Big 3: Previewing Tuesday’s Marquee Matchups
For many leagues in Colorado, races are already heating up. Others are getting ready to start their league schedules this week.
Either way, big games are on tap this week as we continue to creep closer toward the playoffs.
With that, here are a look at three big games to watch for Tuesday night, with a brief preview and our prediction:
Silver Creek (8-1, 2-1 Northern) at Longmont (6-4, 3-0), 6:30 p.m.
The skinny: This is the first of two meetings between two teams that should have a lot to say about who takes home the Northern League title this season. The Trojans, who have been receiving welcomed contributions from some underclassmen this season like Oakley Dehning and Beck Page, had won three in a row before dropping a close contest to Mead last week. The Raptors haven’t lost since a heartbreaking 58-57 setback against Northridge back on Jan. 3.
Matchup to watch: Silver Creek 6-4 junior guard Trent Dykema vs. Longmont 5-11 junior guard Luke Johnson. Both of these players have been constantly productive all season. Dykema is averaging a near double-double at 20.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Johnson is scoring 18.3 points, grabbing 3.3 rebounds and dishing out 2.5 assists per contest. Don’t expect these Colorado Titans teammates to go easy on one another.
Prediction: Silver Creek
Fort Collins (10-3, 2-0 Front Range) at Greeley West (7-5, 1-1), 6:30 p.m.
The skinny: Fort Collins is an experience-laden team that appears primed to make a run not only at a league title, but also some spot deep in the 5A tournament. West has returned some good talent from a team that finished tied for second in the FRL a season ago, and the Spartans are coming off an impressive road win over Broomfield last Friday. This game should be a good barometer of where both teams stand.
Matchup to watch: Fort Collins 5-11 senior point guard Iseri Palacio vs. West 5-8 sophomore PG Andre Sepeda. Palacio may be one of the most underrated players in the state. He’s one of the best pure passers in his class (5.5 assists per game) and is content with setting up a cast of teammates who know how to finish. Oh, and he scores 13.7 points per game himself. Sepeda impressed as a freshman last year, but that was nothing compared to what he’s done as a sophomore. He leads the team in scoring (16.7 points per game) and assists (4.4) and is fourth in rebounding (3-1).
Prediction: Fort Collins
Regis Jesuit (6-6, 0-1 Continental League) at Rock Canyon (11-2, 0-0), 7 p.m.
The skinny: The Raiders may have dropped their league opener last Friday, but they had to have come away encouraged following a 63-58 loss to No. 1 ThunderRidge. Regis is finding rhythm that has coincided with the eligibility of several transfers, including 6-8 sophomore Matt Wheelock, who scored 11 points in his first action vs. the Grizzlies. The Jaguars are just anxious to get back onto the court after a lengthy layoff. Rock Canyon is aiming to get off on the right foot in their pursuit of the league title. Can Regis don anything to slow Sam Masten? The 6-2 junior has elevated his game another level this season and has blossomed into a player of the year candidate. Masten has capable scorers alongside him in Tyson Gilbert and Colin Rardin, so the Raiders may have to pick their poison.
Matchup to watch: Wheelock vs. Rock Canyon 6-6 senior forward JT Bley. Wheelock played for Rock Canyon last, and he surely had good practice battles with Bley in practice. Playing your old team can be difficult as it brings a lot emotion, so it will be interesting to see how this battle unfolds.
Prediction: Rock Canyon