Pueblo – The motivational seed was planted last year when Jefferson Academy lost the state title in the final five seconds.
It blossomed Saturday night with an early lead the Jaguars were able to maintain en route to a 58-47 victory over Del Norte in the Class 2A boys championship game before about 3,900 fans at the Colorado State Fair Events Center.
“We just wanted it more,” said Jefferson Academy senior forward Brad Atkinson. “We’ve worked so hard since we lost last year – all year, every day since then.”
On a balanced team with different scoring threats during the tournament, Atkinson earned MVP honors for his clutch baskets when Del Norte challenged and his 20 second-half points that rallied the Jaguars in the quarterfinals against Sanford.
Although he struggled from the foul line, Atkinson scored 13 points Saturday and played aggressive defense – often on Geoff Heller, who scored 21 points in the semi- finals but just 12 on Saturday.
It’s the second state crown for Jefferson Academy (24-2), a charter school in Jefferson County that won its first championship in 2002.
“I can’t describe winning it,” Atkinson said. “This feeling is incredible.”
Del Norte, which upset No. 1-ranked and previously undefeated Rye a night earlier, finished 21-5. Jefferson Academy took a 14-10 lead in the first quarter Saturday and led 25-17 at halftime.
“Getting the lead was huge because Coach (Greg) King’s team runs an offense that is so patient and deliberate,” said Jefferson Academy coach Mark Sharpley. “If they get a lead, that might have put us in a desperate mode and we might have forced some shots.”
A basket by Atkinson pushed the Jaguars ahead by 15 points before Del Norte rallied to close within 10 at the start of the fourth quarter.
Jefferson Academy’s Ty Lewis, a 6-foot-1 senior forward, scored all nine of his points during the fourth quarter before fouling out with 1:11 remaining.
“I knew they’d get it done without me,” he said. “They are my boys, my best friends.”
Ryan Holocher also had a strong second half for the Jaguars, scoring nine of his team high-tying 13 points.
Along with Heller’s 12 points, Michael Miessner was in double figures for Del Norte with 10 points.
2A boys
All tourney
Geoff Heller, Del Norte, Sr.
Steve Lane, Jefferson Academy, Sr.
Rob Lewis, Evangelical Christian, Jr.
Mark Reding, Rye, Sr.
MVP
Brad Atkinson, Jefferson Academy, Sr.
Del Norte 10 7 15 15 – 47
Jefferson Academy 14 11 17 16 – 58
Del Norte – Cumby 2 0-0 5, Heller 4 4-5 12, Miessner 3 3-4 10, Berg 2 0-0 4, Trujillo 2 0-2 4, McEwen 3 1-2 7, Jones 0 5-8 5. Totals 16 13-21 47.
Jefferson Academy – Swanson 2 0-0 5, Lane 3 2-4 8, Shackleton 0 1-2 1, Atkinson 6 1-7 13, Phillips 3 2-2 9, Lewis 2 5-6 9, Kondrotis 0 0-2 0, Holocher 4 3-4 13. Totals 20 14-27 58.
3-point goals – Cumby, Miessner; Holocher 2, Phillips, Swanson. Fouled out – Trujillo; Lewis. Technicals – None.
