It has been a season unlike any other the past couple of decades for Denver East,
But the familiarity in playoff success is beginning to mount.
The Angels, defending Class 5A state champions, went into Highlands Ranch on Saturday and handled host Rock Canyon 69-61 in the second round.
In moving to 15-10, Denver East, with only one starter from a year ago, won in front of the Jaguars’ usually large and boisterous crowd.
“They were tough,” Angels coach Rudy Carey of Rock Canyon. “They have a rowdy crowd, but our kids were tough and did what they had to do.”
The Angels ran to a 28-12 halftime lead. Senior guard Brian Carey led Denver East with 25 points and was 16-of-18 at the free-throw line. Jordan Willis contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Carey also cited Wesley Ogsbury’s defense, saying a lot of Rock Canyon’s late scoring was “insignificant.” The Jags had a 38-point fourth quarter to make the final score close.
Elsewhere, it was a reasonably predictable round, with mostly better seeds moving.
In Aurora, Garrett Turner had 17 points, including 12-of-15 free throws, to lead Boulder (19-6) over Cherokee Trail.
Also in Aurora, point guard Reggie Gibson went for 24 points as Overland, a No. 1 seed, used a big third quarter to run past Castle View in a 71-50 victory. Junior De’Ron Davis added 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Overland is 19-5.
In Centennial, Eaglecrest, the champion two seasons ago, dispatched of Heritage by 68-46. The Raptors are 19-5.
In Parker, Spencer Sheaman went for 21 points and six rebounds in Chaparral’s 51-32 victory over Mountain Range. The Wolverines are 17-7.
In Highlands Ranch, it was low scoring, but ThunderRidge will take it. Behind Noah Szilagyi’s 17 points, the Grizzlies used a 20-4 scoring edge in the fourth quarter to finally handle Horizon 46-35. ThunderRidge is 21-3.
In the third of four matchups in Aurora, Regis Jesuit received 25 points and seven rebounds in a 66-50 victory over nearby Grandview. The Raiders are 22-2.
In Parker, it was close — Legend finally slipped past Columbine 59-57. The Titans are 18-6.
In Fort Collins, Ryan Quaid had 19 points and five rebounds in Fossil Ridge’s 64-52 decision of Arvada West. The SaberCats improved to 18-6.
Also in Fort Collins, the Warriors of Montbello handled the host Lambkins 45-42. Montbello is 18-7.
In the city, emerging George Washington exploded for a 29-9 lead in the first quarter on the way to taking out Cherry Creek 90-75. The Patriots are 15-9.
Out west, Grand Junction won 68-57 over visiting Northglenn. The Tigers moved to 18-6.
In Colorado Springs, Donovan Oldham had 17 points and 14 rebounds as Rampart beat Lakewood 61-44. The Rams are 18-6.
And in Littleton, Mason Grothuesmann and Cody Pittman each had 14 points in Dakota Ridge’s 55-48 victory over Abraham Lincoln. The Eagles are 22-2.
Sweet 16 matchups at home sites on Wednesday:
Grand Junction at Overland
Montbello at Mountain Vista
Boulder at Regis Jesuit
Denver East at Rangeview
Fossil Ridge at Eaglecrest
George Washington at Legend
Rampart at ThunderRidge
Chaparral at Dakota Ridge
