LINCOLN, Neb. – This summer, two Colorado high school coaching legends will see their names etched in eternity.

Duane Lewis (Alamosa/Alameda) and John Hancock (Mullen) will be inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Hall of Fame, July 28, in Lincoln, Neb.

“I never had a clue something like that would ever happen, so it’s pretty cool,” Lewis said. “It’s like a dream come true. I never really considered it and I’ve just been rolling right along. But it’s a real honor and a real great group to be a part of.”

“I’m very proud to be included,” Hancock stated. “It reflects not only on Mullen, but also the type of athletes and coaches I had the pleasure of working with. If I’m being honored, then they are being honored too.”

Lewis began his coaching career at Alamosa in 1967, and proceeded to coach there for nine seasons, racking up a career record of 121-63 competing at 3A (the highest classification at the time). Part of that run included four league titles, three state tournament appearances, as well as him being named the league coach of the year four times.

He then matriculated to Alameda from 1977-1991, where his teams went 207-114. He won three league championships and finished second four times in a 12-team league, the largest at the time in the state. Four times he was named coach of the year.

In all, he compiled a career record of 328-177 for a winning percentage of .650 in 24 seasons. He was an eight-time coach of the year, eight-time league champion, 11-time district finalist and qualified for 10 state tournaments.

In addition, he coached boys golf, winning two league championships and being named coach of the year in 1974 at Alamosa. At Alameda he coached boys and girls in golf, the boys for 18 years and the girls 10. His boys teams won two league championships.

Hancock was the head boys and girls track and field coach for 33 years at Mullen. He led the boys team to 11 state titles, and the women to one. He also helped the Mustangs to 20 regional championships and seven Centennial League conference titles.

This won’t be Hancock’s first national recognition, as he was named the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) track coach of the year in 2013. He was also one of the finalists for the NHSACA track coach of the year awards in 2002 and 2008.

In total, Hancock coached at the prep ranks for 38 years, which included 31 years as an assistant coach for football at Bear Creak, Arvada West, Lakewood, Evergreen, and Mullen. He helped Lakewood to a state runner-up finish in 1979, and Mullen to a state championship in 1998.

(Steve Abeyta)

Cherry Creek standout Julian Hammond is adding some hardware to his personal trophy case as he has been named the boys basketball player of the year by Gatorade.

Hammond has been a standout in so many ways for the Bruins and not just on the basketball court. As the starting quarterback, he led Cherry Creek to back-to-back Class 5A football championships. He was hoping to follow suit this year on the basketball court, but the Bruins lost in the 5A semifinals.

Still, he had a fantastic season. He averaged 22.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. For his career, he scored 19.4 points and pulled down 5.6 rebounds per game. He also dished out three assists.

He scored a career-high 39 points on March 6, 2021 in a win over Eaglecrest.

“Julian displays major versatility and leadership,” ESPN National Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi said in a release. “His length can aid him on the defensive end of the court both on and away from the ball. He scores with opportunity and is a productive winning player.”

Hammond has played a role in the development of youth sports as he has spent time volunteering as a youth football and basketball coach.

His play on the court and his character helped him land a scholarship to the University of Colorado where he will play for Tad Boyle.

Hammond is the third Cherry Creek athlete to be honored by Gatorade this year. Parker Wolfe claimed the boys cross country award – and later went on to win national runner of the year – and Riley Stewart won the girls cross country honor.

Hammond will be sorely missed for the Bruins as he graduated scoring over 1,400 points. He also shot 49 percent from the floor for his career.

(Scott Gerrard)

The last year of high school athletics has been a mixed bag of emotions. Seasons were postponed and the calendars were adjust as necessary as administrators and coaches were tasked with trudging the waters of an unprecedented global catastrophe.

But kids are resilient and a lot of the athletes around the state took the chance to expand their competitive nature and participate in as many sports as possible.

