Denver Post staff writer Neil H. Devlin looks at the action ahead in high school sports:
BASKETBALL At the hoop. As usual, we will have a mad Christmas rush. Colorado winter sports will shut down — again — over the holidays, so a wave of nonleague games and local and out-of-state tournaments is on everyone’s shopping list. In boys, an undermanned Hinkley team will be at Wheat Ridge today at 7 p.m. in 5A nonleague. Then one of the games you want to see will be Friday, when Doherty will take on ThunderRidge at 8 p.m. in the Heritage-ThunderRidge Tournament, another 5A boys nonleague matchup. As for girls, tonight’s 7 p.m. tipoff with Legacy at ThunderRidge will be worth watching in 5A nonleague, as will Friday’s 4A Broomfield, the defending state champion, at 5A Horizon, an annual challenger, at 7 p.m.
WRESTLING Grappling days. For some of us, the dual meet remains overlooked. Indeed, the bigger tournaments draw more interest, but the head-to-head matchups between schools remain an indicator of superiority over a rival in head-to-head fashion. Thursdays continue as the time for big dual meets and tonight’s (7 p.m.) first whistles will have a little something for most everyone throughout the metropolitan area: Arvada West at Standley Lake, Chatfield at Columbine, Cherry Creek at Overland, Legacy at Horizon, Mullen at Grandview and Thomas Jefferson at John F. Kennedy. As for Saturday’s significantly larger gatherings, Brush, Burlington, Columbine, Greeley Central, Lewis-Palmer, Poudre, Pueblo East, Sheridan and Wheat Ridge will be the stops.
ICE HOCKEY Ice, ice, baby. The puck will be dropped Friday at 5:45 p.m. at the Family Sports Center, where Regis will take on visiting Coronado. Other Friday night inside lights will have defending Colorado champion Aspen at home against Peak to Peak at 6 p.m. and Ralston Valley hosting perennial power Cheyenne Mountain at APEX. Even though the Avalanche will be hosting the Broad Street Bullies, the Philadelphia Flyers, on Friday, keep the sticks low and gloves on, boys.
FOOTBALL Raiders’ fundraiser. ‘Tis the season. According to Vic Strouse, athletic director at Rangeview, the Raiders will offer multiple events to help offset the enormous medical costs facing Marcus Lucas. The senior defensive end suffered a broken neck in a 5A first-round playoff game against Highlands Ranch. After surgery, Lucas has made it home and is hopeful of returning to school after the holiday break, even in face of extensive therapy. On Dec. 15, the school will host a Jingle Bell 5k run, beginning at 10 a.m., with registration at 8:30 a.m. And the Raiders have designated Dec. 18 as Marcus Lucas Night, when their boys basketball team will welcome visiting Chaparral. Proceeds from both events will go to the Lucas family.
