Northglenn – Community Christian’s Matt Cokewell knew he would have to shoulder the load when standout Anthony Perkins fouled out early in the fourth quarter Thursday night.
Cokewell, a senior, just had no idea he would be carrying the Crusaders into a third overtime.
Cokewell scored 15 of his game-high 32 points after regulation as the Class 1A Crusaders survived three overtimes to outlast 2A’s Longmont Christian 83-76 in a wild night of big shots and small-school hoops.
“It was just my night,” said a smiling Cokewell, who helped the Crusaders outscore the Warriors 14-7 in the third overtime. “Seven quarters, right? It’s intense. It’s exhausting. I got cut up on both elbows, but it was fun.”
Cokewell scored all eight of the Crusaders’ points in the second overtime and five more in the third overtime. Senior Rob Midkiff came alive in the third overtime, scoring seven of his 10 points, including a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:24 remaining to put the Crusaders up for good, 75-74.
“Our coach (Paul Kelly) tells us to never be afraid to take a shot,” Midkiff said. “He doesn’t get mad at us for shooting, as long as you’re open.”
The ninth-ranked Crusaders (7-2) led by 12 twice in the third quarter before Longmont Christian (7-2) rallied to tie the game 57-57 with less than five seconds remaining.
Kevin Ward, a 6-foot-5 senior, carried Longmont Christian early, scoring 16 points and grabbing 15 rebounds before fouling out in the first overtime. Senior guard Mark Powers took over, scoring 16 of his 21 points down the stretch before fouling out early in the third overtime.
Despite the fourth straight loss to CCHS, Warriors coach Jerry Martin was all smiles afterward.
“It’s just a blast when high school kids sell out,” Martin said. “Either side, it’s just so much fun. That’s why I do this. Both teams deserved to win. That’s why I’m smiling.”
Longmont Christian 14 13 7 23 4 8 7 – 76
Community Christian 18 12 11 16 4 8 14 – 83
Longmont Christian – Lynch 1 0-0 2, Holmes 0 1-4 1, Whiteman 2 0-2 4, Schroeder 0 0-0 0, Powers 9 2-3 21, Jelosek 1 1-3 3, Robertson 0 0-0 0, Ward 7 2-4 16, Adams 6 5-5 18, Mendenhall 4 2-3 11, Clements 0 0-0 0. Totals 30 13-24 76.
Community Christian – Hapke 0 0-0 0, Dorrance 5 4-10 14, Korsen 0 3-4 3, Perkins 6 3-4 17, Mahan 0 0-0 0, Cooper 2 0-0 4, M. Cokewell 10 12-17 32, Midkiff 4 1-2 10, Readle 0 0-0 0, Fadel 1 1-6 3. Totals 28 24-43 83.
3-pt. goals – Mendenhall, Adams, Powers; Perkins 2, Midkiff. Total fouls – Longmont Christian 28, Community Christian 23. Fouled out – Jelosek, Ward, Powers; Perkins, Cooper, Fadel. Technicals – Martin, Powers.