Strasburg’s Garrett Gerrard was one of them. The onslaught of COVID-19 gave Gerrard the opportunity to compete in new situations and gave him a chance to contribute to high school athletics in a way that is dear to his heart, all after he had been diagnosed with Type I Diabetes.

Gerrard’s mother passed away when he was just two years old, but he’s known his entire life that that she a had a big passion for helping those with special needs. She was involved in the Special Olympics when their family lived in Hawaii. That desire appeared to be hereditary as Gerrard jumped at the chance to help the Strasburg unified bowling team when the season began earlier this year.

“It wasn’t something I was planning on doing from the start,” Gerrard said. “I was planning on taking the chance to just lift weights after school. But from prior experience that I had with special needs children, I just thought back to that and realized it was something I wanted to do.”

His prior experience was working with a special needs baseball camp. He found immense pride in helping the kids find joy in the game and realized it was an experience that he wanted to continue when the opportunity to compete with the unified bowling team.

And he was naturally going to compete wherever he could. He was facing a personal challenge through it all as he got his diabetes diagnosis in his junior rear, right when the pandemic was starting to hit the United States.

“It was in February, right after basketball,” he said. “I didn’t want being a diabetic to be an excuse to not do anything.”

So he powered on and competed in five sports throughout the year.

(Scott Gerrard)

When football was initially pushed back to Season C in August, Gerrard found himself getting recruited to pick up the golf clubs and join the team on the links.

“Because I didn’t have football, it was my first and only chance to play high school golf,” he said. “I took it and I ended up competing at regionals.”

He didn’t quite qualify for the Class 3A state tournament at Dos Rios in Gunnison, but as luck would have it, the timing worked out well. At the time, COVID numbers had dipped and the CHSAA staff advocated for football to be moved back to the fall.

Gerrard jumped back onto the gridiron and was there when Strasburg advanced to the 1A title game against Limon. From there he went out for basketball. Strasburg made it to the 3A state tournament, but lost to Faith Christian in the first round.

He helped the unified bowling team advance to regionals and then as the weather got (somewhat) better, he was out for the baseball team. He plans on sticking with baseball through the duration of the spring, despite graduating from Strasburg earlier this month.

“It’d be hard to throw away an opportunity at my last chance to play a sport that I’ve played since I was four years old,” Garrett said. “I wanted to embrace my final chance to play one of the sports that I love.”

That’s the epitome of his high school experience his senior year. Despite the challenges thrown his way from COVID, he was there every step of the way for his school and his teammates. And he’ll have a story to tell years down the road when recollecting his high school experience.

“It’ll be a pretty big one,” Garrett said. “One, for having played five sports in one year and also for making it through a pandemic where we weren’t in school every day. I wasn’t able to build that camaraderie with my teammates when I wasn’t sitting in the classroom with them.”

But the kids all did okay. And Garrett has a senior year experience that he’ll never forget.

(Scott Gerrard)

The 2020-21 all-state boys basketball teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a vote of coaches.

A specific player of the year vote was held in each class, as was a vote for coach of the year.

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Class 5A

(Steve Abeyta)

Player of the year: Julian Hammond III, Cherry Creek

Coach of the year: Joe Ortiz, ThunderRidge

Honorable mention:

