Thirteenth-seeded Summit hockey struck first in the first round of the state hockey tournament, but No. 20 Castle View’s barrage of goals led to a 5-2 win.
Jaret Curran scored twice for the Sabercats, the first of which tied the game. After that, Castle View never trailed again.
The first period ended in a 2-2 tie but 24 seconds into the second period Jackson Szmul gave the Sabercats the lead for good.
Zach Carleton and Davis Emery scored the goals for Summit.
They’ll meet Denver East in the second round of the tournament. It will be the first meeting between the two teams this year.
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(16) Kent Denver 2, (17) Lewis-Palmer 0
Sam Choi got the Sun Devils on the board late in the first period and got an assist on Thomas Corbett’s third-period goal.
With the win, Kent Denver advances to face top-seeded Valor Christian.
(9) Monarch 5, (24) Mullen 0
Sam Zis scored twice to lead the Coyotes to a first-round victory. They’ll take on No. 8 Pine Creek on Saturday at 3 p.m.
(11) Cherry Creek 11, (22) Rampart 1
Gavin Berkey’s hat trick highlighted a productive day on offense for the Bruins. They move on to face No. 6 Heritage in the second round.
Hello, hoops fans! It’s time for the Mile High Madness to begin with our big school Class 5A and 4A boys brackets now released!
Those who follow Ball Fever also know we don’t think this is a rare time for Colorado hoops, but a result of numerous factors leading to good basketball being played on our high school courts.
We saw numerous teams hold the No. 1 spot in 5A and 4A this season which speaks to the parity and high level ball being played.
The buzz about Colorado hoops is legit and we can thank a growing basketball community for that from our peewee rec leagues to competitive club ball, increasing individual personal training opportunities, and truly dedicated high school staffs.
The basketball product hitting the Colorado hardwood is improving and colleges of all levels are taking notice!
Great time to be a part of Colorado hoops … let’s get to the Madness!
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Class 5A Preview
(Marcus Gipson/Jmariahimages.com)
Chauncey Billups Region
Don’t have to look much further than the bracket’s overall No. 1 seed in 23-0 Rangeview here. The defending champs have the depth and senior leadership needed to pull off the elusive repeat. Mountain Vista pulls the bye in the top of this region, with Boulder and Columbine getting the chance to scout their Round 2 opponent, as well.
Boulder is the highest seed at No. 8 behind Rangeview in this region but they can’t look too far ahead because if ThunderRidge can earn a win in Round 1 vs. Lakewood then Boulder will have their hands full right away with a tough Continental league foe in the Grizzlies.
Favorites: Very easy to be tempted to type in Rangeview straight across this region with their well-documented talent of the Speller twins and veteran roster who has been here before. Senior Obi Agbim is actually the Raiders leading scoring on the season at 12 points per game on this balanced squad and stepped up big at the Coliseum one year ago.
Watch out for: Speaking of scoring look no further than Luke O’Brien’s 25 points and amazing 12 rebounds per game for the No. 9 seed Columbine. The CU-bound guard has the ability to help the Rebels pull off an upset on any given night! Should that Rangeview/Columbine match up happen as the Fever Crew predicts for this region the Rebels will have to score to keep up with the Raiders 73 points per game. A lot has to happen before we get there…can’t wait!
Chuck Williams Region
A little RPI controversy is to be expected and here it is with Fairview coming in as the No. 2 overall seed. The Knights haven’t lost since December, are 12-0 league champs, and riding a 14-game win streak into this Region. Chaparral, Vista PEAK, and Smoky Hill are the others who earned Round 1 byes here.
All four top seeds in region have been in our 5A top 10 poll at some point this season! Chaparral is the highest seed outside of Ralston Valley at No. 7 here. The young Wolverines have strong sophs in Jeremiah Coleman and Joel Speckman along with their senior leader Kobe Sanders who can heat up. The Wolverines are on a high after winning the Continental League.
Favorites: Fairview and Chap are the highest seeds as mentioned but not sure either has the depth to take down Smoky Hill in this region. Smoky’s #CentennialTough schedule and myriad of athletes has them as the Fever’s crew favorite to come out of this region.
