Say hello to elimination basketball.
Brackets for Classes 5A and 4A boys and girls were released on Sunday.
In 5A boys, defending state champion Overland and Eaglecrest of the Centennial League, Continental League winner ThunderRidge and the undefeated Rangevew Raiders of the East Metro Athletic Conference earned top seeds. It left Doherty, Regis Jesuit, Chatfield and Cherokee Trail as No. 2 seeds.
And it remains a top-heavy class — as many as 10 teams, if they get hot, can advance far into the bracket.
First-round games will be Wednesday and the second round on Saturday. in the 48-team field.
A hunch — don’t sleep on George Washington, which grabbed a No. 3 seed, won the Denver Prep League and has enough athleticism to challenge big-school team.
For 4A boys, which has a 32-team field, Longmont, Pueblo West, Valor Christian and Lewis-Palmer are the top seeds and head the quadrants. Golden, Pueblo South, Denver South and Sierra and second seeds.
Play this week will involve two rounds, on Friday and Saturday, at host sites.
Concerning girls and their 48-team outlay, the 5A group had three easy-to-see No. 1 seeds, ever-present Highlands Ranch, undefeated Grandview and defending state champion Broomfield, and they are joined by Jefferson County’s Lakewood.
Ralston Valley, Poudre, ThunderRidge and Horizon are No. 2 seeds.
This week, teams will have a Tuesday-Friday schedule.
The 4A girls and their 32-team format have defending state champion Valor Christian, Sand Creek, Longmont and Mesa Ridge loaded as No. 1 seeds with Holy Family Evergreen, Palisade and Pueblo East right behind them as No. 2s.
They will have a Friday-Saturday outlay this weekend.
Big schools will be down to 16 teams by Sunday, 4A will have eight.
The 3A, 2A and 1A groups will have assorted districts this week.