• Zach Akin, Ralston Valley, Junior
• Andres Arellano, Gateway, Senior
• Drake Arthur, Boulder, SG, Senior
• Tyce Baldwin, Fossil Ridge, Senior
• Michael Bennett, Lakewood, Senior
• Braden Boley, Chaparral, PG/SG, Senior
• Sam Carlson, Monarch, SG, Senior
• Jaylen Carrizales, Vista Peak Prep, Senior
• Dylan Carter, Chatfield, G, Senior
• Gino Corridori, Dakota Ridge, PF/C, Senior
• Quis Davis, Denver East, PG,
• Tyler Edwards, Rampart, SG, Senior
• Sean Evans, Legend, PG/W, Senior
• Gianno Flores, Far Northeast Warriors, Senior
• Jaiden Flowers, Palmer, G, Junior
• Colton Gillingham, Greeley West, SG, Senior
• Jaeton Hackley, Douglas County, PG, Junior
• Xavier Harris, Horizon, PG, Junior
• DeAngelo Horn, Rock Canyon, F/G, Senior
• Zach Keller, ThunderRidge, C/PF, Junior
• Aidan Kuhl, Rocky Mountain, SG, Junior
• AJ Kula, Valor Christian, PG/SG/W, Senior
• Taveon Long, Hinkley, Junior
• Silas McCurnin, Poudre, PG/SG, Sophomore
• Jordan McKay, Liberty, F/G, Junior
• Kevin McMahon, Broomfield, Senior
• Damajio Merritt, Rangeview, W, Senior
• Amondo Miller, Valor Christian, SG/PG, Senior
• Brock Mishak, Fossil Ridge, Junior
• Devin Philio, Rangeview, PF, Senior
• Gavin Poxson, Legacy, SG, Senior
• Zack Rakowsky, Loveland, PG, Senior
• Schafer Reichart, Doherty, G, Senior
• Garrett Rogers, Columbine, G, Senior
• Cole Savage, Fruita Monument, SF, Senior
• Andrew Scott, Silver Creek, SG/SF, Junior
• Jason Simental, ThunderRidge, SG, Senior
• Joel Speckman, Chaparral, C/PF/SF, Junior
• Blakeley Stoughton, Regis Jesuit, SF, Senior
• Curtis Stovall III, Vista Peak Prep, Senior
• Isaiah Thompson, Fountain-Fort Carson, PF, Senior
• Jordan Whitaker, Smoky Hill, G, Senior
• Michael Wolf, Regis Jesuit, SG/PG, Senior
• Jameel Wright, Overland, PG/SG/G, Senior

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Class 4A

(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

Player of the year: Elijah Knudsen, Mead

Coach of the year: Darin Reese, Mead

Honorable mention:

• Ty Adam, Severance, PF/C, Sophomore
• Maurice Austin, Pueblo South, Freshman
• Mason Black, Falcon, G/F, Junior
• Blaine Butler, Grand Junction, Senior
• Rayzel Cunningham, Coronado, G, Junior
• Aliou Diallo, Golden, Sophomore
• Kahli Dotison, Harrison, PG/SG, Senior
• Izayah Elize, Frederick, PG/SG, Senior
• Anthony Flint, Durango, G, Junior
• Khafre Garrett-Mills, Aurora Central, PG/SG/G, Sophomore
• Kobe Greene, Windsor, Senior
• Kayan Hargrave, Erie, SF, Junior
• Jaxson Herring, Pueblo East, C/SF, Senior
• Travis Kautz, The Classical Academy, PF, Senior
• Jaden Kennis, Windsor, SG/SF, Senior
• Luke Kjellsen, D’Evelyn, SG, Senior
• Jakob Kreissig, Steamboat Springs, SG/SF, Senior
• Griffin Lauritano, Evergreen, SF/SG, Senior
• Kevin Loy, Erie, SF, Senior
• Donovan Maestas, Palisade, G, Junior
• Westin Miller, Wheat Ridge, G/PG, Senior
• Said Mobasher, Thomas Jefferson, G, Junior
• Jaromy Morgan, Thompson Valley, SF/SG, Senior
• Konner Morgan, Sand Creek, C/PF, Senior
• Tyler Nakos, Summit, W, Senior
• Seth Newton, Canon City, PG/SG, Senior
• Keegan Patterson, Longmont, W/G/PG, Junior
• Austin Peterson, Green Mountain, SG/PG, Senior
• Eric Pollert, Steamboat Springs, PF, Senior
• Trey Reese, Montrose, PG, Junior
• Adonis Reynolds, Pueblo Central, PG/SG, Senior
• Tido Ruiz, Rifle, Senior
• Jackson Ward, Holy Family, F, Junior
• Colin Westfall, Lewis-Palmer, PG/SG, Senior
• Kavon Williams, Aurora Central, SF/W/G, Senior

