In their first trip a year ago to the University of Colorado in Boulder for Class 5A’s final four, Highlands Ranch’s Falcons were disappointing and went out meekly.
On Friday at the Denver Coliseum, they secured a return date and vowed to turn it around. Their big return step occurred at the hands of Mountain Vista, which had taken the Falcons to triple overtime in a demanding Continental League, before falling again 66-55 in the Great 8.
Highlands Ranch, top-ranked for a while down the stretch of the regular season, shook off a slow start and will take a 23-3 mark into the semifinals. Mountain Vista ended 18-8.
“We want to go (to Boulder) and win,” senior Austin Haldorson said.
They will if the Wyoming-bound senior plays like he did Friday. Haldorson turned in 19 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots. He received lots of help from sophomore Zach Braxton (five points, 12 rebounds) and footballer Steve Donatell (12 points and six rebounds) as Highlands Ranch’s height, Golden Eagles coach Bob Wood said, was too much to overcome.
It had been close into the fourth quarter as Mountain Vista (22-of-66 from the floor) rode a series of perimeter and inside baskets before the Falcons took over.
Eleven of Brett Brady’s 19 points came in the fourth quarter, including 11-of-11 free throws, as Highlands Ranch protected the ball and patiently pulled away.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” Falcons coach Bob Caton said. “(The Golden Eagles) were tough, but our kids played so hard.”
Wood, whose team’s postseason run included knocking off a No. 1 seed, Fairview, acknowledged his program’s best finish, but also saluted Haldorson.
“That’s why he’s a Division I player,” Wood said.
