(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

COLORADO SPRINGS — It was over the summer when Arizona State offensive line coach Dave Christensen called Alijah Bates and delivered news that every high school football player hopes to hear.

The Sun Devils had a spot for the senior offensive lineman. The moment seemed surreal. Even on Wednesday when Bates signed his National Letter of Intent, officially joining the ASU program, it still seemed too good to be true.

“It’s crazy,” was all he could say about it.

Bates is a reserved kid. He’s polite and almost comes off as shy. At least when he’s not on the football field. Once he suits up, he’s a force to reckoned with. As Bates posed for pictures with family and friends on Wednesday, Spartans coach Jeff Krumlauf stood at the back of the auditorium at Doherty and reflected on what he had meant to the team and to the school.

“He’s the ultimate protector,” Krumlauf said. “Especially on the offensive side, that’s what he does. He protects what is valuable to him. He’s the same way in his own life with his friends and his family. It’s special to see what this kid has done from the time he was in eighth grade to where he is now and where he is going.”

He’s going the same place his parents went. His dad is Solomon Bates, a former linebacker for the Sun Devils who was named a third-team All-American in 2002.

That’s part of the reason that Alijah’s recruitment to Tempe, and especially the offer, was overwhelming.

Planning way ahead, Bates pulled down the Arizona State jersey from the wall of his bedroom. It was torn in places and just below the right shoulder a Pacific Life Holiday Bowl patch had been sewn on.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

The jersey belonged to Solomon. After Alijah signed his letter, he took off the Arizona State pullover he was wearing and stood on the stage in his father’s jersey. The crowd ate up the moment and Alijah had a smile on his face.

This wasn’t just a big moment for him and his family, it was a big moment for Doherty. It was 13 years ago that Lamarr Houston had signed to the University of Texas. That was the last time a Spartan had signed with a team from one of the Power 5 football conferences.

Houston would eventually achieve the dream of breaking into the NFL. The roadmap was something that appealed to Bates he prepared to venture into the world of college football.

“I would like to get to where he was and make it to the NFL,” Bates said.

Aside from the high school team, the common link between Bates and Houston is the kind of football they play. It was tough for their stats to be pulled up on MaxPreps. They weren’t the ones throwing or catching touchdowns. Houston was the guy going after the guy throwing touchdowns. Bates is the guy who protects him.

Houston and Bates are both hitters and bruisers on the football field and, lately, that seems to be the kind of next-level players the Spartans produce.

“These are the type of kids that go here and play here,” Bates said. “They’re ready to fight and play hard.”

They have to set themselves apart based on what coaches and scouts see from them on the field. It takes more than a stat sheet.

When Krumlauf looks at Bates, he sees several things that set him apart from other players in city and state.

“He’s six-foot-eight,” Krumlauf said. “So he’s tall and that does separate him. It’s just the way he goes about everything in his life on and off the field. He’s very easy going, he’s always having a good time, he does things the right way, he’s never been a problem. He’s great in the classroom and it’s awesome to see when you have all that in front of you and you have all these other distractions, you can stay focused.”

Bates’ focus helped him land at Arizona State. He’s adding to a legacy on multiple fronts. He’ll step on the same campus as his dad and he is the latest Doherty Spartan to head to a big-time football program.

Click here to check out the recruiting database for the Class of 2019.

ARVADA — The numbers tell the story when it comes to how productive Pomona receiver Billy Pospisil was on the football field during his stint with the Panthers.

Washington State University took notice and offered Pospisil a scholarship after his junior season. Pospisil officially became a Cougar on Wednesday morning signing his National Letter of Intent.

“I had no clue this was going to happen when I came in as a freshman. The last four years have just flown by,” Pospisil said. “It feels like just yesterday I was walking into Pomona for the first time. I’m so thankful for where I’m at today. It’s been a great experience.”

The Pospisil Family — Debbie, Billy, Jack and Bill — celebrated with family and friends early Wednesday morning on Billy signing to play receiver at Washington State University. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Over three seasons on varsity, Pospisil racked up numbers that put him in the top-10 all-time in the state of Colorado in career catches (177) and receiving yards (3,116 yards).

