AURORA | A look at some of the key games, tournaments and happenings in Aurora prep sports from March 15-March 21:
• The Eaglecrest boys basketball team takes on Mountain Vista at 8:30 p.m. March 15 at the Coors Events Center in one of two Class 5A boys state semifinal games in Boulder. Coach John Olander’s group is the lone Aurora squad standing and is seeking its first berth in the 5A state title game. The Raptors would play either Denver East or Legend in the 5A final at 8 p.m. March 16.
• Grandview or Regis Jesuit will play at 3:30 p.m. March 16 in the Class 5A girls state basketball championship game at the Coors Events Center the only question is which Aurora team will go against Highlands Ranch or Arapahoe for the state crown. The Wolves and Raiders meet in a 5A semifinal at 7 p.m. March 14 on the campus of the University of Colorado to decide which team will have a state title shot. Regis Jesuit won by four points when the teams met in non-league play Jan. 12.
• The Aurora City Track Championships are set for 8 a.m. March 16 at APS Stadium as city squads from Aurora Central, Cherokee Trail, Eaglecrest, Gateway, Grandview, Hinkley, Overland, Rangeview, Regis Jesuit, Smoky Hill and Vista PEAK convene to decide early season city individual and team bragging rights.The Cherokee Trail boys and Regis Jesuit girls are the defending team champions.
• Smoky Hill will take on a large field at the Denver East Invitational boys swim meet at noon March 16 at Manual High School where the Buffaloes will try to defend the championship they won last season. Junior Juhan Hong and sophomore Alex Kohlman won two events each at last season’s meet.
• Rangeview is scheduled to play Eaglecrest at 5:30 p.m. March 18 at Legacy Stadium in a strong girls soccer contest with the visiting Raiders seeking retribution for a 5-2 non-league loss to the Raptors last season.
• The annual Grandview Invitational girls golf tournament is scheduled for 8 a.m. March 18 at Heritage-Eagle Bend which will be either the first or second time some city golfers will be able to get out on the course due to early-season weather conditions. Besides the Wolves, Regis Jesuit and Cherokee Trail is entered in a field that also includes Centennial League powers Arapahoe and Cherry Creek.
• The Smoky Hill and Cherokee Trail boys lacrosse teams renew a budding rivalry at 5:30 p.m. March 20 at Legacy Stadium as the two playoff teams from last season meet for the first time since the Cougars pulled out a 10-9 victory over the Buffaloes last season.
• The Regis Jesuit boys swim team welcomes the Highlands Ranch co-op team at 4 p.m. March 21 as the Raiders seek another strong performance against a Continental League squad featuring swimmers from five different schools.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555