A look at the games, tournaments and happenings in Aurora prep sports between Feb. 27-March 5:
• The second round of the Class 5A girls state basketball tournament is scheduled for Feb. 27 with Aurora’s three remaining teams seeking passage into the Sweet 16 with a victory. Third-seeded Grandview got a bye in the opening round, but delves into the postseason with a 7 p.m. home contest against sixth-seeded Palmer, which defeated Rangeview in the opening round. Sixth-seeded Regis Jesuit and eighth-seeded Cherokee Trail won their playoff openers on their homes floors, but now hit the road, with the Raiders scheduled to make the trek to the Western Slope to play third-seeded Grand Junction at 5:30 p.m. The Cougars have a short, but daunting trip to play at top-seeded Broomfield at 7 p.m. Updated scores and schedules for the 5A boys state basketball tournament, here.
• The Vista PEAK boys basketball team opens the 4A playoffs on Feb. 27 as the third-seeded Bison head to Sierra High School in Colorado Springs to play sixth-seeded Falcon at 5:30 p.m. In the 4A format, Vista PEAK would also play at Sierra on Feb. 28 in the Sweet 16 against either host and second-seeded Sierra or seventh-seeded Silver Creek. Class 4A boys state tournament bracket, here.
• Cherry Creek and Regis Jesuit open the state ice hockey playoffs on Feb. 27 seeking to move into the second round the following day. The undefeated Raiders are scheduled to play a 3:15 p.m. matinee at Family Sports Center against Heritage, with a victory earning coach Dan Woodley’s team a spot in the 11 a.m. second round game Feb. 28 against either Resurrection Christian or Doherty. The Cherry Creek co-op team skates at 4:45 p.m. at APEX against Lewis-Palmer with an eye on the 5:15 p.m. contest Feb. 28 versus either Ralston Valley or Pine Creek. Full state ice hockey playoff bracket, here.
• The second round of the Class 5A boys state basketball tournament is set for Feb. 28 with the five city teams that had first round byes set to play, in addition to Grandview, which won in the first round Feb. 25. Aurora’s three top seeds — Overland, Eaglecrest and Regis Jesuit — have game times set with the Trailblazers scheduled for a 2 p.m. start against Castle View, the Raptors go at 3 p.m. vs. Heritage and the Raiders play host to Grandview at 6 p.m. in all-Aurora second round contest. Second-seeded Rangeview is slated for a 3 p.m. contest with Highlands Ranch and fourth-seeded Cherokee Trail is scheduled for a 1 p.m. tip-off against visiting Boulder. Updated scores and schedules for the 5A boys state basketball tournament, here.
• Weather permitting, the opening day of the spring prep sports season is scheduled for March 5, as teams in baseball, girls soccer, boys swimming, boys and girls lacrosse and track & field join girls golf and girls tennis (which could begin play Feb. 26) in regular season competition.
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
