WEEK IN REVIEW
» End of the line:
The University of Northern Colorado’s impressive volleyball season came to an end Friday. The Bears were swept in the first round of the NCAA tournament by powerhouse Oregon.
» And we’re off:
With no break between the fall and winter seasons, the new preps season got under way with basketball, wrestling and girls swimming & diving squads kicking off.
» Strong starts:
Several wrestling programs got off to fast starts to their seasons this past week. Windsor went 5-0 in the Wizards’ duals on Saturday.
Also, on Saturday, Valley and Greeley West tied for first at the Fort Lupton Invitational, Highland won the Akron Invitational, and Weld Central took top honors at its home tournament.
» No points for you:
University held Fort Morgan scoreless in the third quarter of a 56-27 season-opening boys basketball win on Friday in Greeley.
The Bulldogs held the Mustangs to just six field goals overall and 18.8 percent shooting.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
We’re small. We’ve got a lot of speed. We’re the indoor track team at Eaton.”
— Dean Grable, Eaton boys basketball coach, on his team’s ability to use speed to compensate for its lack of height.
GAME OF THE WEEKe_SClBClass 3A Patriot League boys basketball rivals will get an early look at each other when Platte Valley (0-1) plays host to Eaton (1-0) in the final day of the Northern Colorado Roundball Classic on Saturday.
The Broncos are still tying to round into basketball shape after wrapping up their football season with a 2A runner-up finish just a week ago. Platte Valley lost to Peak to Peak, 57-49, on Saturday.
Eaton beat that same Peak to Peak team, 71-60 on Thursday.
The two teams will meet again in league play on Feb. 19 in Eaton.
» What: Eaton at Platte Valley, Northern Colorado Roundball Classic
» Where: Platte Valley High School, 901 Campbell St., Kersey
» When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday
» Key players: Eaton — Britten Abbott, Austin Ekeler, Jake Nelson; Platte Valley — Dillon Joens, Logan Sitzman, Cameron Maxey
WELD’S BIG 5: WRESTLING
1. Windsor
The Wizards were hardly bothered en route to their second straight Class 4A state wrestling title a year ago. If this past weekend’s performance at their home dual tournament is any indication, they could be primed for a three-peat.
2. Greeley West
After dominating Northridge in a dual Thursday and tying Valley for first at Saturday’s Fort Lupton Invitational, the Spartans figure to only get stronger when 126-pounder Emilio Martinez returns from a knee injury.
3. Valley
With a balanced squad, the Vikings tied Greeley West for first place despite having no individual champions at Saturday’s Fort Lupton Invitational.
4. Highland
The Huskies took first in the small-school Akron Invitational on Saturday. Highland hopes it is a good omen, knowing it will compete in the 2A postseason in February.
5. Greeley Central
The Wildcats’ only dual loss this season is to 4A powerhouse Windsor. There is only one senior in the lineup, but the youngsters are piling up early-season wins.
BUZZ TRIVIA
» Former Platte Valley High School and Colorado State University basketball standout continues his career in the NBA. Which team does he play for, and which organization drafted him out of CSU?
» Send your answer to bfernandez@greeleytribune.com or call (970) 392-4478. Leave your name and address to enter a drawing for a $5 gift card to The Buzz.
» Last week’s answer: Platte Valley won its only Class 2A football state title, beating Platte Canyon, 21-7, on Nov. 24, 2007. The Broncos beat their Patriot League rival Eaton, 14-7 in the semifinals that year.
We’re small. We’ve got a lot of speed. We’re the indoor track team at Eaton.”\n
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— Dean Grable, Eaton boys basketball coach, on his team’s ability to use speed to compensate for its lack of height.
