Must-see 5A-4A Northern League games …

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has created makeshift leagues in the Rocky Mountains has also created a heavyweight. Say hello to the Class 5A/4A Northern League, including two of the top five teams in preseason in 4A, returning material from a group forced a three-way tie for the Tri-Valley League crown a year ago (and accounted for one of the 4A finalists) and enough talent to make noise well into March. Don’t miss the below gems: &nbsp; <strong>Saturday, Feb. 6, Silver Creek at Longmont, 6 p.m.</strong> Certainly, Silver Creek had a rough go a season ago, winning just three times, but this is a city-rivalry game and we all know what that usually means. Marissa Bartels (2021, 8.2 points) heads the Raptors. Longmont and 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="118722" first="Christine" last="D’Epagnier"] (5.8 points) have their own work to do, but sport younger, returning talent. &nbsp; <strong>Wednesday, Feb. 17, Erie at Holy Family, 6:30 p.m.</strong> Erie figures to score – its top four scorers return. [player_tooltip player_id="117710" first="Grace" last="Moyers"] (2022, 14.7 points), [player_tooltip player_id="95135" first="Genevieve" last="Gudino"], a Holy Family transfer (2021, 14.2), [player_tooltip player_id="95176" first="Deb" last="Altshuler"] (2022, 11.3) and [player_tooltip player_id="116819" first="Anna" last="Hefner"] (2021, 10.0) should profile the firepower. Holy Family has its own considerable experience, losing only two seniors from a season ago, none in its top six of the rotation. Leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id="116779" first="Alyssa" last="Wells"] (2021), tops at a modest 12.7 points, is backed nicely by [player_tooltip player_id="145397" first="Tyler" last="Whitlock"] (2021, 9.7) and [player_tooltip player_id="116786" first="Dylan" last="Sanders"] (2021, 6.4). &nbsp; <strong>Friday, Feb. 19, Windsor at Holy Family, 4:30 p.m.</strong> Windsor showed well on opening day, Monday, with a 72-61 road victory at 5A No. 10 Ralston Valley. [player_tooltip player_id="116799" first="Kylie" last="Sanger"], the Wizards top scorer from a year ago (2021, 13.9 points), and [player_tooltip player_id="145409" first="Jolie" last="Jiricek"] (2022, 7.5) will have to be handled. And Holy Family realizes this will be just another big step among many in a shortened season in which each league game carries that much meaning. &nbsp; <strong>Tuesday, March 2, Mead at Erie, 4:30 p.m.</strong> Jackie Stephenson (2022, 10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds) will lead the Mavericks. Any Mead victory against the Northern’s top teams will make it that much stronger. &nbsp; <strong>Others to keep an eye on …</strong> Tuesday, Jan. 26, Mead at ThunderRidge, 6 p.m. – The Mavs open against the 5A heavyweight Grizzlies and [player_tooltip player_id="95123" first="Payton" last="Muma"] (Gonzaga commit). &nbsp; Friday, Jan. 29, Holy Family at Broomfield, 7 p.m. – A Broomfield city battle and the host Eagles will follow [player_tooltip player_id="95128" first="Courtney" last="Wristen"] (San Diego commit). &nbsp;