AURORA | A look at some of the key games, tournaments and happenings in Aurora prep sports from Jan. 3-9:
• The winter break hiatus thaws out with one contest on Jan. 3 when Hinkley plays host to defending Class 5A state champion Chaparral at 7 p.m. The Thunderbirds went 3-6 in the opening portion of the season and last took the floor in a 70-64 loss to Smoky Hill on Dec. 21. Terry Wedgeworth has been the major driving force for Hinkley thus far, averaging 18.9 points per game in nine contests.
• Non-league boys basketball in Aurora continues in style on Jan. 4 when Grandview visits Regis Jesuit for a 7 p.m. contest between teams that each won six games prior to winter break. Led by the second-leading scorer in Class 5A — Josh Perkins, who is accounting for 26.1 points per contest — the Raiders (6-3) look to pay back the Wolves (6-2) for a loss last season. Grandview, which is led by Wofford recruit Eric Garcia and his 18.8 points per game, is coming off a third-place showing at the Mission Prep Christmas Classic in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
• The Regis Jesuit hockey team has a big challenge against Mountain Vista Jan. 5 when the teams meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Family Sports Center. The Raiders swept two games from the Golden Eagles last season, including a win in the second round of the playoffs. Regis Jesuit — 5-0 before winter break — plays its second game in as many nights, as it plays host to Summit at 5:45 p.m. Jan. 4. Conner Wigton, who scored the game-winning goal for Regis Jesuit in last season’s state championship game, is off to a flying start to the season with a team-best six goals to go with six assists.
• A handful of Aurora wrestling teams get back on the mat Jan. 4-5 as Cherokee Trail visits Douglas County, Smoky Hill — which went into winter break with a fourth-place finish at the Southern Colorado Classic — is at Fort Collins and Hinkley and Vista PEAK are in the field of the Bennett Duals. Many of the tournaments span two days.
• The Cherry Creek ice hockey team can pick up a second win Jan. 5 when Rampart makes a trip to the Family Sports Center for a 6 p.m. face off. The Cherry Creek team — a mix of players from five different schools, including Cherokee Trail, Eaglecrest and Grandview — defeated Kent Denver 4-1 in its final trip before winter break for the program’s first win following a 25-season hiatus. The top three scorers for the Cherry Creek team are from Aurora schools, as Grandview’s Matt Walters has seven points (2 goals, 5 assists), Eaglecrest’s Greg Turgeon has six (3 goals, 3 assists) and Eaglecrest’s Johnathan Docherty has five (3 goals, 2 assists).
• The Aurora Central boys basketball team visits Valor Christian at 7 p.m. Jan. 8 as the Trojans continue a rugged non-league schedule against the 4A powerhouse Eagles. A battle of top talents is in store when Aurora Central’s Carlton Hurst goes against Valor Christian’s Chase Foster, with both looking to improve on scoring averages over 20 points per game.
• The Centennial League basketball schedule opens Jan. 9 with a boys and girls doubleheader between rivals when Grandview makes the short trip to Eaglecrest. The girls game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by the boys and 7 p.m. Another neighborhood Centennial League matchup takes place between Smoky Hill and Cherokee Trail, with the boys at 7 p.m. at Smoky Hill and the girls at the same time at Cherokee Trail.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
