CHSAANow

Category: Champions

  • 2A football: With a torn ACL, Caleb Allen leads Manitou Springs over Flatirons Academy for state title

    PUBELO — Facing 4th down and 12, the pass protection broke down. Manitou Springs quarterback Caleb Allen had to scramble, hoping a receiver could open. His heel got clipped and he thought he was done for but he maintained his balance and hit Davis Mack for a big a first down.

    And Allen did it with a torn ACL in his right knee.

    That play setup a game-tying field goal and after two overtime sessions, the Mustangs beat Flatirons Academy 31-30 and are the Season C Class 2A football champions.

    “Caleb’s just a warrior,” coach Cory Archuleta said. “He tore his ACL late in (Manitou’s regular season finale against Manual) and he’s been a warrior ever since. There was no way he wasn’t going to play in any of these games moving forward. He finished what he started.”

    The Mustangs (7-1 overall) were better for it. They installed some wildcat options – that turned out to be vital in overtime – and relied on athletic trainer Nick Nunley to ensure that Allen was both safe and effective. That proved to be the case when he hit Joah Armour for an 80-yard game-winning touchdown against Buena Vista just to get the Mustangs to the title game.

    “Nunley did a great job of keeping him safe,” Arch added.

    Keeping him safe was vital as the Mustangs needed him for every step of one of the most thrilling football title games in recent memory.

    A big completion from Jacob Dube to Trenton Rowan set the Bison (7-1) up for their first score of the game, but the Manitou defense held firm and the field goal attempt was blocked by Tyler Maloney.

    The Mustangs stalled offensively and the Bison took quick advantage and took a 7-0 lead.

    More photos. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    Manitou tied the game on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Armour, their first of two touchdown connections on the day. But the pass defense for the Mustangs continued to falter as Dube found Rowan for a 32-yard score to put the Bison back on top.

    They had a chance to take major momentum into halftime as Dube scrambled and found a gap that directed him toward the end zone. Manitou linebacker Caden Harris caught him and knocked the ball loose and it rolled through the end zone, giving the ball to the Mustangs on their own 20 yard line. They went into halftime down just seven points rather than 14.

    The Mustangs tied the game in the second half the second touchdown connection from Allen to Armour and the defense appeared to have adjusted from the first half. Until Deverick Dow found a hole and rumbled down the sideline, putting the Bison deep into Manitou territory.

    Facing 3rd and 12, Dube scrambled for the first, getting inside the 10-yard line, but the Mustangs limited the damage to a field goal attempt. Rowan’s kick was good, giving the Bison a 17-14 lead with 2:45 left on the clock.

    Allen got the offense moving with a completion to Ethan Boren, getting the Mustangs into Flatirons Academy territory. Facing 4th and 12, Allen scrambled and found Mack for the first down.

    “He hit my heel and I thought I was going down,” Allen said. “Somehow I stayed on my feet and I was lucky Davis caught it.

    That setup an Isaiah Thomas field goal to tie the game and send it to overtime, where Thomas earn his status as the game’s Most Outstanding Player.

    The Bison scored quick, then Thomas came out in the wildcat and got his team into the end zone where they briefly went over their options.

    “We wanted this game to win,” Thomas said. “But we trust in my leg and obviously the defense was showing up every single play.”

    Thomas added another touchdown run in the second overtime and again the Bison found the end zone quickly. They opted for the 2-point conversion.

    Dube found a gab but Jesse Jorstad made contact to slow him down before Parker Salladay wrapped up his legs and kept him just inches shy of the goal line.

    “We knew it was the last play of the game,” Jorstad said. “Everyone was going 100%, especially on that last play.”

    Through all the celebration, the Mustangs acted in the normal way that champions do. They congratulated their opponents on a hard-fought game. Allen did a much better job of hiding a slight limp with a bad knee than he did hiding his emotions.

    When he talked with his family, they evaluated the risk and the reward of playing for three more games. The reward was more than worth it.

    “I’m so glad I risked it,” Allen said. “This was pretty awesome.”

    More photos. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

  • 3A boys soccer: Colorado Academy tops Frontier Academy to win fifth title

    COLORADO SPRINGS — It just felt like the game was coming to Colorado Academy. That was the case as Nick Maffei scored an early easy goal. He had no idea that he would need another goal, a golden goal, to help the Mustangs come away with the gold.

