Azlan Williams was ready. The ball came to him in the right corner Saturday afternoon and he was all set to fire.
But he saw an opening on the baseline, went to the basket and was fouled. The sleek junior, battling an injury to a growth plate in a wrist, made both free throws with 4.3 seconds left as Montbello outlasted George Washington 63-61 at a crowded Thunderdome for a key Denver Prep League victory between ranked teams.
Williams’ smooth strokes and an ensuing turnover by GW before it could squeeze off a last-second attempt capped a marathon slugfest as the city league heats up.
The Warriors, ranked No. 5 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, climbed to 13-4 overall and 2-0 in defense of their city crown. Sixth-ranked GW is 12-5 and 2-1.
Williams said point guard Isiah Cooper spotted him alone and the free throws were no problem.
“That’s my specialty,” Williams said.
Montbello has had an impressive schedule and more awaits in its plan. The Warriors have been working on protecting the ball late and the picture remains big, according to coach David Carey.
“(GW) made runs, we responded and that’s what good ball teams do,” he said. “We made some adjustments, and the kids showed resolve.
“Every game we play, we’re learning how to play possession basketball. We’re trying to get ready for the state tournament.”
Montbello led most of the way, weathered assorted Patriots runs and made more plays late behind Cooper (26 points, after scoring 41 on Thursday against Aurora Central) and Williams (17 points).
And the Pats (12-5, 2-1) had more than enough opportunities. They turned in defensive stops, rebounded and scrapped but missed 10 free throws, six in the third quarter, and were guilty of a couple of mishandled possessions in the final moments.
Odessa Lear scored 19 points and Tyrone Marshall added 15 for GW. Four of GW’s five losses are to teams ranked ahead of it.
G. Washington 12 15 21 13 — 61
Montbello 16 19 12 16 — 63
George Washington — Marshall 4 7-12 15, Lear 6 4-5 19, Jones 1 3-5 5, Johnson 1 3-4 5, Hudgens 0 0-0 0, Williams 5 0-0 10, de Haro Lopez 0 0-0 0, O’Neal 3 1-2 7. Totals 20 18-28 61.
Montbello — Williams 6 3-4 17, Cooper 8 8-12 26, Jallow 0 0-0 0, Sykes 2 0-0 4, McFalls-Price 2 2-2 7, Cisse 0 0-0 0, Williams 0 0-0 0, Nelson 2 5-6 9. Totals 20 18-24 63.
3-point goals: George Washington — Lear 3. Montbello — Williams 2, Cooper 2, McFalls-Price. Total fouls — George Washington 25, Montbello 19. Fouled out — Lear, Johnson. Technical fouls — None.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
