HIGHLANDS RANCH — This time, it simply was Michael Clark’s turn.
The senior guard from Regis Jesuit showed exactly why the Raiders are one of the deepest and most balanced teams in the state Tuesday, as Clark erupted for 17 points during a decisive third quarter to lead the Class 5A fourth-ranked Raiders to an 83-61 victory at Mountain Vista in a Continental League showdown.
Clark entered the game as Regis’ fourth-leading scorer with an average of about 10 points a game, yet he single-handedly outscored Mountain Vista in the third as the Raiders improved to 12-4 overall and 4-0 in the league.
“I was just happy to hit the first one,” Clark said. “Then my teammates were making great plays getting me open shots. I guess I had the hot hand you could say, because the ball kept going in. It felt nice to go on that little run there. That also extended our lead, which we needed to do. It was an exciting quarter.”
Mountain Vista (13-3, 2-2) outscored Regis 11-4 over the final three minutes of the first half to remain within 41-34 at the break. Yet any hopes of an upset by the Golden Eagles were dashed by Clark’s torrid third quarter.
Clark knocked down consecutive 3-pointers immediately after halftime and made his first six shots of the frame, including two more 3-pointers, as the Raiders extended their seven-point halftime lead to 16 points entering the fourth.
Clark made five of Regis Jesuit’s 11 3-pointers and finished with a game-best 23 points. Raiders senior forward Ryan Winters returned from a three-game absence because of a back injury to score 10 points off the bench.
“We did a good job during the third quarter especially of moving the ball, and Mike was open and he was knocking them in,” Regis Jesuit coach Ken Shaw said. “Mike really is one of our best shooters. Obviously, as a point guard we call on him to do other things. But we do have good balance, and hopefully that makes us hard to guard.”
Regis Jesuit 24 17 24 18 — 83
Mountain Vista 17 17 15 12 — 61
Regis Jesuit — Clark 8 2-2 23, Samson 6 3-3 18, Lesnansky 1 5-5 7, Dyer 5 0-0 12, Smith 1 0-0 3, Winters 3 4-7 10, Perkins 0 3-4 3, MacDonald 2 1-2 5, Rees 0 0-0 0, Dickey 0 2-2 2. Totals 26 20-25 83.
Mountain Vista — Miller 1 0-0 3, Anner 6 3-4 20, Carter 3 2-3 8, Kahn 0 0-2 0, Chipman 3 0-0 6, McDonald 0 0-0 0, Benjamin 0 0-0 0, Nevins 4 2-2 11, Marez Tate 5 0-1 13. Totals 22 7-12 61.3-point goals — Clark 5, Samson 3, Dyer 2, Smith; Anner 5, Marez Tate 3, Nevins, Miller. Fouls — RJ 13, MV 23.
