A couple thoughts from the Class 4A high school state basketball championships, held on Saturday at the Denver Coliseum. The Evergreen girls and the Longmont boys won titles.
Props to Pueblo South
The Colts came up empty for the second straight year to Evergreen in the 4A girls championship, but props to coach Shannan Lane’s crew for the grit — and sportsmanship — they demonstrated down the stretch of a game controlled by the Cougars from the opening tip.
Pueblo South never gave up in the second half even as the Evergreen lead ballooned to double digits, continuing to scrap for rebounds and fire up shots from long range.
And after the game, the ever-classy Lane had her visibly distraught Colts stay on the floor to watch, and applaud, as Evergreen was presented with the championship trophy.
After all, it could be Pueblo South in that position next year considering it returns the core of junior center Gabi Lucero, junior guard Drea Nelson and sophomore guard Jada Dupree.
Scott dominates for Rangers
In Lewis-Palmer’s 4A title comeback attempt that fell just short, Rangers 6-foot-6 forward Joel Scott once again dominated with 25 points on 13-of-16 from the field in addition to nine rebounds.
Scott poured in 20 of his points in the second half as Lewis-Palmer clawed back from an 18-point Trojans advantage. The junior is the younger brother of former CU standout Josh Scott, who is also a Lewis-Palmer product.
Longmont’s Luke Johnson, who led the Trojans with 23 points, made specific note of Scott’s prowess.
“He’s a big guy and he’s a great player,” Johnson said. “He almost single-handedly let them back into the game. I’m just happy we could fight him off and get the win.”
