These are the types of games that make nonleague play worth watching.
East, nearing completion of another ambitious pre-Denver Prep League schedule, got all it wanted Wednesday night from visiting ThunderRidge before taking a 66-50 decision.
The Angels (11-3), ranked No. 4 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, trailed early and often before putting away the Grizzlies, a respected power that is beat up — and more inexperienced than in previous seasons.
“We can beat anybody, but anybody can beat us,” East coach Rudy Carey said. “I told these guys before the game this is the best-coached team we’ll see all year.”
It played out early — the Grizzlies (7-5) were in command with superior ball movement and protection, as well as outside shooting and cutting to the basket behind the Angels’ defense. Senior Dave Arnold, ThunderRidge’s top threat, scored 10 early points and was matched by teammate Troy Noser in twice running to 12-point leads.
East, as usual, struggled early before putting it into gear. Ultimately, Angels strongman DaVaughn Thornton, who has been offered football scholarships by Colorado and Colorado State — he will make an official visit to the Buffaloes this weekend — helped restore order with a game-high 25 points and 14 rebounds.
The Angels gradually gathered themselves through defensive pressure — they permitted only 28 points after the first quarter and held Arnold without a field goal in the fourth quarter.
“Coach (Joe) Ortiz does a great job with those guys,” Thornton said of the Grizzlies. “It was like we were still on (holiday) break.”
Said Ortiz, whose team climbed within four points late: “East pressures you, wears you down, especially with the way we are now, but I’m proud of our guys taking a run at beating East at East.”
Alex Merriex led the defense on Arnold and added 13 points. Arnold finished with 16, Noser 14 and Mike Ernst 10.
ThunderRidge 22 10 10 8 — 50
East 12 18 18 18 — 66
ThunderRidge — Waner 0 0-0 0, Heikkila 3 2-2 8, Noser 6 0-0 14, R. Arnold 0 0-0 0, Jimenez 1 0-1 2, Graves 0 0-0 0, Pagnotta 0 0-0 0, D. Arnold 5 4-8 16, Jones 0 0-0 0, Ernst 3 4-6 10, Lisle 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 10-17 50.
East — Thornton 11 3-4 25, Hildreth 3 0-1 8, Wiese 3 1-2 7, Merriex 4 2-4 13, Hilaire 1 0-0 2, Davis 2 1-4 5, Eighny 0 0-0 0, Watts 3 0-0 6, Donahue 0 0-0 0, Zettas 0 0-0 0. Totals 27 7-15 66.
3-point goals — D. Arnold 2, Noser 2; Merriex 3, Hildreth 2. Total fouls — ThunderRidge 17, East 15. Fouled out — Heikkilia, D. Arnold. Technicals — East coach Carey.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
