LAKEWOOD — There is still plenty of work to be done, but a Class 4A/3A Colorado 8 League title for Alameda’s boys basketball team is starting to come into focus.

“The pressure is definitely on right now,” Alameda junior Luis Miera said after the Pirates’s 57-49 victory over Englewood on Tuesday edged Alameda International closer to ending nearly a two-decade long drought. “We’ve got to get three more wins.”

Alameda junior Luis Miera (00) goes up strong for two of his game-high 26 points in the Pirates’ victory over Englewood on Tuesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

According to Jeffco Public Schools’ league championship archive, Alameda hasn’t won a conference championship in boys basketball since the Pirates claimed the Jeffco 6 League title in the 2000-01 season. The court in the Duane Lewis Gymnasium is actually named after the last coach — Scott Smith — who guided Alameda to the league title 18 years ago.

“It’s in our heads,” Alameda coach Geremey Gibson said of the chances becoming greater to capture that elusive league crown. “I tell my players one game at a time. If we take care of one game at a time we’ll be where we need to be in the end. We don’t want to look too far ahead.”

Englewood (6-8, 2-3 in league) didn’t make the conference game easy in the all-Pirate battle. Senior Thomas O’Connor was unconscious from 3-point range through three quarters. O’Conner had five 3-pointers and a trio of free throws after getting fouled on a 3-point shot to score 18 points through three quarters.

“He (O’Connor) was hitting a lot of 3s. We left him open a couple of times,” said Miera, who got the one-on-one task against O’Connor in the fourth quarter. “We decided to go man (defense) and I guarded him up.”

O’Connor didn’t score in the fourth quarter with Miera shadowing him. However, Englewood sophomore Nate Gravagno had an incredible fourth quarter scoring all 18 points for Englewood to finish for a team-high 23 points on the night.

“We just broke down mentally on defense,” Gibson admitted. “We’ve been trying to switch things up because we know teams are going to come at us with our zone. We broke down mentally and we can’t have that.”

Alameda (14-3, 4-0) turned to Miera to close out the game in the final quarter on the offense end too. The senior scored 14 points in the final six minutes of the game to finish with a game-high 26 points.

Englewood sophomore Isaac Medrano, left, drives past Alameda senior Derik Gutierrez (1) during the third quarter Tuesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“It was definitely sluggish,” Alameda’s point guard said of the first half. “I was trying to get my teammates involved, but we couldn’t finish around the rim tonight. I figured I should take over the game. A couple of easy buckets, get to the free-throw line and do what I need to do to get this win.”

Seniors Orlondo Aguilar (12 points), Derik Gutierrez (11 points) and Isiah Lawson (eight points) finished out the scoring load for Alameda in its fifth win over the past six games. The only setback over the last two weeks was a non-league loss to Aurora Central.

Alameda’s toughest final hurdle toward a conference title might come Friday night. The Pirates take on Conifer (10-7, 3-1) up in the foothills. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“I’m looking forward to the game to be honest. It’s going to be a tough one,” Gibson said of facing Conifer. “This win prepares us and we’ll be ready for them.”

Gibson added that slowing down the Lobos’ junior point guard Landon Wallace is going to be key. Wallace is nearing averaging a double-double in points and assists.

“It’s going to be a tough one, but I think we can do it,” Miera said of the upcoming at Conifer game.

Alameda finishes off its league schedule against Weld Central and Riverdale Ridge before heading into the Colorado 8 League tournament.

“The attitude has changed,” Gibson said. “I think the guys are finally locked in because they know what we are working for.”

Alameda senior Isiah Lawson (3) attempts to break free from a double-team Tuesday against Englewood. Alameda took a 57-49 victory to improve to 4-0 in the Class 4A/3A Colorado 8 League. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

EDGEWATER — A few days before the winter break beings there are three undefeated boys basketball teams remaining in Class 4A.

Not surprising, Lewis-Palmer and Longmont — ranked No. 1 and 2 in the current 4A boys CHSAANow.com poll — hold two of those undefeated spots. The third might be a bit of a surprise.

Alameda International holds an 8-0 record after Thursday’s 56-32 road victory against Jefferson.

Jefferson senior Antonio Portillo (0) goes up strong against Alameda International senior Orlondo Aguilar on Thursday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“I never thought we would go 8-0, but I knew we had the team to do it,” Alameda senior Isiah Lawson said after the Pirates’ latest win. “The coaching and the bond the team has is the difference.”

Last season, Alameda finished above .500 in more than a decade. Second-year varsity head coach Geremey Gibson, who spent one year as an assistant coach at Alameda, has the majority of last year’s squad back and so far the Pirates are perfect.

“It feels really good, especially with the players we have,” Gibson said of the undefeated record. “They have been working hard. I’ve been with this group for three years, so I knew what they are capable of. I knew we had something special.”

