Top-seeded cruised by No. 12 Golden 85-55 on Friday night at the Denver Coliseum, punching its ticket to a second consecutive Class 4A title game.
Senior Jalen Sanders paced the Eagles (23-4) with 20 points. Senior Kayle Knuckles added 16 points and senior Dylan McCaffrey chipped in 15 in Valor Christian’s third victory over Golden this season.
Valor Christian’s role players also stepped up big, as senior point guard Keisan Crosby diced up the Demons with his court vision while seniors Josh Randle and Austin Remus ran the floor all night for the Eagles.
Golden (19-8) was paced by 18 points from junior Adam Thistlewood, while senior Kayden Sund added 16.
A 17-2 run by Valor Christian in the second quarter put the Eagles in control of the game.
No. 6 Lewis-Palmer 58, No. 2 45. In the second semifinal, the Rangers used deliberate offense and tenacious defense to fend off the Colts down the stretch en route to the 58-45 victory.
Lewis-Palmer’s balanced attack was paced by four scorers in double figures, with seniors Eli Burkett (14), Drew Blomberg (13) and Billy Cook (12) and sophomore Joel Scott (10) all providing consistent scoring down the stretch.
Coach Bill Benton’s team now has won 19 consecutive games as the Rangers chase their fourth title and first since 2013. Valor Christian is in pursuit of the program’s first championship. Saturday’s title game is at 3 p.m. at the Denver Coliseum.
