FORT COLLINS — Things broke the best way they possibly could early on for Jarrod Huwa and the Valley Vikings in Friday’s Class 3A state boys basketball semifinal against Peyton at Moby Arena.
Panthers star Brett Green, who scored 48 points the night before, was forced to the bench with foul trouble early in the second quarter with just two points.
The second half was a different story. Green’s 19 second-half points helped propel Peyton (23-2) into tonight’s title game, with a win against Valley 51-44.
“It was frustrating, but I trust my teammates to help carry this team,” said Green, who helped the Panthers win their first state playoff game in school history Thursday.
Valley never took advantage of Green’s absence, outscoring the Panthers 6-5 in the second quarter.
“I think we should have went at them harder. Brett’s on the bench and that’s their scorer,” said Huwa, who finished with a game-high 22 points.
Green made his point and points in the third quarter, scoring 10 of his 21 points and turning a seven-point halftime deficit into a 32-28 lead after three quarters.
Huwa and Green made the floor their personal showcase not only in the third but into the fourth, trading baskets and one trying to up the other.
Peyton’s Chandler Bart-lett had 15 points. Senior Ben Dellenbach scored 17 for Valley (20-7).
Faith Christian 63, Eaton 51 •
At one point, Faith Christian’s Stephen Dennis took a look up at the scoreboard and just couldn’t believe it.
The defending champion Eagles were up 20 and laying it on the Eaton Reds in the first half of Friday’s second semifinal.
He also knew Eaton would make a run. They did. But the Eagles weathered it.
“We knew we were shooting the ball well and were playing good defense,” Dennis said. “At halftime, we knew we were up 20 but that there was still a long way to go.”
The Reds (21-5) shot just 17-for-53 (32.1 percent) for the game.
In addition to Dennis’ 21 points off the bench, starter Joel Hegarty chipped in 12 for Faith Christian (25-1).
Seth Lovato and Kade Merritt each scored 13 in the losing effort for the Reds.
Jon E. Yunt, The Denver Post
