BASEBALL Class 5A championship series. You’re smart. You probably know Cherry Creek, featuring an array of interesting juniors enjoying the game, has the big schools’ only undefeated team (21-0). You are aware Air Academy (Ron Burton and Dexter Price) may be destined for a title. You realize defending champion Rocky Mountain (Andy Burns) has to be ousted before even thinking some other team will win the prep pennant. And it doesn’t take Einstein to understand Dakota Ridge (Eric Cain) could slug its way home.
But only the foolish wouldn’t agree four others in the much- anticipated double-elimination field that begins Friday are solid and capable of winning it all.
Arapahoe quietly won the competitive Continental League, if there is such a manner. Chatfield tied for second place in Jefferson County, losing three games by a combined four runs. Chaparral was just a game off the Continental pace and seems to be peaking. And Grand Junction has new life after Legacy was forced to forfeit.
The next two weekends are the best times — and weather — of the season to take in schoolboy innings.
Class 4A championship series. Here’s one way to look at it — Denver (Thomas Jefferson) and the Skyline (defending champion Cherokee Trail) are trying to crash the season-long parties by the deep and impressive Jeffco (Conifer, Golden and Ralston Valley) and Northern (Fossil Ridge, Niwot and Skyline) groups.
However, the more popular notion is that Cherokee Trail (junior Micah Green), also second in 2006, has the goods to make it two championships in succession despite its weaker league slate.
Class 3A championship series. It wasn’t a misprint in Tuesday’s Post — senior Jobi Wall really did achieve the rarity of pitching a perfect game and hitting for the cycle . . . in one game.
Hence, the defending champion Eagles remain the favorite. Chief among challengers are Eaton (Kyle Ottoson), Erie and Roose- velt. Of the others still alive — Bayfield, Brush, Lamar and Manitou Springs — there’s nothing middle-of-the-road about the class.
TRACK AND FIELD Big meets. It will be difficult to go past certain tracks without seeing a lot of athletes — it’s regional weekend for four classes, the prelude to state championships May 16-17 in Lakewood and Pueblo.
BOYS SWIMMING Leagues of their own. Boys in the pool will complete 5A and 4A league meets this weekend to set up Colorado’s championships May 15-17 in Fort Collins.
GIRLS SOCCER Perfect pitches. By Saturday, the pitch will be pared by two rounds in each of the three classes. If you’re Johnny on the spot, catch the rounds leading to Super Soccer Saturday, May 17, then the 5A and 4A title games May 20.
LACROSSE Kids with sticks. Saturday is big — the boys have quarterfinals at Regis in Aurora and a little farther down the road, in Castle Rock at Douglas County Stadium, the girls will complete semifinals.
