Hayden, Steamboat and Soroco wrestling

Steamboat Springs — Saturday: Steamboat at Evergreen Invitational

Saturday: Soroco at Rangely Invitational

Saturday: Hayden at Highlands Tournament in Ault

Regionals are less than a month away and local high school wrestling teams are spreading across the state with that big tournament looming.

Steamboat will be competing against higher-classification competition Saturday with its trip to Evergreen. The Sailors will try to duplicate and build on their success there a year ago, when they finished second and had seven podium finishers.

Soroco returns to Rangely, where it’s wrestled in recent years and will see a wealth of competition it will see at regionals. Hayden, meanwhile, is traveling to the eastern Colorado plains, four hours each way to Ault, just north of Greeley, for what’s sure to be tough competition against the strong plains programs.

Soroco boys basketball

4 p.m. Saturday: Soroco (6-4) vs. De Beque (0-8)

The Soroco boys team has shown its grit in the last couple of games, bouncing back to play well in the second half after listless performances early in games. The squad will try to get that fast start it’s been missing Saturday against De Beque.

The Dragons haven’t been able to compete well so far this season, losing in lopsided fashion so far this season.

Soroco girls basketball

2:30 p.m. Saturday: Soroco (7-2) vs. De Beque (1-7)

The Rams got a big win Tuesday night against Vail Christian to keep them in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in their portion of the Western Slope. Soroco needed a tremendous second-half rally to win that game. Saturday’s game against De Beque shouldn’t be as exciting, at least not if the Rams do hope to follow through on the No. 1 seed plans.

Soroco could use what should be an easy win to work on some holes in its game, from limiting turnovers to increasing field goal percentage. It also could be a great chance for the team to work on its depth, which already is a strength.

Hayden boys basketball

3 p.m. Saturday: Hayden (0-9) vs. North Park (1-5)

The focus for the Tigers has been on improving, taking the steps they need to take to build a team capable of competing with opponents in the area. Saturday’s result could be a telling sign as to how that progress is coming, against a team that won its first game last weekend.

Hayden has looked better more recently as it’s welcomed back players it was missing for a variety of reasons. Getting the season’s first win will take an “all hands on deck” performance.

Hayden girls basketball

1 p.m. Saturday: Hayden (3-6) vs. North Park (4-2)

The Tigers have lost their last two games but played well in portions of each, battling Soroco early and hanging tough with Vail Christian. It will take a full four quarters of solid play if Hayden’s to trade punches with North Park.

The Wildcats have a young team, with four juniors and not a single senior. Hayden’s playing plenty of youth, as well, and some of its progress has come as those young athletes have grown into their roles. The Tigers also have a strong senior class playing basketball, and it will need to rely on that experience as it gets into the heart of the league schedule.

To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 970-871-4253, email jreichenberger@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @JReich9