Heritage Christian (No. 7 1A) and Liberty Common (No. 8 3A) girls basketball teams play at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The high school winter season is quickly reaching its most important point.
State swimming and wrestling happen in a month, and basketball conference races are heating up.
Here is a look at the top local events this week.
TUESDAY: Heritage Christian at Liberty Common girls basketball, 6 p.m (at Liberty Common Middle School, 1725 Sharp Point Drive). This is the marquee small-school regular season game of the season. Heritage Christian is a Class 1A school and Liberty Common is in 3A, but they both compete in the Mile High League.
Liberty Common (8-2) is ranked No. 8 in 3A in the Associated Press media poll. Liberty Common has won back-to-back Mile High titles and last lost a conference game in February 2013.
Even though it’s a 1A school, Heritage Christian is likely one of Liberty Common’s toughest league tests. Heritage Christian (9-0, 5-0 Mile High) is undefeated, and the team is ranked No. 7 in 1A.
There’s also a strong individual matchup to watch. Heritage Christian post player Sarah McGinley averages 20.5 points (third in 1A), 14 rebounds (first in 1A), 5.7 assists (second in 1A), 2.8 steals and 2.7 blocks (third in 1A) per game. Liberty Common’s post Halley Miklos averages 21.6 points (first in 3A), 11.5 rebounds (second in 3A), 1.5 assists and 3.9 steals (13th in 3A).
After the girls game, don’t forget about the nightcap between the boys teams. Liberty Common (7-2, 3-0 Mile High) is ranked No. 10 in 3A, and Heritage Christian is 4-5 (1-4 Mile High).
WEDNESDAY: Unified basketball, 6 p.m.. The high school unified basketball season starts across the city Wednesday, with games pairing those with and without developmental disabilities on the same team. Pick a game. Poudre plays at Rocky Mountain. Fossil Ridge hosts Loveland, and Fort Collins hosts Greeley Central. All games begin at 6 p.m.
THURSDAY: Fort Collins at Poudre wrestling, 7 p.m. The Impalas are ranked third in 5A, creating a challenge for the Lambkins. Both teams have several ranked wrestlers, and the dual provides a chance to see them battle in preparation for state, which is about a month away.
FRIDAY: Horizon at Fossil Ridge boys basketball, 6:30 p.m. The highest scoring player in 5A boys basketball is right here in Fort Collins. Fossil Ridge’s Braxton Bertolette has 25.5 points per game, four points above the next closest player. But the SaberCats aren’t a one-man team.
Fossil Ridge has had some ups-and-downs but has won three in a row, including an upset of No. 2 Regis Jesuit.
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle at twitter.com/Kevin_Lytle and at facebook.com/KevinSLytle.
