Class 4A (Boys)

It took double OT but the Sterling Tigers survived Centaurus on Saturday at home in the Sweet 16.  Now, they head to a neutral court for the first time sincce the Northern Conference Championship.  They head to the Colorado School of Mines on Friday for the Great 8:

• Friday, 3-5:  Sterling lost to Lewis-Palmer 50-38

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Class 3A (Boys)

Brush and Yuma tangled for 3rd place last Friday in the Patriot League championships.  We knew it was big, but didn't see the full ramifications until the state bracket was released.  The winner (Brush) ended up paired in Kent Denver's Region.  Kent Denver (18-4) is the 5th ranked team in the bracket.  The loser (Yuma) ended up paired in Aspen's Region.  Aspen (23-0) has been a favorite to take the title all year.  Action begins on Friday:

• Friday, 3-5:  Brush d. Delores Huerta 78-65
• Friday, 3-5:  Yuma d. Denver Christian 52-43
• Saturday, 3-6:  Brush lost to Kent Denver 66-58
• Saturday, 3-6:  Yuma lost to Aspen 60-29

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Class 3A (Girls)

In spite of finishing 3rd in the Patriot League tournament, the Brush Lady Beetdiggers still earned the right to host the Region round this weekend.  They have two loses, a feat that only 5 team in the 32-team field have accomplished.  Mark Brush down as a favorite to advance to Moby.  Action begins on Friday:

• Friday, 3-5:  Brush d. Kent Denver 63-46
• Saturday, 3-6:  Brush d. St. Mary's 50-38

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Class 2A (Boys)

Thanks to impressive play in the district tournament, three LPAA teams are in the tournaments this weekend.  Holyoke, who won the District II crown, will go to Akron, while runners-up Wray goes to Standley Lake HS and third place Wiggins travels to Florence.  But Holyoke's first round matchup looks to be the only easy one (and it's not that easy):

• Friday, 3-5:  Holyoke d. Resurrection Christian 52-40
• Friday, 3-5:  Wray d. Colorado Springs School 67-64
• Friday, 3-5:  Wiggins d. ECA 56-47
• Saturday, 3-6:  Holyoke d. Calhan 48-33
• Saturday, 3-6:  Wiggins d. Custer County 60-41
• Saturday, 3-6:  Wray lost to Lutheran-Parker 42-23

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Class 2A (Girls)

All four teams out of District II were LPAA teams and all four teams should be favored to advance down to Pueblo.  Akron, the district champs, have the easiest path because they are at home.  Sedgwick County (Standley Lake HS), Merino (Florence HS), and Holyoke (Fountain MS) all look like the strongest teams in the region.  Action begins on Friday:

• Friday, 3-5:  Akron d. Dayspring Christian 55-29
• Friday, 3-5:  Sedgwick County d. Limon 44-28
• Friday, 3-5:  Merino lost to Kiowa 57-50
• Friday, 3-5:  Holyoke d. Resurrection Christian 40-35
• Saturday, 3-6:  Akron d. Las Animas 52-44
• Saturday, 3-6:  Sedgwick County d. Front Range Christian 66-59
• Saturday, 3-6:  Holyoke d. ECA 30-28

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Class 1A (Boys)

A bevy of area teams will be competing in the "new format" this week.  The good news for area fans is that for the most part they will all be at a central site (Sterling HS).  The unfortunate news, as is always the case, is that some of our area teams are going to have to knock each other out to get to Pueblo.  Give the advantage to the district champions (Otis and Caliche) who get byes from first round action while others seem to be the favorites in spite of having to play mid-week games to get to Saturday action:

• Thursday, 3-4:  Community Christian d. Peetz 52-43
• Thursday, 3-4:  Fleming d. Shining Mountain 37-28
• Thursday, 3-4:  Flagler d. Idalia 67-59
• Saturday, 3-6:  Otis d. Fleming 71-45
• Saturday, 3-6:  Caliche d. Flagler 73-66 (OT)

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Class 1A (Girls)

A bevy of area teams will be competing in the "new format" this week. The good news for area fans is that for the most part they will all be at a central site (Sterling HS). The unfortunate news, as is always the case, is that some of our area teams are going to have to knock each other out to get to Pueblo. Give the advantage to the district champion (Fleming) who gets a bye from first round action while others seem to be the favorites in spite of having to play mid-week games to get to Saturday action:

• Wednesday, 3-3:  Otis d. Elbert 61-57
• Thursday, 3-4:  Briggsdale d. Shining Mountain 50-21
• Thursday, 3-4:  Idalia d. Flagler 50-48
• Thursday, 3-4:  Pawnee d. Jim Elliot 58-23
• Saturday, 3-6:  Fleming d. Otis 49-32
• Saturday, 3-6:  Idalia d. Community Christian 66-44
• Saturday, 3-6:  Pawnee d. Stratton 36-33
• Saturday, 3-6:  Briggsdale d. Hi-Plains 46-39