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Class 3A

(Steve Abeyta)

Player of the year: Baye Fall, Lutheran

Coach of the year: Bill Brandsma, Lutheran

Honorable mention:

• Martin Askenazi, DSST: Montview, SG, Junior
• Duke Benson, Kent Denver, SF, Junior
• Jase Bessire, Highland, G, Senior
• Tayt Chacon, University, G, Junior
• Kacey Chandler, Bayfield, Senior
• Sonny Ciccarelli, Woodland Park, G, Sophomore
• Mason Claunch, Centauri, Junior
• Moises Contreras, Coal Ridge, Senior
• Elliott Cravitz, Colorado Academy, G, Junior
• Nathan Davies, Colorado Springs Christian, Sophomore
• Giovanni Durst, DSST: Green Valley Ranch, Sophomore
• Cash Garcia, DSST: Byers, G, Junior
• Emilio Garcia, Grand Valley, PG/SG, Junior
• Azar Ghezae, DSST: Conservatory Green, PG/G, Freshman
• Myles Godina, Salida, Senior
• Scott Grable, Eaton, G, Senior
• Nate Gravagno, Englewood, SF/SG, Senior
• Andrew Herrera, Coal Ridge, Senior
• Rudy Higgins, Bennett, G, Senior
• Ethan Hill, Estes Park, Senior
• Cesar Hinojos, Brush, C/F, Junior
• Seth Holestine, Middle Park, SG/SF, Junior
• Aidan Hulbert, Gunnison, Senior
• Alex Jaquez, Roaring Fork, PG/SF, Senior
• Trent Johnston, La Junta, Junior
• Braden Korpela, Aspen, Junior
• Shae Korpela, Aspen, Junior
• Graham Kroll, Faith Christian, SG/PG, Senior
• Ryan Lair-Douchinsky, The Vanguard School, Senior
• Mitch Lewis, Pagosa Springs, PF/SF,
• Abel Maes, Manual, Senior
• Ethan Maze, William Smith, SF/W, Senior
• Robert McClinton Jr., The Pinnacle, PG, Sophomore
• Dylan Mendoza, Alamosa, SG, Senior
• Alan MIranda, DSST: College View, SG/SF, Senior
• Kaleb Mondragon, Ellicott, F, Junior
• Wish Moore, Basalt, Junior
• Tucker Myers, Sterling, Senior
• Josiah Navarro, Arrupe Jesuit, Junior
• Cole Reavis, Buena Vista, PG, Junior
• Collin Russell, Strasburg, G, Senior
• Wade Shields, Resurrection Christian, SG/PG, Senior
• Caleb Stockton, Colorado Springs Christian, Senior
• Melvin Taylor, Bruce Randolph, C/F/PG, Senior
• Uziel Tomita, DSST: College View, PG/SG, Senior
• Tyler Vergara, Banning Lewis Academy, G, Senior
• Will Yebio, Bishop Machebeuf, Junior

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Class 2A

(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

Player of the year: Junior Arambula, Wray

Coach of the year: Karson Kuntz, Wray

Honorable mention:

