DENVER — It’s no secret that Wolves hunt in packs. And that’s exactly what the Grandview Wolves did Saturday night. Hours after the girls won their second-straight basketball title, the boys followed suit.
A 57-52 win over George Washington completed the Class 5A basketball sweep for Grandview. This is the first state championship for the boys.
“I just believed that my team would win,” Grandview coach Michael Rogers said. “I’m just blessed with a great group of kids and I just knew we were going to win.
Among that great group was Dayne Prim, who led the Wolves with 20 points in the winning effort. He shot 9-for-10 from the field and had similar performances all the way through the tournament.
“I was just coming out to try and play every single game just like I do every single night,” Prim said. “I come out here, do what’s best for my team, be a team player, be the leader, lead my guys and we got the dub.”
There were nine total lead changes in the first half an neither team held a lead larger than five points. The Patriots were briefly up 24-19, but a 3-point basket from Lean Ramiro followed by a steal and a fast break layup from Tyler Unger evened the score again.
Jon’il Fugett scored four of George Washington’s last five points in the first half, including a drive and lay in with less than 10 seconds left on the clock. That basket gave the Patriots a 29-26 lead at the half.
“This is a regular season game in the Centennial League,” Rogers said about the constant lead changes. “That’s why you play in the best league in the state and you play those guys twice.”
(Marcus Gipson/Jmariahimages.com)
The Wolves cut into the three-point lead once again with another 3-pointer from Unger. On the next possession, Calib McGil navigated his way down low to give Grandview its first lead since it was 15-14.
Mo Daillo tied things up for George Washington before Dayne Prim gave the Wolves a two-point edge after three quarters.
That’s the way the Wolves started working. Prim had been a beast for Grandview all playoffs so when a bucket was needed, the ball went straight into Prim’s hands.
“He has the heart of a champion,” Rogers said. “He came out tonight and said ‘get on my back, I got you guys.’”
He added a layup to give Grandview a 44-38 lead, its biggest of the game with just under five minutes remaining in regulation.
Heading into the fourth quarter, George Washington had made 12 of its 14 free throw attempts, but had three key misses as they tried to erase the Grandview lead.
That wasn’t the case for the Wolves as McGil and Ben Boone made timely free throws to once again push the lead to six points and ultimately seal the game for the Wolves.
“Practicing all season and going and getting free throws in all season, it just took us all back to Grandview,” Boone said. “This is just shoot around, this is just like we’re at Grandview and it worked out for us.”
This is just the third time that a 5A school has claimed both boys and girls basketball titles in the same season. ThunderRidge did back in 2003 and Regis Jesuit did it in 2009.
The Grandview guys said that watching the girls battle back against Regis Jesuit to claim a second-straight title inspired them to go their own.
“Of course they did,” Prim said. “And we’ve never done this at Grandview. We only had one boys championship and that’s in football (in 2007). We had never been to the championship, we never won one. This is history.”
The school was already planning on a championship celebration, now the scale is just going to be a bit bigger. For winning two championships in one night, all the Wolves will celebrate as a team
DENVER — After struggling from the free-throw line in a Class 5A boys basketball quarterfinal victory over Smoky Hill last weekend, George Washington coach Reggie Hammons made sure his team made those struggles a priority.
The very next practice, the Patriots spent the entire time putting in work from the foul line. Hammons’ message to his team was simple.
“The very first practice we shot free throws for the whole day,” he said. “I kept on telling them it’s going to come down to free throws.”
With a return trip to the 5A state championship game hanging in the balance Friday night, the Patriots showed they took the lesson to heart. Devon Jones hit a free throw with 1.6 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, and the Patriots were 9-of-10 from the line in OT to secure a 47-41 Final 4 victory at Denver Coliseum.
George Washington will take on Grandview — a team making its first championship game appearance — at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Coliseum.
