The excitement in Hamilton Gym at the University of Denver was high for Friday’s Final Four round that saw two games decided by a total of nine points. Up first was a rematch of a Great 8 showdown from last year between the No. 2 seed Sterling Tigers and the No. 3 seed Aspen Skiers. Late in the evening, an instant classic was played between the No. 1 seed St. Mary’s Pirates and the No. 5 seed Centauri Falcons.
(5) Centauri 71, (1) St. Mary’s 67
Centauri was the only team who was the lower seed in their game on Thursday to win and advance to the Final Four, leading from the beginning to the end with Colorado Academy. On Friday, they had another win as the lower seed, albeit in more dramatic fashion, coming back from 12 points down at the half and hanging on to win 71-67 over St. Mary’s.
“We were looking forward to this all season,” Baron Holman of Centauri said. “We made it here our sophomore year, and it feels good to be back and in the championship.”
St. Mary’s fast pace helped them jump out to a 21-12 lead at the end of the first quarter behind point guard Sam Howery’s big night. A barrage of 3-pointers fell, and he was also able to drive to the rim to either score or pass to an open teammate to capitalize. He scored 18 points in the first half to help his team take a 39-27 lead into the half.
Howery continued to get his looks, but Centauri continued to play its game, slowly cutting into the deficit. Down five points midway through the third, they went on the biggest run of the night, scoring 11 of the next 14 points to end the third quarter up 50-47. Holman did his part at the free throw line while Mason Claunch made some 3-pointers and Chaz Holman attacked the rim and was able to finish.
“Coach said to keep doing what we’re doing,” Holman said. “We would finish and be able to come back.”
Chaz Holman continued to attack the rim for a few more layups and Baron Holman made more free throws that helped push the lead to as many as 11 points in the fourth.
Howery did everything he could to rally St. Mary’s back with a number of 3-point shots that were well behind the line. His shooting, as well as a timely assist to Cyrus Hernandez for another 3-pointer, got the Pirates to within two points. Two missed free throws from Centauri gave them the ball and a chance to win in the final seconds, but Centauri would not be denied. A steal with seven seconds and two free throws from Baron Holman secured the upset.
“I knew it was good,” Holman said on his free throws. “Every day I shoot free throws just about. I knew once I got up to the line it was money.”
Claunch and Chaz Holman each led the team with 14 points and Baron Holman followed with 13, including 10 made free throws. A brilliant effort from Howery saw him go off for 36 points for St. Mary’s.
For many of the boys on the team, Saturday will be their chance at winning a second state title this school year, adding to the football championship the team was able to win in November.
“This pumps us up high,” Holman said. “We played in a state championship in football this year, and we have all the confidence in the world.”
(3) Aspen 49, (2) Sterling 44
Aspen wanted the chance at Sterling after they knocked them out in the Great 8 round last season. That chance came Friday, this time with a spot in the state championship game on the line.
In front of a rocking crowd, Aspen got the payback they wanted, escaping with a 49-44 victory to keep an undefeated season and the dream of a state title intact.
“I can’t describe it,” Porter Lee of Aspen said. “The work we’ve put in this season and the extra hours have finally paid off.”
Both teams came out red hot, firing the ball across the floor and into the hoop. A back-and-forth first quarter saw Sterling with the early edge 16-15 and a fast pace.
From there, Aspen locked in defensively.
The Skiers used their size and length to contest more shots and worked to clean up the offensive rebounds on misses. After giving up 16 in the first quarter, they would hold the Tigers to 28 points the rest of the way.
“We just kept giving them too many open looks,” Lee said. “We adjusted. (Ben Browning) was hot, he had a lot of daggers, so we adjusted and tried to take away their open 3’s.”
As the defense stepped up, so did the offense. Shae and Braden Korpela were dealing with foul issues and some misses, but Lee stepped up, finishing with 22 points and adding 11 rebounds for the double-double.
“I felt loose, it was fun,” Lee said.
Lucas Lee and Braden Korpela each scored eight points and Shae Korpela added seven to go with Lee. Sterling was led by Ryder McConnell and Dylan Diorio with 13 each.
And now, Aspen will try to complete the undefeated season with a state title on Saturday.