AURORA — Early December, Denver East superlative guard Brian Carey said, was “a long time ago, a very long time ago.”
He and the previously inexperienced Angels also have come a long way. After Wednesday’s thrilling 84-75 victory at a talented Rangeview, Denver East, the defending Class 5A champion, is one win away from heading to Boulder for another final four.
“It’s all about these kids. They’ve worked hard, and they deserve this,” coach Rudy Carey said after his Angels improved to 16-10 with a Sweet 16 victory that was extra sweet in front of a loud, sellout crowd.
Rangeview, which ended 19-6, was bidding for a fifth consecutive season of at least 20 victories and led by nine points early before the younger Carey, headed to Texas Southern, took over. He scored a game-high 35 points, 16 in the decisive second quarter, when Denver East took a 48-38 halftime lead.
Rangeview got within two points twice in the second half, the last at 77-75 with 1:29 to play, but didn’t score again. The Raiders also had three turnovers over the final 1:01.
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But Carey was the difference. He had a brilliant, over-the-head assist while triple-teamed as he was pinned on the sideline and registered a six-point possession early in the fourth on two layups and two free throws after the Raiders were called for a technical foul. It pushed the Angels’ lead to 70-57.
Jordan Willis (16 points, 16 rebounds) and junior guards Deron Harrell (13 points) and Colorado Academy transfer Jack Buckmelter (12 points, on four 3-pointers) all made assorted plays. Range-view’s Elijah Blake (18 points), Tyrei Randall (17) and Tarren Storey-Way did most of its heavy lifting.
“We want another state title,” Carey said.
Denver East 19 29 16 20 — 84
Rangeview 23 15 19 18 — 75
Denver East — Willis 7 2-3 16, Buckmelter 4 0-0 12, Harrell 4 5-5 13, Carey 9 13-16 35, Potts 3 2-2 8, Myers 0 0-0 0, Dioum 0 0-0 0, Odsbury 0 0-0 0. Totals 27 22-26 84.
Rangeview — Davis 4 0-0 8, Randall 6 2-3 17, Blake 8 0-1 18, Storey-Way 6 4-5 16, Reed 1 0-0 2, Wyatt 3 3-4 9, Hollins 1 0-0 2, Guidry 1 0-0 3. Totals 30 9-13 75.
3-pt. goals — Buckmelter 4, Carey 4; Randall 3, Blake 2, Guidry. Fouled out — Potts. Technical foul — Reed.
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or