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
“We haven’t conquered our goal yet, but this is a big step,” said Patriots senior Jon’il Fugett, who was 7-of-8 from the free-throw line in overtime and came up with a critical steal. “We’re going to celebrate, but – short memory.”
The Patriots (22-5), who have won 15 consecutive games, fell to Eaglecrest in the 2017 championship game. George Washington is seeking its first state title since winning the 6A crown in 1994, but will have to get past a Wolves team that knocked off two of the top three seeds in Chaparral and ThunderRidge.
“They’re well-coached. They’ve got some bigs,” Hammons said. “I’ll probably go home and watch some film.”
George Washington nearly didn’t get the opportunity to play Saturday night. A 10-point lead late in the third quarter Friday eventually disappeared, as Rock Canyon (24-3) took the lead with 7.2 seconds remaining on a Tyson Gilbert lay-in.
Jones was fouled on the other end, but missed the first attempt. After a timeout, Jones came back out and drained the second shot to tie the game at 36-36.
Jaylen Eikenberg put the Jaguars up by two with a pair of free throws early in overtime, and Shawn’Trell White matched those attempts to make it a 38-38 game. Mo Diallo had a huge block for the Patriots on the other end, and Fugett hit 1-of-2 shots after being fouled.
Fugett, who scored a team-high 16 points, then came up with a steal and was fouled again, hitting both shots. He was a perfect 6-for-6 in the final 65 seconds to secure the victory.
“I think in the beginning of the season, we just didn’t have that confidence and didn’t trust each other,” Hammons said. “I think now we trust each other. I think Jon’il is one of the leaders, and when it’s down the stretch, we put the ball in his hands.”
After needing a Fugett buzzer-beater to defeat Smoky Hill 42-41 in the quarterfinals, George Washington once again proved it has the clutch gene over the past few weeks.
“We like that. We want an exciting game,” Fugett said. “We knew it was going to be close. Rock Canyon’s a great team. We came through in the end, we executed, and that’s all you ask for.”
Tyson Gilbert finished with 16 points for Rock Canyon and Sam Masten added 14 as the Jaguars fell just short in the state semifinals for the second year in a row.
Grandview has won 10 games in a row, and like the Patriots, has played its best basketball down the stretch.
“We’re still going to need the energy,” Fugett said. “Just keep it going. Keep the same mind-set. We’ve got to win — period.”
Our first 5A game, at 7 p.m. is No. 2 seed ThunderRidge vs. No. 6 seed Grandview. The Grizzlies, with only one loss on the season and 25 wins, look to keep their streak going after their last-second win over Doherty has them feeling like this is their time.
T-Ridge faced a lot of size from Doherty and the Spartans started out more physical in the Great 8 match. Coach Ortiz’s timely adjustments from zone to man and the team picking up the overall intensity to match the Spartans eventually did the trick. The Grizzlies will again have their hands full on the inside in the likes of Dayne Prim. We’ll see if they have the answer, again.
(Jeff Tucker/jefferywtucker.zenfolio.com)
Grandview shot the ball best of all the 5A teams in the Great 8 and can thank five 3-pointers from Tyler Unger and Ben Boone as the reason they took control over Chaparral. The Wolves will need that inside/out punch again to match what Dayne Prim does on the inside (14 points, 7 rebounds per game).
Grandview averages about eight points less per game than T-Ridge, and statistically slow down more in the second half than the Grizzlies do so the pace of this game will be interesting.
T-Ridge has used its 2-1-2 zone vs. teams with size this season and we’ll see if they use that to stifle Prim’s inside play but that can leave Unger and Boone with open looks from three point land.
Fun chess match to come…
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(1) Rock Canyon vs. (5) George Washington
(Marcus Gipson/Jmariahimages.com)
The late game, at 8:30 p.m., some argue could be the state title game if these two powers weren’t on the same side of the bracket — and, oh yes, No. 1 Rock Canyon vs. No. 5 GW is a rematch!
