Notable performances in Class 5A and Class 4A state playoffs
Here are notable performances in Class 5A and Class 4A boys and girls basketball during the second round of the state playoffs Friday and Saturday. The action resumes this week with the Sweet 16.
CLASS 5A BOYS
No. 16 Eaglecrest 67, No. 17 Rangeview 54 on Saturday: The Raptors (14-10) continued their title defense under first-year coach Jarris Krapcha with a grinding win. The Raiders (187) return a plethora of talent next season as highlighted by sophomore twins Christopher and Christian Speller.
No. 13 Smoky Hill 76, No. 20 Fairview 49 on Saturday: After the Knights (17-8) jumped out to a 20-9 lead following one quarter, the Buffaloes (17-7) turned on the jets. Sophomore point guard Quentin Rock led with 18 points, while senior Eric Williams added 13 and junior Kenny Foster had 11.
CLASS 4A BOYS No. 15 Palmer Ridge 52, No. 18 Holy Family 48 on Saturday: Senior Nick Boldvich and the
Bears (16-8) outlasted the Tigers (16-9) as coach Nick Mayer’s team took a step past last year’s second-round playoff exit. And despite the season-ending loss, Holy Family coach Peter Villecco has plenty of reasons to be optimistic for next winter considering he returns his three leading scorers. No. 1 Pueblo South 67, No. 32 Conifer 32 on Saturday: Coming off their first state tournament win in a decade, the Lobos (1312) saw their groundbreaking season end at the hands of the Colts (22-2), as the South Central League champions looked every bit like the top seed. Senior forward Jeremy Cody and senior point guard Tonay Aragon combined for 39 points.
CLASS 5A GIRLS No. 19 Arapahoe 55, No. 14 Chaparral 47 in overtime on Friday: The Warriors (17-8)
erased a nine-point halftime deficit behind junior Eliana Mcclarie (15 points) and sophomore Kali March (13). Despite the tough ending to the season for the Wolverines (168), there’s plenty to look forward to next year with junior center Sydney Speights and the team’s returning core.
No. 20 Columbine 46, No. 13 Doherty 44 on Friday: A game-high 15 points from sophomore forward Quincey Baum propelled the Rebels (18-7) to victory, snapping a 16-game win streak for the Spartans (20-4). Doherty was paced by a dozen points from senior Brionna Mcbride, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Rebels from their first playoff win in eight years. CLASS 4A GIRLS
No. 8 Mesa Ridge 56, No. 25 Littleton 55 on Friday: Senior center Rebekah Sandstrom nearly propelled the Lions (13-12) to the upset with a 19-point performance. But the Grizzlies (21-3) escaped with the win thanks to a fourth-quarter comeback led by sophomore Jada Thompson, who finished with 14 points. No. 6 Evergreen 38, No. 38 Green Mountain 36 on Friday: The Rams (6-19) lost by only one point to the defending champion Cougars (22-2) in the teams’ second Jeffco League meeting on Feb. 9. So it was no surprise that coach Darren Pitzner’s crew gave Evergreen, led by doubledigit scoring showings by junior Claudia Dillon, senior Kristina Schreiber and senior Hannah Kennedy, all it could handle.