The winter season resumes after its two-week holiday hiatus next Monday, but the real action, at least in basketball, starts Tuesday.
The highlight is a battle of unbeaten boys teams in Fort Collins: Fossil Ridge (7-0) and Fort Collins (7-0) tip off at 7 p.m.
They’re two schools whose campuses are separated by 10 minutes — eight, if you take Ziegler Road.
“Oh yeah,” said Chris Hansen, who leads Fossil Ridge, and anyone on the state, with 32.4 points per game. “I can’t wait.”
Don’t miss Highlands Ranch and Denver East play. Both the boys and girls tip at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The Denver East boys (4-1) are led by stud freshman Dominique Collier, who is averaging 17.8 points per game. Highlands Ranch (8-1), meanwhile, is paced by Brett Olson (19.6 points per game) and Marcus Byrd (18.2).
In the girls game, Highlands Ranch (6-3) hosts East (6-2). Katelyn McDaniel leads the Falcons with 18.4 points per game, while Deidra Smith heads East with 14.8.
There’s a good boys game in Pueblo on Tuesday: West (6-2) takes on Centennial (5-4). Ian Imamura, who was named our Gold Helmet Award winner on Sunday, leads West with 13.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Tip is at 7 p.m.
Important dates to keep in mind:
• Feb. 18: 4A, 5A regular season ends
• Feb. 19: 1A-3A regular season ends
• Feb. 20: 4A, 5A brackets set
• Feb. 26: 1A-3A districts completed
• March 5: 1A-3A Sweet 16 completed
• March 9-12: State finals for all classes
Ryan Casey: 303-954-1983 or rcasey@denverpost.com