Lawson was special against the Saints pouring in a game-high 15 points. The Pirates’ point guard and floor general did it on both ends of the floor. He had several strong drives to the basket that resulted in layups or trips to the free throw line.

Just before taking a seat on the bench in the fourth quarter Lawson had a monster block on the defensive end.

Alameda International senior Fernando Dominguez, far right, has his shot blocked in the first half Thursday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“Lawson is very important,” Gibson said. “On the court he gives us that toughness that we need from a football player who transitions to a basketball player. He builds everyone else up.”

Alameda’s zone defense held Jefferson to single digits in three of the four quarters. Seniors Antonio Portillo (10 points) and Kurvonte Rice (nine points) led the Saints (2-3 record) in scoring.

Seniors Derik Gutierrez (12 points) and Orlondo Aguilar (10 points) joined Lawson in double-digit points for the Pirates. Senior Dominic Creazzo added nine points off three 3-pointers for Alameda.

“We are disciplined, especially during practice,” Lawson said. “We have to stay disciplined. With discipline comes winning games.”

Gibson has focused on the defensive end. That work paid off Thursday night with Alameda allowing a season-low 32 points.

“As the season goes on it gets long I harp that defense is going to carry us,” Gibson said.

The Pirates are right back on the court tomorrow (Friday) to finish off play before winter break. Alameda faces Pueblo Centennial at 6:30 p.m. The game will be played at Denver West High School.

“Tomorrow is a very big game,” Gibson said. “I feel if we can go to 9-0 it would be very big for the kids spirit and also for the Alameda crowds.”

After tomorrow night’s game the Pirates won’t play again until Jan. 10 when they host Denver North. The goals and expectations have definitely been raised for Alameda with the strong start.

“I don’t think we’ve been to the state tournament since 2007,” Lawson said. “We want to make the playoffs and advance to the Elite 8.”

Jefferson is back on the court Jan. 8 when it begins conference play in the 3A/2A Frontier League. The Saints host Middle Park at 7 p.m. in their league opener in a little more than two weeks.

Alameda International senior Benito Aragon (2) snags a rebound between Jefferson’s Josh Martinez (15) and Kurvonte Rice (2) during the Pirates’ 56-32 road victory. The win improved Alameda to 8-0 on the season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

LAKEWOOD — The Jeffco Public Schools Marching Invitational was held Sept. 17, 2018 at Jeffco Stadium.

Here are three videos highlighting all 15 high school bands that competed during the four-hour long invitational.

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LAKEWOOD — Three-pointers rained down at the Gold Crown Field House on Monday night.

A total of 37 3-pointers were made during the inaugural boys Jeffco High School Senior Basketball Game put on by the Gold Crown Foundation, Jeffco Public Schools and 1stBank.

“Nobody guarded at all,” Arvada West coach Jeff Parriott said with a laugh. “I thought both of the teams shot the heck out of the ball.”

Pomona’s Ryan Marquez pulls up for a jumper over Golden’s Jack Moore (7). (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

After 40 minutes of a furious pace that didn’t feature much defense … the Blue team coached by Parriott came away with a 136-126 victory.

“I was just kind of feeling my shot early,” said Lakewood senior Jordan Sandoval, who poured in five 3-pointers on his way to 23 points and being named the MVP for the Blue team. “Coach (Parriott) told me to ‘do you’. I said thank you and that is what I did.”

Littleton senior Jason Levy was unbelievable in the fourth quarter as the Blue squad pushed its lead to 20+ points. Levy finished with 26 points, including six 3-pointers. He scored 16 points in the final 10 minutes.

Not to be out done, Golden senior Adam Thistlewood nearly brought the White squad all the way back in the final six minutes.

“We were up 22, then suddenly it’s down to eight points. I was worried about substitutions and making sure everyone gets their time in the game,” Parriott said of the final quarter. “Thistlewood took over.”

The future Drake University player poured in 19 points in the fourth quarter on his way to a game-high 31 points and being named the White squad MVP.

A-West’s Isaiah Brewer, right, tries to get a shot over Chatfield’s Keland Rumsey. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“It was a blast,” said Thistlewood, who helped the Demons to a Class 4A Final 4 appearance his junior season and a 4A Jeffco League title this season. “Seeing all the seniors and playing with and against these guys the past four years … it was great to get out here.”

The White team has a good balance of scoring with Standley Lake’s Garrett Martin, Jefferson’s Nehemiah Baustian and Columbine’s Mat Bergeman all pouring in 14 points each. Chatfield’s Keland Rumsey poured in 13 points and Golden’s Jack Moore also hit double-digit points with a dozen.