    Maffei scored again in the second overtime to give his team a 2-1 win over Frontier Academy and the Class 3A boys soccer state championship.

    It’s the first championship for the Mustangs (13-0 overall) since they beat TCA 4-2 back in 2013. And now the seven-year itch has been scratched.

    “It’s hard to put into words how much this means,” coach Gabe Bernstein said. “Way more than for myself but for the school and the program. From how hard these guys worked to how hard my coaching staff worked, it is truly one of the most special moments I’ve had in coaching.”

    Colorado Academy seized momentum early as Maffei got behind the Frontier Academy defense and chipped the ball just by Wolverines keeper Tanner Madden. He positioned himself for a clean shot to give his team the early edge that they held through halftime.

    “There was that feeling that the game was coming to us in the first half,” Maffei said. “We had a lot of opportunities and we didn’t put all of them away. Then the game went on and we got a little more tired.

    And the Wolverines (10-4) took advantage of the fatigue. Madden redeemed himself by booting the ball downfield where Seth Sheppard played it around the defense before drawing Charlie Westfall out of the net and burying his shot into a wide open net.

    “As soon as he hit it, I knew we were in trouble,” Colorado Academy keeper Charlie Westfall said. “I was confident that my center-back would get there, but it was just one mistake and it wasn’t a big deal.”

    Everyone went right back to square one with each team pressing to try and break the tie before time ran out.

    But neither team found a way to put an equalizer into the net before regulation and the game had to be settled in extra time. The Mustangs had a few early opportunities but found their shots missing either wide or high.

    The first 15-minute overtime period went without a goal and the game felt destined for a shootout. But Maffei didn’t want to leave it to chance. He got his golden goal, sending the Colorado Academy crowd into a frenzy.

    “It was a great feeling,” Maffei said. “I had a lot of opportunities tonight so to put that one away felt nice.”

    And among the now five state championships that Colorado Academy has won, this had to be among the most exciting way to bring a trophy home.

    “Golden goals make it really exciting for the fans,” Bernstein said. “It’s not really exciting for the coaches. It’s really nerve racking, but again I’m just excited for our guys.”

    (Brad Cochi)

  • 2A boys soccer: Late goal gives Crested Butte second title in three seasons

    COLORADO SPRINGS — As a middle schooler, Jacob Bernholtz watched as Crested Butte won a state soccer championship. He sat in the stands, vowing to himself that one day he would get to do for his school what he was seeing unfold right in front of him.

    Two years later, he came through on his promise. His goal was the difference as Crested Butte claimed its second Class 2A boys soccer crown in the last three seasons.

    Coming off a 6-0 win in the semifinals, the Titans had to battle with Thomas MacLaren, a Colorado Springs area school, to complete the journey they set out on two months ago. A shift in the season and the uncertainty of what COVID would do to the boys soccer season made things a bit more difficult. But the 2-1 win over the Highlanders was the payoff that the boys were hoping for since the moment the season began in March.

    “I’m just bless to be able to play on this field with this group of guys,” Bernholtz said. “Look at these fans, they drove five hours to be here. Our coaching staff is unbelievable. Look at (head coach Than Acuff), he’s been here for so many years and I love this guy.”

    More photos. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    The early minutes of the game saw two seemingly evenly matched teams trying to capitalized on every opportunity they could get. An early shot from the Titans (10-1-2 overall) was snagged by Highlanders keeper Jeth Fogg, keeping the game scoreless. Each team had a header chance in the first half, but neither capitalized.

    The scoreless tie was broken on a brilliant header from Blue Gardner that shot by the outstretched arms of Fogg.

    “It was great momentum,” Gardner said. “It got us that lead in the first half and helped push us forward.”

    The Highlanders (9-4) got the momentum back in the second half, scoring on a header of their own. Junior Michael Brophy slammed it into the net to score his 20th of the year, but more importantly equalizing the score and keeping their hopes for a first state championship alive.

    “MacLaren came out win a A-plus game in the start of the second half,” Acuff said. “They had us on the ropes and when they scored I realized we were back to a real game again.”

