Evangelical Christian Academy, a Colorado Springs school with one of the smallest enrollments in Class 2A, has dominated the classification in recent years.
The Eagles have won two straight state titles in convincing style. A winner of 41 straight games, ECA recorded its most recent loss Jan. 3, 2004.
But the school lost much more than a game during the offseason. Dennis Bruns, one of six Colorado coaches with more than 500 wins and a veteran who coached six state championship teams in the past 11 seasons, died in September at age 68.
“Basketball’s our biggest sport, and a lot of it was because of him,” ECA athletic director Don Steiner told The Post. “He touched a lot of lives.”
Bruns’ 135-31 record at ECA (540-133 overall, including four consecutive girls titles at 4A’s Lamar), will be impossible to replace.
But the coaching job now goes to Don Bost, a former assistant at Falcon and Sand Creek who joined the team at ECA this past summer.
“I’m trying to fill the shoes of a legend,” Bost said. “Just being a fan of the game, I’ve watched him for years. But I can’t really replace him.”
Bost inherited a team that will again figure among Class 2A’s best. The Eagles begin ranked No. 2 behind Jefferson Academy.
“Initially it was real tough,” Bost said. “The kids would say, ‘It’s weird that Coach Bruns isn’t at practice.’ And the first game will probably be tough. But once we get to playing basketball, things will get better. The players work real hard and they know what it takes.”
Bost, whose coaching style had stressed ball control and tough half-court defense, will instead coach in the Bruns method: full pressure, lots of shooting and a fast pace.
“With this style, if teams aren’t used to running, there will be a point when it becomes too much for them, and all of a sudden we’ve scored 15 points in two minutes.”
Rob Lewis, a 6-foot-5 junior who scored eight points in a 66-64 victory over Jefferson Academy in last season’s championship game, returns to lead a solid core. Justin Beers, a 6-3 junior, and Josh Morin, a 6-1 senior, will also lead ECA.
But Jefferson Academy will begin the season as the team to beat. The Jaguars return a large chunk of their lineup from last season’s team, including Steve Lane, Ryan Holocher, Ty Lewis and Wes Phillips. They can shoot from the outside, with guard Lane, and are big down low, with the 6-3 Phillips. But the Jaguars excel on the wings, with big guys who can move, such as Holocher and Lewis.
The 2A schedule gets busy early, as ECA will play two of the top five teams, Jefferson Academy and Rye, in consecutive games in December. Del Norte, at No. 3, and fifth-ranked Limon round out the teams to beat.
Nick Groke can be reached at 303-820-1960 or ngroke@denverpost.com.
Class 2A top players
| Player | School | Yr. | Ht. |
| Bobby Adamson | Byers | Jr. | 6-3 |
| Justin Beers | Evangelical Christian | Sr. | 6-0 |
| Keenan Bruchez | Hayden | Sr. | 6-4 |
| Dylan Culver | Grand Valley | Sr. | 5-10 |
| Alex Halcomb | Rangely | Sr. | 5-11 |
| Goeff Heller | Del Norte | Sr. | 6-2 |
| Dylan Hochevar | Wray | Jr. | 6-2 |
| Ryan Holocher | Jefferson Academy | Jr. | 6-3 |
| Steve Lane | Jefferson Academy | Sr. | 5-11 |
| Dan Lawler | Colo. Springs School | Sr. | 6-5 |
| Rob Lewis | Evangelical Christian | Jr. | 6-5 |
| Ty Lewis | Jefferson Academy | Sr. | 6-0 |
| Tyson Liggett | Limon | Sr. | 5-11 |
| Joshua McGinley | Heritage Christian | Jr. | 5-10 |
| Sam McKinley | Grand Valley | Jr. | 6-1 |
| Josh Morin | Evangelical Christian | Sr. | 6-1 |
| Trey Mullen | Lyons | Jr. | 6-3 |
| Evan Murray | Holyoke | Sr. | 5-8 |
| Brent Nelson | Peyton | Sr. | 5-11 |
| Wes Phillips | Jefferson Academy | Sr. | 6-6 |
| Tyler Pickens | Akron | Sr. | 6-2 |
| Steve Richardson | Rye | Sr. | 6-0 |
| Aaron Schissler | Brighton Charter | Sr. | 6-5 |
| Mike Simpson | Paonia | Sr. | 5-8 |
| Kyle Spencer | Rye | Sr. | 6-5 |
