seed, it sounds awfully cliché but our classification gets to the point where seeding becomes irrelevant because the depth is so strong."

The Lions defeated Faith Christian in the regular season but fell to the Eagles in the Metro League district championship game. The team was placed in the lower half of the 3A bracket and on the opposite side of Metro League foes like Faith Christian, Colorado Academy (Denver) and Jefferson Academy (Broomfield).

The opportunity to tackle some new competition is a welcome one.

"I'm going to guess that most leagues are like ours where you do hope to play some different schools," Bredow said. "Especially in our league where you're going through the gauntlet of the regular season and then districts."

With five seniors on the roster, Bredow said the focus now becomes wanting to go out the right way.

"I think that's the part they're most excited about," he said. "They know this whole thing is over shortly, so they're just wanting to capitalize on every opportunity."

Here is a look at the four quadrants in the 3A state bracket:

Quadrant 1
Highest Seed: No. 1 Faith Christian
Potential Bracket Buster: Jefferson Academy. The No. 9 Jaguars were the top overall seed in 3A a year ago but were bounced in the Sweet 16. Even with Faith Christian in this quad, Jefferson Academy has the opportunity to pull the upset. The team played the Eagles twice this season, losing both times, but the Jags' first six victories this season all came against current 3A state qualifiers. Seniors Joe Raff and Andrew Ullman provide a potent 1-2 scoring punch.
Quadrant Notes: Faith Christian fell in the state semis a year ago, but the team has only one in-state loss this season. Three players average at least 12 points a game: Spencer Bazz (17.1), Gabe Hegarty (16.2) and Grant Harkness (12.2) … Moffat County (Craig) won the regular-season and district title in the Western Slope League and was a quarterfinalist a year ago. Four players average double-digits in points, led by senior Joe Camilletti (14.8 ppg) … Pagosa Springs won only four games a year ago but went 12-9 this winter to nab the No. 16 seed.

Quadrant 2
Highest Seed: No. 4 Colorado Academy
Potential Bracket Buster: St. Mary's (Colorado Springs). The 13th-seeded Pirates won 12 games in a row in the middle of the season, including impressive victories against current No. 2 Colorado Springs Christian and No. 4 Colorado Academy. Five players average at least 10 points, with senior Alex Greenly leading the charge at 15.2.
Quadrant Notes: A finalist a year ago, Colorado Academy had some ups and downs this season, but won eight of its last nine. The high-scoring trio of Justin Bassey (23.8 ppg), Christian Hyatt (18.5) and Chris Kuelling (16.8) are tough to match … The Pinnacle (Federal Heights) lost three of its first five before winning its final 17 games. Josh Brown averages 15.7 points a night and Jesus Martinez averages a double-double (12 points, 10.3 rebounds) … Eaton missed the postseason last winter, but doubled its win total to grab the No. 12 overall seed.

Quadrant 3
Highest Seed: No. 2 Colorado Springs Christian
Potential Bracket Buster: Manitou Springs. At first glance it might seem far-fetched for a No. 23 seed to have a shot at creating a stir, but the Mustangs have history on their side. A year ago the team upset No. 1 seed Jefferson Academy in the Sweet 16. Sophomore Lucas Rodholm paces a squad that could be a force in the near future.
Quadrant Notes: Since a loss to St. Mary's on Jan. 23, Colorado Springs Christian has won 10 in a row and hasn't really been challenged. Junior Samuel Howard (18.2 points, 11.5 rebounds) paces a Lions team that took fourth a year ago … Three teams in the quad are from the Western Slope League. Grand Valley (Parachute), coming off losses to both Roaring Fork (Carbondale) and Coal Ridge (New Castle), struggled some down the stretch but does have senior Sam Parker (22.5 ppg) and junior John Parker (16.3) at its disposal … Alamosa came one point away from ousting Faith Christian a year ago, and the team is battle-tested thanks to a tough non-league schedule. Sophomore Ryan Brubacher averages 13.5 points a game.

Quadrant 4
Highest Seed: No. 3 Lutheran
Potential Bracket Buster: Buena Vista. One year removed from missing the postseason, the Demons could fly under the radar. Senior Kenneth Schell averages 19.0 points a game and knocked down 51 3-pointers this season, and Buena Vista has a few impressive victories – most notably a nine-point win over The Pinnacle in December.
Quadrant Notes: Sterling is a much-improved team this season with 20 victories, and senior Ethan Rose averages 17.6 points a game … Kent Denver (Englewood) upended Jefferson Academy to close out the regular season. The Sun Devils' leading scorer is a freshman in Stone Delaney … Bennett has two players who average at least 16 points a game, and a third – junior Joseph Goodnight – who connected on 79 3-pointers … Lutheran has four players who average in double figures in scoring, led by senior James Willis (17.0 ppg).

Class 2A

Regional tournaments get started Friday, with each of the four regions taking place at two sites. A pair of undefeated teams lead the classification, with defending state champion Sanford (22-0) the top seed in Region 1, and Resurrection Christian (Loveland) (21-0) the top seed in Region 2.

One of the most interesting battles could take place in Region 3. Ignacio, winners of 18 in a row, could be in line to meet 18-game winner Paonia for a spot at state on the line. In Region 1 at La Junta, Rye (19-3) and Swink (18-4) could compete for the fourth time this season with the same stakes.

Class 1A

With the state tournament a week away, regional tournaments are on the same schedule in 1A. Teams will be fighting for eight state spots Friday and Saturday.

Sangre de Cristo (Mosca) (22-0) is the top seed and has a first-round bye in Region 3, with Holly and South Baca also getting byes. In Region 1, only four teams are left to claim two state berths, with those contests taking place at Glenwood Springs High School.