Prep Hoops Colorado 5A Team Rankings: Week 9
Things are starting to round into form in 5A, with each of the top six teams holding firm this week. There is shakeup below that, with several new teams knocking on the door of the top 10.
Here’s a look at how things shake out as division races prepare to heat up:
1. ThunderRidge (15-1; LW: 1)
The Grizzlies appear to be in top form. They had no problem posting lopsided wins last week over Castle View and Legend, moving to 4-0 in the Continental League. Games at Heritage and Hinkley and a home game against Highlands Ranch are up next in a busy week.
2. George Washington (16-2; LW: 2)
The Patriots have won six straight games since falling to ThunderRidge back on Jan. 6. Last week they cruised to an 88-72 victory, then put on a dunk show in a win over Denver South. Those victories moved G-Dub to a perfect 4-0 in the Denver Public League with matchups against Kennedy and Thomas Jefferson scheduled this week.
3. Chatfield (16-1; LW: 3)
The Chargers extended the longest winning streak in the classification to 15 games after easy victories on the road over Columbine and Pomona last week. Chatfield, which got balanced scoring from seniors Titus Reed, Michael Vrabel, Lucas St. Germain, Alex Beckley and Joe Miks last week, can go a long way toward clinching the 5A JeffCo League title if it takes care of business Wednesday at home against second-place Lakewood.
4. Rock Canyon (15-2; LW: 4)
A furious rally that led to a 70-62 victory over a vastly improved Mountain Vista team on Saturday helped the Jags stayed tied atop the Continental League with ThunderRidge at 4-0. Rock Canyon, which got a combined 49 points from Sam Masten and Tyson Gilbert on Saturday, travels to Douglas County on Tuesday and hosts Chaparral on Friday.
5. Grandview (16-1; LW: 5)
The Wolves routed Mullen and then squeezed out a 56-51 victory over Smoky Hill behind stellar free-throw shooting (18-for-18). This week Grandview has a chance to avenge its only loss of the season when it hosts Arapahoe on Wednesday night. This time, though, the Wolves should have starting point guard LeChaun Duhart in the lineup.
6. Eaglecrest (14-3; LW: 6)
The Raptors stayed tied atop the Centennial League at 7-1 with wins by an average of 19 points over Cherokee Trail and Overland. Before those league games, ‘Crest grinded out a 55-49 win last Monday over Denver East behind a strong performance from unsigned senior forward Ikenna Ozor (11 points, six rebounds). The Raptors play Mullen and Arapahoe this week.
7. Doherty (13-3; LW: 9)
The Spartans moved up in the rankings for the second straight week, this time behind a 3-0 stretch that included back-to-back wins over a good Liberty team. Doherty will try to stay perfect in the 5A Colorado Springs Metro League this week when they face Coronado on the road and host Pine Creek.
8. Cherry Creek (13-4; LW: 10)
Behind 18 points apiece from junior Dimitri Stanley and senior Jalen Meeks, the Bruins rallied for an impressive 71-67 victory over Smoky Hill. But Creek’s chance to end the week just one game back in the Centennial League standings was lost when it suffered a heartbreaking 77-75 loss to Cherokee Trail.
9. Smoky Hill (11-6; LW: 7)
The young Buffs have been a bit snakebitten by three straight losses to teams in the top 10 that all came by five points or less. Smoky Hill is demonstrating it can go toe to toe with anyone. The next step is learning how to finish. Games against Cherokee Trail and Overland are up next.
10. Denver East (13-5; LW: 8)
After falling to Eaglecrest to begin last week, East ran past Kennedy and then gritted out a 71-67 victory over the Far Northeast Warriors to stay tied atop the DPL at 4-0. The Angels beat Denver North on Monday and travel to Lincoln of Friday, when East senior guard Jamison Washington will face his old team.
Right in the mix: Vista Ridge, Fort Collins, Cherokee Trail