A look at some of the key games, tournament and happenings in Aurora prep sports between March 27-April 2, 2014:
• The Regis Jesuit baseball team competes in the USA National High School Invitational March 26-March 30 in Cary, N.C., where the Raiders are set to face a field that includes teams from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and another Colorado squad in fellow Continental League member and defending 5A state champion ThunderRidge.
• The Cherry Creek and Regis Jesuit ice hockey teams skate in the USA Nationals March 26-30 in Omaha, Neb., as the two teams featuring Aurora players — both state semifinalists this past season — compete for a national championship they qualified for in the fall season.
• The Grandview girls soccer team plays Cherry Creek at 4:30 p.m. March 27 at Village Green Fields in an important Centennial League clash early in the season. The Wolves look to avenge a 1-0 loss to the Bruins last year.
• The Cherokee Trail track team is set for a big challenge March 28 at the sixth annual Broomfield Shootout, a large pre-qualifying meet that includes a mix of teams from multiple classifications set to compete at Elizabeth Kennedy Stadium in Broomfield. The Cougars won both the boys and girls championships at last season’s meet. The rest of the Centennial League schools compete in the Cherry Creek Spring Break Qualifier scheduled for March 27 at Stutler Bowl.
• The Regis Jesuit boys lacrosse team visits Northern California March 27-March 29, for three games after winning their first four games in Colorado. The Raiders face St. Ignatius (San Francisco), followed by Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) and Bellarmine (San Jose).
• The non-league boys swimming duals scheduled for April 1 are no joke, as Smoky Hill plays host to a strong 4A outfit from D’Evelyn at 4:30 p.m., the same time defending 5A state champion Regis Jesuit visits Centennial League power Arapahoe.
• The Cherokee Trail and Grandview baseball teams head to Las Vegas April 2-5 for the Bishop Gorman Desert Classic, taking on a quality field of teams from multiple states. Both teams got off to 1-3 starts in Colorado play, but have a chance to improve during a stretch of four games in four days against strong competition.
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. Facebook: Aurora Prep Sentinel