Besides Levy and Sandoval, the Blue squad was led in scoring by Valor’s Jeremy Randle (18 points), Bear Creek’s Manuel Perez (13 points), Arvada West’s James Pelon (12 points) and Bear Creek’s Jovan Dodig (11 points).

“It was terrific. What a great opportunity for these kids to come out and play in probably the last game of their career,” Parriott said. “They can showcase their talent a little bit and play with some guys who they played against. Unbelievable experience for these guys.”

The White team was coached by longtime Evergreen coach Scott Haebe. Nearly every Jeffco League boys basketball coach was in attendance to watch the inaugural Jeffco all-star game that featured the top seniors from the 5A and 4A Jeffco League and Jeffco schools.

“It was definitely fun with all the competition out here,” Sandoval said. “Getting this together and celebrate these players were really fun.”

Evergreen senior Bridger Tenney, right, pulls up for a jumper during the 2018 Jeffco High School Senior Basketball Games on Monday night at Gold Crown Field House. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

LAKEWOOD — It was nearly five hours of non-stop music Sept. 19 at Jeffco Stadium.

Fifteen high school bands from across Jeffco took part in the annual Jeffco Marching Band Invitational. Lakewood (5A), Bear Creek (4A), Conifer (3A) and D’Evelyn (2A) took first in their respective classifications.

Pomona High School will host its annual Pomona Band Festival, one of the largest band competitions in the state, on Saturday, Oct. 7, at the North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada.

ARVADA — Arvada West’s boys and girls cross country teams successfully protected its home turf Friday, Sept. 15.

A-West swept the team titles at the 9th annual Wildcat Invite. A-West hosts the 22-team meet at Stenger Soccer Complex, less than 2 miles away from Arvada West High School.

In the boys varsity race, Eaglecrest senior Mason Brown won the individual title with a time of 16 minutes, 20 seconds. Jefferson Academy senior Ryan Lehmuth (16:27) took second and A-West senior Colin Berndt (16:30) placed third.

“Obviously not winning it is always going to be upsetting, but it was good and fun for sure,” Berndt said. “I like this run.”

Junior Drew Craig (6th), along with seniors Andres Perez (13th) and Jacob Valdez (23rd) and junior Nicholas Oliveira (38th) also broke into the top-40 to lead A-West to the team title over Overland. Standley Lake placed third and Ralston Valley took fourth.

Jeffco’s A-West, D’Evelyn and Green Mountain place in the top-5 of the girls race. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“We could have distanced ourselves a little more,” Berndt said of A-West winning the team title. “None of us really felt that good this week. I’ve been motivating everyone that we’ve got to pull it together next week.”

Next week is the Dave Sanders Invite on Friday, Sept. 22, held at Clement Park, the same site of the Jeffco League Championships next month. Most of the top Class 5A Jeffco teams will be there to give a preview of what the league championships could look like Oct. 12.

A-West boys are attempting to win a fourth straight 5A Jeffco team title this season.

On the girls side, A-West senior Claire Pauley placed second with a time of 18:57 at the Wildcat Invite. Legacy sophomore Brynn Siles dominated the race winning by almost a full 50 seconds.

“I’m pretty happy,” Pauley said of the race. “Place-wise was definitely good. Time-wise could have been better.”

Seniors Katie Doucette (5th), Amber Valdez (6th), Civianna Gallegos (15th) and junior Maya Fairchild (32nd) gave the Wildcats a comfortable victory over Legacy (2nd), D’Evelyn (3rd), Denver East (4th) and Green Mountain (5th).

Pauley said she is excited for the Sanders Meet this coming week.

“With most of us being seniors we’ve built up our confidence,” Pauley said. “I think we have a pretty good realistic idea on what is going to happen.”

LAKEWOOD — Golden’s boys soccer program is hungry to get a taste of the postseason.

The Demons haven’t made the Class 4A state tournament field since 2014. With several familiar faces back, Golden coach Luke Vanderglas fully expects the Demons to be in the mix to make the 32-team field this year.

“That’s the goal of this team,” Vanderglas said of the Demons challenging for a Class 4A Jeffco League title and grab one of the two automatic postseason berths out of the conference. “We’ve got a lot of guys back from last year, but you never know in 4A Jeffco. Teams can have struggles now, but they can come back. We aren’t going to take anyone lightly.”

Golden didn’t take old Jeffco rival Alameda International lightly Wednesday at Lakewood Memorial Field. The Demons took a 4-1 victory to improve Golden’s non-league record to 5-1 on the season.

Golden’s Ayden Provencio (7) and Alameda’s Ronnie Mendoza chase down a loose ball. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“We have really improved this year, but you are always aware that the other team can give you a good match like they did when we encountered (Alameda) the last time,” Golden junior Doug Beeman said referring to the Demons’ slim 1-0 win over Alameda last year. “We wanted to come out here and show the new Golden soccer.”

