ARVADA — It’s hard to say who was more amazed Wednesday night — the Littleton Lions for shutting Ralston Valley down, or the Mustangs for letting it happen.
The Lions were a fundamentals clinic compared to their hosts as they hit timely 3-pointers, rebounded and sank free throws. The biggest shock, however, was their ability to neutralize Mustangs standout Pierce Hornung.
“I’ve never seen him play, but I’ve heard great things about him,” Lions guard Mark Mamunes said of the Colorado State recruit. “He’s a great player. But tonight, we just shut him down. He wasn’t there.”
The Lions held Hornung to eight points and owned the second half en route to a 58-45 Class 5A victory in the first round of the inaugural eight-team Ralston Valley Roundup.
Mamunes scored 16 points to lead the balanced Lions (3-1), who sank nine 3-pointers, shot 15-of-20 from the free-throw line and got 12 points apiece from Brian Holland, Marcus Parry and Kevin Clarry.
The Lions sat back to clog the paint and prevent Hornung from receiving the ball near the basket. The Mustangs (2-1), who were 2-of-19 from 3-point range, could not shoot the Lions out of their defense, and their 9-for-21 effort at the free-throw line prevented them from sustaining a rally after falling behind by nine in the second quarter.
“Our defense is what did it for us,” Lions coach Ray VanHeukelem said.
Hornung, one of the top players in 4A the past two seasons, fouled out with 44 seconds remaining. The 6-foot-5 power forward didn’t make another basket after his six-point first quarter, took just one shot in the second quarter and one shot in the entire second half — a 3-pointer with 2:18 remaining.
“I got to sit down and talk with him,” Mustangs coach Mitch Conrad said. “Mentally, he just wasn’t really into the game. I don’t know.”
Taylor Gillach had a team-high 16 points before fouling out with 53 seconds left. Dane June added 10 points for the Mustangs.
The Lions gave up a 10-0 run at the end of the first quarter and trailed 14-6. The Lions hit three consecutive 3-pointers to take the lead for good.
Littleton 6 21 10 21 — 58
Ralston Valley 14 8 6 17 — 45
Littleton — Mamunes 5 4-4 16, McCaslin 1 0-0 2, Holland 2 8-10 12, Parry 4 0-0 12, Clarry 4 1-2 12, Gaumer 0 0-0 0, Civic 0 0-0 0, Smart 0 0-0 0, Hosey 1 2-4 4. Totals 17 15-20 58.
Ralston Valley — Felton 2 3-7 7, Gillach 6 3-5 16, Murphy 1 1-3 4, June 5 0-0 10, P. Hornung 3 2-4 8, Heller 0 0-0 0, G. Hornung 0 0-2 0, Lucero 0 0-0 0, Allen 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 9-21 45.
3-point goals — Parry 4, Clarry 3, Mamunes 2; Gillach, Murphy. Total fouls — Littleton 16, Ralston Valley 16. Fouled out — Gillach, P. Hornung. Technicals — None.
