The following is a look at the marquee games this week in the opening round of the state tournament for boys and girls basketball. (All records are current as of Monday.)
BOYS BASKETBALL
No. 33 (16-7) at No. 22 Rangeview (15-8), Wednesday 7 p.m.
Coach Jim Mason’s Mountain Range squad has pulled off a number of notable victories, including a signature win over No. 5 on Jan. 4. Coach Shawn Palmer’s Raiders are led by seasoned senior point guard Matt Johnson (20.7 points per game). Listen live to this game on Post Preps Radio at denverpost.com/preps
No. 40 Fairview (11-12) at No. 25 (11-12), Wednesday 7 p.m.
Senior Sam Grad and sophomore Mark Dolan leads the upset-minded Knights into a road showdown against coach Mike Gibbs and Highlands Ranch, who are paced by junior guard Brendan Sullivan’s 16.6 points per game. HIghlands Ranch gained momentum late in the regular season with victories over No. 5 Rock Canyon on Feb. 10 and No. 13 on Feb. 17.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
No. 38 (13-9) at No. 27 (13-10), Tuesday 7 p.m.
The senior tandem of Estefania Perez-Jordan and Joliet Moya led Denver West back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, where they will face a Palmer Ridge team rolling into the playoffs following its 65-37 blowout of rival Lewis-Palmer in the season finale.
No. 33 Overland (8-15) at No. 32 ThunderRidge (9-14), Tuesday 7 p.m.
The defending champion Grizzlies will lean on junior guard Mia Needles to carry their offensive production at home after posting a 5-5 mark in tough Continental League play, while the youthful Lady Blazers don’t start any seniors. They are led by junior Lyric Thompson’s 13.0 points per game.