• Gage Basey, Lyons, F/SF, Junior
• Ben Buhler, Denver Christian, SG/SF/PG, Junior
• Logan Cestone, Del Norte, SF, Senior
• Wesley Curtis, Custer County, Senior
• Bryce Finn, Ignacio, P, Senior
• Liam Frentress, Hayden, Senior
• Hunter Gotschall, Calhan, SG/PG, Sophomore
• Tristin Greenhagen, Custer County, Senior
• Trey Hines, Limon, Junior
• Ethan Johnson, Holyoke, SG/PG, Junior
• Jed Kirby, Soroco, Junior
• AJ Lashley, Peyton, PG, Junior
• Ben McCurdy, Colorado Springs School, G, Senior
• Terrance McNeil, Crowley County, Junior
• Brennen Meyers, Peyton, SG, Senior
• Gavin Miller, Peyton, G, Senior
• Tucker Mills, Lyons, SG/PG/SF, Sophomore
• Cade Morton, Yuma, G, Senior
• Tyrese Otero, Monte Vista, SF/PG/SG, Senior
• Brigden Parker, Holly, Senior
• Ben Parra, Del Norte, PG, Sophomore
• Ryan Phelan, Meeker, Senior
• Colby Roberts, Swallows Charter Academy, Senior
• Leo Rothenberg, Vail Christian, SF/SG/PG, Junior
• Seattle Schuessler, Clear Creek, Senior
• Trey Summers, Union Colony Prep, PG/SG, Senior
• Kory Tacha, Limon, Senior
• Izaiah Tapia, Rocky Ford, C, Sophomore
• Gabe Tucson, Ignacio, PG, Junior
• Michael Valdez, Rye, Senior
• Henry VanDenBerg, Denver Christian, PF/C, Senior
• Erik Wasinger, Crested Butte, Junior
• Dylan Windorski, Lake County, Senior
• Devin Yarde, Vail Mountain, G, Senior

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Class 1A

(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

Player of the year: Assane Diop, Belleview Christian

Coach of the year: Tim Owen, Belleview Christian

Honorable mention:

• Jonathon Abshear, Caprock Academy, Junior
• Jhett Alapia, Elbert, F, Senior
• Damien Barnes, Eads, Senior
• Isiah Chairez, Sierra Grande, PF/SF, Junior
• Kade Comstock, Fleming, G, Senior
• Antonio Cordova, Primero, P/C/F, Senior
• Josh Duran, Antonito, Senior
• Kevin Enriquez, Sangre de Cristo, G/F, Senior
• Yahir Enriquez, Idalia, SG, Junior
• Sullivan Farmer, Kit Carson, SG/PG, Senior
• Braylen Feather, Fleming, G, Sophomore
• John Hainer, Granada, C, Sophomore
• Kade Hankins, Dove Creek, Sophomore
• Braeden Harris, Cheraw, G, Sophomore
• Preston Hernandez, Cheyenne Wells, Senior
• Nolan Hill, Peetz, Senior
• Michael Kim, Evangelical Christian, G, Sophomore
• Owen Knode, Haxtun, Junior
• Jonathan Kochavi, Denver Jewish Day, SF, Senior
• Bradon Krise, Briggsdale, Junior
• Fisher Leggitt, Creede, Senior
• Jackson Leo, Ouray, SG/PG, Senior
• Coletin Mazerall, Simla, Senior
• Will McHenry, Denver Waldorf, G/F, Junior
• Ethan Moore, Pikes Peak Christian, Senior
• Tristin Niccoli, Arickaree/Woodlin, Senior
• Noah Robinson, Primero, G/SG/PG, Senior
• Darian Schaller, Springfield, PG/SG, Senior
• Nick Schroeder, Hi-Plains, G/W/F, Senior
• Colby Simmons, Genoa-Hugo/Karval, Junior
• Daniel Spinu, Caprock Academy, Senior
• Ryan Tempel, Haxtun, Senior
• RJ Wagner, Evangelical Christian, F, Junior
• Dustin Wenz, Kiowa, SG, Senior
• Logan Wingfield, De Beque, Junior
• Tyler Wytulka, Nucla, Senior

LAKEWOOD — Valor Christian senior Amondo Miller’s final dunk finished off a fun night Thursday at the Gold Crown Fieldhouse.

