Boys blog continues. More title talkin' with CET airmen (3/4/09)

The Arbiter:     Now that the opening field of 48 teams has been scaled down to sixteen, would you gentlemen like to add to or retract any of your original statements regarding the 2009 Class 5A boys basketball tournament?

Brian Roth:     I want to start by saying congratulations to the Overland Trailblazers......program that won just 11 total games in the previous 5 seasons. This year? Big
difference......winning 13 regular-season games and finishing 3rd in the Centennial League. And now the Blazers are into the Sweet 16 after going on the road and winning at Grand Junction Central. With that being said, Overland will now have to meet up with Fairview, who remains my favorite to win it all. The Knights put up a C-Note on
Grandview in the 2nd Round and they should have no problem with Overland. Looking forward to the Great 8 (2 games will be shown on CET), I am eyeing that possible Regis/Denver East matchup. That will be the marquee game of the Great 8 if both take care of business on Thursday.

Marty Cesario:     Aww. I hear the pitter-patter of your bleeding heart, Brian... and I'm with ya! Love to see kids (and their programs) overachieve themselves into an awesome experience. By the way, my "sleeper" pick, Heritage, is also in the Sweet 16. But Klemm, Kaufman and the Eagles run with Eaglecrest next and the Raptors were my choice for champs and still are.

Cory Lopez:     My 'goin deep' picks are alive in the Sweet 16. Gateway's run could be over when they face George Washington. It's sure hard for me to count out Jeff Sweet's boys, though. Stay tuned. As for Doherty, well, just 2 to go before the Final Four. I know they have to beat Chatfield then the unbeaten Fairview, but I'm stickin with my picks for a date in Boulder. Can't wait for the East vs. Regis matchup. Still holding to my scenario of four -- East, Eaglecrest, George Washington and Doherty.

The Arbiter:     For the record, Cory, I recall you hinting that Montbello might be still here - which is not the case. And Marty, along with Heritage you had feelings about Rampart. The Rams are still alive but are you staying with them?

Cesario:     My starry eyes may be clearin' up. I was thinking Coach St. Clair's Rampart squad might exhaust a higher seed that maybe couldn't handle the Rams' depth. But they have East next. Um... doubt it. And hey, since Cory and Brian are begging for that possible East-Regis contest in the Great 8, let me add to the wish list. If George and Ralston advance, that's tops on my fight card. Bropleh versus Hornung. That would be a Man-War!  

The Arbiter:     For that to occur, George Washington and Ralston Valley would have to beat Arapahoe and Gateway, respectively. Allow me to finish up with the accountability for your non-Top 10 selections. Brian, you previously mentioned ThunderRidge. They play Green Mountain. How do you feel about the Grizzlies now?  

Roth:     I think ThunderRidge has a legit shot at beating Green Mountain. ThunderRidge is starting to play well down the stretch and Green Mountain got all they wanted from Fountain-Fort Carson. That being said, I do not think they will pull the upset. The Grizzles needed a last second 3 point basket vs. Fairview last year to get out of the Sweet 16. I have a feeling they are going to need more that that this year. The Rams close game vs FFC could have been the wake-up call Green Mountain needed.