Undefeated Raptors escape with league win

EAGLECREST 56, ARAPAHOE 54

centennial» Having been in the Centennial League for 15 seasons, Eaglecrest coach John Olander knows what the suburban group’s home-and-away scheduling means and can do.

“It’s the equalizer,” Olander said after his Raptors escaped Sitting Eagle Gymnasium with a nail-biting 56-54 decision of host Arapahoe. “I told our guys about it. I knew Arapahoe would be a tough team. It has a lot of guys back. ... It has always been that way.”

Top-ranked in The Associated Press Class 5A media poll, Eaglecrest is 11-0 overall (perhaps a first, Olander said), 3-0 in league. The Raptors had a bit of trouble late in terms of finishing at the rim and canning free throws, but their grit came though, Olander said.

“We haven’t had a game where every free throw counts down the stretch, every shot, every possession, and we were lucky to get out of here with a win,” he said. “I’m proud of our guys for just battling.”

Arapahoe (7-5, 1-2) shot well, particularly early in making 7-of-9 3pointers, but a wave of Raptors forced several ties and lead changes. Kyle Lukasiewicz (15 points), Jared Johnson (10), James Walsh (nine) and Joey Kleeman (seven) led the Warriors, while Colbey Ross (nine), Victor Garnes (12), Ikenna Ozor (nine) and Elijah Wilson mostly made it happen for Eaglecrest, although the Raptors were productive in waves.

Eaglecrest missed three late free throws, and Arapahoe had five consecutive turnovers, but Lukasiewicz’s heave a step behind halfcourt went off the front of the rim at the buzzer.

Eaglecrest expects to see more teams lining up to take it down. “We want to play the best in the state and have them give us their best,” Wilson said.