Arvada – Thankfully, Wednesday’s matchup between Arvada West and Bear Creek wasn’t a beauty contest.
The Class 5A Jefferson County League rivals combined for 37 turnovers, failed to find a rhythm offensively and barely managed to score 80 points.
“You just hope it gets better,” Arvada West senior Shawn Marshall said. For the Wildcats, at least, it did.
Marshall scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half and Tyler Thyfault sank three 3-pointers en route to 15 points as the Wildcats grinded out a 47-39 victory over the Bears.
Fresh off Friday’s loss to Chatfield, the Wildcats (8-5, 1-1 league) played tight throughout a sloppy first half before pulling away from Bear Creek in the third quarter.
Arvada West trailed 21-18 at halftime as the teams combined for 26 turnovers. The Wildcats outscored the Bears 14-6 in the third quarter behind seven points from Marshall and sealed the win when Thyfault hit a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats a 39-31 lead with 6:01 remaining.
Wildcats coach Eddie Reeves was happy to have the victory – Arvada West’s third straight over the Bears – but perplexed by the way it unfolded.
“I haven’t been able to figure the kids out,” Reeves said.
The Bears (10-5, 1-1) didn’t shoot well from the perimeter and struggled getting the ball inside in losing for just the second time in six games.
Guard Aromous Robinson scored eight of his 15 points in the second quarter and senior Brandon Runkle finished with 11 points to lead the Bears.
Bears coach Steven Hyatt said the game was physical and thought his team is still getting accustomed to playing with starters Andre Adams and Runkle, who have been out with injuries.
“It was ugly,” Hyatt said. “As a fan, it just makes you want to go, ‘Ugh.”‘
With 6:38 left in the second quarter, the teams were deadlocked 9-9 and had combined for 20 turnovers.
Bear Creek 9 12 6 12 – 39
Arvada West 9 9 14 15 – 47
Bear Creek – Robinson 4 6-8 15, Adams 2 0-0 4, Englund 1 0-0 2, Cordry 0 0-0 0, Fritze 0 0-0 0, Runkle 5 0-1 11, Wolfe 1 0-0 2, Spitzlberger 0 0-0 0, Nelson 2 1-4 5, Rayburn 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 7-13 39.
Arvada West – Vinnola 1 1-3 3, Thyfault 6 0-0 15, McDougal 1 0-0 2, Ullrich 1 0-0 2, Marshall 5 4-6 14, Evans 0 0-0 0, Biren 2 1-2 5, Zendejas 2 0-0 4, Amin 1 0-0 2, Buchanan 0 0-0 0, Waters 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 6-11 47.
3-pt. goals – Robinson, Runkle; Thyfault 3. Total fouls – Bear Creek 11, Arvada West 16. Fouled out – None. Technicals – None.
