BOULDER — Eaglecrest spoiled perfection.
Now, the Raptors are one game away from writing a legacy of their own.
Behind a swarming defensive effort, and big plays down the stretch by superlative junior point guard Colbey Ross, Eaglecrest beat Rangeview 58-55 in Friday night’s first Class 5A state semifinal game, ending the Raiders’ bid for an undefeated season.
The Raptors (25-2) will face Overland in Saturday night’s championship game.
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Rangeview, which finished 26-1, stormed back from a nine-point deficit with 4:47 to go to take a 54-53 lead with two minutes left.
But Ross, who scored 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, made two free throws to put Eaglecrest in front, then made a huge steal on Rangeview’s next possession.
Ross, the leading scorer in the Centennial League this season at 19 points per game, knocked down two more free throws, and the Raptors held on from there.
Rangeview guard Elijah Blake had a look at a would-be tying 3-pointer with seconds left, but it rattled in and out, as did teammate Matthew Johnson’s long-range attempt just before the final buzzer.
“I’m just so happy for my teammates,” Ross said.
Ikenna Ozor added 10 points for the Raptors.