The Blue squad took a 130-124 victory in the boys’ Jeffco High School Senior Basketball Game. The annual game featuring the top seniors in the Class 5A and 4A Jeffco Leagues didn’t take place last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While dunks and optional defense was in full force, the 3-point shooting was particularly sharp by the co-MVPs. Columbine senior Garrett Rogers and Wheat Ridge senior Westin Miller poured in seven 3-pointers each to lead both of their teams in scoring.

Valor senior Amondo Miller goes up for a dunk Thursday night. Miller had 25 points for in the Blue’s 130-124 victory. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“I was just shooting and having a good time,” said Rogers, who had a game-high 29 points. “I appreciate Gold Crown for putting this on. It was amazing.”

The Blue squad actually trailed 97-91 heading into the final 10-minute quarter. However, the Blue team scored 39 points in the final quarter to win going away. Green Mountain senior Austin Peterson got hot from 3-point range hitting a trio from long range in the final quarter.

Valor’s Miller and AJ Kula combined for 14 points in the final quarter and Rogers canned a pair of 3-pointers for good measure to pull out the come-from-behind victory.

“It was just really fun playing with all the guys. You play them during league and you know them because of club,” Rogers said. “It is always a great time getting out there and playing together.”

Wheat Ridge senior Westin Miller watches the ball after releasing a 3-pointer Thursday night. Miller had seven 3-pointers on his way to MVP honors for the White squad. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Wheat Ridge’s Miller started the game off with a 3-pointer in the opening seconds. The Farmer has being getting ready for the upcoming high school baseball season, but getting one last chance on the hardwood with fellow Wheat Ridge teammate Dominic Cross was special.

“It was awesome. I got to play one more basketball game,” said Miller, who has signed to play baseball next school year at Regis University. “I’ve been practicing baseball, so it was nice to get back out on the court. Most of us are competitors, but when it comes to this they are your teammates now.”

There were more than 40 3-pointers made in the game. Almost every time down the court it was either a bomb from long range or a driving dunk.

“It was a good shooting night for both of us,” Miller said of him and Rogers combining for 14 3-pointers. “I had no idea who he was at first, but he was ripping every shot he took.”

Green Mountain senior Austin Peterson tries to beat Evergreen senior Griffin Lauritano (13) off the dribble Thursday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Lakewood’s Michael Bennett, Dakota Ridge’s Gino Corridori, Bear Creek’s Liam Franks, Evergreen’s Griffin Lauritano and Jared Stiller, Cross along with Westin Miller were all in double-digits for the White squad coached by Evergreen’s boys basketball coach Jeff Dolan.

Rogers and Amondo Miller combined for over 50 points. Ralston Valley’s Blake Butvidas, D’Evelyn’s Luke Kjellsen, Kula and Peterson all reach double-digit points for the victorious Blue team.

It marked the end of the prep basketball season in Jeffco that had its challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It shows how much we have progressed through this tough time,” Rogers said of having the game return to close out the basketball season.

Columbine senior Garrett Rogers was the leading scorer pouring in 29 points, including seven 3-pointers, during the boys’ Jeffco High School Senior Basketball Game on Thursday night at the Gold Crown Fieldhouse. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

COLORADO SPRINGS — Mead felt like it had all the necessary tools to capture a boys basketball state championship. Then at the oddest time, life decided to throw a curveball. Nick Basson, the third leading scorer for the Mavericks, suffered a stroke.

He was loaded onto Flight for Life and taken to Children’s Hospital in Aurora. Just over a week later, he sat on the bench to watch his teammates battle to a 68-44 win over Montrose to capture the Class 4A boys basketball championship, the first for the team since 1957.

“It was just over a week ago that this happened with Nick and this team is just so connected,” coach Darin Reese said. “To get the news of Nick, it was shocking to everyone and it’s still hard to believe. It made us tighter after we found out that he was going to be ok.”

It also gave the team an emotional boost that they sustained all the way through the postseason. And they walked onto the floor of the Broadmoor World Arena, each player donned a warmup shirt with No. 1 and “Basson” on the back, keeping their teammate — a teammate they would’ve loved to have on the floor — on their mind.

