Prep Hoops Colorado 4A Team Rankings: Week 8
There was a big top-10 game last week and plenty more big action in store this week in 4A.
Here’s a look at how the teams shake out for us heading into the games of Monday, Jan. 23:
1. Sand Creek (14-1; LW: 1)
The Scorpions have a massive matchup Wednesday with Vista Ridge, a battle featuring two of the state’s best players in D’Shawn Schwartz and Hunter Maldonado with first place in the Pikes Peak League up for grabs. Buckle up.
2. Pueblo West (13-1; LW: 2)
The Cyclones went 3-0 last week, breezing to victories over Pueblo County, Pueblo Centennial and 5A Mullen, each by at least 17 points. West faces rival Pueblo South on Tuesday.
3. D’Evelyn (13-2; LW: 3)
The Jaguars put their 6-0 mark in JeffCo League play on the line this week. First, they host Golden on Wednesday in a top-10 matchup. Then they travel to face a talented Evergreen team on Friday. This week will say a lot about just how ready D’Evelyn is to make a 4A title run.
4. Valor Christian (11-4; LW: 4)
The Eagles have responded with three straight double-digit wins since falling to D’Evelyn on Jan. 11. Jalen Sanders had 25 points, six rebounds, five assists, five steals and three blocks in a win over Evergreen last week.
5. Silver Creek (11-1; LW: 10)
Coach Bob Banning’s squad continues to impress. A 3-0 record last week included victories over Longmont, Mountain View and Vista Peak. Trent Dykema continues to prove himself as one of the top juniors in the state. The 6-4 guard is averaging this eye-popping line: 19 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.8 steals per game. The Raptors get a chance to avenge their only loss of the season on Friday when they visit Northridge.
6. Holy Family (11-4; LW: 8)
Kyle Helbig stepped up with a huge 19-point performance in the win over Holy Family. The 6-4 sophomore continues to be one of the biggest stock risers in his class. The Tigers now control their own destiny in the hunt for the Tri-Vally League title.
7. Sierra (11-3; LW: 9)
It’s hard to ask for much more than this: Tuesday brings us a matchup of Sierra and Mesa Ridge, a battle of two teams with identical 7-0 records in the Colorado Springs Metro League. Can CJ Jennings and company outduel a Ridge attack that features four players who average double figures in scoring. We’ll find out soon enough.
8. Golden (12-3; LW: 5)
The Demons started last week off by beating Green Mountain 64-48 but then suffered a 60-53 loss to Evergreen that dropped them two games behind in the JeffCo League race. That leaves Golden with a mighty important road game Wednesday at first-place D’Evelyn.
9. Vista Peak (11-3; LW: 6)
The Bison won their first two road games last week at Adams City and Aurora Central, but they fell short Saturday in a 56-52 thriller at Silver Creek. Peak plays Brighton on Tuesday and then faces a big East Metro test Friday against Rangeview.
10. Mead (12-3; LW: 7)
The Mavericks squeaked out a 65-63 victory over Windsor last Tuesday behind 23 points from Michael Ward. But Mead fell flat in a top-10 matchup against Holy Family last Friday, losing 67-48 and dropping into second place in the Tri-Valley League race.