    Right away the Titans had two chances to regain the lead, but just couldn’t get the ball on the net. It wasn’t until the 73rd minute that a centering pass set Bernholtz up for the winning goal. Just a sophomore, he can still recall the day he saw the Titans win a state title and that feeling means as much to him now as it did then.

    “I just remember watching my captain Gabi Marmolejo bang one into the top corner,” he said. “I remember watching that and thinking that I want to get one for my school too.”

    And he did just that. And for a five-hour drive, he gets to enjoy that feeling with his teammates and celebrate a championship with the Crested Butte community.

    (Brad Cochi)

  • 4A boys soccer: Windsor caps undefeated season with first state title

    COLORADO SPRINGS — For over 60 minutes, there was a lot physicality, just very little scoring. That all changed when a flurry in front of the net found the sure foot of Matt Hansen.

    John Burnett, Windsor’s leading scorer, was good for more than a goal per game all season long, but to win the Class 4A boys soccer title, he opted for an assist.  His header sent the ball into the direction of the net where Hansen converted the lone goal of the game, getting a 1-0 win over Denver North. For the first time in school history Windsor is a boys soccer state champion.

    “It is the history of Windsor High School,”Windsor coach Philip Weiser said. “They have drawn the map to greatness. They have drawn the map for everyone who comes after them to get to the top. That’s the definition of greatness.”

    The Wizards (14-0 overall) knew that physicality was going to be a part of their battle at Weidner Field, the home of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

    More photos. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    It was a challenge they were happy to embrace. Each team was dealt mulitple yellow cards and there were will likely be a few score body parts in the coming days. But being handed the state championship trophy in front of a rowdy Windsor crowd made every bump and fall worth it.

    “It’s always worth it,” Burnett said. “You always have to fight for that. No one’s going to give it to you.”

    It was in the second half of the battle that the Wizards were able to break the scoreless tie. A corner kick went right into Burnett’s direction and he fired a header toward the direction of the net. The second touch came from Hansen who put it into the net, unleashing a wave of emotion through the Wizards roster.

    “Happiness, excitement,” Hansen said. “I can’t really explain it, it’s a state final. The first one in school history and it’s good to get our name in the history books.”

    While they played at a fast pace, the Vikings (12-2) could never get settled on the offensive side and generate many great scoring opportunities. Lukas Williams had been solid in net all year, allowing just seven goals heading into the championship game.

    “We don’t really talk too much about the other team, we just talk about us,” Hansen said. “Going into halftime, we just knew we had to tuck in and stay more connected in the middle.”

    This was the first state championship game in school history for the boys soccer team. The Wizards are normally a high-scoring team, averaging 3.7 goals per game heading into Saturday. But in order to make history for the school, all they needed was one.

    “Every time we walk through the gym, there’s an empty spot for a state championship flag,” Burnett said. “We keep saying that is where the flag is going to go. And that’s where it’s going. It’s amazing.

    (Brad Cochi)

  • 5A boys soccer: Mazur’s deep strike gives Fairview first state title

    COLORADO SPRINGS — For the last 60 years, the walls of Fairview have been missing a boys soccer state championship banner. Only once had the Knights gotten the opportunity to get one, but that was 36 years ago and they were on the losing end of a title game against Northglenn.

    Standing in their way this time was a No. 16 seed that had beaten No. 1, No. 8 and No. 4 and looked to cap off one of the most magical runs in Colorado boys soccer history. But it wasn’t meant to be. Sebastien Mazur scored early in the second half and the Knights held on to beat the Bruins 2-0 to claim the Class 5A boys soccer state championship.

    “We know the quality of Cherry Creek,” coach Eric Schuler said. “They did all the work to get to the championship and it wasn’t by accident. They’re unbelievably well-coached, they’re unbelievably talented and they went through murderer’s row to get here.”

    They showed why in the early minutes of the match. They built chances to score and Blake Wellington saved a shot that came from a rebound on a Knox Quarles save. The Bruins (9-5 overall) weren’t going to be an easy team to beat.

    But the Knights (13-0-1) were determined to try.

    In the 13th minute, Jake Milanski ripped a free kick toward the top of the Cherry Creek goal and just over the reach of Quarles, but it also carried just over the crossbar.