But the game had to go one. Elijah Knudsen was electric in the first quarter, scoring 13 of the Mavericks (15-3 overall) 21 points in the quarter.

“He’s gotten so good at understanding what a good (shot) is and when to get his teammates involved,” Reese said. “When he hits one or two, you want to give him a little bit of space because he can get going.”

More photos. (Paul DiSalvo/PaulDiSalvo.com)

Montrose (18-1) found their footing in the second quarter and closed the Mead lead to just four points at halftime, but the Mavericks turned the jets back on in the third and never looked back.

Despite not having JP Shiers on the floor for much of the second and third quarters because of foul trouble, Mead was able to play at their pace and continue to knock down open shots.

“I enjoy doing that,” Knudsen said. “But definitely my teammates are a bunch of help. Marcus Santiago, our senior, we don’t win this game if he doesn’t show up the way he did tonight.”

Knudsen led all scorers with 30 points and Santiago had 18. Ashden Oberg led Montrose with 17.

Once the Mavericks had the lead and they knew the emotional implications that would come with a win, there was no choice but to finish the game strong. What made the quest all the more important was that Basson was able to be on the bench, actively rooting for his guys as if he was sitting out for a sprained ankle.

“I actually got to go and surprise the guys at practice (last week),” Basson said. “Seeing the Final 4 was great and being able to come down here and be a part of this, it was exciting. It was fun.”

More photos. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

More photos. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

COLORADO SPRINGS — Five championships were claimed at the second day of the state boys and girls basketball finals at the Broadmoor World Arena.

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1A girls: Flatirons Academy vs. Fleming

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(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

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1A boys: Belleview Christian vs. De Beque

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(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

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4A girls: Mullen vs. Windsor

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(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

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4A boys: Mead vs. Montrose

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(Paul DiSalvo/PaulDiSalvo.com)

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5A girls: Valor Christian vs. Regis Jesuit

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(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

COLORADO SPRINGS — Five championships were claimed at the first day of the state boys and girls basketball finals at the Broadmoor World Arena.

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2A Girls: Limon vs. Wray

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(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

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2A Boys: Wray vs. Limon

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(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

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3A Girls: Platte Valley vs. Lutheran

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(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

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3A Boys: Lutheran vs. St. Mary’s

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(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

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5A Boys: ThunderRidge vs. George Washingtons

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(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

COLORADO SPRINGS — St. Mary’s typically operates that a pace that would make a coyote-evading road runner jealous. So in order to capture the Class 3A boys basketball state championship, Lutheran had to slow down the Pirates and limit the damage that junior Sam Howery could do.

With plenty of options at his disposal, coach Bill Brandsma opted for perhaps the most unconventional. He called on 6-foot-11 center Baye Fall to take on the Pirates’ sharpshooting point guard.

The gamble paid off.

Howery held well below his season average as the Lions (16-1 overall) beat the top-seeded Pirates 72-56 to capture the 3A boys basketball championship.

“I respected him, knowing that he’s a good player and he can get it going,” Fall said. (I had to) be aggressive against him, not let him catch the ball at times and just guard him full.

Fall scored 12 points and was one of four Lions to score in double figures, but his ability to slow down Howery’s production will go down as a big reason why they were able to clutch that gold trophy.

“Baye moves like a big-time DI athlete,” Brandsma said. “The speed doesn’t bother him but the length bothers the guard.”

More photos. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

Lutheran held a 15-12 lead after the first quarter but St. Mary’s (16-1) rallied to take a 27-24 lead at the half. The second quarter moved at a pace that St. Mary’s was much more comfortable with and the Lions knew that they had to make some changes in the second half.

“We had to control tempo and not turn the ball over and we didn’t do a good job of that in the first half,” Brandsma said. “They went on their runs because we let them dictate tempo so for us to get down and come back and own the tempo was good for us.”