“I took full advantage of the opportunity I was given,” Pospisil said of his career numbers. “I got the opportunity to play young and I think I used that experience as a sophomore to really go after it my junior year.”

Pospisil had one of the most historic seasons for a receiver in Colorado during Pomona’s run to the Class 5A football state championship in 2017. He finished with 1,591 yards receiving (3rd all-time for a single-season) and 18 receiving touchdowns his junior year.

His biggest game his junior year came on the biggest stage. Pospisil had nine catches for 189 yards and three touchdowns in the 5A title game at Mile High School against Eaglecrest in a 56-49 victory for the Panthers.

Pomona senior Billy Pospisil signed with the Washington State University where he will join former teammate Max Borghi to play for the Cougars. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“I was always just trying to help the team as best I can,” Pospisil said reflecting on his breakout junior season. “I was a big part of the game plan that year. Obviously it helped having Max (running back Max Borghi) and Ryan (quarterback Ryan Marquez). We went out and did our thing.”

Pomona set the all-time single-season record for total yards in 2017 with 6,362 yards.

Pospisil will join his former teammate — Borghi — at WSU. Borghi has had an impressive season so far as a true-freshman. He has pilled up more than 700 yards from scrimmage and scored 11 touchdowns for the 10-2 Cougars.

“Max had a big part in it,” Pospisil said of WSU recruiting him.

Pospisil will head to San Antonio, TX on Dec. 27 to attend the Valero Alamo Bowl where Washington State faces Iowa State on Dec. 28. He will then move out to Pullman, WA on Jan. 1 and start classes Jan. 7.

“As soon as I committed I asked if I could come out early and get a head start,” Pospisil said of graduating a semester early from Pomona to enroll at Washington State for the Spring of 2019 semester.

Other Division I football signers on Wednesday, Dec. 19, from Jeffco included:

Ralston Valley senior Brad Roberts signed with the Air Force Academy on Wednesday, Dec. 19. (Photo courtesy of Roberts Family)

Brad Roberts, Ralston Valley (Air Force Academy)
Issac Townsend, Ralston Valley (University of Oregon)
Theorius Robison, Pomona (University of Northern Colorado)
David Ross, Pomona (University of Northern Colorado)
Ben Schneider, Ralston Valley (University of Northern Colorado)

This week’s hockey rankings added two new teams: Pine Creek (No. 9) and Mountain Vista (No. 10).

The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, the poll will release each Monday.

Complete rankings are below.

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CHSAANow.com Hockey Poll

Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

First-place votes are in parentheses.

Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Welcome back, hoop fans! The mid-week report was full of action and we saw one of the great performances of the season from Kenny Foster who went for 39 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists in a TRIPLE OVERTIME win for Smoky Hill.

We were reminded by our Twitter followers that it’s time to start the “Ball Fever Chat” back up and Kenny had to be one of our first after a performance like that!

With Foster being a Wyoming commit we better catch up with a CU Buff commit as well! The Fever Crew also took a little time to catch up with Columbine outstanding junior Luke O’Brien.

Let’s see what these ballers had to say about the early season and how Week 3 played out.

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The Look Back

Thursday, Dec. 13

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

• Javonte Johnson continued his incredible early season pace with 25 points, 6 rebounds in Cheyenne Mountain’s 15-point win over Pueblo Centennial in the Pueblo East Coaches Classic tourney.
• How about 25 points for Kaleb Atherly and a 25-point second quarter from the Trojans in A Central’s Ralston Valley Round Up win over Westminster?
• Columbine is beginning to earn votes in our 5A Top 10 poll and a 74-40 win over Grand Junction certainly won’t diminish their chances of busting in! Our Ball Fever “chat” interviewee this week, Luke O’Brien, the picture of consistency again with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals!
• Discovery Canyon joined our 4A poll this week at No. 9 but Palmer made a rude visit to the Thunder’s house winning big on the road led by senior Isaiah Robinson’s 22 point night.
• Top-10 5A action here and some sweet Rangeview highlights here. But not enough for the Raiders on the road at No. 5 Grandview who won at the last second despite Chris Speller and Jodaun Dotson combining for 25 points. Video of junior guard Lian Romero (7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) hitting the game winner here:

