Fort Collins – Just two games into the 2005-06 season and his tenure at Rocky Mountain, coach Bruce Dick already is making a mark.
The former longtime bench boss at Green Mountain gave Lobos fans reason to believe on Wednesday night, posting a 60-50 come-from-behind victory over Class 5A No. 8 Gateway in front of a raucous crowd that may have had a little to do with the victory.
“That was just Rocky Mountain basketball, and I couldn’t be at a better school,” said Dick, who still lives in the metro area. “I think we do have a home-court advantage, and I just can’t believe how early on in the season how into it our entire student body is.”
Trailing 31-23 at the half, the Lobos (2-0) slowly pecked at the lead in the third quarter. The lead was down to one point, but Greg Bolling’s layup at the buzzer gave the Olys a 41-38 lead going to the fourth.
Gateway (1-2) finally gave up its lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Olys’ Chris Smith fouled Trent Wahlfeldt on his way to the basket and in the heat of the moment, Derek Gainey was given a technical foul, resulting in four free throws for Wahlfeldt. He made all four, giving the Lobos a 45-43 lead.
“You know how basketball is, it’s emotional, and we lost our composure a little bit tonight, me included,” said Jeff Sweet, who, like many of his players, is still recovering from the football season that took the Olympians to the quarterfinals. “We are just not in basketball shape yet, and it shows.”
Rocky Mountain senior Jacob Houghton stole the show in the fourth quarter. He scored 10 of his game-high 21 points in the quarter, including a three-pointer with 1:12 to go that put the Lobos up 53-47.
“Defense leads to offense, and everything just started clicking,” said Houghton, who along with brother Jared, is expected to sign at the University of Denver to play lacrosse. “We knew coming in that these guys were really good, and we were going to have to play really well to beat them.
“I think we’re pretty good, but only time will tell.”
Rocky will find out how good it really is Saturday, when it travels to top-ranked East to battle the Angels.
Tyler House came off the bench to provide 11 points for the Lobos. Point guard Shaun Gutting chipped in with nine and both Marcus Coldiron and Wahlfeldt finished with eight.
Gateway, which still has seven more games before the holiday break, got 12 points from O’Rion Hughes and 11 from Bolling.
Gateway 11 20 10 9 – 50
Rocky Mountain 10 13 15 22 – 60
Gateway – Bolling 5 1-2 11, Gainey 2 0-0 4, Oliver 3 2-4 8, Jack 2 0-0 4, Hughes 5 2-3 12, Smith 2 0-0 4, Singh 0 0-0 0, Bellachmi 3 0-0 7. Totals 22 5-9 50.
Rocky Mountain – Coldiron 2 4-4 8, Jar. Houghton 1 1-2 3, Gutting 3 3-4 9, Jac. Houghton 8 3-4 21, Wahlfeldt 2 4-4 8, Jones 0 0-0 0, House 5 0-1 11. Totals 21 15-19 60.
3-pt. goals – Bellachmi; Jac. Houghton 2, House. Total fouls – Gateway 15; Rocky Mountain 12. Fouled out – None. Technicals – Gainey.
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-820-5446 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
