Here’s a list of notable performances in Class 5A and Class 4A boys/girls basketball for the week culminating on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Class 5A Boys
No. 3 61, No. 7 52 on Wednesday: In a matchup between two of the classification’s heavyweights, the Buffaloes (4-2) answered the bell again with a balanced attack led by junior Kenny Foster (15 points), sophomore Quinten Rock (15 points) and John Harge (13 points, 10 rebounds) not to mention another dominant performance in the paint by senior William Becker. Senior Jon’il Fugett led the Patriots (4-2) with 18 points.
Doherty 72, 62 on Thursday: The Spartans (4-2) owned the second half en route to victory in Colorado Springs, with junior Alijah Bates (20 points) and senior Joshua Walker (18 points) paving the way for first-year head coach Eric Steinert’s squad. But there’s plenty to like about the Golden Eagles (4-3) as well, for senior captain Connor Staib had 18 points while junior Ben Grusing posted 15 more to headline an offense with an array of weapons.
Class 4A Boys
No. 8 67, Erie 60 on Wednesday: The Raptors (4-0) passed their toughest test yet in the Tigers (4-3) as they showed off their depth with three scorers in double figures. Senior Trent Dykema led with 19 points, while senior Erik Grossaint had 16 and junior Nick Eaton had 15. The 6-foot-7 Grossaint was the key difference inside, finishing with 13 rebounds, while senior Jeffrey Farineau also posted a double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds) for upstart Erie.
No. 1 Lewis-Palmer 79, No. 3 62 on Thursday: The Rangers (6-0) flexed their muscle against the equally talented Colts (6-2) in a non-conference showdown in Monument. Lewis-Palmer junior Matthew Ragsdale went off for 29 points to lead all scorers, while junior Joel Scott added 20 and junior Ethan Forrester and senior Carter Kreischer both finished in double-digits as well. Pueblo South saw its six-point halftime deficit balloon in the third quarter, when the Colts went through a long scoring dry spell.
Class 5A Girls
No. 1 53, No. 2 Grandview 51 on Monday: The meeting between the classification’s top teams did not disappoint, as a pair of clutch free throws from Raiders sophomore Jada Moore with 1.9 seconds to play lifted Regis Jesuit (6-2) over Grandview (3-1). Moore’s free throws gave her a game-high 17 points and capped a 25-point forth quarter for the Raiders in which they erased an 8-point deficit. Junior Alisha Davis led Grandview with 14 points, while senior Leilah Vigil had 10.
Arapahoe 53, Chaparral 45 on Thursday: The Warriors (4-4) got back on track at Sitting Eagle Gymnasium following four consecutive losses to Top 10 opponents, as junior Grace Cadorette paced the Warriors with 14 points and senior Maggie Wortman had 10. The future is bright for the Wolverines (5-2), though, as demonstrated by three underclassmen leading the team in scoring in the loss. Junior Sydney Speights poured in 16 points, junior Mack Maier had 15 and freshman Teja Tsangarakis had 13.
Class 4A Girls
No. 2 Golden 45, Longmont 39 on Thursday: In the opening round of the Longmont Invite, the Trojans (2-4) gave the seasoned Demons (8-0) all they could handle. The senior combination of Riley Bolte (15 points) and Jenna Moore (10) kept Longmont in the game as they unleashed a 22-point fourth quarter in a comeback attempt that fell just short. Meanwhile, senior Makena Prey looked unstoppable for Golden, dropping 26 points and pulling down 16 rebounds as the Demons went on to win the tournament on Saturday.
No. 3 Evergreen 67, Mullen 34 on Friday: After leading the Cougars (6-1) to the state championship last season, junior Claudia Dillon is in even rarer form this year as evidenced by 32 points and a dozen rebounds in the thrashing of the Mustangs (1-6). Her younger sister, sophomore Hayley Dillon, is also a key contributor while seniors Hannah Kennedy and Meriel Hahn provide leadership. Meanwhile it’ll be a steep learning curve for Mullen this season, which is starting multiple freshman including leading scorer Eliana Martinez.
