CHSAA releases brackets for 4A-6A boys' and girls' basketball, Air Academy secures 5A's top seed
Feb. 19—Colorado basketball saw significant change since the last state tournament brackets were released.
Another classification was added, putting six in place for both boys and girls. In turn, teams like Air Academy and Lewis-Palmer were reunited in 5A; Doherty and Fountain-Fort Carson led the charge into 6A for local schools and Mesa Ridge found its footing at an even higher level of competition.
The Colorado High School Activities Association released the latest round of state tournament brackets on Sunday and set the field for another Colorado version of March Madness.
Lewis-Palmer stands as the lone returning champion from last season. But this year's field is packed with top seeds from the area.
Mesa Ridge's undefeated campaign headlined the regular season and showed how much continuity can pay off — something Air Academy found to be true, as well.
For all their efforts, the Kadets and Grizzlies were awarded 5A's No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively in the boys' bracket.
Air Academy faces an easier path than the Grizzlies, but has a possible quarterfinal matchup with last year's 4A runner-up, No. 8 Pueblo South.
Few teams face a tougher path than No. 26 Pine Creek in the 6A boys' bracket. No. 7 Regis Jesuit is the opener to a quadrant that could see the Eagles face No. 10 Highlands Ranch and No. 2 Rock Canyon before even reaching the semifinals.
In the girls' 6A bracket, a local-local quadrant of the bracket could help both No. 15 Pine Creek and No. 7 Doherty. The former could aid the Spartans with a win over No. 18 Broomfield and a subsequent upset of No. 2 Cherry Creek to open a lane for the latter.
No. 6 Fountain-Fort Carson was also given a clean quadrant in the 6A girls' bracket as No. 3 Highlands Ranch stands to be the toughest test in a possible quarterfinal bout. Highlands Ranch eliminated Doherty in last year's 5A quarters.
In 4A, No. 31 Sierra notched a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2020. Just last year, the Stallions went 3-20 before senior Torrai Logan led the rebound this year with 13 points per game.
Here are the rest of the area's first-round matchups this year. Scheduled times and dates for each game have yet to be announced.
BOYS
6A
No. 24 Columbine at No. 9 Vista Ridge
No. 18 Arvada West at No. 15 Fountain-Fort Carson
No. 19 Doherty at No. 14 Grandview
No. 26 Pine Creek at No. 7 Regis Jesuit
5A
No. 32 Gateway at No. 1 Air Academy
No. 31 Adams City at No. 2 Mesa Ridge
No. 27 Eagle Valley at No. 6 Lewis-Palmer
No. 19 Palmer at No. 14 Grand Junction Central
No. 21 Harrison at No. 12 Montrose
No. 23 Palmer Ridge at No. 10 Thomas Jefferson
No. 24 Discovery Canyon at No. 9 Vista PEAK Prep
No. 30 Falcon at No. 3 Windsor
4A
No. 18 Steamboat Springs at No. 15 Manitou Springs
No. 23 The Classical Academy at No. 10 Sterling
GIRLS
6A
No. 27 Rock Canyon at No. 6 Fountain-Fort Carson
No. 26 Rocky Mountain at No. 7 Doherty
No. 18 Broomfield at No. 15 Pine Creek
5A
No. 26 Thompson Valley at No. 7 Air Academy
No. 17 Skyview at No. 16 Falcon
No. 28 Cheyenne Mountain at No. 5 Mead
No. 22 Mountain View at No. 11 Cañon City
No. 27 Frederick at No. 6 Palmer Ridge
No. 18 Mesa Ridge at No. 15 Montrose
4A
No. 17 The Classical Academy at No. 16 Summit
No. 21 Manitou Springs at No. 12 Berthoud
No. 31 Sierra at No. 2 D'Evelyn
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