Pikes Peak area rankings: Top 5A teams go head to head

PIKES PEAK AREA RANKINGS

BOYS' BASKETBALL

5A

1. Fountain-Fort Carson (11-7), No. 1 last week
2. Liberty (11-7), No. 2
3. Pine Creek (9-10), NR

4A

1. Sand Creek (18-0), No. 1
2. Wasson (18-1), No. 3
3. Lewis-Palmer (16-3), No. 2

3A

1. CSCS (13-2), No. 1
2. James Irwin (12-4), No. 2
3. (tie) Manitou Springs (10-7), No. 3
    St. Mary’s (10-7), No. 3

2A

1. Peyton (14-2), No. 1
2. Calhan (9-5), No. 2
3. The Vanguard School (9-6), No. 3

NOTES: Just one game separates leader Fountain-Fort Carson from Liberty and Pine Creek as the CSML season heads into its last four games. Pine Creek has won four straight after a 0-2 league start and travels to F-FC for a key contest Tuesday. Then, the Eagles host Liberty in a rematch of a double-OT game won by Pine Creek. … Sand Creek knocked off Lewis-Palmer on Feb. 5 for the first time since the 2007-08 season to stay undefeated. Just in case you’re wondering, the rematch is Feb. 19 at Lewis-Palmer. … While CSCS closes in on the Tri-Peaks West title, Manitou Springs (8-2 in league) and TCA (7-3) meet Friday with second place on the line. The Mustangs won the first meeting on the road 50-36 Jan. 22. The story in the East is anything but clear. Co-leaders James Irwin and La Junta hold a one-game lead over Dolores Huerta Prep, with St. Mary’s two games off the pace. On Friday, James Irwin travels to Dolores Huerta Prep for a key test. … Peyton continues to roll, winners of nine in a row heading into the homestretch. The Panthers are a pair of one-point losses from a perfect season.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

5A

1. Palmer (17-2), No. 1 last week
2. Doherty (11-8), NR
3. Rampart (11-8), No. 2

4A

1. Mesa Ridge (19-0), No. 1
2. Sand Creek (15-3), No. 2
3. Palmer Ridge (16-3), No. 3

3A

1. St. Mary’s (13-2), No. 1
2. TCA (13-2), No. 2
3. Manitou Springs (11-6), No. 3

2A

1. Vanguard (16-0), No. 1
2. Peyton (14-2), No. 2
3. ECA (12-4), No. 3

NOTES:  Doherty has won five of six in league play, losing only to Palmer. On Tuesday, Rampart gets a rematch with the Spartans after dropping a 49-48 road decision Jan. 24. Should Doherty win, it would get one last crack at Palmer on Saturday for a chance to draw even and perhaps share the league title. … All three of the top 4A teams continued to roll last week. Not on this list, but perhaps one to watch, is 14-6 Cañon City. The Tigers have lost two of their past three, but pushed state powers 19-1 Pueblo West (46-45) and 18-1 Pueblo South (45-42) to the limit. … For the second time, TCA and St. Mary’s lost on the same day. On Feb. 9, the Titans fell at home to Buena Vista, while the Pirates lost at Trinidad. The Tri-Peaks West title comes down to Saturday when leader Manitou Springs (9-1) hosts 8-2 TCA. The Titans won the first meeting 26-16 Jan. 23. … The Vanguard School ran its win streak to 16 last week, knocking Simla and Evangelical Christian Academy from the ranks of undefeated in league play. On Saturday, the Coursers host Peyton (5-1 in league) in a game that could light up the scoreboard. Peyton ranks second in 2A in points (71.2), while Vanguard is right behind in third (65.7).

HOCKEY

1. Fountain Valley (14-4), No. 1

2. Air Academy (13-4-1), No. 3

3. Doherty (13-5), No. 2

NOTES: Fountain Valley is Peak Conference champions. The Danes' reward? The right to host the first two rounds of the playoffs. A 5-1, nonconference loss to Steamboat Springs, a team that most likely won't make the playoffs, can be forgiven since it was on the road -- a four-hour trek, though Fountain Valley coach Mike Payne refused to use that as an excuse. The scariest part of winning the conference? A possible second-round matchup with defending champ and perennial powerhouse Regis. ... Air Academy is done with conference play. The Kadets open the week tied for second in conference, but most likely will finish lower and go on the road for the playoffs and a second-round showdown with the Foothills No. 1 seed. ... They're called rivarly games for a reason. And Palmer (5-10-1) showed Doherty it can't let up regardless of record. A wakeup call? We'll find out. If the Spartans finish fifth, they'll get to stick around Colorado Springs if the Danes hold on to the top spot.