Tommy Apodaca and Sam Hoops paced the Lions, scoring 22 and 12 points, respectively brought the leadership from the guard position that Brandsma needed his team to rely on. Mamadou Sow was also a big-time factor with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Sow, Hoops and Fall all recorded double-doubles for the Lions providing the balance needed to win the state title.

“(St. Mary’s) had balance and with so many things going on, we needed guys who could finish at the rim,” Brandsma said. “We needed guys to knock down their free throws and that’s what we got.”

Luke Stockelman scored 11 of his 17 points in the first half when St. Mary’s took the lead. Howery led the Pirates with 20.

This is the fourth boys basketball championship for Lutheran and the first since the Denver Lutheran the Lutheran Parker campuses merged to form one school. The last state title came in 2011 when the then-split schools met for the 2A title. Denver Lutheran won 61-48.

Lutheran last played in the 2018 championship game, but lost to Bayfield 68-57.

The search for the first boys basketball title for St. Mary’s will have to continue. This was the first state title game in school history for the Pirates. They averaged nearly 90 points per game during the season before Lutheran held them to just 56.

And the feeling of slowing down a talented, fast-paced team combined with holding a championship trophy was everything the Lions hoped it would be.

“It was the best feeling ever,” Fall said. “This is my first time being a state champion. It’s big. I love Lutheran. I did this for them. My teammates and coaches always got me.”

More photos. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

More photos. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

COLORADO SPRINGS — For nearly 20 years, ThunderRidge has been trying to get back to the top of the mountain. The Grizzlies have had their chances, even coming painstakingly close on one of them.

The fifth attempt turned out to be the charm as they knocked off George Washington 68-59 to claim the Class 5A boys basketball championship at the Broadmoor World Arena.

It’s the first championship for ThunderRidge since the school won back to back titles in 2002 and 2003.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about that,” coach Joe Ortiz said. “I’ve chronologically gone through every year and how they’ve finished several times. I did it today.”

He did it with the weight of the missed opportunities sitting on his shoulder. For the next year when he thinks about the chronological finish, it ends with his guys as the defending state champions.

He knew it was never going to be easy, however. This was the third matchup between the Grizzlies (13-2 overall) and the Patriots (13-4). George came away with the first win and the lesson learned from that one remained fresh in ThunderRidge’s mind at the start of the state title game.

More photos. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

“The first game we just realized they were a physical team,” Jason Simental said. “Nobody could really match up with us before so they were the first team to really put it to us.”

The game plan for the Patriots was pretty simple. Apply pressure and be the more physical group. It worked for the first quarter as the teams were locked in a 16-16 tie, but ThunderRidge clamped down in the second and held George to just four point on one field goal and two free throws.

“It helps playing here to be honest,” Ortiz said. “It’s a bigger court, it’s a bigger feel and in a smaller type of confined area it’s tougher because there’s more pressure. Our big guy Nolan Marld was huge. He’s a mismatch and they’re not going to pressure him with a guard.”

Marld led all scorers with 17 points and Simental added 16. Joey Bilello and Jackson Brennan also scored in double figures, Brennan getting all 11 of his points in the first half. Zach Keller had nine, nearly giving the Grizzlies five players in double figures.

“We have a very balanced team,” Ortiz said.

ThunderRidge last played in the 5A title game in 2015 and lost to Overland 55-42. George Washington made it to back-to-back title games in 2017 and 2018 but lost to Eaglecrest and Grandview, respectively.

Jarmell Johnson and Kijuan Thompson led the Patriots with 10 points each, but the combined effort keeps a state basketball title out of George’s grasp for at least another season.

For ThunderRidge, it’s the culmination of a championship drought that began before anyone on the roster was even born.

“We were on a dry streak but we came here to break it,” Simental said. “We had to do that.”

More photos. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

More photos. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

More photos. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)