Recapping the action for area teams as the boys' basketball playoffs began Wednesday for classifications 6A-4A.

5A

No. 4 Mesa Ridge 77, No. 29 Sand Creek 51

At Mesa Ridge: The defending 5A champions jumped to leads of 17-0 and 33-3 and Tevin Riehl became the program’s all-time leading scorer in a stunning playoff opener.

Riehl scored 14 points, bringing his career total to 1,230 for Mesa Ridge (22-2). Riehl also owns the schools record for interceptions in football.

The Grizzlies were led by 22 points from Tevin’s brother, Bryce Riehl. Tanner Widic added 13.

Sand Creek (13-11) had 18 points from Elijah Brotherns.

Mesa Ridge will host No. 13 Green Mountain in the second round Saturday.

No. 10 Montrose 49, No. 23 Harrison 48

At Montrose: Kaleb Ferguson hit two free throws with 15 seconds remaining to put Montrose (18-6) on top in a thriller.

Harrison (15-9) had trailed 47-44 before Jeilo Hamenyimana and Kennth Jones Jr. hit buckets to put the Panthers briefly in front.

The game was tight throughout, with Harrison’s 21-14 lead in the second quarter marking the biggest advantage for either team. Neither squad led by more than four points in the second half.

No. 6 Lewis-Palmer 72, No. 27 Grand Junction Central 43

At Lewis-Palmer: Lewis-Palmer led throughout, building a 37-24 lead through the first half and dispatching of Grand Junction Central (10-14).

The surging Rangers (18-6) have won six in a row and will host No. 11 Grand Junction on Saturday.

6A

No. 11 Doherty 63, No. 22 George Washington 44

At Doherty: Senior James Pulliam led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds as Doherty stormed into the second round.

The Spartans (19-5) sprang ahead behind a balanced scoring attack, with six players scoring field goals by the time they had put George Washington (13-11) in a 20-13 hole in the second quarter.

Maddox Dee-Mortenson scored 14 and fellow junior Elijah Mack added 12 for Doherty, which will face No. 6 Valor Christian on Saturday.

No. 10 Regis Jesuit 75, No. 23 Pine Creek 64

At Regis Jesuit: Regis Jesuit (16-8) gained separation in the third quarter, ballooning a three-point halftime advantage into a 13-point lead as the fourth quarter began.

The Eagles (15-9) had opened February on a five-game winning streak before falling in their final two games.

4A

No. 13 Green Mountain 80, No. 20 Falcon 61

At Green Mountain: Falcon led by six points in the fourth before Green Mountain rattled off 16 consecutive points to take control of the game.

The Rams (16-8) outscored the Falcons (17-7) 23-3 in the second quarter.

No. 6 Riverdale Ridge 57, No. 27 TCA 51

At Riverdale Ridge: The Classical Academy (13-11) fell into a nine-point hole after a quarter and spent the rest of the way playing catchup.

Riverdale Ridge (21-3) saw its advantage close to 22-20 at halftime and then protected the 35-30 lead it took into the fourth quarter.

No. 12 Peak to Peak 77, No. 21 James Irwin 51

At Peak To Peak: James Irwin (14-8) was hanging around, trailing 27-24 in the second quarter before Peak to Peak (15-9) ran away with it. The lead swelled to as many as 31 points in the fourth quarter.

The season for James Irwin included a 10-game winning streak in December and January.

No. 14 DSST: Conservatory 64, No. 19 Sierra 50

At DSST: Conservatory: Azar Ghezae poured in 33 points as DSST: Conservatory (18-4) turned away Sierra.

The Stallions (16-8) led 20-18 in the second quarter before a 13-0 run flipped the game.