Pressure mounting over final weeks: Top Colorado boys basketball games in February

If the previous four weeks were any indication, the remainder of the boys basketball season is going to be a sight to behold.

The number of undefeated teams from around the state has dwindled to seven, as upsets and league battles continue to take a toll. As February approaches, the final weeks of the regular season are looming and some league titles will likely come down to the wire. The postseason gets underway the last week of February, with the first round in Class 5A set for Feb. 25.

With that in mind, here is a look at 10 games to keep an eye on for February:

Class 5A

• Eaglecrest (Centennial) (12-3) at Overland (Aurora) (10-5), 7 p.m., Feb. 4
These two teams met on Jan. 9, with Eaglecrest posting a 12-point victory over the Trailblazers. The battle for the Centennial League comes down to the second run through, and the Raptors are as hot as anyone with eight victories in a row. Senior Blend Avdili scored 24 points in the teams' first meeting, but Overland didn't have De'Ron Davis (16.9 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game) that night.

• Rock Canyon (Highlands Ranch) (13-3) at Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch) (13-2), 7 p.m., Feb. 6
This Continental League rivalry is intense, and Rock Canyon handed the Golden Eagles a loss back on Dec. 6. The Jaguars have already matched last year's win total and are 3-0 in the league headed into a Jan. 27 matchup at Ponderosa. Seniors Mitch Lombard (16.5 ppg) and Tyler Garcia (15.6) combined for 40 points in a 66-59 victory over No. 8 Chaparral on Jan. 23. Mountain Vista has won 11 of its past 12, with Brady Subart (16.6 ppg) and Ray Beresford (16.3) a talented 1-2 scoring punch.

• ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch) (15-1) at Regis Jesuit (Aurora) (15-0), 7 p.m., Feb. 10
There are some outstanding games coming in February, but this one may top them all. The top two teams in 5A clash in a Continental League showdown that could help decide the classification's No. 1 overall seed. Both squads have a number of tough games in the month, but this one stands out. The Raiders continue to ride a balanced lineup, with three seniors – Taylor Kallsen, Bryan Staerkel and Kip Boryla – all averaging a little more than 11 points a game. ThunderRidge's only loss came to Denver East back on Jan. 3. That marks the only game the Grizzlies have allowed more than 50 points; senior Zach Pirog averages 14.0 points and 9.0 rebounds a contest.

Honorable Mention: Arvada West at Dakota Ridge (Littleton), 7 p.m., Feb. 4; Doherty (Colorado Springs) at Rampart (Colorado Springs), 7 p.m., Feb. 6; Chaparral (Parker) at Legend (Parker), 7 p.m., Feb. 20.

Class 4A

Chris Helbig, Holy Family.

File photo by Derek Regensburger

• Holy Family (Broomfield) (12-2) at Longmont (14-0), 4 p.m., Feb. 7
This may not be a league game, but No. 1 Longmont will get one of its toughest tests of the season with the No. 3 Tigers. The Trojans continue to roll behind a stingy defense that has allowed more than 50 points only once all season. The team is 6-0 in the Northern League and junior Justinian Jessup is averaging 17.8 points per game. The defending 3A champion Tigers have won 11 in a row, though, with the combination of Chris Helbig (18.6 ppg) and Luke Golter (15.3) leading the way.

• Pueblo Central (12-3) at Pueblo West (12-3), 7 p.m., Feb. 17
Another top-10 battle in 4A pits the current leaders of the South Central League. Given the competitiveness of the SCL that could change before these teams tangle, but both squads have been a cut above so far. The Cyclones have won eight in a row, and sophomore David Simental has averaged 18.3 points a game. Central's only losses came to top-10 teams in Golden, Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) and Sierra (Colorado Springs), and the Wildcats feature one of the state's elite scoring duos in juniors Michael Ranson (25.9 ppg) and Kobi Betts (20.4).