Watch out for: One thing we’ve learned over the years is to not count out that “sweet sweet left” hand of Kobe Sanders when we get late in the post season. The Wolverines suffered a five-point loss in early December tourney play to Smoky Hill but they are a much improved and cohesive squad than they were two months ago should that match up present itself again and we think it will! Tough Region Here!!
Larry Farmer Region
Well, it just continues to be tough. Just the way we like it in this region! Another RPI surprise for many is Ralston Valley rolling in at the 3rd overall seed. League champs with an overall 20-3 record have been battled tested but do they ever have some strong company in the Farmer Region with Valor, Eaglecrest, and Horizon the others waiting for Round 2 action with a bye.
The Fever Crew believes Eaglecrest has top 5-team in the state type talent and have kept a close eye on the Raptors this season. They had ups and downs in the Centennial League but don’t let that 11 seed fool you. The “Firm” of Ruckard, Robinson, and Wilson can flat out play.
Speaking of not overlooking teams, Overland can ruin anyone’s day as they’ve proven over and over this season. Possible Round 2 match up of Overland/Eaglecrest could be a heavyweight bout.
Favorites: Valor hasn’t lost since its two-point loss to Ralston Valley and are on a seven-game win streak. Valor is balanced with four players average at least 10 points per game led by Roger Rosengarten’s 12 points and 6 rebounds. Fever Crew saw the Centennial League the most this season and that may be why the prediction here is for the Raptors of Eaglecrest to get on a run late season.
Watch out for: So much to watch in this region! Round 1: Pomona has an upset over Denver East this season and would love to do nothing more to add GW to the upset list! Whoever survives will face a TALENTED young Horizon squad with numerous sophomores contributing and Brock Wisne is a “super soph” the whole state will be aware of soon…complete game averaging a double-double of 16 points, 10 rebounds. No. 3 seed Ralston Valley will have their hands full of Arapahoe’s guards Bryson Stephens (recent 50 point game!) and Korey Hess.
Kent Smith Region
Many felt that the run Cherry Creek has been on was certainly worthy of a No. 2 seed in the bracket but they came out as No. 4. Early season some had them predicted to finish fourth in the Centennial League but they only had one league loss and are on an eight-game winning streak with a ton of confidence.
Joining the Bruins with Round 1 bye are Grandview, Denver East, and Pine Creek. The Wolves have four college-bound seniors in their starting line up and have depth to go far. Denver East was rolling until they ran into GW at the ThunderDome Saturday for a loss in final game of season. The Angels will be hungry.
Favorites: Don’t have to look much further than Julian Hammond and Myles Purchase of Cherry Creek for a favorite. A dynamic duo that impacts the game on both sides of the floor. When senior Sebastion Cole is contributing on the offensive end and the big men down low put in work, the Bruins are hard to beat! Grandview would love another shot down the line to avenge last week’s loss to Creek that sealed the Centennial title for the Bruins.
Watch out for: With Pine Creek playing down south the Fever Crew hasn’t had a chance to see them live. Senior guard Kenny Pham is leading Creek with 10 points, 4 assists, 3 steals per game and they’ll be motivated to show their 20-3 record is legit. Senior Peyton Westfall handling the lead scoring duties at 14 points per game.
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Class 4A Preview
(@MeadAthletics/Twitter)
Ron Vlasin Region
Deservedly so Mead comes in as the overall NO. 1 seed. They are a fun, high paced, above-the-rim crew to watch! Inside power with the soph James Shiers and senior leadership that may be unmatched. The next highest seed here is Cheyenne Mountain who is limping into this one with an end of season loss to Lewis-Palmer.
Favorites: Our favorites are the two teams already discussed. Mead’s unselfish brand of team ball and that MAN Javonte Johnson for Cheyenne Mountain who is averaging a crazy 30-point, 10-rebound average for the ENTIRE season.
Watch out for: Lincoln has two seniors in TJ Bamba and Ty Foster who are capable of putting the Lancers on their back and upsetting any team in the region.
Larry Brunson Region
With a 20-3 overall record and unbeaten league title under their belt, Glenwood Springs comes in as an unknown to many of us hoop followers but not to folks out West. Harrison, which had its ups and downs this season, is hungry to show that their early top three ranking was not a fluke and they come in as the No. 7 seed.
