Forgive the Jefferson Academy Jaguars for showing off this week in the inaugural Tournament of Champions.
The top-ranked Class 2A powerhouse has probably endeared itself to more fans in Pueblo – the site of the 2A state tournament – than those closer to its Broomfield home.
The Jaguars moved one step closer to appearing in Thursday’s televised final of the eight-team, multiclassification tournament by dismantling 4A Harrison 56-30 on Tuesday at the University of Denver’s Hamilton Gymnasium.
Jefferson Academy (7-0) got points from 10 players and used a 28-0 run in the first half to blow out the Panthers (2-3) and plays 5A Gateway today at 1:30 p.m. for the top spot in Pool A. 5A Grandview has clinched Pool B.
“It’s a really good chance for us to focus on our skills and show the bigger schools what us smaller guys do,” Jaguars guard Steven Lane said.
The Jaguars did everything right against the Panthers.
Jefferson Academy used its height and size advantages to dominate around the basket and patiently wore down the Panthers on the offensive end to generate high-percentage shots.
Ryan Holocher led the Jaguars with 12 points. Big man Wes Phillips scored 10 points, pulled down six rebounds and blocked two shots while Ty Lewis did the dirty work underneath, muscling the Panthers for eight rebounds and seven points.
“You have to go in against every team as if it’s the best team in the state,” Phillips said. “If you get it in the post, you’ve just got to be strong and think of what you’re going to do. You can’t just butterfinger it.”
Harrison coach Jerry Austin was impressed.
“They outclassed us. Their program was just better than ours tonight, obviously,” he said. “Our hat’s off to them. They played the game the way it’s supposed to be played.”
DaKarius Hollins led the Panthers with 14 points, including the team’s first seven points to put Harrison up 7-4.
After a timeout from coach Mark Sharpley, the Jaguars returned to embark on a 28-0 run that stretched deep into the second quarter.
The Jaguars shot 50 percent from the floor, got points from seven players, forced 10 turnovers and limited the Panthers to 5-of-23 shooting from the floor before halftime.
Lane steadied the Jaguars in the backcourt while Phillips dominated in the paint on both sides of the court.
Jefferson Academy 18 21 7 10 – 56
Harrison 7 6 8 9 – 30
Jefferson Academy – Balogh 0 0-0 0, Swanson 2 0-0 6, Anderson 0 0-0 0, Lane 3 2-2 9, Yockey 1 0-0 3, Staudt 1 0-0 3, Shackleton 1 0-0 2, Atkinson 1 0-2 2, Phillips 4 2-2 10, Rubenking 1 0-0 2, Lewis 2 3-4 7, Kondrotis 0 0-0 0, Holocher 4 2-2 12. Totals 20 9-12 56.
Harrison – Watson 2 0-0 4, Register 2 0-4 4, Hewitt 1 0-0 2, Halvorson 1 2-2 4, Hollins 4 6-10 14, Perryman 0 0-0 0, Spellman 0 0-0 0, Harris 0 0-0 0, Herrera 1 0-2 2. Totals 11 8-18 30.
3-pt. goals – Holocher 2, Swanson 2, Lane, Staudt, Yockey. Total fouls – Jefferson Academy 17, Harrison 11. Fouled out – None. Technicals – None.
