Bayfield, Alamosa may cross paths once again in Colorado boys basketball

With the opportunity to host a Class 3A regional tournament this weekend and finally face some different competition, Bayfield's boys basketball team may not have quite expected the draw it was handed Sunday.

When the state tournament bracket was released, the Wolverines (15-6) were certainly thrilled to earn the No. 5 overall seed and get to play at home. But should the squad get past No. 28 Delta on Friday night, a potential Sweet 16 showdown could bring about an all-too-familiar foe.

That would be No. 12 Alamosa, a team that shared the Intermountain League title with Bayfield this season and a team the Wolverines have already played twice in a 16-day span. Bayfield won both of those games by a combined five points, but now faces the prospect of matching up for the fourth time this season.

"You like the opportunity to play other teams in the regional, not one in your own district. But it is what it is," Bayfield coach Jeff Lehnus said. "I understand the combination of RPI plus the league winners getting a regional to host … when you put it all together, we just wound up being fifth and they wound up 12th. Our first concern is Delta."

Bayfield upended the Mean Moose 56-54 last Saturday in the Intermountain League district title game, getting 12 points apiece from junior Ryan Phelps and sophomore Hayden Farmer. Five players had at least eight points for the Wolverines, who also posted a 65-62 victory against Alamosa on Feb. 10.

"You are prepared to play. You consider it another great opportunity against an opponent you respect," Lehnus said. "We know it will be a tough game. We want at least one team to move on and represent our league."

Bayfield certainly won't look past Delta though. Two years ago the Wolverines were the No. 28 seed, upsetting No. 5 The Pinnacle (Thornton) and No. 12 Eaton to reach the Great 8 before eventually finishing sixth.

Last winter the team found itself in perhaps the toughest quadrant again, drawing defending state champion and No. 11 Colorado Springs Christian in the first round. The Lions won that game by 10 points, but the experience helped set the table for Bayfield this season.

The Wolverines have only one senior, and Phelps has averaged 16.6 points and nine rebounds. The team hadn't been part of a league title since 1996, and had not won a district crown since 1992.

"They have tasted success and what it takes to get there. They've liked it, and they've put the time in and believed," Lehnus said of his players. "They may be young and inexperienced in some areas, but these kids have been playing together for a long time. There's a camaraderie among them and a connection that is important, and it shows itself."

Whichever team emerges from the regional, it won't get any easier when the quarterfinals get underway March 9 at the University of Denver. Fourth-ranked and undefeated Resurrection Christian (Loveland) (22-0) is hosting the next quadrant, and the winner of that group will face the winner of the quadrant at Bayfield.

Kent Denver (Englewood) (19-3) drew the No. 1 overall seed, and Manitou Springs is the second seed. Two-time defending state champion Colorado Springs Christian earned the No. 3 seed.

The quarterfinals will take place March 9 at Hamilton Gym on the DU campus, with the Final 4 on March 10. The 3A championship game will be at 6 p.m. on March 11.

MaxPreps Colorado state and region brackets

Class 2A
For the past three years, Sanford has held a firm grip on the 2A ranks, winning three consecutive state titles.
But with the Indians hit hard by gradation and two-time state runner-up Resurrection Christian now in 3A, the field may be open for the taking.

Highland (Ault) (22-0) is the only undefeated team in the 2A ranks, though Sedgwick County (Julesburg) (21-1) and Paonia (20-2) aren't far behind. But one of the most interesting regionals is in the west in Pod G, hosted by Ignacio (15-6). Four of the team's losses came to teams in higher classifications, and a fifth was to an out-of-state opponent.

Ignacio, led by junior Johnny Valdez's 13.4 points per game and junior Kruz Pardo's nearly 11 points an outing,  will take on the winner of Del Norte and Hotchkiss at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Del Norte (18-4) had its 16-game winning streak snapped last weekend by Sanford in the district title game, an Indians team that the Tigers were playing for the fourth time this season. Hotchkiss (16-6) has had three of its losses come to Paonia.

Junior Carlos Parra paces Del Norte at 20.2 points and 6.8 rebounds a game. Senior Jeff Stevenson averages 10.4 points and 5.5 rebounds. Hotchkiss' 1-2 punch comes from junior Sam Ridriguez (15.7 ppg) and senior Zack Allen (11.8).

Class 1A
Holly owns the distinction of being the only undefeated team in the 1A ranks after going 21-0 through the regular season and district play. Rocky Mountain Lutheran (Denver) (20-2) and Cheyenne Wells (19-2) have also been strong headed into regional play this weekend.

One region to keep an eye on is Region 3 Bracket 2, hosted by Cheyenne Wells. The Tigers earned a bye into Saturday's regional championship, but are coming off a loss to Kit Carson in the district title game. Senior Kendall Pelton leads Cheyenne Wells with 16.5 points and 7.7 rebounds a game.

South Baca (14-7) has to get past Kiowa (8-14) on Friday night before the Patriots can turn their attention to Cheyenne Wells. But South Baca may be one of the most underrated teams in the tournament.

After a blowout loss to Cheyenne Wells in the second game of the season, the Patriots rallied and lost by only two points to the Tigers 13 days later.

South Baca also has played Holly as tough as any team, with its two losses to the Wildcats coming by a combined seven points – including a 62-60 thriller in the district title game last weekend. Holly outscored South Baca by 10 points in the fourth quarter to come back and keep its perfect season intact.