Favorites: John Iuele and Mitchell Burt are senior guards from Glenwood who combine for 25 points per game. Donta Dawson is the lead man for Harrison and averaging 18 points per game for a Harrison squad eager to prove they belong in March.
Watch out for: Pueblo West has big wins on their resume, including an early-season win over Harrison on their home floor. Watch out for this 10 seed who will likely rekindle some fire with Sand Creek in round 2.
Guy Gibbs Region
Longmont comes in as the No. 3 seed in this region followed by Skyline as RPI No. 6 seed. Longmont is 20-3 overall and losses to Erie, Mead, and Silver Creek can happen to any 4A squad.
Favorites: Skyline has a football stud senior to be dealt with in senior Austin Robison who’s at 15 points, 6 rebounds per session for the season. Speaking of big fellas! Longmont has 6-foot-4 Dallas Dye and 6-foot-8 Eddie Kurjac who are combining for 30 points every night out!
Watch out for: Classical Academy has a “stat-stuffer” in senior Micah Lamberth who averaged 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals during the regular season. Let’s see how the young man from the Springs shows up tourney time!
Richard Tate Region
No. 4 Seed Golden and No. 5 Northfield are solid squads leading the way in this region. The Fever Crew got its first chance to see Northfield recently vs a tough game vs Denver East but foul trouble was a factor in that one.
Favorites: Golden seems to be right there every year in 4A. Seniors McLaughlin and Mulligan both scoring 12 points per game along with a “Freshman Alert!” of Alan Acevedo’s 11 points, 5 rebounds per game.
Watch out for: Coach Ocansey and Nahsyah Bolar’s 18 points per game woke up the DPL in a major way this year! Northfield has three other players averaging minimum 10 points per game so that balance puts them in the mix 4A, folks! None of the Ball Fever Crew would be surprised if Pueblo East or Erie makes noise in Gibbs Region … they’ve already surprised this season.
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Ok, hoop fans! Wednesday it all starts.
The RPI/Human Element/Better System debate is always interesting and no system will be perfect.
The Fever Crew is just happy that our young basketball stars now have the chance to quiet the rhetoric and settle things on the court … the way it should be.
DENVER — Columbine wrestling coach Ray Barron was a popular person during the 3-day 2020 state wrestling tournament.
Wrestlers, coaches, referees and officials gave the legendary Colorado wrestling coach plenty of handshakes, hugs and well wishes. Barrow was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer less than two months ago.
Columbine junior Jack Forbes give up thumbs up to the Rebels’ fans after his victory over Grandview senior Joe Renner. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“It’s nice. It’s real nice,” Barron said of all the support he has got from the Colorado wrestling community.
Barron has spent the past five years — the last four as the head coach — at Columbine High School. Before coming to Columbine the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame member spent 45 years coaching wrestling.
The majority of that time at Heritage High School in Littleton.
While just spending the past handful of years at Columbine, Barron has clearly touched many. Juniors Jack Forbes (182-pounder) and Zach Schraeder (285-pounder) — the lone state qualifiers for the Rebels — made it a point to give Barron the longest ride possible at what could be his final state tournament.
“After we first heard about it I just kept it in my mind to keep grinding and keep getting better,” Forbes said about his motivation after learning about Barron’s cancer. “When I got to hop into his arms it was one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt.”
Forbes jumped into Barron’s arms after taking a 13-8 victory over Grandview senior Joe Renner, who had defeated Forbes in their pervious two meeting this season.
Columbine junior Zach Schraeder, left, finished the season with a 42-2 record and the Class 5A heavyweight title. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“Knowing that he (Barron) is fighting through something helped me push through things even harder,” Forbes said.
Schraeder was the favorite in the heavyweight final and didn’t disappoint. The junior took a 5-2 win over Cherokee Trail senior Julian Williams.
“They are both special,” Barron said of Forbes and Schraeder. “I’m so happy for both of them.”
It was clear both wrestlers were just at thrilled to give their coach a few more state championship victories to his long and impressive coaching career.
