The boys’ basketball program at Silver Creek, which went 6-1 before the holiday break, begins Granite Peaks League play this week, starting with home games against Erie and Mead.

The hot start to the winter comes after the Raptors lost nearly all of their offensive production from their Class 5A Sweet 16 run last season. It also comes without any logged minutes on MaxPreps from leading returner Luke Schmeeckle, who averaged 12.9 points per game in 2023-24.

Here are some early games in hoops, as well as hockey and wrestling, to keep a close eye on this week.

Monarch hockey at Valor Christian (Wed., 6 p.m.)

The Coyotes (4-1-2) are currently fourth in CHSAA’s rankings.

This week, they travel to No. 6 Valor Christian (Wed.) and No. 5 Cherry Creek (Fri.) before hosting No. 2 Regis Jesuit (Sat.), which won the 5A title a year ago.

Among Monarch’s early wins this winter was a 3-2 victory over Valor Christian on Dec. 14. Goalie Joshua Ringoen had 39 saves and Jaren NG scored the game-winner with 8:21 remaining.

Through seven games, Ringoen has started in three with a 1.67 goals-against average, while teammate Benjamin Zelio has a 1.76 GAA in four. NG along with Zachary Rathbun and Luke Taylor each had three goals and seven points.

Fairview at Legacy boys basketball (Fri., 7 p.m.)

The Knights (6-1) have climbed up to 10th in CHSAA’s latest 6A rankings.

On Tuesday, they’ll travel to Longmont (4-3) before going on the road to Legacy (3-4) three days later. The Lightning beat the Knights 71-47 a year ago.

Spencer Brown leads Fairview at 15.7 points per game. Jaedon Ward is at 12.9 points on average for Legacy.

Mead at Silver Creek boys basketball (Fri., 7 p.m.)

The Raptors (6-1), who have allowed 39 points on average, will have a big test against Erie (4-2) on Tuesday before facing Mead (4-5).

The Mavericks are 8-1 in their last nine meetings against Silver Creek, though the teams split their season series a year ago.

Kyler Crump leads Mead with 18.3 points per game on 48% shooting. Blake Gorr is at 11.4 points on average for the Raptors.

Golden Eagle wrestling invitational (Sat.)

Locals Boulder, Niwot, Skyline and Silver Creek are among the attendees at the Frederick-hosted invitational.

At last weekend’s Niwot wrestling invite, Skyline took 11th, Frederick 12th, Niwot 14th, Silver Creek 15th and Boulder 17th.

Brody Hufford (106-pound weight class) and Tobias Pinson (144s) won their brackets for Skyline.

Valor Christian at Broomfield girls basketball (Sat., 6:30 p.m.)

Broomfield (7-0) is currently ranked fourth by CHSAA in 6A. Valor Christian (6-2) is fifth.

Broomfield rolled through the first month of the season, which included a win over No. 9 Ralston Valley. It then started the new year with a 67-60 win over preseason 6A No. 5 Cherry Creek.

Freshman Reece Gilpatrick is currently averaging 13 points and 6.7 rebounds for Broomfield. Her sister, Paige, a junior, is at 12.1 and 6.4.

Valor Christian, meanwhile, won the 6A title a year ago and is led by reigning 6A player of the year Quinn VanSickle, who is averaging 17.3 points so far this winter.