There are going to be a lot of happy coaches in Class 3A when the 2009-10 season starts next December.
That’s because Eaton’s talented group of seniors, led by 6-foot-6 force Seth Lobato, will be gone, and thus the playing field will be somewhat leveled.
The 2007 champions, who started the season No. 1 in The Denver Post poll, seem to be clicking on all cylinders heading into February. The Reds looked good on Saturday, disposing of the Denver Christian Crusaders 70-57.
“I think we’re ready to do this,” said Lobato, who will be a preferred walk-on to play football next season at the University of Colorado. “The last few games, we’ve played with a pretty good intensity, and Coach (Dean) Grable has been really stressing making a push and start getting hot now for March.”
Eaton (10-3), currently No. 6 in the Class 3A poll, spread the offensive wealth. Seniors Kade Merritt and Logan Hall had the hot hands early and Cameron Stewart late.
But it wasn’t until the third quarter that Eaton finally got some breathing room, upping its lead to double figures at 34-24.
But . . .
“A 10-, 12- or 15-point lead doesn’t seem like a lead to me here with those guys,” Grable said. “I never felt comfortable.”
The Crusaders (6-8) clawed back to within 44-39 late in the third quarter and were within seven going to the fourth, but Eaton’s experience proved to be too much.
With the defensive effort focused on Lobato, who still finished with a game-high 20 points, it was Stewart who did the most damage for the Reds, scoring 11 of his 17 points in the final quarter — including 6-for-6 from the line.
“Understanding what we are trying to do offensively, when they are open they need to make shots for us,” Grable said. “Cameron stepped up tonight, and I think those guys off the bench understand their role, so there’s no letdown.”
Said Denver Christian coach Dick Katte: “That’s a very good team. We played with them except for some lapses. One of their other players had to step up. We worked hard on Lobato, we worked hard on Merritt, but Stewart stepped up and had a great game.”
Jon VanderHoek, assigned with slowing down Lobato on the defensive end, led Denver Christian with 20 points. Junior Taylor Smith finished with 14.
Eaton 14 16 16 24 — 70
Denver Christian 12 9 18 18 — 57
Eaton — Merritt 5 1-2 13, Smith 1 0-0 3, Stewart 4 8-8 17, Hall 5 0-0 11, Lobato 7 6-8 20, Haynes 1 2-2 4, Ball 0 0-0 0, Pickar 0 2-2 2, Hager 0 0-0 0, Foss 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 19-22 70.
Denver Christian — Z. Smith 2 0-0 4, T. Smith 5 2-2 14, Hofer 1 0-0 2, Terpstra 4 0-0 9, VanderHoek 6 6-8 20, Marsh 1 0-0 2, Reitz 0 0-0 0, Lanser 0 0-0 0, Lenderink 1 3-3 5, Caro 0 1-2 1. Totals 20 12-15 57.
3-pt. goals — Merritt 2, Smith, Stewart, Hall; T. Smith 2, VanderHoek 2, Terpstra. Total fouls — Eaton 16; Denver Christian 17. Fouled out — None. Technicals — None.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