The Demons got goals from sophomore Sam Markovich, juniors Beeman and Aydan Provencio to take a 3-1 lead at halftime. The Pirates evened the game at 1-1 in the 14th minute on a perfectly placed volley from Elian Mojica, but Beeman and Provencio scored a minute apart to grab a 2-goal lead.

“That was absolutely a good moment,” Beeman said of the Demons’ back-to-back goals in the 23rd and 24th minutes. “Getting the lead going into half is always thing to have.”

Golden sophomore Josh Colin scored the lone goal of the second half to cap off the victory.

“We are getting goals from all different areas on the field,” Vanderglas said. “That shows you how dynamic these boys are when they want to play.”

Golden’s Nate Thompson (18) heads the ball in front of Alameda’s Angel Rivas on Wednesday at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

While the Demons have plenty of varsity experience, they are going with freshman Brandon Shull in net. Vanderglas clearly has plenty of faith in his young goalkeeper.

“Brandon brings a lot of confidence and a lot of vocal leadership back there, even as a freshman,” Vanderglas said. “The boys really respond to that, look up and respect him even if he is a freshman.”

Golden has a good test in its final non-league contest before 4A Jeffco League play begins. The Demons host undefeated Denver North (5-0) at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, at the North Area Athletic Complex.

“Denver North is going to be a tough opponent on Friday. It should be a good one,” said Vanderglas who also admitted the Demons are a little banged up and distracted with it being homecoming week. “They got us last year and some of our boys circled that date. It will be a good test.”

Golden opens conference play next Tuesday night against Littleton at Littleton Public Schools Stadium.

Alameda opens up its 4A/3A Colorado 7 League schedule on the road against Weld Central on Sept. 26.

Golden sophomore Sam Markovich (3) fires home the Demons’ first goal Wednesday at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Alameda International girls tennis coach Scott Smith talks with his team during practice Tuesday afternoon. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

LAKEWOOD — Heart surgery kept Alameda International student-athlete Dana Glisan off the softball field, basketball and tennis courts during the 2015-16 school year.

Glisan was able to compete during her senior year. Playing No. 3 singles for the Pirates’ girls tennis team this spring she has become part of history. The senior along with seven of her teammates will take the court at the Class 3A girls state tournament Thursday.

“I never imagined it, but it was my dream since I was a freshman,” Glisan said about completing at state. “I’m pretty stoked.”

Alameda will send its No. 2 and 3 singles positions, along with No. 1, 2 and 3 double teams to the three-day state tournament at Centennial Park in Greeley. According to longtime Alameda coach Scott Smith, he believes it’s the first time the school has qualified players to the girls tennis state tournament in more than 30 years.

Alameda senior Dana Glisan is back on the court after having heart surgery last year. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“This is just a really special group of young ladies. Regardless of how we finish this year, it’s been a pleasure all year,” Smith said. “Most of them are super students too. They are in honors programs and the IB diploma program.”

The Colorado High School Activities Association added the 3A classification that encompasses schools with enrollment numbers under 1,060 students this year.

“Adding another classification kind of makes us play more like schools,” Smith said.

The 3A Region 1 tournament last week featured Colorado Academy, Alameda, Bishop Machebeuf, Denver West and Skyview. The Pirates who place in the top-2 to qualify for state includes senior Makayla Romero who plays No. 2 singles.

“When I got to regionals I realized I could make it to state. It was that late,” Romero said. “It’s crazy. It’s a great accomplishment.”

Colorado Academy swept all seven first-place spots at regionals. Alameda managed to place second in the team standings.

Alameda senior Makayla Romero hits a backhand during practice Tuesday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“We just said, ‘Get better every week and put it all on the line at regionals.’ They did,” Smith said. “They really played well at regionals.”

Smith hopes this year’s success helps build the numbers up for his program that he has guided for more than 30 years. He had a dozen players come out for the team this season.

“It’s really good for Alameda,” Smith said. “I hope it does get our number up. We just barely had a team this year.”

The three Alameda double teams headed to Greeley are all underclassmen — No. 1 doubles: Michelle Dinh and Samantha Salazar, No. 2 doubles: Jacky Cruz and Tina Hoang, No. 3 doubles: Cindy Hoang and Ivette Sanchez.

“We’ll go up and do our best,” Smith said. “May the chips fall as they do.”

Alameda International’s girls tennis team placed second at the Class 3A Region 1 tournament. (photo provided)

A roundup of Jeffco prep highlights, interviews and schedules with Dennis Pleuss, Jeffco Public Schools’ Communication Specialist. This month’s edition features state wrestling where Jeffco-area programs brought home several state titles, Class 5A and 4A boys and girls basketball highlights, along with photos from National Letter of Intent Signing Day.