AURORA | A look at some of the events involving Aurora winter prep sports teams scheduled for Friday, Jan. 9 or Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, as compiled by Sentinel Sports Editor Courtney Oakes:
AURORA PREPS WHAT TO WATCH, 1.9-1.10.26
BOYS BASKETBALL: A strong local matchup is set for 7 p.m. Friday when Rangeview (6-3) pays a visit to Grandview (7-3). It will be the first contest for the Raiders since way back on Dec. 23 when they concluded a 1-3 showing in the elite bracket of the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, while the Wolves posted a 40-point victory over Vista PEAK Prep in its first game after winter break on Jan. 3. …In the second game of a back-to-back, Overland (4-6) travels to ThunderRidge (6-4) for a 7 p.m. contest. …The lone game on Saturday is a big one, as a hot Cherokee Trail team (9-3) goes on the road to play at 8-1 Northfield at 1:30 p.m. The Cougars have defeated Regis Jesuit and Vista PEAK Prep on this side of winter break, while the Nighthawks also have won both contests since the hiatus.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Cherokee Trail — coming off a big overtime win over Legend (see story, here) to extend a 10-1 start — is the No. 2 team in the most recent Coloraod High School Activities Association’s Class 6A rankings and will face a road challenge at 6-2 Erie at 6:30 p.m. …Aurora Central owns a sparkling 6-1 record and tries to become the first team to deal Golden a defeat with a 7 p.m. visit to play the 8-0 Demons Friday. …A day after it joined the double-digit win club, Eaglecrest (10-2) has a 6:30 p.m. contest at 5-3 Pueblo West. …Throw out the records when Regis Jesuit and parochial school rival Mullen get together, which they will when the 7-4 Raiders play host to the 2-7 Mustangs at 1 p.m. Saturday.
BOYS WRESTLING: Eaglecrest plays host to the annual Armando Rodriguez Tournament of Champions — which is held in honor of late assistant coach Armando Rodriguez — Friday and Saturday. A field that also includes other local representation from Aurora Central, Cherokee Trail, Overland, Smoky Hill and Vista PEAK Prep in addition to the host Raptors wrestles two rounds Friday beginning at 6 p.m. and resumes at 8:15 a.m. Saturday with matches continuing through championships. …Gateway, Grandview, Rangeview and Regis Jesuit compete at the Arvada West Invitational. …The 48th annual Doc Buchanan Invitational hosted by Clovis High School in Fresno, California, runs Friday and Saturday and will include some of the top Aurora area boys talent from Cherokee Trail and Grandview. For the Wolves, JR Ortega and Leland Day are the No. 4 overall seeds at 123 and 288 pounds, respectively, while Gunner Lopez is No. 10 at 168. The Cougars have the No. 14 seed at 129 pounds in Cooper Mathews.
GIRLS WRESTLING: A large Aurora area contingent — Aurora Central, Overland, Regis Jesuit, Smoky Hill, Vista PEAK Prep — head to Denver South High School at 9 a.m. Saturday for the at Raven Rumble. …In Colorado Springs, Vista Ridge plays host to the Alpha Female Tournament that will include Eaglecrest and Vista PEAK Prep. Matches begin at 9 a.m. Saturday.
GIRLS SWIMMING: The annual Smoky Hill Invitational is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Smoky Hill High School with a total of 12 teams in competition. Besides the host Buffaloes, the Aurora area is represented by Cherokee Trail and Eaglecrest, while Chatfield, Cherry Creek, Columbine, D’Evelyn, Denver East, Heritage, Kent Denver, Legend and Mullen round out the field. The entire diving competition (consisting of 11 dives) takes place at Friday beginning at 4 p.m., while swim prelims begin at 9 a.m. Saturday with finals at 5 p.m. …Regis Jesuit
ICE HOCKEY: Two Aurora area programs face defending Class 5A state champion Valor Christian over the weekend, as Regis Jesuit will play host to the Eagles at 6:30 p.m. Friday, while the Cherry Creek co-op team will be on the same Family Sports Center ice against them at 3:10 p.m. Saturday.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
