The crowd surrounding Chris Smith was there as much for praise as it was protection.
Minutes earlier, Smith had put an end to a factious matchup when he drilled a baseline 3-pointer with six seconds remaining Saturday to give Montbello a 68-67 victory over Denver Prep League rival Thomas Jefferson.
The fact that it came on the Spartans’ home floor ensured Smith an escort out of the gymnasium.
Smith, who just returned to the Warriors’ lineup, came off the bench to score 14 of his 16 points in the second half. His game-winner came just seconds after TJ had gone up 67-65 on a driving shot by Lawon Benford and was the last word in a game full of dunks and alley-oops.
“It’s fine coming off the bench,” Smith said. “It’s who finishes the game, not who starts it.”
The Class 5A Warriors, under first-year coach David Carey, won their fourth straight game, improved to 10-7 (3-0 DPL) and avenged last season’s overtime loss to the Spartans, who would go on to win the 4A state championship.
“I was just glad to be here to get it back,” said Anthony Porch, who knocked down three 3-pointers to lead the Warriors with 21 points and seven rebounds. “We’re just on our way to take over gyms and this is another one on the list.”
Guard David Jordan, who had 15 points, and Smith helped stabilize a Montbello offense that turned the ball over just 10 times.
“We’re getting to the point now where we’re coming together as a team,” Carey said. “I knew we would be getting better at this point in the season.”
The Spartans (9-7, 1-2) lost their third straight and suffered their second consecutive one-point defeat.
TJ standout senior Pierre Allen flirted with a big man’s triple-double – 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Benford scored 18 points and guard David Holt hit three 3-pointers to finish with 11 points and four rebounds.
Spartans coach Grant Laman said the defeat forced the Spartans to give up one of their preseason goals.
“I really wanted a city championship,” Laman said. “Now, if we back into it, I can take it, but I don’t think we’re going to. So, as of now, we’re turning the page and focusing on state.”
Montbello 15 20 20 13 – 68
Thomas Jefferson 13 26 12 16 – 67
Montbello – Jordan 4 6-6 15, Hairston 0 0-0 0, Porch 7 4-6 21, Shead 3 0-5 6, Bryant 2 1-3 5, Littlejohn 0 0-2 0, Nelson 1 1-2 3, Smith 7 0-0 16, McDonald 1 0-0 2. Totals 25 12-24 68.
Thomas Jefferson – Benford 8 2-6 18, Atherton 2 0-0 6, Lewis 0 0-0 0, Allen 8 4-5 20, Holt 4 0-0 11, Ratcliff 1 0-0 2, Kane 2 4-6 8, McCullough 0 0-0 0, Shaw 1 0-0 2. Totals 26 10-17 67.
3-point goals – Porch 3, Smith 2, Jordan; Holt 3, Atherton 2. Total fouls – Montbello 19, Thomas Jefferson 20. Fouled out – None. Technicals – None.
