AURORA — Yes, Taylor Kallsen has made a buzzer-beater to win a game. But it was nothing like this.
On Tuesday, with time running out and nowhere to go, Kallsen found his place. He got through Denver East’s defense and drained a fall-away jump shot from the left baseline with 0.9 seconds to play to lift Regis Jesuit to a rousing 61-59 home victory in nonleague over the Class 5A defending state champions.
The Raiders were able to remain undefeated and atop The Associated Press Class 5A media poll at 14-0. Kallsen, who led the Raiders with 16 points, had made a half-courter to win an AAU game, but that was then and this is now … and sweeter.
“Coach (Ken Shaw) said to set the play, but we were running out of time,” he said, “I just stepped back and made the shot. And thanks to my teammates.”
Kallsen’s shot sent the large crowd home buzzing, including the Angels (6-7).
“This was our midterm,” coach Rudy Carey said. “I’m proud of my kids and Kenny has a good team, but if we’re only two points behind the No. 1 team …”
Shaw admitted his Raiders, who trailed 18-2 on Saturday at Fossil Ridge before rallying to win, didn’t play well, but “give (the Angels) some credit.”
Regis Jesuit’s lead, behind Kallsen, sharpshooter Tony Caseria (14), Bryan Staerkel, Geoff Kelly and Elijah Sanford, reached double figures in the first half, and it appeared the Raiders would run away.
However, the Angels, with Brian Carey (game-high 22), junior Jack Buckmelter (15) and Jordan Willis (14 along with several key rebounds), took over in the third quarter on a 21-7 binge. They led 50-43 but didn’t protect. Missed free throws and a handful of turnovers kept it back-and-forth into the final seconds.
Ultimately, Regis Jesuit grabbed a 59-57 lead on a deep 3-pointer out front by Staerkel before Carey tied it.
Denver East 17 12 21 9 — 59
Regis Jesuit 22 16 7 16 — 61
Denver East — Willis 5 4-6 14, Buckmelter 4 6-6 15, Harrell 3 0-0 6, Carey 7 5-9 22, Potts 0 0-0 0, Dioum 0 0-0 0, Ogsbury 0 0-0 0, Osburn 1 0-1 2. Totals 20 15-22 59.
Regis Jesuit — Kallsen 6 2-2 16, Kelly 3 0-0 7, Staerkel 3 0-0 8, Sanford 3 1-1 7, Boryla 2 1-2 5, Caseria 4 2-2 14, Ebel 2 0-0 4, Reininger 0 0-0 0, Samson 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 6-7 61.
3-pt. goals — Carey 3, Buckmelter; Caseria 4, Kallsen 2, Staerkel 2, Kelly.
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or
