LITTLETON — As usual, East boys basketball coach Rudy Carey stomped, twisted and barked courtside Thursday as the Class 5A Angels steadily pulled away from the Heritage Eagles.
But Carey’s 600th coaching victory, a 79-63 win in the second round of the ThunderRidge-Heritage Tip-Off Classic, was noticeably different — Carey never gave the referees a hard time and appeared to agree with just about every call.
“I didn’t have to,” he said. “We were way ahead; it helps.”
Carey’s career mark of 600-138 — all coming at East and Manual — is second in state history behind current 3A Denver Christian coach Dick Katte, who has an 803-206 mark after Thursday’s loss against Peak to Peak.
Carey, who has won five state titles at East and three at Manual, has the Angels seeking their third straight title this season.
The Angels never trailed as they disrupted the undermanned Eagles with trademark pressure and attacked inside.
“Glad I was so gracious to him, made him earn it,” Heritage coach Mike Broyles said. “It’s not Christmas yet, but I was in a giving mood.”
Neil H. Devlin and Brian Forbes, The Denver Post
