Ten Colorado high school boys basketball games to watch in December

We looked across every classification to highlight the top 10 games of the month of December that will serve as appropriate launching points for what is in store for the next four months.

Class 5A
George Washington (Denver) at ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch), Dec. 14, 7 p.m.
A rematch of the 2021 state title game is on the books. After toppling George Washington to win the state crown last March, ThunderRidge will see the Patriots two weeks into the season. Seniors Joey Bilello and Jackson Brennan each averaged at least 11 points and 4.5 rebounds and will be instrumental in helping the Grizzlies defend their state championship. They both scored in double figures in that state championship game, so they will be itching to set the tone early in that contest.

The Patriots graduated a lot of seniors but also have several key returnees. Among the returners, Kijaun Thompson had the biggest impact for the Patriots in that state championship game. He scored 11 points and was 3-for-5 from the floor in that effort. He figures to assume a big role this season as George Washington is once again an underdog looking to make noise in a loaded 5A class.

Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins) at Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village), Dec. 21, 6:30 p.m.
Fossil Ridge suffered a stunning upset loss to Rock Canyon (Highlands Ranch) in the 2021 Sweet 16, making the Sabercats a hungry team heading into this season. They get back leading scorer Brock Mishak, who averaged 19.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists last year. He is one of those players who gives his team a shot to win any time they take the floor. Fossil Ridge lost some key seniors, but junior Nick Randall should have a breakout season.

Last year's Cherry Creek team was loaded with Division I athletes across the board. It might not be too different this season after the team is at full strength when football season ends. Junior guard Christian Hammond should have another standout season after averaging 11.4 points as a sophomore. Blake Purchase will also emerge into a key player as he scored 5.9 points and grabbed 5.7 rebounds in 2021. This game will be a good test for both programs as each enters with a different look.

Class 4A
Steamboat Springs at Golden, Dec. 2, 7 p.m.
Golden will have a chance at revenge as they host Steamboat Springs in tournament play. It was the Sailors who ended the Demons' playoff run in the 4A quarterfinals. Richie Pruett is the team's returning leading scorer at 11.8 points per game. He also pulled down 4.8 rebounds per game and will have to contribute heavily on the glass this season. Logan Brewer is also back this season after scoring 7.9 points per game and should see an increased role on offense this season.

Steamboat will look very different after losing its top two scorers from last season. Junior Cade Gedeon will assume a more pronounced role as he returns after averaging 8.6 points. The Sailors lost a good chunk of their scoring from last year's quarterfinal team, but have enough experienced players coming back that they could still have a successful campaign.

Lewis-Palmer (Monument) at Holy Family (Broomfield), Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m.
This will be a good test for both programs as they try and find their footing in a competitive 4A field. Lewis-Palmer returns talented seniors in Cameron Lowe and Brady Jones, who each averaged more than 11 points per game. They also set the tone on the glass as they combined to average 10 rebounds, and will both be essential to the success the Rangers plan on having this season.

Holy Family wasn't thrilled with its postseason loss to Mead (Longmont). They have a solid core coming back to make a championship push this season, led by Jackson Ward. He scored 13.4 points and pulled 8.4 rebounds per game, both of which led the team last season. Junior Eric Quintana contributed big time with 7.7 points an outing, and the Tigers will expect big things from sophomore Gabe Tafoya, who averaged 5.1 points.

Class 4A/3A
Pueblo Central vs. Resurrection Christian (Loveland), Dec. 3, 6 p.m.
In an early-season tournament, Resurrection Christian will see a tough test from a talented Pueblo Central team. To make things more interesting, the Cougars will have a much different look, as the top three scorers are all gone from the program. Sophomore center Jacob Barker was limited to just seven games last season but scored 4.4 points per game in that time. Ryan Ward will be back as a team leader, although he scored just 2.2 points per game. A lot of teams think highly of the Cougars, so it will be interesting to see how they shape up against those expectations.

