4A Second Round Preview: Richard Tate Region

<p>The first round of the Colorado Class 4A state tournament is in the books and the second round is on tap for Saturday. A total of 16 games will be played, and each of the four teams that received first-round byes in each of the four regions will finally enter the fray.</p> <p>With teams set to play for spots in the Sweet 16, let's take a look at each second-round matchup in the Richard Tate Region: </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>No. 4 Holy Family (19-4) vs. No. 29 Northfield (12-8), Saturday, 1 p.m.</strong></p> <p>In perhaps the most balanced of the four regions, Holy Family sits at the top and enters the fray on Saturday. The Tigers play incredible defense, allowing just 45 points a game during the regular season, and have football star Kyle Helbig (14.1 ppg) and all-around playmaker Tanner Baird (16.2). Northfield has proven it can put points on the board but will have its work cut out for it here.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>No. 13 Lincoln (17-6) vs. No. 20 Montrose (15-9), Saturday, 1 p.m.</strong></p> <p>The Lincoln Lancers have some absolute studs, starting with senior James Felton (17.8 ppg), junior Tijani Bamba (13.7) and junior Ty Foster (13.5). The Lancers have been overwhelming teams all season long and the Montrose Indians will endeavor to avoid becoming their next victims. Montrose won 67-62 over Kennedy in the first round. But if the Indians score around their 50-point average on Saturday, that’s not going to cut in unless they’ve found the secret to disarming the Lancers.  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>No. 5 Mead (20-3) vs. No. 37 Skyview (11-13), Saturday, 6 p.m.</strong></p> <p>The Mead Mavericks’ placement in this region is a large part of what makes it so intriguing. They beat No. 4 Holy Family twice during the regular season, and also defeated No. 3 Steamboat Springs on the road. The Mavericks have hit over 200 3-pointers while shooting a 40-percent average this season and four players – Jax Wilke (13.0 ppg), Nick Jacobs (12.8), Caleb Ayers (12.6) and Will Maher (11.9) – averaging in double figures. The Skyview Wolverines edged Air Academy, 53-50, in the first round and could have a shot if they can find a way to keep the score low.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>No. 12 Palisade (16-7) vs. No. 44 Coronado (8-16), Saturday, 5 p.m.</strong></p> <p>Of the four teams to receive first-round byes in the Richard Tate, the Palisade Bulldogs have the most question marks surrounding them. They won 16 games but it will be interesting to see how that record holds up against the top teams from the Tri-Valley (Mead and Holy Family) or a Lincoln squad that’s been battle-tested by its time in the Denver Prep League. The Palisade boys’ defense has been their calling card, as they have allowed an average of just 42.4 points a game. No. 44 put up 66 points in a first-round upset of No. 21 Rifle, and will put Palisade’s defense to the test with juniors Ladarius Mays (17.1 ppg) and Brycen Scherr (11.5).</p>