HIGHLANDS RANCH — Marcus Byrd and Brett Olson are familiar front-liners for Highlands Ranch as well as its followers around the state.
But the Falcons can be much more. Say hello to Eric Anttila, Brett Brady and Austin Haldorson.
They were vital to Friday night’s 69-35 dismantling of host Rock Canyon as the Falcons continued their dominance of the Continental League.
Having taken over the top spot in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, Highlands Ranch moved to 16-1 overall, 5-0 in league, and has won its Continental games by 51, 52, 44, 34 and 34 points.
Byrd and Olson, bound for the University of Denver, combined for 30 points, and Anttila scored 11, including three 3-pointers; Brady had 12 (on four 3-pointers); and Haldorson added 13.
They also played tough defense, moved the ball and turned in plays when the game was in the balance.
“I was just getting open shots,” said Brady, who made three 3-pointers in the second quarter. “We were just finding the open guy.”
Anttila scored eight points in the middle quarters, and Haldorson was part of an inside presence that rejected a dozen shots, changed who knows how many others and forced the Jaguars (9-8, 2-3) into a goose egg in the final quarter.
“To be a good team, it’s just what it says,” said Falcons coach Bob Caton, “and we’ve said from Day One we want contributions from everybody.”
Rock Canyon never led but got within 22-21 3:52 before halftime.
However, Highlands Ranch went on a 16-0 binge, and the battle between area players dating back to youth days turned into its worst blowout.
Over the final quarter, the Jaguars were 0-of-6 from the floor with five turnovers.
“(The Falcons) are as good as you’re going to see,” Jags coach Jim McClurg said.
Highlands Ranch 17 19 16 17 — 69
Rock Canyon 9 12 14 0 — 35
Highlands Ranch — Olson 5 7-8 18, Byrd 5 2-3 12, Haldorson 6 1-1 13, Anttila 4 0-0 11, Donatell 1 1-2 3, Gosz 0 0-0 0, Brady 4 0-0 12. Totals 25 11-14 69.
Rock Canyon — Hopper 3 2-2 11, Nelson 1 2-2 4, Sunshine 0 2-4 2, Dodd 1 0-0 2, Buckland 2 1-2 6, McNeily 1 0-0 2, Sophinos 0 0-0 0, Noyes 3 2-4 8, Finnerty 0 0-0 0, Koslosky 0 0-0 0, Owsley 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 9-14 35.
3-pt. goals — Highlands Ranch, Brady 4, Anttila 3, Olson; Rock Canyon, Hopper 3, Buckland. Total fouls — Highlands Ranch 14, Rock Canyon 14. Fouled out — None. Technicals — Byrd; Rock Canyon Coach McClurg.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
