Scherer explodes for 29 to lead Valor to 6A title game
Behind a dominant fourth quarter, Valor Christian is headed back to the state title game for the first time in seven years.
The Eagles outscored Smoky Hill 22-11 in the pivotal final frame en route to a 67-56 win in the Class 6A boys Final Four on Friday at the Denver Coliseum. Valor Christian was paced by 29 points from junior point guard Cole Scherer.
With the win, Valor Christian avenged a 70-68 loss to Smoky Hill earlier in the season.
“We were excited for a big revenge game,” Cole Scherer said. “We wanted it more.
“I came in attacking. I know they’re scrappy, but that I could get downhill (toward the basket) on them. And we had a big focus on defense, and came out in the fourth quarter and got a bunch of stops which helped us blow the lead up.”
Senior guard Eli Kim (14 points) and senior forward Ryan Dixon (11) also finished in double-figures for Valor Christian, which is seeking its second state title to add to the Class 4A crown the Eagles won in 2017.
Smoky Hill was led by 18 points from senior guard Torian Ray Gasaway, while senior forward Kevin Sylla had 12 and junior guard Lorenzo Contreras posted 11. The Buffaloes turned the ball over 21 times to Valor Christian’s 14, and the Eagles had a 19-9 advantage in points off those miscues.
CLASS 4A GIRLS — NO. 1 HOLY FAMILY 48, NO. 4 RESURRECTION CHRISTIAN 44>> Holy Family is headed back to the 4A state title game.
And Tigers head coach Ron Rossi is one win away from making Colorado girls basketball history.
After a 48-42 win over No. 4 Resurrection Christian on Friday inside Denver Coliseum, the Tigers can give Rossi his eighth state championship with a win over Riverdale Ridge in Saturday’s title game.
That would place him above Highlands Ranch coach Caryn Jarocki for most Colorado girls’ basketball state titles by a coach.
After winning each of its tournament games by at least 27 points, Holy Family was pushed to the brink before escaping with a sixpoint victory against Resurrection Christian. The score was most indicative of the slow, grinding nature of the semifinal.
Only six points were scored in the first quarter, both teams combining for 2-of-23 shooting in the frame.
Holy Family senior Essynce Contreraz scored all four of the Tigers’ points on the way to scoring a teamhigh 16 on the game to go with six steals.
One of the biggest differences was Resurrection Christian’s inability to take care of the ball and Holy Family being able to capitalize. The Tigers scored 19 points off 27 turnovers from the Cougars.
CLASS 4A BOYS — NO. 1 KENT DENVER 68, NO. 5 COLORADO ACADEMY 56 >> Kent Denver advanced to the 4A boys title game after defeating Colorado Academy.
The Sun Devils were able to hold off a valiant comeback effort from the Mustangs.
Colorado Academy cut the deficit down to 49-47 at the start of the fourth quarter, but Kent Denver went on an 11-2 run to pull away with the win.
Kent Denver sophomore Caleb Fay finished with a game-high 24 points while shooting 10 for 13 from the floor.