Central, on the other hand ,has a pretty good idea of what it is dealing with. Junior Kadyn Betts is easily one of the top players in the state after averaging 18.1 points and 11.2 rebounds. He also blocked over three shots per game, making him a threat on both ends of the floor. He is a reason that Central has high hopes of a deep playoff run this season.

Class 3A
Manual (Denver) at St. Mary's (Colorado Springs), Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m.
This will be a high-octane showdown as these two teams combined to 164 points per game last year. St. Mary's is coming off a stinging loss in the 3A title game, but with leading scorer Sam Howery (21.4 points) back, it has its sights set on closing the deal this season. Howery also dished out 10 assists per game last season, and the Pirates have three total players returning who averaged double-digit scoring figures.

Jordan Reed leads an explosive Manual team that wants to win its second state title in four seasons. He led the Thunderbolts with 18.8 points per game last season. He will certainly set the tone on both ends of the floor as Manual comes into the season with very high expectations.

Class 2A
Wray at Yuma, Dec. 4, 4 p.m.
There might not be a better way to start the season than against a highly regarded opponent. Wray and Yuma met in last year's 2A semifinals, and it was the Eagles getting the win before eventually capturing the state title. Wray finished undefeated and get back a couple of key pieces from the team. Bryant Schoenthal averaged a double-double at 17.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Jaden Dodsworth scored 9.7 points per game and shot 56 percent from the floor. They should provide a solid foundation to give the Eagles a chance at another state title.

Then again, the Bulldogs lost just two seniors from last year's roster and neither of them was the team's leading scorer. That honor went to Clay Robinson, who scored 17.1 points per game and tied for the team high in rebounds at 7.5. Javier Gamboa was the only other player to score in double-digits last year at 11.2 points per game, and he is back for his senior season as well.

Peyton at Denver Christian, Dec. 11, 3 p.m.
These teams squared off in a thriller in the 2A quarterfinals last year. The Panthers emerged with a 48-47 win to get to the Final 4 where they fell to Limon. They have their leading scorer back in Gibson Gellerman, who averaged 14.6 points per game and also accounted for 2.1 steals per contest. Peyton should see an increased role from AJ Lashley, who averaged 8.6 points and 4.9 assists.

The Thunder also get their leading scorer back as Ben Buhler returns after scoring 17 points per game as a junior. He will get some help from classmates Xander Neu (7.2 points, 6.4 rebounds per game) and Aden Cariveau (5.4 points per game). With enough returning players, the rematch from last year's playoffs has a great chance of being just as much of a thriller.

Class 1A
Merino at Haxtun, Dec. 4, 2 p.m.
The Rams came up just shy of the 1A state title game with a close loss to DeBeque. The Rams have their eyes on a championship run again and bring back some impactful players in the hopes of putting together a memorable season. Derrick Alber averaged a double-double last year with 10.6 points and 10 rebounds per game. He will get significant help from fellow senior Chance Everhart (7.0 points) and sophomore Tyler Miller (4.6 point).

Haxtun made the state quarterfinals before getting ousted by DeBeque and has a big senior class heading back to the floor with the anticipation of improving on that finish. Owen Knode leads all returners with 10.5 points per game. He has a lot of support as Michael Gerk and three others are back after all averaging at least five points per game last season.

Belleview Christian (Westminster) vs. Cheraw, Dec. 11, 4:30 p.m.
Assane Diop's departure for the Denver Prep Academy opens up the 1A field. Belleview Christian will be tested early this winter as it sees Cheraw in tournament play. With Diop gone, the Bruins figure to lean on Nathaniel Owen and John Cronk to pick up the scoring effort. They finished last year combining for nearly 26 points per game. Owen will return as the team's leading rebounder at 5.6 per game.

Cheraw comes into the season with a couple of juniors who will look to elevate the Wolverines into the Final 4 this season. Braeden Harris scored 12 points per game, while Cade Phillips added 7.8. A few returning sophomores and juniors should make the Wolverines a formidable opponent for any team on any given night.