“It just means so much. It meant the world to me,” Schraeder said after winning what will likely be Barron’s final match he’ll ever coach. “When I looked at the scoreboard and was up with 1 second left I knew my hard work in the wrestling room for him had paid off.”
The 5A coaches saluted Barron in voting him the 2019-20 5A Coach of the Year. He we presented the award shortly after Barron set a pair of his wrestling shoes on the center of the mat at the end of Schraeder’s match that concluded the state tournament late Saturday night.
“It’s going,” Barron said of his battle. “It’s not good, but I will make it as far as I can.”
Columbine junior Jack Forbes and Ray Barron celebrates after Forbes won the Class 5A 182-pound state title Saturday night at Pepsi Center. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
DENVER — For the Wray Eagles, the night started with redemption. It ended the same way as last year’s state wrestling tournament; with an all-time record.
For the 14th time, the Eagles are the wrestling champion of Colorado. It’s a number that for the foreseeable future will go unmatched as was their 13th title that they claimed on this very same weekend a year ago. It’s also the third consecutive title for the Eagles.
“They set their goals the beginning of the year and the whole team’s been working their butts off and it’s nice to see it paid off,” coach Matt Brown said. “Last year we went 0-4 in finals and I think that shocked them a little bit and I think they went after a little harder this year.”
The difference in this win was the early emotional boost that came with it. In the second match of the night on the Class 2A mat, senior Cade Rockwell made up for last year’s painful defeat in the 113-pound title match. When the final whistle blew, the pain of last year and weight of defeat lifted away as his arms extended into the air.
It capped a remarkable tournament run where the Eagles had wrapped up the team title before they marched their four title contenders out in the Parade of Champions. They finished with 162.5 points. Rocky Ford was the runner-up with 123.5 points.
“Our team is great,” Rockwell said. “We all love each other. All we care about is wrestling and sticking up for going to each other all the time.”
For a year Rockwell worked through the sweat and tears. Midway through his match he had to add so blood into the mix. Despite a stoppage to attend to a bloody nose, he kept his focus on Cedaredge’s Lane Hunsberger and built a 12-2 lead as the final whistle blew, his hand was raised with a 12-2 major decision victory.
“He was talking to me the whole match on top and you have to let it go,” Rockwell said. “You wrestle your match and you humble yourself and you do the best you can.”
Rye’s Michael Atencio, the cause of Rockwell’s anguish from a year ago, also walked off the floor at Pepsi Center with a victory and a second state championship. He claimed the 120-pound championship. A junior, Atencio has a chance to become a three-time champion at next year’s tournament.
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Oran Huff out of Lyons derailed a different bid for a third title. The defending champion of the 126-pound bracket, he held off Cedaredge junior Trey Geyer, a 2019 state champion at 120 via a 4-1 decision. Had Geyer won the match, he would’ve looked to 2021 for a chance to claim a fourth title.
“I knew I could beat him,” Huff said. “Just like last year I came out with confidence in my coaching and my training and my ability. That’s what it takes.”
It wasn’t too long after Huff’s win that a fourth state title opportunity made its way to Mat 2. John Mall’s Wesley VanMatre battled to a 10-3 decision win over Lyons’ David Gardner.
VanMatre’s title victory will certainly be a chapter in one of the most historic nights of Colorado wrestling history. He shared the honor with three other competitors marking 2020 the year that the most four-time champions were crowned.
It’s just one aspect of this year’s competition that makes the event special, an event where Wray walked into Saturday night with a 14th team title already in hand. It might be the most in state history, but Brown would never allow the quantity to water down the significance of the achievement. Tyler Collins also claimed a title at 152 and four other Eagles found their way to the podium..
“The time they put in and all the offseason stuff made this group special,” he said. “It’s an awesome group to be a part of.”
For two straight years, Eaton had “runner-up” labeled on it’s wrestling program. This year, they took one step further to the elusive team title.
“The monkey is not completely off our back yet,” Eaton coach Tony Mustari said. “We still have some work to do in the offseason to get better and fully take that team title home.”
Eaton’s Tanner True had one last chance to break the tie and vault his team into first place alone with his 285-pound division bout — and Valley could only watch.
“We wrestled our hearts out in every match we had,” Valley coach Ruben Lucero said. “If it was meant to be, it was meant to be.”
