For our upper classes of boys basketball, it’s as good as experiencing week-long U2 through David Letterman.
Ready to rock, this is exactly where they want to be, in the final fours of Classes 5A and 4A today at the Coors Events Center in Boulder. We can only await which tunes we’ll hear, part of the fun of preconcert mode.
Fairview obviously tops all 5A charts. At 26-0 and cruising, the Knights have been convincing. Travis Shepherd is the highest scorer, but that’s not the point for a carefree bunch. Coach Frank Lee usually plays all 12 Knights who dress, a dirty dozen who have jobs and accept them. They are here for the first time since 1994 (Carlos Daniel) and in search of their first championship since 1981 (Billy Thompson). And they will have a home crowd.
For all of Regis’ proud tradition, I’ll bet you didn’t know the following: The Raiders (24-2) are in a final four for the first time since 1981, and their league (Continental) title was their first in 30 seasons. So, yes, coach Ken Shaw’s guys have grown up, particularly after handling two-time defending 5A champ East last weekend. For overall skill, Regis may be the best in the field. Senior R.J. Demps and junior Bud Thomas have been smooth.
Look no further for your “how did they do that?” team. It’s ThunderRidge (18-8), which began 4-4, yet somehow has upheld its mighty tradition in Highlands Ranch. Actually, there’s no secret — senior guard David Arnold is doing it, scoring 53 points the past two games. Pacing a terrific coaching job by Joe Ortiz — and he has had many — Arnold has led a new cast to the program’s sixth final four in eight seasons. Check the Grizzlies’ scores. They are learning to win the close ones.
George Washington may be the quietest 25-1 team in a final four. The Patriots have taken season-long criticism, some of it justified for lack of a difficult schedule, but here they are. Anyone else want to give them a hard time? Didn’t think so. GW’s perimeter game and halfcourt offense have polish. Most recently in a title game in 2001, GW also defends, rebounds and gets up and down the floor with ease. Novian Balous has been strong inside.
In 4A, Lewis-Palmer (Colorado Springs Metro) and Sterling (the gargantuan Northern) each tied for third in their deep leagues.
Lewis-Palmer, which dropped two of its last three regular-season games, is fresh from one of 4A’s better efforts — the Rangers (19-7) knocked off top-seeded Windsor. Their last state title was in 1994. Sterling’s three postseason wins are by a combined 23 points. The Tigers (21-5) and Aaron Reyes want to add to their only hoops title, in 1984.
Sierra is, well, the Sierra we know, with gobs of athleticism. True, the Stallions (21-5) were 18-of-45 from the field and 7-of-14 in free throws the past two games, but Jamil Cooks and mates challenge everything that comes their way. The program’s championships in 1997 and 2000 are the school’s only ones in any sport.
Pueblo South’s terrific 26-0 run comes with the added incentive of proving a point. Gaudy records have dotted various Colts teams in recent seasons, but South has come up short. Puebloans want a championship. Tyrell Williams, in a group with grit, wants to give it to them.
