Happy Hoops Year, basketball fans! Believe it or not 2024 has arrived and playoff brackets will be released sooner than we think. With that in mind let’s take our first look at how things are stacking up for our big school 5A & 6A Seeding Index Rankings:
The Look Ahead
Tuesday 1/9
Douglas County has been playing solid ball early on and sit at 9-2 halfway through their regular season. At No. 9 in 6A Seeding, the Huskies have a “stat-stuffer” as well in Reilly Guerra with 16 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals per game! Huskies host Vista Ridge (4-7) this night.
We like it Lewis Palmer! 5A’s No. 4 is traveling to 6A Overland before league play begins and we love these 5A/6A challenges. Cohen Edmondson is over 20 points per game and both teams averaging just about 66 total per game. Come on to Aurora and have some fun, Rangers!
A 6A Top 10 Alert! Two teams coming in at 9-3 and only one can secure win number 10. Rock Canyon, the 6A Seeding Index No. 6, will travel to No. 8 Eaglecrest, who are led by their “do-it-all” point guard Ladavian King at 19 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists each outing. The Jags continue to get a ton out of 6’5 junior Kasen Lehman and his 16 points nightly. Raptors will try to push the pace at home.
Siblings getting it done as Seth Whitehead leads the scoring and rebounds while Gavin Whitehead leads Legend in assists and steals. They have 6A Seeding Index No. 10 Legend at 7-3 thus far and will face a tough text vs. Mullen Tuesday. The Titans will have to slow Mullen’s 70 point pace if they hope for the win.
Another 6A squad coming in with 10-2 record as No. 4 ThunderRidge looks to get a quality road victory at Doherty. Charlie Spann has been hot at 16 points per game and the Grizzlies 2 losses came out of state making them 10-0 in Colorado and in many minds the best overall squad.
Mountain Vista’s ultra tough early season schedule and 8-2 record has paid on with a No. 3 spot in the Seeding Index. This night will be tough as they travel a bit for a backyard brawl at Arapahoe who is undefeated on their home floor this season. Cal Baskind leads scoring for the Golden Eagles who will try to push the pace as the Warriors only score 50 points per thus far.
And finally, a 5A Top 10 Alert! No. 6 Ponderosa will be traveling to the city to tangle with No. 10 Thomas Jefferson. Both teams averaging right at 60 points per game and the Spartans will be tasked with trying to slow Noah Whilhelm’s 20 point per game pace.
Wednesday 1/10
Coming off a solid road comeback win at No. 6 Ponderosa, the No. 9 Northfield Knighthawks are off to a solid 8-2 start and look to add to the win total vs. Westminster. Justus Michael leads the way at 16 points per outing for the Knighthawks.
Another squad we’ve discussed previously benefiting from a tough early season schedule is 8-3 Chaparral. Tough opponents and solid wins lands them at the No. 7 spot in 6A seeding. Senior guard Gavin Carter is leading the way with an impressive 23 points per and FRESHMAN ALERT lefty Luke Howery is a major contributor pulling in 6 rebounds and 4 assists each game.
Ball Fever Crew’s first time taking a look at 5A No. 8 Mead this season who will have their first of two tilts with Greeley West this season. Matthew Angelo is pouring in 15 points per game for the Mavs and Donovan McLawarence is hustling and all over the stat sheet nightly!
A 6A TOP 5 ALERT!!! Love this non-league action with No. 5 Ralston Valley traveling to No. 2 Valor Christian. This game promises to be entertaining and a Seeding Index booster for both squads.
There’s our 5A No. 1 Seeding Index squad! No. 1 Golden will travel to Dakota Ridge and look to add to their strong early resume. Slade Pike is all over the floor with 15 points per night and multiple steals. The Demons will have to get defensive on this night as they only average 44 points per game vs. Dakota Ridge’s 64…20 point difference! Something has to give…
Thursday 1/11
Seeding Index 6A No. 1 is at it again! Fruita Monument taking their high scoring show to Glenwood Springs on a VERY SLOW night of Thursday night action in regards to our Seeding Index Top 10s.
NOT Seeding Index related but if you want to see some hoops: Arapahoe vs. Rampart or Aurora Central vs. Gateway would be the Ball Fever two top picks of entertaining hoops!
Friday 1/12
Friday starts with 5A No. 7 Vista Peak led by 6’4 senior guard Elante Monroe-Elazier and his 17 points per game. The Bison score a scorching 72 points per game and will look to run away from rival Rangeveiw.
A 5A TOP 10 ALERT! Two solid 5A squads we discussed earlier battle in No. 5 Silver Creek vs. No. 8 Mead.
The 6A No. 6 team, Rock Canyon, continues a busy week at Highlands Ranch. The Jags will again attempt to force the Falcons to play their pace. The Falcons average 68 points per game to the the Jags 62.
Mountain Vista, 6A No. 3, opens up their league play at home. The gym will be rockin’ as Castle View pays a visit and they boast a strong 9-3 start to the season of their own!
We discussed No. 7 Chaparral early and their lead veteran, Gavin Carter, showing a lot of young talent how to get it done. This will be a true test as 7-3 Regis have been well tested in and out of state early on.
A 6A TOP 10 ALERT! Seeding Index No. 4 ThunderRidge starts league play on the road at No. 10 Legend.
More Friday Night League action in the 5A/6A matchup of 6A No. 9 Douglas County taking on 5A No. 6 Ponderosa!
Caiden Braketa and crew have a rivalry night out in Arvada with 6A No. 5 Ralston Valley rekindles the flame with Arvada West who have a solid 8-3 record coming into this one.
Need a little late Denver area action? 5A No. 10 Thomas Jefferson will face a young and talented Denver South at 7:30 pm.
Columbine has yet to earn a win this season at 0-9 and it will be hard to expect it to come on this night vs. 6A No. 2 Valor Christian… but that’s why you play the games! You never know.
Closing a packed Friday night out is 5A No. 1 Golden taking on Littleton at 7:30 pm as well.
Saturday 1/13
Douglas County, 6A No. 9, has a rare home contest vs. Denver East on Saturday. East has lost 5 of their last 6 games and the only win came against winless Columbine. DougCo will look to take advantage of the defending champs recent slide.
Closing out our Seeding Index coverage for this week is 5A No. 6 Ponderosa travels to Evergreen. Pondo lost a heartbreaker to Northfield last Saturday and we think they’ll avoid that heartbreak this Saturday.
Fun Game of the Night Candidate: If you like exciting hoops and you’re down south, circle 5 pm with the high flying Smoky Hill Buffaloes traveling to Pueblo South! High level 5A/6A action…
Well, hoops fans. That was a ton of fun! The Seeding Index early season rankings gave us a dive into some of our perennial favorites but also a cool look that our former Coaches Poll rankings wouldn’t likely have provided us. Get out and enjoy the fun! Always 72 & Sunny in the gym!!!
#BallFever