Dave Crespin has watched his boys grow up.
The University coach has molded what was a talented group of sophomores two years ago, including his son Dustin, into one of the many teams that feel they have a shot of hoisting Class 3A’s gold ball March 11 at Moby Arena in Fort Collins.
“We have just been too youthful these past few years,” said Dave Crespin, who got the Bulldogs to the Sweet 16 last season before bowing to eventual runner-up, Roaring Fork. “They are all seniors now, and this whole season, they’ve come out and played real strong basketball.”
Those seniors, Luke Schauermann, Brian Schweers, Travis Fry, Crespin, Derek Palmer and Eric Hardenberger will travel to Cherry Hills Village on Friday to play the Tri-Peaks League’s Manitou Springs (13-10).
Looming in the second round of the Bob Chavez Region, should the Bulldogs (18-5) advance, is Kent Denver (18-3), which will host Aspen (10-12).
“Truly, I would have liked to stay away from Denver Christian, Kent Denver and Yuma,” Dave Crespin said. “That doesn’t mean we are afraid to play them. We drew into Kent’s region and all we can do is come out and play hard.”
Crespin took his team to last Saturday’s Metropolitan League title game between Kent Denver and Denver Christian, a game won by the Crusaders 71-67, and confirmed what he and the rest of the coaches across the state already know about the state tournament.
“Both of those teams are good teams, but when you look around, there are six or seven teams that can win it all,” he said. “Of course, it’s a matter of catching all the right breaks at the right times.”
Filling out the Chavez Region are the Intermountain League champs from Pagosa Springs. The Pirates (14-6) graduated Caleb Forrest, now at Washington State, but the Schutz brothers, Craig and Casey, hope to guide them back to Fort Collins. Up first will be Colorado Academy (10-13). Bishop Machebeuf (11-11) will play Lamar (16-6) in the other game in Pagosa Springs.
Roaring Fork (19-2) won the Western Slope League and earned the top seed in the Ray Lutz Region. The Rams, despite the loss of all-staters Aaron Markham and Nic Lough, have turned to senior Christian Tena.
“It’s like night and day with him,” Rams coach Roger Walters said of his senior. “He has been really consistent offensively having stepped into Aaron’s role. You look at the statewide stats, and he’s top 10 in just about every category.”
Roaring Fork hosts Ignacio (10-12) on Friday. Also, Weld Central (16-7) and Holy Family (15-7) will travel to Carbondale with the hopes of moving on.
Yuma (20-2), unbeaten in in-state play this season, is the top seed in the Dick Katte Region and will open with The Classical Academy (7-17).
Defending champion Denver Christian (22-1), under the direction of Katte, will open its title defense at home against Platte Valley (7-16).
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-820-5446 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
