The Peak to Peak boys basketball team beat Salida 61-52 in Friday's first round of the Class 3A state tournament before the Pumas pulled off a stunner against previously unbeaten Jefferson Academy, 66-63, on Saturday. They will now face Buena Vista (20-5) in Thursday's quarterfinals at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Peak to Peak, coached by Tony Peters, was beaten by Jefferson Academy (Broomfield) 74-61 earlier in the year. Peters know it's tough to beat a team twice in the same season, especially when the stakes are much higher the second time around. That was the thought that went through the mind of Pumas standout, J.P. Mile, a 6-foot-2 senior.
"When we played them earlier in the year they came out in the fourth quarter and just blew us away," said Mile, who averages 18 points. "They are a great team, but we knew we could play with them. This is the first time ever in the final eight for the school. This is great."
Elsewhere in 3A, the Eaton boys (14-11) avoided the upset on a night when three of the lower seeds lost on the Reds’ home floor. The Reds defeated St. Mary's 52-34 then beat league foe Highland 57-40 in their Sweet 16 game. Eaton now face two-time defending champion and No. 1-seeded Faith Christian (23-1) in the quarterfinals.
"It was scary going into our games as the higher-seeded teams before us lost," Eaton coach Dean Grable said. "Our girls usually set the tone for us, but they kind of didn't do a good job. But our guys don't talk about winning or losing; we talk about every possession."
Defensively, Eaton was on the ball in the first half as it allowed only nine first-half points against St. Mary's.
"Our defense was outstanding and that set the tone," said Eaton's 6-5 sophomore Tony Ball. "We had to keep the intensity up and everyone stepped up. I was surprised they only scored the nine points in the half and with it, the momentum shifted our way. We were just able to get rolling and keep it up."
Faith Christian (Arvada) rolled past The Pinnacle (Federal Heights) 97-48 and Weld Central 61-51 in its first state encounters. Not to be overlooked on the boys side is the only unbeaten team in the field, Aspen (23-0), led by Andrew Papenfus (15.2 points). Pagosa Springs (20-3), with Tyson Ross (14.2), and Kent Denver (20-4), led by Jared Smith (17.3), also should provide formidable.
Class 3A girls
Coal Ridge (New Castle) (13-11) upset Eaton 53-49, then beat Salida 50-38 to reach the quarterfinals. It doesn't get any easier for the Titans as their opponent will be Western Slope League rival Olathe (24-0).
According to Coal Ridge coach Rick Schmitz, senior Tori Verdick played the game of her life against Eaton. Another performance like that will be needed against Olathe.
"That was the best game Tori has ever played on the boards," Schmitz said. "At both ends, she was huge for us. The biggest thing was that the girls changed their mindset and we were able to get back in the game, get a three-, four-point lead and hang on."
Said Verdick, "We have to play old-school ball. If we don't, then we won't have a defensive mindset and our offense will be off. Eaton gave us one of the most physical games we've been in. But our league is pretty physical so we are a little used to it. This is a good trip over from the Western Slope."
Holy Family (Broomfield) (23-1) is seeking to win its third title, but the Tigers are seeded No. 2. Colorado Springs Christian (24-0) has been led by Brianne Vande Griend (15.2), and the Lions face crosstown rival St. Mary's (Colorado Springs) (21-3) in the quarterfinals. The Lions defeated St. Mary's 42-34 earlier this season. The Pirates are led by all-stater Christina Whitelaw (23.2).
Class 2A preview
New champions are assured for boys and girls, as the Colorado Springs School boys lost to Wray last weekend, while the Wray girls failed to advance past districts. The top seed on the boys side is Ignacio (19-2), with Alex Herrera leading the way (15.2 ), and Paonia (22-1) leads the girls seeds. One team to watch is the Lutheran (Parker) boys, which advanced by beating Wray in the regional finals.
"Defense has been the catalyst," Lutheran-Parker coach John Adam said. "We have won 11 in a row and it has been the defense that has propelled us. We have really stepped up our ball pressure and it has caused havoc for the other teams."
Yet, the offensive punch, with sophomore Jonathan Foote lending a huge hand, has not been bad either.
"Defense has helped our transition to the offense," said Foote, who will help lead his teammates against Sanford (18-4) in the quarterfinals. "And then being able to pound it inside is another key. I think we are always a slower first-half team, but in the second halves this season, we have been strong. Now, we just have to keep it up for three more games."
Class A preview
Defending boys champion Caliche (Iliff) (22-2) has the No. 2 seed for the boys, even though the Buffs have not lost to a 1A school this season. The No. 1 spot has been designated to Otis (24-0), the lone unbeaten in the field which is led by Jimmy McGrath (14.5 points).
Creede (20-2), Hi-Plains (18-5), behind leading scorer Sam Rueb (14.3), and Ouray (18-5), led by Chris Cramps(19.2), have the next best records among the boys.
The Kim girls, last year's runner-up and led by Danielle Lewis (14.8), is the lone unbeaten in the field with a 23-0 record. Yet the Mustangs cannot overlook McClave (22-1), last year's champion. McClave’s lone loss came to Kim, 48-18. Pawnee (22-2) and Dove Creek (21-3) loom as strong contenders.
Tournament tip-ins
Colorado Springs Christian boys coach Mason Young was the first to admit that his return to the Eaton gym last weekend was tough to take. The Lions lost to Highland. Young, who coached at Eaton before assuming the head duties at C.S. Christian, has strong family ties to the area as well. And coming into the tournament, the Lions were the No. 9 seed while Highland was No. 24.
"It was tough homecoming, just a tough thing to do," said Young after the loss, "and a strange and emotional night. These are great people here and this is a wonderful place to be. It's heartfelt, too, because my grandfather graduated from Eaton in 1935 and I just love coming back here. This is a great place for me and my family and my brothers and sisters are still in the area, too."
Eaton, though, made it tough on Highland and its coach, Jim Altergott, in the Sweet 16. The Reds beat the Huskies 57-40 on Saturday. Not only did that end Highland’s season, but Altergott also announced his retirement.
"I've had a great 35 years doing this; I certainly don't have any regrets with any of it and I've loved every minute," said Altergott, who coached the Huskies to the title in 2000. "I just think it is time for me to step aside and let some of the younger folks do it. I've got a place in Scottsdale (Ariz.) and with all the snow here the weather keeps calling my name."
