The following is a look at the marquee games to watch for in the first week of the 2016-17 boys and girls basketball seasons:
BOYS BASKETBALL
/ Tip Off Tournament, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: Some of the state’s top point guard talent will be on display in , as Rock Canyon junior Sam Masten, Mountain Vista senior Isaac Essien, senior Jervay Green and Arapahoe senior Kyle Lukasiewicz all can straight ball. Wednesday schedule: Arapahoe vs. Rampart 4:30 p.m. RCHS; No. 2 Rock Canyon vs. Loveland 7:30 p.m. RCHS; No. 8 George Washington vs. Monarch 4:30 p.m. MVHS; No. 9 Mountain Vista vs. Liberty, 7:30 p.m. MVHS. Semifinals Friday 7:30 p.m., championship Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Chaparral at No. 1 Eaglecrest, Wednesday 7 p.m.: Last season’s state runner-up, the Raptors, begin their season with a home showdown against the potent Wolverines. Watch for senior point guard Colbey Ross to put on a show for Eaglecrest while sophomore strong forwards Bryce Matthews and Ronnie DeGray III give Chaparral plenty of ammunition for an upset.
Regis at Overland, Thursday 7 p.m.: Coach Ken Shaw’s Raiders clash with coach Danny Fisher’s two-time defending champion Blazers in a game that will set the tone for the season. is led by junior point guard Elijah Martinez and benefited from the offseason additions of a couple sophomore skyscrapers in Samba Kane (6’11”) and Matt Wheelock (6’7″). Overland graduated all five starters and looks to the likes of junior forward Goy Wang and sophomore guard Stephen Hayes to continue the Blazers’ winning tradition.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Mountain Vista/Rock Canyon Tip Off Tournament, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: No. 7 Monarch and No. 10 Arapahoe headline the field, as junior point guard Peyton Carter and junior power forward Jasmine Jeffcoat star for the Coyotes. The Warriors’ hopes this season ride largely upon the play and leadership of senior point guard Macy Ziegler. Wednesday schedule: 4A No. 7 Monarch vs. 5A No. 7 D’Evelyn, 3 p.m. RCHS; Rock Canyon vs. Liberty, 6 p.m. RCHS; No. 10 Arapahoe vs. Rampart, 3 p.m. MVHS; Mountain Vista vs. Rangeview, 6 p.m. MVHS. Semifinals Friday 7:30 p.m., championship Saturday 3:30 p.m.
No. 2 at No. 1 Grandview, Friday 7 p.m.: A battle between the two top-ranked teams in the state is sure to have plenty of fireworks as two-time defending Gatorade Player of the Year Michaela Onyenwere leads the Wolves, stronger now thanks to the offseason transfer of forward Leilah Vigil from Highlands Ranch, against senior point guard Ashley Van Sickle and the Mustangs.
at No. 1 , Friday 7 p.m.: Senior Mary Newland, senior Tess Boade, junior Stephanie Coors and junior Madison Altman are set to emerge as the new stars for two-time defending 4A champion Valor Christian.
