Aurora – On a night when Aurora Central honored two of its former multisport stars, the Trojans’ boys basketball team didn’t disappoint the turnout.
It was a struggle, but Aurora Central held off Cherry Creek 57-50 on Friday night in Class 5A nonleague play.
The Trojans, ranked No. 3 in The Denver Post/9News 5A poll, improved to 3-0. No. 7 Cherry Creek, which has yet to play a home game, dipped to 1-3.
The night got rolling for the Trojans as they recognized Craig Bozich and Tim Scheibler, two stalwarts for Aurora Central in the 1960s. Bozich won The Denver Post Gold Helmet in 1964, the only player in the history of the Aurora district to do so. Both now have permanent banners in the gymnasium.
Then the current Trojans, such as Sean Cunningham and Stephen Franklin, paced a rugged victory.
“It wasn’t easy,” Cunningham said.
Said Trojans coach Bob Caton: “Oh, man, it’s just what we expected. It will help us, hopefully, down the line and that goes for both teams.”
Aurora Central trailed 6-5 early, then went on a 14-0 run. Cherry Creek crept within 33-25 at halftime before the Trojans generally led by eight or 10 points into the final moments.
Cherry Creek had multiple opportunities to make the Trojans sweat, but never got the key basket or pass.
Overall, the Trojans’ athleticism bothered the Bruins. Through its three earlier games, the Bruins had 71 turnovers. They added 20 on Friday.
“It hurts us,” Cherry Creek coach Mike Brookhart said. “But we got better and better as the game went on.
“When you play at Aurora Central and they have two of the best players returning, it’s tough. I was proud of our kids and we’ll get better.”
Cunningham paced the Trojans with 16 points and Franklin added 15. Cunningham was steady throughout, breaking down the defense, finding the open player and getting to the basket. Franklin canned two 3-pointers and weathered a second quarter in which he was 0-for-5 from the floor and 1-of-3 at the free-throw line. Six of his points came in the third quarter before fouling out in the final minutes.
Five other Trojans scored and their press kept Cherry Creek on its heels. Taylor Montgomery led the Bruins with 20 points, despite not getting to the free-throw line.
“Cherry Creek’s known for its defense,” Caton said. “These are the kind of games we need.”
Cherry Creek 6 19 8 17 – 50
Aurora Central 19 14 12 12 – 57
Cherry Creek – Ahlbrandt 1 0-0 2, Heimbrock 2 0-1 5, Link 1 3-4 5, Montgomery 10 0-0 20, Eckloff 2 4-4 8, Elway 0 1-2 1, Traina 0 0-0 0, Giles 3 0-1 9. Totals 19 8-12 50.
Aurora Central – Johnson 3 1-2 8, Bond 0 1-2 1, Kelly 2 2-2 6, Cunningham 5 6-6 16, Franklin 5 3-5 15, Mabin 2 0-0 4, Veasley 0 0-1 0, Goyer 3 1-2 7. Totals 20 14-19 57.
3-pt. goals – Giles, Heimbrock; Franklin 2, Johnson. Total fouls – Cherry Creek 17, Aurora Central 17. Fouled out – Franklin. Technicals – None.
