Prep Hoops Colorado 4A Team Rankings: Week 9
There was a lot of movement in the 4A rankings after a week of upsets and thrilling finishes that left no doubt about the fact that this classification is stacked with parity.
Defending champ Pueblo West was an easy choice for the top spot this week. The Cyclones still have not lost to a 4A team this season.
Here’s a look at how the rest of the teams fell into place:
1. Pueblo West (15-1; LW: 2)
The Cyclones just keeping humming along. Convincing victories last week over Pueblo South and Pueblo East made P-West the first 4A team to reach 15 wins. Senior guard David Simental was in top form last week, scoring 55 total points in the two wins.
2. Valor Christian (13-4; LW: 4)
Since a loss to D’Evelyn on Jan. 11, the Eagles have won five straight games — all by at least 13 points. A big rematch against JeffCo rival Golden is on tap for Wednesday. Then comes the rematch with D’Evelyn on Friday. This week will go a long way toward determining the JeffCo League champ.
3. Sand Creek (14-3; LW: 1)
It was a rough week for the Scorpions. They took it on the chin against 5A Vista Ridge to begin the week and then lost to 4A Pikes Peak League foe Lewis-Palmer, which got an impressive 24-point, nine-rebound performance from sophomore forward Joel Scott. Sand Creek as a chance to bounce back this week against Air Academy and Discovery Canyon.
4. D’Evelyn (14-3; LW: 3)
The Jaguars got a huge performance from junior forward Charles Dinegar last Wednesday to beat Golden. But D’Evelyn missed a chance to end the week alone atop the JeffCo standings when it suffered a 57-48 loss Friday on the road against senior Mike Dillon (16 points, seven rebounds) and Evergreen.
5. Holy Family (13-4; LW: 6)
The Tigers have now won eight 4A games in a row after beating Roosevelt and Skyline by an average of 18.5 points last week. The wins moved Holy Family to 8-0 in the Northern League, giving it a one-game lead over Mead.
6. Sierra (13-3; LW: 7)
The Stallions certainly appear as if they are preparing for the pressure of the postseason. Sierra gutted at two one-point wins last week — 65-64 in overtime over Mesa Ridge and 49-48 over Widefield — to take a two-game lead at 9-0 in the 4A Colorado Springs Metro League. Unsigned 2017 guard CJ Jennings averaged 27.5 points in the two victories.
7. Lewis-Palmer (13-4; LW: unranked)
The Rangers jumped into the rankings behind their most impressive win of the season, a convincing 76-62 victory over previously top-ranked Sand Creek. The Rangers, who beat Erie later in the week, shot 31-of-55 (56 percent) from the field in the win over the Scorpions.
8. Silver Creek (12-2; LW: 5)
The Raptors, after beating Centarus to begin the week, missed a chance to avenge their only loss of the season Friday when they lost 48-41 at Northridge. The loss dropped Silver Creek two games behind the 7-0 Grizzlies in the 4A Northern League standings.
9. Vista Peak (12-4; LW: 9)
After a 60-38 win over Brighton, the Bison faced 5A Rangeview with first place in the 5A/4A East Metro Athletic Conference on the line. Vista Peak battled behind 19 points and five rebounds from junior guard Te’Rae Johnson but fell short, 66-58. The Bison play Northglenn and Thornton this week.
10. Mead (14-3; LW: 10)
The Mavericks breezed to wins over Berthoud and Roosevelt to stay just one game back of Holy Family in the 4A Tri-Valley League race. It was another strong week from rising 6-1 senior guard Michael Ward who scored 23 and 25 points, respectively, in the two wins.
Right in the mix: Northridge, Golden, Pueblo South