    The first 10 minutes of the second half provided the most drama as Cyrus Gulati was taken down in the box, giving the Bruins a penalty kick. Loui took the opportunity but his shot carried high.

    More photos. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    “(I let out) a very big (sigh of relief),” Fairview sophomore keeper Shane Williams said. “I’ve faced a lot of PK’s and it’s not often that they miss so it always feels good when they do.”

    The ensuing Fairview possession was when Mazur found his alley ripped a shot toward the Creek net.It was just his second goal of the season, but it will be one he’ll remember for the rest of his life.

    “”We’re going to have a banner on the wall now,” Mazur said,. “Our names are in Fairview history which is awesome. I feel so proud of my school.”

    Down a goal, the Bruins pressed late in the second half getting two late corner kick opportunities, but neither resulted in a true scoring chance.

    With just under 10 minutes to go, Wellington took a free kick from about 35 yards out that was punched away by Williams who seemed more than up to the task of keeping the Bruins out of his net for the course of 80 minutes.

    “It’s fun because when I started playing here, it was scary,” Williams said. “They’re all big and I had never played against anyone that old. Now that I’ve been here for 10 months, it’s fun.”

    Tristan Hird then added a goal in the 79th minute to push the lead to 2-0 and close the door on Creek’s Cinderella run.

    This was the second appearance in a state soccer championship game for Fairview. The Knights lost 2-1 to Northglenn back in 1984.

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

  • History made as Pueblo East crowned CHSAA’s first Unified Bowling champion

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    ENGLEWOOD — In a setting usually reserved for recreational fun, the Colorado High School Activities Association broke ground on history.

    Across several bowling lanes, competitors from nine schools made a run at a state Unified Bowling championship. Pueblo East might’ve walked away with the first-place trophy, but everyone came away as winners.

    The Eagles scored a total of 431 pins to hold off district rival Pueblo Central, who finished with 389. But loud applause greeted each team who qualified for Friday’s state tournament as awards were handed out. It was a monumental moment in the growth of high school sports in Colorado.

    “This is very beneficial for our athletes,” Eagles coach Levi Martinez said. “It’s about time we get something for the ESS and United program going. These kids deserve it. It’s a great day and it’s amazing everybody here cheering for everybody.”

    They were all certainly competing against each other, but the kids never once celebrated anyone’s misfortune on another lane. It started as a bit of a nerve-racking experience but once the athletes got settled in, it turned into the same atmosphere that the kids have experienced all season long.

    There was only happiness flowing through the AMF Belleview Lanes, no sadness or disappointment.

    “It was a really special experience for me and my teammates,” East’s Diego Anaya said. “The teamwork we had was amazing, so was the compassion and sportsmanship that everyone had for each other. It was a special day today.”

    Anaya, Precious Guerra and Kyle Meyer made up the primary athlete group for the Eagles with Ebony Padilla-Andrews Orlando Trujillo or Miles Chaves serving as alternates. Martinez, Chuck Blagg and Jeremiah Blaha coached the team in their championship run.

    Championships were hardly the primary takeaways for the day. The competition itself will serve as a foundation in which other Unified programs can build on.

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

     

     

     

    “Over the years we have had the opportunity to watch these amazing athletes put it all out there, in exhibition matches and  games,” assistant commissioner Jenn Robert’s-Uhlig said. “This year we were able to have a culminating state event to showcase their talents and crown them with a state title. It was a Monumental occasion. It was a great day for unified athletes and the continual growth of the CHSAA.”

    The season and state tournament was also made possible with the effort of Special Olympics Colorado. The program was instrumental in organizing the event and making every athlete feel like a champion once it was concluded.

    “It’s setting the example that all the students in the building can contribute in sports and leadership,” senior VP of Sports and Unified Schools Chaka Sutton said. “So often the special needs get overlooked and this goes to show that they can accomplish great things for their schools.”

    Both Sutton and Ben Wrubel were recognized for their contributions to the event, but it was seeing the athletes competing that served as the main reward for them.

    They saw history made from the moment warmups began to the time that Pueblo East was crowned state champion. For all the athletes, Friday marked an accomplishment that can never be taken away from them.

