The longstanding rivalry between Kent Denver and Denver Christian has been heavily tilted in Kent’s favor for the better part of the past three seasons.
On Thursday, Denver Christian sophomore Alex Terpstra served notice that the tide of the rivalry may have turned. Terpstra knocked down six 3-pointers, including five in the second half, and scored 22 points to lead the host Crusaders to a 54-48 victory.
Kent, the second-ranked team in Class 3A, had won five consecutive games against Denver Christian.
“If you have a team that can rise to a challenge, they’ll go a long way. And I think this team can,” Denver Christian coach Dick Katte said. “Potentially, this is a really, really good team. Kent is a big rival for us. This was very, very important. I told them that Saturday’s game is more important because it’s a league game, but probably not.”
The Crusaders, ranked No. 7 in Class 2A, surged to a quick lead and never trailed after the opening moments, although they had to weather several comeback attempts by Kent in the third quarter. That task was made easier by the hot shooting of Terpstra.
The Sun Devils (6-1) remained within three points early in the third quarter before Terpstra drained consecutive 3-pointers.
Kent Denver 5 10 15 18 — 48
Denver Christian 12 11 10 21 — 54
Kent — Tellis 4 1-2 9, Yates 0 0-0 0, Smith 5 3-4 13, Finer 0 0-0 0, Lantz 3 1-2 8, Tills 1 0-0 2, Motz 3 1-2 7, Pettyjohn 2 0-0 5, Gantz 1 0-0 2, Arnold 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 6-10 48.Denver Christian — Herren 1 0-0 2, Terpstra 7 2-6 22, Conway 3 4-7 11, LeFebre 4 0-0 8, Viss 5 0-0 10, Pranger 0 0-0 0, Kastens 0 1-2 1. Totals 20 7-15 54.3-point goals:Kent — Lantz, Pettyjohn. Denver Christian — Terpstra 6.