@lian_ramiro303 @Coach_Anson @JoleneOfficial1 pic.twitter.com/o7BJtu4c8h

— Jeaneth Villacruel Rasco Ramiro (@jeanethramiro) December 14, 2018

• Three seniors in double figures for Regis in the tight, last second win over George Washington 67-66, led by Daniel Carr’s 28 point, 10 rebound double-double for the Raiders. GW’s super soph Kendale Johnson scored 19 points, with 5 rebounds and 2 steals in the tough loss.
• Fountain-Fort Carson got 23 points, 5 rebounds from Keyshawn Maltbia but not enough as Poudre continues to roll and impress early winning this one late by 1-point.
• Baseball stud Brady Renck poured in 18 points to keep 4A No. 2 Longmont unbeaten with a 5-point win over Glenwood Springs.
• Sand Creek fourth quarter explosion leads the charge vs. the Stallions!
• Conifer “en fuego” from the three point line draining TWELVE from behind the arc ending their losing streak to D’Evelyn. Dennis Pleuss with full story and highlights.

Friday, Dec. 14

(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

• Four players in double figure scoring led to 93 overall points for Fountain-Fort Carson with James Sanders 22 leading all scorers over at the Columbine tournament.
• Arvada West opening eyes and picking up a couple votes in our Top 10 poll continue strong play with the duo of Taylor Kline and Josh Rogers combining for 26 points in the 12-point win at Lakewood.
• Rock Canyon prepping for out-of-state play in Florida and tuned up with Grant Figueroa’s 23 point, 10 rebound double-double effort in the 24-point win over Monarch.
• Mullen goes into Valor in a battle of two top private schools and gets an impressive 70-65. Junior Roger Rosengarten had a strong 21 point 8 rebound effort for the Eagles in the loss. A 24-14 third quarter advantage did the trick for the Mustangs.
• Cameron Dean’s 13 points along with junior star Luke O’Brien’s 23 point, 11 rebound double-double was more than enough for Columbine who handed a hot Poudre team their first loss by 32! We see Columbine has added some fire power in a sophomore name Trevaughn Williams who has missed a lot of time due to injury but looks ready to make his mark.
• Mountain Vista’s strong early play vs. a tough schedule was recognized by our poll and they jumped in at No. 7 in 5A. They definitely showed they belong with a 7-point home win over No. 9 Eaglecrest with Ben Grusing going OFF for 29 points and still found time to hand out 4 assists! Be ready if you find these Eagles on your schedule…
• Overland’s early ultra TOUGH schedule continues! The Fever Crew impressed in person by Hezekiah Swanson, who scored 22 points, and big Ike Graham who added in 13 points as the Trailblazers attempted to take down No. 1 Chaparral but the inside/out tandem of Kobe Sanders and Bryce Matthews combined for 40 points as the top ranked Wolverines held on by 4.
• ThunderRidge, No. 2 in 5A, was busy this night as well with big man Austin Holt scoring 14 along with up and coming soph Noland Marold putting in 13 of his own in the home win over Boulder.
• Carter Sturgeon score 17 points for Arapahoe in the annual battle vs. neighbor Heritage but the Warriors dug an early hole and despite having a great look from “3 point land” that would have won it Heritage gets to storm the court in this one winning 55-53 at home.
• Four players in double figures and another double-digit win as a different senior, Beck Page, led No. 2 Longmont to lopsided win over Littleton with 20 points.
• Top-10 4A action down south and Cheyenne Mountain got physical with Pueblo East.
• Arvada West, 5-1, after defensive effort in preview of new 5A Jeffco

Saturday, Dec. 15

(Jeff Tucker/jefferywtucker.zenfolio.com)

Ball Fever “Chat” with Kenny Foster of Smoky Hill: Fresh off a 39 point, 14 rebound, 8 assist “MONSTA” double-double performance in a triple overtime game the Fever Crew had to catch up with 2019 G Kenny Foster (Wyoming commit) who is also averaging 26 points, 5 assists, 7 rebounds, 1 assists and 1 block per game.

