LITTLETON — Chris Olsen’s D’Evelyn Jaguars may be the closest thing that Colorado girls high school basketball has to controlled chaos. Even Nolan Richardson, who used his “40 Minutes of Hell” philosophy to coach the Arkansas Razorbacks to the 1994 NCAA championship, would be proud.
“Go! Go!” Olsen would bark at his players on nearly every possession trying to increase the tempo into their favor.
The Jaguars, No. 7 in The Denver Post Class 4A coaches poll, came out of the gates fast and, much like their mentality, never slowed down as they cruised to a 68-50 win at home over conference opponent Evergreen.
“We have to continue to play well and force tempo and get turnovers,” said Olsen, whose constant pressure forced the Cougars into numerous turnovers and easy baskets on the other end. “That’s what makes us go.”
Senior Madalyn Neely is a big reason why the Jaguars go. Her season high of 30 points led the team and continues to push D’Evelyn, which is in search of a conference championship.
“I love it. That’s what D’Evelyn basketball is,” said Neely who was aggressive all night, but it’s no surprise she often happened to be in the right place at the right time. “We do drills like that all time, scramble drills that help us play on the fly.”
The Jaguars took a 20-8 lead after the first quarter, but could not extend the advantage past 22 the remainder of the game.
“They’re too good. You’re never going to beat an Evergreen team by 35 points,” Olsen said of the Cougars, who were always a mini-run from being right back in the game. “They play so hard from whistle to whistle.”
Evergreen fought back, but the experienced Jaguars’ pressure was too much.
“What D’Evelyn does well is that they are so fast and relentless. It’s just constant,” said Evergreen coach Ali Meyer. “They are not set, but they are always pressuring the ball.”
Evergreen: 8 12 14 16 — 50
D’Evelyn: 20 15 14 19 — 68
Evergreen: Elmgreen 1 4-5 6, Dobey 3 5-10 11, O’Brien 0 0-0 0, Ellingson 2 1-2 5, Russell 4 2-2 10, Rauch 0 0-0 0, Bokelman 0 0-0 0, Armovich 1 2-2 4, Newhall 5 4-11 14. Totals: 16 18-32 50.
D’Evelyn: Marler 0 0-0 0, Kalkus 1 0-6 2, Neely 10 9-11 30, Reinke 1 4-6 6, Seemann 3 1-2 10, Shappell 0 0-0 0, Tyree 5 1-2 11, Berres 2 1-5 5, Gebes 1 0-0 3, Lusk 0 1-2 1. Totals: 23 17-34 68.
3-pt. goals: Seemann 3, Neeley, Gebes.
