The Denver South varsity basketball team (Denver, CO) will play a neutral playoff game against Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins, CO) today at 6 PM. This game is part of the 2025 CHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournaments – Class 6A.
Denver South vs Fossil Ridge Game Info:
What: Colorado High School Basketball
Who: Denver South (CO) vs Fossil Ridge (CO)
When: Friday, February 28, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2025 CHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournaments – Class 6A
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Denver South vs Fossil Ridge
In the competitive world of high school basketball, Fossil Ridge and Denver South stand out as two teams that have shown strong performances in the 2024-2025 season. Despite having similar overall records, each team has its own strengths and challenges that make their journey unique. Here’s a breakdown of their performances and how they compare across various categories.
Overall Records and League Performance
Both Fossil Ridge and Denver South finished the season with an identical overall record of 15-8, a testament to their consistency. However, their league performances tell a different story. Fossil Ridge excelled in league play with a 10-2 record, while Denver South faced more challenges, finishing 5-5 in league play. This difference in league performance may reflect Fossil Ridge’s dominance within their local conference, whereas Denver South’s .500 league win percentage indicates a more balanced performance against comparable teams.
In terms of home and away games, Fossil Ridge had a 9-3 home record and a 6-5 away record, showing a strong home-court advantage. Denver South, however, had a 7-4 home record and a 5-2 away record, suggesting they were slightly more successful on the road.
Scoring and Team Statistics
When it comes to scoring, Denver South outpaces Fossil Ridge with an average of 68.5 points per game compared to Fossil Ridge’s 61.3. Denver South’s offense has been potent, particularly in the second half of games, where they average 19.5 points per third quarter and 17.3 points per fourth quarter. Fossil Ridge, on the other hand, maintains a more steady scoring pace throughout the game, with their highest-scoring quarter being the third at 16.1 points.
In terms of overall team stats, Denver South also leads in assists (17.7 per game) and steals (12.5 per game) compared to Fossil Ridge’s 13.0 assists and 8.1 steals. However, Fossil Ridge does show a strong defensive presence in blocks, averaging 1.8 blocks per game, though Denver South is slightly ahead with 2.3 blocks per game.
Individual Players to Watch
Both teams have standout players contributing heavily to their success. Fossil Ridge’s Drake Walker has been a key player, averaging 13.4 points per game, and contributing significantly in rebounds (4.2 per game) and assists (2.6 per game). On the other hand, Denver South’s Dominic Rhoades-Martinez has been a force on the court, leading his team with an impressive 16.2 points per game, along with 5.3 assists per game and 3.5 steals per game. Rhoades-Martinez’s all-around contribution makes him one of the top players in the league.
Other notable players include Fossil Ridge’s Donovan Banek with 4.2 rebounds per game, and Walker Shields, who leads in steals with 1.7 per game. For Denver South, Jayden Davis contributes 4.0 rebounds per game, and Christian Cobb has shown his defensive prowess with 1.0 block per game.
Head-to-Head and Common Opponents
Fossil Ridge and Denver South share several common opponents throughout the season, and their performances against these teams provide additional insights. Against Vista PEAK Prep, Fossil Ridge secured a 71-63 victory, while Denver South won 71-60 in a similar matchup. Fossil Ridge faced challenges against teams like Chaparral, losing 63-47, whereas Denver South had better results, defeating Chaparral 87-80. Similarly, while Fossil Ridge struggled against Denver East with a 79-72 loss, Denver South managed to pull off a 66-55 win in their matchup.
In their overall record against common opponents, Fossil Ridge finished 1-2, while Denver South fared significantly better, with a 4-1 record. This further emphasizes Denver South’s resilience and ability to rise to the occasion in high-stakes games.
Conclusion
While both teams boast impressive records in the 2024-2025 season, Denver South’s higher scoring ability, playmaking, and strong individual performances from players like Dominic Rhoades-Martinez set them apart. Fossil Ridge, with its superior league record and strong home performance, is a formidable opponent but may need to improve on its consistency in away games and defense in high-pressure moments. The season’s results suggest that both teams have the potential for playoff success, but their strengths and weaknesses will shape their paths going forward.
