Among the best of the best in Colorado 3A high school basketball, both the Pirates boys and girls teams travel to Fort Collins Thursday to take a stab at being state champions.

Both teams won their first-round playoff games last weekend, earning them the right to make the trip to Fort Collins. Eight teams fill each bracket (for boys and girls), with four teams playing in the bracket’s semifinal game on Friday, as well as four teams in the consolation round.

The championship and third place games will be played on Saturday, along with the “consolation championship” game.

The fourth-seeded Pirates girls face the fifth-seeded 21-3 Estes Park Bobcats on Thursday at 4 p.m. to vie for the next round. If the Pirates prevail, they will meet the winner of the match between top-seeded Colorado Springs Christian Lions (24-0) and ninth-seeded St. Mary’s Pirates (21-3).

At 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, the fourth-seeded Pirate boys meet the fifth-seeded Kent Denver Sun Devils. Should the Pirates win that game, they will face the winner of Thursday’s match between top-seeded Faith Christian Eagles (23-1) and the eighth-seeded Eaton Reds. That game takes place at 8:30 p.m. on Friday.

Should either Pagosa stumble on Thursday, the boy’s consolation game will be at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, with the girl’s consolation game 8:45 a.m. Friday.

jim@pagosasun.com