AURORA | Weather permitting, a look at some of the key games, tournaments and happenings scheduled in Aurora prep sports from April 14-20, 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 second set of back-to-back Centennial League baseball series is set for April 14, as teams meet again after they played for the first time two days earlier. The marquee matchup of the set sees Grandview take its home field against Cherry Creek at 4:15 p.m. in a battle of league champion contenders, while Cherokee Trail (Arapahoe) and Overland (Smoky Hill) also play at home. Gateway plays host to Hinkley at 4 p.m. in a rematch of a meeting that saw the Thunderbirds top the Olys in 10 innings April 8.
• A strong slate of girls soccer action is set for April 14 with 10 of 11 Aurora teams in action, highlighted by rivalry matchups in league play. Defending Class 5A state champion Grandview pays a 4:30 p.m. visit to Smoky Hill as Centennial League teams that played a pair of one-goal games last season (both won by the Wolves), while EMAC play sees Hinkley play at Rangeview at 4:30 p.m.
• Regis Jesuit visits Cherry Creek in boys lacrosse at 7 p.m. April 14 as the teams that have squared off for the Class 5A state championship for each of the past two seasons meet in regular season play at 7 p.m. at Stutler Bowl. The Bruins won both games with the Raiders last season (by four in the regular season and three in the state title game).
• The Pomona Invitational track & field meet is scheduled to run April 15-16 at Jefferson County Stadium, with seven Aurora teams entered in the field to compete at the site of the state track meet in May. Aurora Central, Cherokee Trail, Eaglecrest, Grandview, Overland, Smoky Hill and Vista PEAK all begin to compete at 3 p.m. Friday, while finals are set to begin at 9 a.m. April 16 (weather permitting). Regis Jesuit is also in action at Jeffco Stadium, but on April 14 at the Don Osse Lakewood Tiger Invite, while Gateway and Hinkley compete in the Thornton Invite on April 16 at the North Stadium.
• The Smoky Hill Invitational girls tennis tournament is slated for April 15-16 (weather permitting), with a total of eight teams in the field. The host Buffaloes will have two teams entered with Hinkley and Vista PEAK filling out the Aurora contingent, while Bear Creek, Thornton, Doherty and University (from Greeley) are also scheduled to be on hand.
• The Smoky Hill Invitational boys swim meet is set for April 16, as the Buffaloes play host to another outstanding field. Defending Class 5A state champion Fossil Ridge dropped out of the field, but Highlands Ranch, Littleton and Monarch have joined the meet. Heritage and the Ponderosa co-op team also help make it a quality meet, as does the other Aurora school, Cherokee Trail. Prelims begin at 8:30 a.m., with finals set for 5 p.m.
• The Vista PEAK girls soccer team welcomes Elizabeth at 4 p.m. April 19 in a battle of teams both in contention for the Colorado 7 championship. The Bison opened 5-1, while the Cardinals were 6-1-1 to start the season. Vista PEAK dropped last season’s game with Elizabeth by five goals.
• Grandview plays at Cherokee Trail at 7:30 p.m. April 20 in girls soccer as the Centennial League rivals try to play again after their original meeting on April 12 fell victim to lightning and rain. Both teams remained undefeated going into games on April 14.