The following is a look at the top boys and girls basketball games this week in Classes 5A and 4A, plus insight into a premier wrestling tournament Saturday at Arvada West. (All rankings and records are up-to-date as of Monday.)
BOYS HOOPS
Douglas County at Highlands Ranch, Friday 7 p.m.: The Huskies (7-2) and Falcons (8-2) are off to hot starts as they enter the gauntlet that is Continental League play. Douglas County boasts three bonafide scoring threats in senior Cam’ron Dunfee and juniors Brendan Temple and Earl Boykins Jr. Meanwhile, Highlands Ranch’s chance at victory against the Huskies and beyond rests on the shoulders of 6-foot-6 senior Brendan Sullivan, who is averaging 23.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
Chaparral at Mountain Vista, Friday 7 p.m.: The No. 2 Wolverines (10-3) already proved themselves as early state title contenders with their toppling of talent-laden Denver East on Friday. But coach Tellus Truesdale and junior captain Ronnie DeGray III certainly won’t have Chaparral overlooking the Golden Eagles (8-3) in the Continental League opener, as Mountain Vista’s balanced offense is paced by seniors Connor Staib and Garrett Sweeney and junior Simon May. Listen to this game live on Post Preps Radio.
GIRLS HOOPS
Golden (11-0) at Valor Christian (9-2), Wednesday 7 p.m.: The No. 2 Demons and the No. 7 Eagles have the firepower to play well into March. The Demons posses experience with an array of multi-year starters, including seniors Makena Prey and Abby Garnett, who might be the best one-two scoring duo in the entire classification. But freshman Kindyll Wetta and senior Abby Wright also provide Valor Christian with a potent combo, especially when complimented by the leadership of seniors Stephanie Coors and Madison Altman.
Legend (8-2) at Castle View (10-2), Friday 5:30 p.m.: The No. 5 Sabercats are yet to lose to a Colorado opponent this season as they play host to the upstart Titans, who under first-year coach John Angelo have almost already matched last year’s ten-win campaign. Juniors Kassie Rembisz and Payton Lincavage lead Legend offensively, and they’ll need to be key against Castle View’s versatile attack headlined by juniors India Cole and Madison Hema and senior McKay VanSickle.
WRESTLING
Arvada West Invitational, Saturday, 8 a.m.: With the prestigious Top of the Rockies tournament next weekend at Centaurus, this weekend’s competition on Allendale Drive will also feature an array of the top individuals and teams in the state. Participating ranked squads by On The Mat include 5A No. 1 Pomona, No. 2 Grand Junction, No. 4 Monarch, No. 7 Castle View, No. 8 Grandview and No. 9 Adams City, as well as 4A No. 1 Pueblo County, No. 6 Discovery Canyon and No. 7 Thompson Valley.