Now that’s consistent “utility knife” style work for a young man who can do a bit of it all for No. 3 Smoky Hill.

Foster says his senior year is “going great” and he is adjusting to his role as senior leader: “It’s a young squad and all these guys are willing to learn and not only challenge themselves but challenge me as well is great experience.”

There’s a ton of pressure on Foster to perform on a high level night in and night out but he’s proven on the CO high school court and in tournaments on the national level that he’s more than capable of stepping up!

On pressure off his back is the decision to attend Wyoming University in the fall: “Choosing between Wyoming, Pepperdine, and UC Davis was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. Three phenomenal staffs but Wyoming felt like the best fit.”

One thing for sure is we found out quickly Foster is confident about what he wants and that’s a basketball future, “The feeling of the team and staff was terrific,” he said. “I believed that Wyoming will give me the best opportunity for basketball beyond college. I trusted my gut and put my faith in God.”

The Fever crew has faith that Foster will continue to be a solid leader for the young Buffaloes and Wyoming has a solid young man coming their way!

Smoky started fast in their Saturday match vs. Valor 21-14 in the first quarter and never relinquished the lead in a tough place to earn road wins, especially by 14!

Ball Fever “Chat” with Luke O’Brien of Columbine: The Fever Crew caught up with the Rebels’ “go-to” guy in junior Luke O’Brien (CU 2020 Commit). In two of the three Columbine Classic wins was his usual “stat-stuffin” self with double-doubles.

O’Brien, who committed to CU Boulder early, said, “I didn’t shoot the 3 well in the Classic but I found other ways to contribute. Our team is finding our groove and defense was great the entire tournament.”

Regarding his new role as a team leader O’Brien points to his genuine love of teammates making the new role easier: “Big step for me but I feel like I’m ready and really earned it. I love my teammates and wouldn’t want to be on any other team.”

About his decision to commit early to the CU Buffs program: “A lot of people thought waiting would have been better, but the CU staff and me being comfortable in the environment made CU a perfect situation for me.”

We get the feeling Luke has some pressure off his shoulders now that college decision is made and he’s focused on “shocking some teams” this year with his current high school mates!

By the way, that’s now FIVE in a row for 5-1 Columbine and they go 3-0 in the 7th annual Columbine Classic.

In other action on Saturday:

• This young man is going to make us sound like a broken record but Javonte Johnson is on an absolute tear early for No. 5 Cheyenne Mountain and he rocked a “stat-stuffin” performance of 39 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal in the 12-point win over Pueblo County.
• No. 2 Longmont finished the trifecta of blow out wins this week 3, this time over Berthoud with all 12 players on the roster getting in on the stat sheet! Balance.
• Fossil Ridge took on the challenge of the Power To Play Challenge and senior Zack Crane’s 24 points, 9 rebounds helped earn the 7-point win over Campbell County out of Gillette Wyoming.
• One of those low scoring Broomfield/Holy Family slug fests but No. 3 Holy Family was able to take the fourth quarter advantage 14-8 winning by that 6-point advantage.
• No. 5 Grandview seems to be playing all close ones lately and the pull off another late in the game by 4 on the road at Doherty.
• Sophomore Julian Hammond now averaging 21 points per game scored his average again and junior Sebastian Cole added 17 in another overtime thriller and Cherry Creek is keeping it very interesting early on! In this one Hammond was double teamed late in OT but found Jake Lafebre who hit the tough 3 to win it!