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

  • 4A Gymnastics: Elizabeth claims third state title in four years

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    THORNTON — Elizabeth just knew that there was so little margin for error this year. That was evident as The Cardinals found themselves in an extremely close battle with both Palmer Ridge and Niwot for the Class 4A state gymnastics championship.

    But the team put together a clean competition and at nights end, won its third state championship in the last four years. The Cardinals finished with 177.550 points to stay just ahead of Palmer Ridge who finished with 173.175

    “We knew after the first event that we were behind,” Bethany Breikss said. “We had to pull it back together.”

    The girls got refocused and put together a championship worthy effort. Breikss came away with the top performance in the vault, scoring a 9.5 with her teammate Sydney Kissinger right behind her at 9.1.

    Each of them grabbed another top-three finish as Breikss scored a 9.1 on the balance beam and Kissinger score 9.575 on the floor.

    Overall, the Cardinals have five competitors coming back for Saturday’s individual finals as Megan and Madison Montoya and Samantha Davison also placed in the top 12 of preliminary events.

    It was a true team performance that resulted in a team championship.

    “We went through it all as a family,” Kissinger said. “It brought us closer together and it brought home the victory.”

    It was a victory that was initially tough to judge. The dynamic of the meet changed because of COVID-19 protocols, but the girls were both grateful for the chance to compete and willing to do what was needed to claim a third title in four years, even battling through several other teams that were every bit as hungry.

    “I think everybody put in a ton of work,” Elizabeth coach Stacey Folmar said. “Nobody outworked anyone else, but I just can’t even talk about (my team’s) work ethic, their consistency, their commitment to the sport and their commitment to each other.”

    At one point in the meet, it was actually Niwot holding a slim lead, sitting five-one hundredths of a point ahead of the Cardinals in the standings. And that’s when Elizabeth took on the vault.

    Both Breikss and Kissinger had solid first attempts which set the tone for the team. And the results worked themselves out.

    This is the sixth overall team title for Elizabeth and the school is now tied with Niwot and Loveland for the fourth most in state history. It’s a great accolade to boast about, but they didn’t care about it being the sixth title, they just wanted the next one.

    And even after claiming state last year and performing well in their minds, they were still somewhat stunned to the hear the announcement that they were champions once again.

    “I was kind of speechless, quite honestly,” Kissinger said. “I couldn’t believe it happened, but I knew we could do it.”

  • 5A Gymnastics: Overland claims first state title since 2014

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    THORNTON — Six and a half years can be a long wait, but it was worth it in the end. For the first time since the fall of 2014, Overland hoisted the Class 5A gymnastics state championship trophy.

    For four consecutive years, the Trailblazers have come up just short and watched Pomona go home with the gold. But following championship-level performances across the roster, they weren’t going to be denied a championship a sixth time.

    “I have a really big collection of silver trophies,” coach Lisa Sparrow said. “It’s been a long time in the making and these girls have worked incredibly hard. Despite everything with COVID, they have been at the gym and they have been working since they were able to get back into the gym.”

    Mattea Dolan and Mabry Robinson finished as the top two overall individuals which helped them fend off Broomfield. Overland finished the night with 185.325 points while the Eagles finished second with 184.85.

    The feel of the meet was slightly different as the teams went through the rotations together rather than getting mixed up with competitors from other schools. It gave the meet a unique feel and certainly some added benefits in having teammates around to provide that emotional lift.

    And as the meet went on and the Trailblazers continued performing well, that lift just added to the momentum they felt early.

    “With everything going on, we as a team, are very good about being cohesive,” Robinson said. “We’re very good at being together and working together so regardless of the meet situation, we know that we can come together as a team and be at our very best and dominate because we’ve done it before.”

    Dolan put together a great comprehensive meet and finished second in the vault with a score of 9.625. Robinson finished with the best score of the event with 9.65 points meaning both will be back at Thornton High School on Saturday to compete for championships in the individual events.

    But Thursday was all about the team. The girls knew that the individual finalists would take care of themselves and the focus on competing well was to ensure a team championship was coming home. Overall, the Trailblazers had four competitors finish in the top 10. Austin Ivester finished the night with the top score on the beam at 9.575 with teammate Bailey Rodriguez right behind her at 9.525.

    “That team dynamic is really important, especially tonight,” Dolan said. “It’s more that we don’t want to do well for ourself, but we want to do well for the team so that we can fell that we did this as a team.”

