AURORA | A look at the key games, tournaments and happenings in Aurora prep sports between March 10-17, 2016:
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
• The boys and girls basketball season comes to a close March 10-12 at the Coors Events Center in Boulder, as a combined four Aurora teams (one girls, three boys) seek to bring home state championship trophies from the Class 5A Final Four. The undefeated Grandview girls basketball team takes on ThunderRidge at 7 p.m. March 10 looking for a berth in the state championship game, which is set for 3 p.m. March 12. In boys play, the winner of the Eaglecrest-Rangeview game at 7 p.m. March 11 decides which program will represent Aurora in the state title game, scheduled for 8 p.m. March 12. Defending state champion Overland could make it an all-Aurora final with a win over Chatfield in a semifinal at 8:30 p.m. March 11.
• Smoky Hill kicks off the girls soccer season versus Mountain Vista March 10 as the Buffaloes play host to the Golden Eagles — a Class 5A semifinalist last season —at 7:30 p.m. at Legacy Stadium. That game marks the nightcap of a slate that sees four other city teams (Aurora Central, Eaglecrest, Overland and Vista PEAK) take the pitch on the road on the opening day of the spring sports regular season.
• Cherokee Trail plays at Chatfield in a baseball opener at 3:45 p.m. March 11 in a battle of teams both building off strong seasons. The Cougars, who challenged for the Centennial League championship into the final week last season, return a strong group and take aim at a Chargers team that finished as the Class 5A runners-up last season to Rock Canyon. Local diamonds will be busy March 12, as Regis Jesuit — a 5A Championship Series qualifier last season — plays host to perennial power Rocky Mountain, while Eaglecrest (Highlands Ranch), Gateway (Vista PEAK) and Overland (Westminster) open at home.
• The Centennial & Continental leagues open the track season March 12 with relay meets at Legacy Stadium and Sports Authority Stadium (Parker), respectively. Defending Class 5A girls state champion Cherokee Trail opens the season on its home track. Regis Jesuit is part of the Continental League meet. Both meets open at 9 a.m.
• The Grandview boys lacrosse team visits Cheyenne Mountain March 16 as the two powerful programs face off at 7 p.m. The Wolves won 10-9 when the teams played last year.