• Sierra (11-3) at Widefield (Colorado Springs) (13-2), 7 p.m., Feb. 19
The Colorado Springs Metro League is in a heated battle at the moment, with the Stallions and Gladiators at the top. The two teams meet for the first time Jan. 27, but the Feb. 19 game closes out the regular season. Sierra has won nine in a row after some early-season struggles thanks to the strong play of senior Tevion Thompson (14.8 ppg) and Ke'andre Lewis (13.9 points and 8.7 rebounds). Widefield dropped a league game by two points to Mesa Ridge, but the Gladiators have five players scoring in double figures.

Honorable Mention: Golden at Conifer, 7 p.m., Feb. 4; Air Academy at Sand Creek (Colorado Springs), 7 p.m., Feb. 4; Steamboat Springs at Glenwood Springs, 2:30 p.m., Feb. 14.

Class 3A

• Lutheran (Parker) (11-1) at Jefferson Academy (Broomfield) (11-2), 7 p.m., Feb. 4
The month gets off to a bang with another big Metro League showdown in the 3A ranks. Five teams from the Metro are currently ranked in the top 10 in the CHSAANow.com poll, and this contest pits No. 3 vs. No. 4. Lutheran's only blip all season came back on Dec. 18 against Palisade, but the Lions have won four in a row since. Lutheran closes out January against No. 1 Faith Christian (Arvada) before facing the Jaguars. Seniors Josh Clausen and James Willis each average more than 17 points a game. Jefferson Academy fell to Faith Christian on Jan. 16 and had another big contest Jan. 27 against No. 5 Colorado Academy (Denver). Joe Raff leads the team with 17.4 points per game.

• Faith Christian (12-1) at Kent Denver (Englewood) (8-3), 7 p.m., Feb. 13
With the loss by Colorado Springs Christian to St. Mary's (Colorado Springs), Faith Christian moved into the No. 1 spot in the 3A poll. Winners of 10 in a row, the Eagles knocked off Colorado Academy 57-44 on Jan. 23 behind 26 points from Spencer Bazz. Kent Denver has dropped two of its past three, both to top-five teams, but have a strong young core that includes freshman Stone Delaney (10.6 ppg) and junior Rob Casey (10.3).

Honorable Mention: The Pinnacle (Federal Heights) at Bennett, 7 p.m., Feb. 10; St. Mary's at Buena Vista, 7 p.m., Feb. 13; Moffat County (Craig) at Grand Valley (Parachute), 7:30 p.m., Feb. 20.

Class 2A

• Simla (10-1) at Ellicott (Calhan) (9-1), 1 p.m., Feb. 14
The 2A field is the state's only classification that currently has three undefeated teams. One-loss Simla and Ellicott are both ranked in the top 10 and are trying to make an impression in a strong class. Ellicott defeated Simla 52-35 on Jan. 22 with a big second half, and junior Morgan Murray and senior Jacob Crist combined for 36 points. The Thunderhawks lead the Black Forest League, with their only loss coming to Limon. Simla was undefeated before losing to Ellicott; senior Cody Norris averages 15.8 points and 5.9 assists a game.

Honorable Mention: Swink at Crowley County (Ordway), 5 p.m., Feb. 3; Meeker at Paonia, 7 p.m., Feb. 6; Akron at Caliche (Iliff), 4 p.m., Feb. 19.

Class 1A

• South Baca [Campo/Vilas/Pritchett] (11-2) at Springfield (11-2), 4 p.m., Feb. 19
Another non-league matchup that features two teams ranked in the top five comes late in the month. No. 2 Springfield has won four in a row since falling to No. 1 Sangre de Cristo (Mosca), and senior Ross Dunlap is an all-around threat at 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists a night. Fifth-ranked South Baca has won five in a row since its loss to Sangre de Cristo, scoring 191 points in its previous two games. The loss to the Thunderbirds came by only three points.

Honorable Mention: Ignacio (Class 2A) at Ouray, 3:30 p.m., Feb. 7; Sierra Grande (Blanca) at Sangre de Cristo, 6:30 p.m., Feb. 20.