No shortage of senior leadership here with the likes of Jon’il Fugett, Xavier Cooper, Sam Masten, and Tyson Gilbert in the back court for their squads. Our Fever Crew is a big fan of senior guard play down the stretch and this will be a treat to close out the night.
Sam Masten, one of out state’s top players headed to Northern Colorado who was just named the Gatorade player of the year, is the key to the Jaguars attack averaging 22 points per game and leading his team in four of five major statistical categories. But, as soon as you focus on Masten here comes smooth, slashing fellow senior Tyson Gilbert who can get to the rim with either hand as well.
The duo combined for 34 points in Great 8 win vs. Overland who had previously shut teams down.
(Marcus Gipson/Jmariahimages.com)
The Patriots leader and floor general is undoubtedly Jon’il Fugett who we’ve seen has no fear in stepping up to the plate in pressure situations. His ability to use his quickness to beat Kenny Foster with the dribble and then shoot the timely floater over a big man in the Great 8 finish sums up his body control and ability all in one play.
Another key to the Patriots is that all ten players on the roster have the ability to contribute and they will need that depth to knock off No. 1!
Our Fever Crew was at “Round 1” of this rematch in early December and honestly the Patriots looked confused and out-of-sorts early in the season. It was not a good showing by GW in tournament play on Rock Canyon’s home court as the Jaguars won the game easily 75-50. The 23-8 third-quarter advantage was key in stretching out that lead.
GW will be focused and eager to prove they are a different squad than on Dec. 1 and the Jaguars will simply look to continue their steady play and not stray away from what got them here.
We have mentioned the stellar guard play we will all be treated to but this could be decided inside as senior Blake Williams of Rock Canyon will have a task on his hands with Tray Pierce and Mo Diallo in the front court for GW.
The heroics of Matthew Ragsdale, star power of two-sport stud Marcell Barbee, scoring prowess of Luke Johnson, Joel Scott on a mission, and the veteran Nieyem’e Smeyer-Williams court leadership … this Final 4 has a bit of it all!
(2) Lewis-Palmer vs. (6) Pueblo West
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
On paper we have a pretty balanced battle here. Pueblo West struggled in some of the rivalry games we’ve seen them excel in, in the past while Lewis-Palmer has lost only two games the entire season.
Pueblo West will ride the back of their veteran PG star Smeyer-Williamsm while the difference maker could be in the Rangers’ Joel Scott who, even as a junior, has been described as a man amongst boys in 4A this year.
Scott also has a running mate in Matthew Ragsdale who can heat up behind the arc and is obviously not afraid to step up for the big shot when needed.
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(1) Pueblo South vs. (5) Longmont
(Charles Hurley/@PuebloRdoSports)
Our top seed Pueblo South and No. 5 seed Longmont both enter this Final 4 as two-loss teams on hot streaks.
Both squads are unbeaten league champs averaging in the 60 point-per-game range. This will be good!
We love great matchups in sports and Pueblo South with their core of players returning to the Coliseum from last year and 4A Football Player of the Year Marcell Barbee would be the great of this matchup. Longmont is the “blue collar” team coming in looking to shock and upset.
Don’t be fooled, though: Longmont has a stud lead man in Luke Johnson who averages 20 points per game who is more than capable of stealing the show!
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Cancel all plans for Friday and Saturday, folks. There’s only one place to be and that’s the Denver Coliseum for the conclusion of our big school boys hoops.
It will be more than worth the price of admission!
DENVER — Jon’il Fugett hit a floater with 3.5 seconds to play, and George Washington boys basketball emerged with a dramatic win in the Class 5A Great 8 on Saturday.
Fugett, a senior, drove to his right down the lane, and let a shot go in the final moments. It danced upon the rim, then dropped. Winner. George Washington would move on with a 42-41 win over Smoky Hill, and return to the Final 4.
“That’s what I go to practice for everyday — test those shots,” Fugett said. “It was good defense, on both sides. It was just a better shot. Feels great.”