https://twitter.com/CJLeFebre/status/1074328779374288896

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The Look Ahead

Monday, Dec. 17

• Discovery Canyon vs. Canon City southern action…
• Castle View 7-2 vs. Greeley West 6-1
• Evergreen vs. Conifer
• Bear Creek vs. Liberty
• Tuesday, Dec. 18
• Pueblo West vs. Widefield
• Douglas CO vs. Chatfield
• Arvada West vs. Fossil Ridge both playing well!
• Columbine/Legend, someone has to get loss No. 2…
• Eaglecrest vs. Fairview

Wednesday, Dec. 19

• It’s Tarkanian Classic Time Las Vegas! Grandview & No. 1 Chap both on Day!
• No. 3 Smoky welcomes Regis!
• Longmont & Discovery Canyon in Top 4A Action!
• Lincoln in Tarkanian Classic Vegas action as well…
• Aurora Central/Hinkley A-Town braggin’ rights!

Thursday, Dec. 20

• Overland and Rangeview’s turn to rep in Vegas today! Tark Classic…
• Mountain Vista vs. Vista Ridge
• Doherty vs. Cherokee Trail
• Legend vs. Fairview
• Denver East evening Tark Vegas Action!
• Fossil Ridge/Fort Collins north battle…
• Green Mountain vs. Mullen
• No. 1 Lewis-Palmer vs. Pueblo East!
• Tourney Time: TJ tries Creek!
• T-Ridge traveling vs. Pembroke Florida…
• Rock Canyon vs. power St. Thomas Aquinas, FL action!
• GW gets the Vegas lists late game at Tark Classic…

Friday, Dec. 21

• Good 4A stuff, Pueblo West/Holy Family
• 5A studs Eaglecrest vs. Regis
• Columbine vs. Highlands Ranch!
• Smoky Hill high flyin’ vs. Northglenn
• Cheyenne Mountain vs. Coronado

Saturday, Dec. 22

• 1pm at Vista Peak to see No. 1 Lewis-Palmer “ain’t bad!”
• Tons of tournament action we’ll update via Twitter & CHSAANow.com

So much ball to enjoy from the athletes…how could our focus be anywhere else! Get out and enjoy the final hoops of 2018, folks!

(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Each classification added new teams in this week’s basketball rankings.

The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.

Complete rankings are below.

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CHSAANow.com Boys Basketball Polls

Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

First-place votes are in parentheses.

Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

Regis Jesuit (in 5A) and Air Academy (in 4A) are each now atop their respective polls in this week’s girls basketball rankings.

The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.

Complete rankings are below.

[divider]

CHSAANow.com Girls Basketball Polls

Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

First-place votes are in parentheses.

Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

(JJ Seaward/CHSAANow.com)

We’ve just updated the state football record book with performances through the 2018 season.

Here’s a breakdown of the records that were broken this season:

Team records

• Stratton/Liberty, the 6-man champion, scored 792 points, breaking the record for points by a team, which had been 752 by the 2012 Fleming team. Stratton/Liberty scored more than 60 points eight times, and more than 50 in all 12 of their wins.
• Fairview set the passing record with 4,636 yards, beating the previous record of 4,300 by the 2011 D’Evelyn team. The school record was 4,129, set in 2014.
• Fairview also set the team passing touchdown record with 59. The previous record was 52 (Alamosa in 2006).

Game records

• Peetz and Briggsdale set the combined scoring record on Sept. 29 with 185.

Career records

• Arvada West QB Johnny Krutsch set the career record with 1,242 pass attempts. Former Bear Creek quarterback Justin Holland (1997-2000) held the previous record at 1,081.
• Krutsch also set the career completions record with 723. Bear Creek’s Sean Davis (1992-95) held the previous record at 701.

Season records

• Fairview QB Aidan Atkinson set the single-season record with 55 touchdown passes. The previous record was 52, set by Alamosa’s Clay Garcia.
• Vista PEAK’s Noah Karwacki set the state record for punting average with 50.13 per kick, breaking the previous mark of 47.9, set by Northglenn’s Jack Weil in 1979.

