Denver Post staff writers Neil H. Devlin and Jon E. Yunt look at upcoming events in high school sports:
BOYS BASKETBALL
The first one, last Saturday night, was worth your time.
Round II is tonight at 7 p.m. for Class 5A No. 2 Rampart at Palmer in the Colorado Springs Metro League. The Rams are in control of the C.S. Metro, the big schools’ heaviest at the top, and 15-0 overall. The Rams also are nearing assurance as one of the state tournament’s top seeds.
Farther down Interstate 25 on Friday is the quite large 4A South Central matchup of Pueblo Central at undefeated Pueblo East, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday in Denver is George Washington vs. Montbello at Manual’s Thunderdome in 5A city play, a 1 p.m. matinee. That’s followed by a 7 p.m. tipoff for Chaparral at defending 5A champion Regis Jesuit in Aurora, a game that may tighten the Continental or make it the exclusive domain — again — of the Raiders.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Must-see matchups
Heritage will get its turn in the 5A Continental against perennial power Highlands Ranch, Friday at 7 p.m.
Saturday’s highlight game may very well be Eaton at Erie, a biggie in the 3A Patriot.
WRESTLING
Dandy duals on display
Saturday’s Centauri dual tournament, featuring four of Class 3A’s top 10 teams (including No. 1 Centauri and No. 2 Olathe), may be as good as it gets this weekend. Sure, La Jara — 20 miles south of Alamosa — is quite a haul, but these matchups will be hard to miss. Five of the classification’s seven state champions are going to compete, including the host’s Cahlen Keys (135 pounds) and Vincent Chacon (heavyweight). Quality? How about at 171, where Florence’s two- time champion, Matt Addington, ranked No. 1, will meet Dolores Huerta’s Mario Garcia, No. 3. Or at 152, where Olathe’s No. 1 Kyle Piatt should get a shot at Centauri’s Iver Sandoval, who lost to Addington in last year’s 152-pound championship match. Confused? Add in 2A’s Rocky Ford, and the quality just improves.
If you’re not up for the long drive, Lincoln, Brighton, Standley Lake, Thomas Jefferson and Thornton will be hosting invitationals.
SKIING
Meet at Devil’s Thumb
The latest round of the Colorado high school circuit heads to Tabernash and Devil’s Thumb Ranch for a 3K and 5K nordic event.
ICE HOCKEY
Prime example of parity
Last weekend, in case you weren’t paying attention, Valor Christian knocked off Cheyenne Mountain and showed how parity is powering this season. The Eagles (0-19 last season) received two goals and three assists from Michael Schoolcraft to beat the Indians and improve to 6-6. Valor travels to Monument on Friday for a 6:30 p.m. game against Lewis-Palmer at the Colorado Sports Center.