University’s Emanuel Munoz-Alcala held on for the 3-2 decision over True, resulting in the two-way tie between Eaton and Valley.
“We told him, ‘Worst case scenario, we have a split team title,’” Mustari said. “‘Go out and let it go. Wrestle like you do every day in practice.’ He wrestled from whistle to whistle and was always looking to score points — and that’s all we can ask.”
Jefferson placed third, while two-time defending champ Alamosa finished fifth.
Eaton’s Ryan Dirksen kept his team in front of the team race with a last-second pin of Jefferson’s Zander Condit.
(Cannon Casey/CHSAANow.com)
“We had no idea we would be that far,” Dirksen said after his match. “Knowing that now, it’s amazing I could do that for my team.”
Down to his last second and trailing 9-4, Dirksen had to go to work. He escaped a hold, then flipped Condit on his back for a pin as time expired. The judges gathered together and awarded Dirksen the win.
“I was just looking for a pin,” Dirksen said. “I was thinking, ‘Please, I know I pinned him.’ Once you get out there it kind of all goes blurry, and if you have the right mindset, it’s only you, the refs, and the mat.”
With the pin, Dirksen put the Reds in first place for the time being.
“These guys responded to the call tremendously this weekend,” Mustari said. “They come back and keep fighting, getting better every single time they step on the mat, and that’s all we can ask of them.”
Trailing in the team standings after Dirksen’s pin, Valley’s Jaziah Whaley held his team’s title hopes in his hands ahead of his bout.
“Going into that match, my coaches came and told me a major decision gets us the lead,” Whaley said. “That was the goal. Go out there and get the major.”
Whaley completed his undefeated campaign and individual 160-pound title defense with a major decision vs. Tanner Baumgartner (Weld Central).
“It’s unreal,” Whaley said. “The goal coming into high school was four [titles]. Settle for the next best thing: two.”
However, Whaley’s flurry of points in the third period meant much more than an individual title. His major decision resulted in a temporary tie at the top of the team standings with Eaton.
And, after the last match of the night, that tie at the top became permanent.
(Cannon Casey/CHSAANow.com)
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106-pound division
Roberto Estrada (Weld Central) won by decision, 3-0, over Matthew Medina (Eagle Valley) to complete his undefeated season with a state title in the 106-pound division.
“I wrote down a goal at the beginning of the year,” Estrada said. “State champ with a perfect season, and I did it tonight. Special night.”
113-pound division
Jefferson’s Angelo Lozado wrapped up a 6-1 decision against Alamosa’s Davion Chavez to give life to the Saints’ run at the 3A team title. This was Lozado’s second individual title.
120-pound division
Isaiah Gamez (La Junta) was looking for a third individual title, but Brady Hankin (Woodland Park) held off Gamez for an 11-6 decision. Hankin won the 106-pound title in 2019.
126-pound division
Jacob Duran (Fort Lupton) edged Johnny Masopust (Florence) in a 4-3 decision for his second individual title.
132-pound division
Zane Rankin (Lamar) repeated as the 132-pound champion after a hard-fought 2-1 decision over Zach Marrero (Strasburg).
138-pound division
Isaiah Rios (Valley) defended his 138-pound title vs. Lucas Comroe (Eagle Valley). Rios’ second individual title came off a clean 10-1 major decision.
(Cannon Casey/CHSAANow.com)
152-pound division
Cameron Lucero (Pagosa Springs) put a stop to any chance Jefferson had at the team title. Lucero won a 2-0 decision vs. Nick Gallegos (Jefferson) for his second individual title.
170-pound division
Mac Copeland (Bennett) pinned Cole Gray (Woodland Park) at the 4:40 mark.
182-pound division
Cody DuBois (Bennett) joined Copeland, his teammate, as an individual champion. DuBois’ major decision vs. Brian Paxton (Fort Morgan) solidified him as the 182-pound champion.
195-pound division
Nick Wellen (Brush) won by decision, 5-2, over Jeremiah Garcia (Platte Valley).
220-pound division
John Foutz (Bayfield) topped Cody Ponce (Eagle Valley) by decision, 4-1.