Fugett’s final shot came in heavy traffic.
“It was just a spot I had to get it to,” Fugett said. “I knew I wasn’t going to be able to drop it in all net, so I just had to touch it on the rim. Once it hit the rim, I was happy. I couldn’t really see it after it left my hands. Once I hit it twice, I knew it was going in.”
George Washington advanced to last year’s state title game. Coach Reggie Hammons said that experience helped on Saturday.
(Marcus Gipson/Jmariahimages.com)
“With Jon’il being in there last year, and the experience being there, he stepped up and hit that shot,” Hammons said.
The two teams battled all night. Smoky Hill edged out in front with an 8-0 run to start the third quarter, going up 25-20, and later 28-22, before George Washington close the frame with nine unanswered points.
Included were seven straight points from Shawn’Trell White, a 6-foot-1 senior guard for the Patriots. He had a 3-pointer with 38 seconds left in the third quarter, and then had a layup at the buzzer after stealing Smoky Hill’s last possession. That gave the Patriots a 31-28 advantage heading to the fourth quarter.
But Smoky was unfazed.
Kenny Foster, the Buffs’ leading scorer, hit a 3-pointer as the fourth quarter opened to tie the game at 31.
Smoky Hill and Foster then turned a parade to the line, as well as a few turnovers, into a 37-31 advantage with 6:17 to play.
Again, George Washington battled back. This time, it was senior Jon’in Fugett leading the charge. He hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 37-34, and later had a spinning layup that gave his team a 38-37 lead with 3:53 to go.
“That’s how we’ve been the whole year: battling back,” Hammons said. “Get down, and fight our way back.”
By the time 1:29 remained, George Washington led 40-39, and had a chance to extend that lead, but missed three consecutive free throws. Smoky Hill tied the game at 40 with just over a minute to play, and then took a 41-40 lead when Quentin Rock hit 1-of-2 free throws with 32 seconds to play.
The teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the fast-pace game in the first half. Smoky Hill shot just 22 percent — and George Washington wasn’t much better at 30 percent from the field, including 1-of-9 from 3-point.
Mo Diallo led George Washington with 12 points. Fugett had nine, and White added 7.
Rock led Smoky Hill with 10 points. Foster had nine, and Eric Williams scored eight.
George Washington entered the tournament as one of 5A’s hottest teams, winning 13-straight games.
In three seasons under coach Anthony Hardin, Smoky Hill has made remarkable strides. In Hardin’s first season, Smoky Hill was 4-19.
Rock Canyon (21-2) leads the 5A field, having finished atop the final RPI standings of the regular season. Other high seeds in 5A include No. 2 ThunderRidge, No. 3 Chaparral, No. 4 Denver East, No. 5 George Washington, No. 6 Grandview, No. 7 Doherty and No. 8 Overland.
Defending champion Eaglecrest is seeded No. 16.
In 4A, Pueblo South (21-2) also was No. 1 in the final RPI standings. No. 2 Lewis-Palmer, No. 3 Golden, No. 4 Falcon, No. 5 Longmont, No. 6 Pueblo West, No. 7 Silver Creek and No. 8 Evergreen are also high 4A seeds.
Defending champion Valor Christian is seeded ninth.
Both tournaments begin play on Wednesday, with seeds Nos. 32-48 playing in the first round.
Round 2 games take place on Saturday, with the Sweet 16 set for Feb. 28. The Great 8 is March 3, the Final 4 will be March 8, and championship games are set for March 10.
The Great 8 (5A only), Final 4 and championship games will be played at the Denver Coliseum.
ThunderRidge has moved up to the No. 1 spot in Class 5A in this week’s boys 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.
With the regular season set to end on Saturday, these will serve as the final rankings of the regular season.
Chaparral (in 5A) and Peetz (in 1A) have taken over the top sports in their respective boys basketball rankings this week.
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.