Coaching records

• West Grand’s Chris Brown extended his career coaching wins record, and he now is 337-127 since 1976.
• Kent Denver’s Scott Yates also extended his career record to 332-79.

LITTLETON — In the long run, Columbine’s boys basketball win Saturday over Fountain-Fort Carson will be seen as a fifth straight victory that allowed the Rebels to win the 7th annual Columbine Classic.

However, it also taught the Rebels (5-1 record) early on this season how to handle games where making buckets and scoring points don’t come easy.

Columbine senior Logan DeArment, left, scored a game-high 15 points for the Rebels in their 52-39 victory Saturday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“These guys are learning through game situations right now,” Columbine coach Clay Thielking said after the Rebels took an ugly 52-39 victory over the Trojans (6-4). “This was a perfect thing for our team to not shoot the ball well, go through a little bit of adversity and figure somethings out.”

Fountain-Fort Carson actually led throughout most of the first half, taking a 24-21 lead at halftime. It appeared the late-Saturday afternoon game at Columbine High School might finish as a disappointment for the host Rebels in their own tournament.

“You could tell our shots weren’t going in early,” Columbine senior Logan DeArment said. “We just had to push past that and have our defense lead our offense.”

That’s exactly what happened in the second half. The Trojans were limited to just 15 points after halftime. Columbine took the lead for good when senior Cameron Dean drained a 3-pointer with 2:55 left in the third quarter to give the Rebels a 31-28 lead.

DeArment poured in nine of his game-high 15 points in the final quarter to help Columbine pull away late.

Columbine junior Luke O’Brien (0) puts up a shot Saturday against Fountain-Fort Carson. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“Just solid,” Thielking said of the Rebels’ three-sport (football, basketball and baseball) athlete. “The kid is a winner and a competitor. He stepped up big.”

Columbine junior Luke O’Brien was the Rebels’ second leading scorer with nine points, but well below his normal scoring average. The verbal commit to the University of Colorado didn’t make a field goal after the first quarter.

“This was a horrible shooting game. It was just one of those games where you are just off,” O’Brien said. “I felt like I helped my team in different ways. Last year I probably would have shutdown and not done my part.”

O’Brien used his 6-foot-7 frame to battle down low with the physical Fountain-Fort Carson squad. Seniors Cody Ramming and Cameron Dean pitched in eight points each for Columbine.

The Trojans were led by junior Keyshawn Maltbia and senior Keiton Beck. Maltbia and Beck scored a dozen points each.

Fountain-Fort Carson junior Keyshawn Maltbia (0) goes up strong against Columbine seniors Logan DeArment (10) and Cody Ramming (21) on Saturday afternoon at Columbine High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“I thought they really responded defensively,” Thielking said of holding the Trojans to 30 percent shooting from the field. “Offensively we are a work in progress.”

The win leaves last year’s Class 5A Jeffco League co-champs — Columbine and Arvada West — with the best non-league records in the conference a few weeks into the basketball season. Many think the Rebels and Wildcats will again be battling it out for the league title once conference play begins.

“I love it,” O’Brien said of Columbine being a favorite to challenge for the conference title. “The last two years we were kind of under the radar. I like being the top-dog because everyone is going to play the best against us.”

Columbine has road games next week against Legend and Highlands Ranch before the winter break.

“We’ve got so many things to clean up from within,” said Thielking about moving forward toward the winter break. “We are focused on ourselves and getting better every day.”

Columbine senior Cody Ramming, right, posts up against Fountain-Fort Carson senior Rashon Barron (13) during the first half Saturday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

LITTLETON — A two-goal second period helped No. 1 Regis Jesuit beat No. 2 Valor Christian 4-1 on Saturday.

Leighton Walsh had two goals for the Raiders. Nolan Sargent and Drew Renner also scored.

Colton Carlson had Valor Christian’s lone goal.

Regis Jesuit’s defense allowed just 14 shots.

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AURORA — Cherry Creek surrendered a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter but still came away with a 61-58 overtime win against Class 5A No. 10 Regis Jesuit.

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