ThunderRidge held off a balanced Chatfield team on Saturday evening at the Denver Coliseum, as the Grizzlies rode junior Kaison Hammonds’ 30 points en route to a 72-64 Class 5A Great 8 victory.
The No. 2 Grizzlies (24-2) were close with No. 7 Chatfield (24-2) through the first quarter, but the Grizzlies capitalized on a 27-point second quarter to build a 14-point lead by halftime.
Chatfield battled throughout the second half but couldn’t get into an offensive rhythm. Senior forward Mike Vrabel had 19 points to pace the Chargers, who had five players averaging double figures this season but couldn’t find that balance against the Grizzlies.
Senior forward Ryan Holt and sophomore forward Bailey Verk also had big nights in the paint for coach Joe Ortiz and ThunderRidge, which will play No. 3 in the Class 5A Final Four Friday.
ThunderRidge defeated the Patriots 71-61 in non-conference play on Jan. 6.
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SCORE BY QUARTER
Chatfield 12 16 16 20
ThunderRidge 15 27 11 19