    This is the sixth team gymnastics title for Overland, putting the school in a tie for fourth all-time with Loveland and Niwot. Of their six titles, five have been at the 5A level and all five of those have been won since 2009.

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

  • State spirit: Nine champions crowned on final day of competition

    COLORADO SPRINGS — The 2020-21 state spirit championships continued on Friday at the Broadmoor World Arena.

    Competing on the first day are the Co-Ed positions for all classes as well as Class 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A Poms; Jazz and Hip-Hop.

    Find complete results here.

    [divider]

    2A/3A, 4A, 5A Co-Ed

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    Familiar faces walked out of the World Arena with state championship trophies in hadn’t during the early session of the state spirit championships.

    Coal Ridge claimed the 2A/3A Co-Ed Cheer championship for the third straight season. The Titans won the same category back in 2018 and also claimed the championship a year ago.

    Bayfield finished as the runner-up in the category.

    Thompson Valley also repeated as a state champion, claiming the 4A Co-Ed title. The Eagles finished with a score of 82.45, just over two points better than runner-up Falcon.

    Castle View won the 5A title after after a sound performance that netted a score of 86.25.

    Vista Ridge was the runner-up, jumping four spots from their finish last season.

    [divider]

    2A, 3A Poms

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    For the first time in nearly two decades, West Grand is leaving state spirit with championship in hand.

    The Mustangs claimed the 2A Poms title, holding off Hotchkiss by just eight-hundredths of a point. The last time they claimed a championship at state spirit was in 2003 when they took the 2A Poms championship.

    Sanford finished third in the event while Clear Creek finished fourth.

    University kept their pattern of winning every other year intact as the Bulldogs claimed the 3A Poms title. They won the same event in 2016 and 2018. If the COVID-19 pandemic hadn’t pushed state back, this year’s title would’ve been the 2020 championship.

    It’s the fifth overall title for the Bulldogs as they also claimed 3A Cheer in 2015 and 3A Poms in 2007.

    SkyView Academy finished second, Aspen finished third and Grand Valley finished fourth.

    [divider]

    4A and 5A Poms

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    For the second time in the two-day event, Erie is taking home gold. The Tigers won the 4A Poms title to get their first championship is that specific discipline.

    They have two 4A Cheer titles to their name and also won the 2A/3A Co-Ed Cheer championship back in 2007. They are the only team that has won more than one championship in 2021.

    The score of 87.73 was more than a full point better than second-place Evergreen. Roosevelt finished third while Mullen took fourth.

    Rock Canyon took the 5A title with a score of 91.15. It’s the first spirit title since 2016 for the Jaguars, who claimed the 5A Cheer championship. It’s the first Poms title for them since 2008 when they won it in 4A.

    They fended off defending champion Cherry Creek who finished with 90.38 points. Grandview took third place and Ponderosa finished fourth.

    [divider]

    Jazz

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
    Add another one for Mountain Vista. The Golden Eagles put on a championship worth performance and earned the hardware to prove it. They advanced to the Jazz finals after the top preliminary score and rode that momentum to a Jazz state championship, the first since 2018.

    This is the 11th overall spirit championship for Mountain Vista and the fourth Jazz title. They previously won the discipline in 2010, 2015 and 2018.

    The Golden Eagles finished with a score of 86.58. Cherokee Trail finished second while Valor Christian took thrid.

    [divider]

    Hip-Hop

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
    Broomfield’s performance was the final performance of the two-day state spirit championships. And the Eagles certainly saved their best for last.

    After taking third a year ago, Broomfield once again claimed the Hip-Hop state title, capturing their second crown in three years. Their performance netted them a score of 90.80, seven-tenths of a point better than second-place Fruita Monument.

    This is the ninth overall spirit championship for Broomfield and its third state title in the last four years.

    The Wildcats’ runner-up finish is their second in as many years. Fossil Ridge finished third while Horizon took fourth.

  • 4A boys basketball: Mead tops Montrose for emotional state title win

    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.”

    NCAA BASKETBALL: MAR 17 Div I Men's Championship - First Round - Utah at Gozaga
    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.”

    Mead boys basketball
    More photos. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)
    Mead boys basketball
    More photos. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)