ENGLEWOOD — The game featured every type of drama typical of a rivalry game, including numerous lead changes, an overtime session, a little bloodshed and heroics from an unlikely source.
In the end, it was Denver Lutheran’s Corey Stuerke who played the role of hero quite capably.
The senior guard knocked down a 3-pointer with 13 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Denver Lutheran, the fourth-ranked team in Class 2A, to a 64-61 victory at Kent Denver in the Metro League opener for both squads.
The Lights (10-1, 1-0) have won 10 consecutive games since they opened the season with a loss against Lutheran Parker.
“It felt great, but it was just one of those where it took so long for the ball to go in the hoop,” Stuerke said. “It felt good coming off, but the credit goes to the team. The big shot at the end feels good, but most of all it is for the team.”
Kent Denver, ranked second in Class 3A, took a 61-59 lead with 28 seconds remaining when sophomore Matt Pettyjohn scored his only points of the game on a pair of free throws.
On Lutheran’s next possession, the Sun Devils (8-2, 0-1) understandably focused their defense on Lights sharpshooter Joel Haywood, who finished with 29 points.
Yet that allowed Stuerke to find open space deep in the right corner and, after forcing a Kent turnover, Haywood iced the win by hitting two free throws with 2.5 seconds remaining.
Kent Denver’s Jared Smith, who missed much of the second quarter and was forced to change his bloody jersey after suffering a cut on his mouth, scored 21 of his team-leading 26 points in the second half.
“Kent is a good team, and they have a lot of tough matchups,” Denver Lutheran coach Ryan Bredow said. “We’ve just had battles with them over the years, and we knew we were in for a real test. Our guys, they just responded with enthusiasm and they trust each other very well in pressure situations.”
Denver Lutheran 16 11 18 11 8 — 64
Kent Denver 22 8 12 14 5 — 61
Denver Lutheran — Joseph 0 2-3 2, Cor. Stuerke 3 0-0 7, Kitashima 6 4-6 17, Col. Stuerke 2 3-4 7, Haywood 9 7-9 29, Schilling 1 0-0 2, Langewisch 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 16-22 64.
Kent Denver — Tills 0 0-0 0, Tellis 6 0-0 13, Lantz 2 0-0 4, Finer 5 0-0 11, Smith 8 8-9 26, Motz 0 2-4 2, Yates 0 0-0 0, Gantz 1 0-0 3, Pettyjohn 0 2-2 2. Totals 22 12-15 61.
3-pt. goals — Haywood 4, Kitashima, Cor. Stuerke; Smith 2, Tellis, Finer, Gantz.
