Highlands Ranch freshman Tyson Gilbert, right, knocks the ball out of the hands of Chatfield sophomore Alex Beckley (11) during the first half Wednesday night. The No. 10 seed Falcons took a 56-38 road victory and will face Eaglecrest in the second round of the Class 5A state tournament Saturday. (Dennis Pleuss)
LITTLETON — Highlands Ranch didn’t look like a No. 10 seed in the Class 5A boys basketball state tournament Wednesday night.
The Falcons cruised to a 56-38 road victory against No. 7 seed Chatfield (12-12 overall) in the opening round of the state tournament. Highlands Ranch (9-15) used a 13-0 run in the first half to eventually take a 21-point lead at halftime.
“The kids really played well tonight,” Highlands Ranch coach Bob Caton said. “They did what they needed to do.”
Chatfield junior Cameron Pearson (15) gets around Highlands Ranch freshman Brendan Sullivan (25) during the first half Wednesday. (Dennis Pleuss)
Senior Pat Sullivan had a monster first half for the Falcons. Sullivan had 22 points after two quarters, including five 3-pointers. He had just one point after halftime, but still finished with a game-high 23 points.
“My teammates kept giving it to me and we executed really well,” Sullivan said. “We got the win, which is what we needed. We are moving on. We’ve got to focus on Rangeview now.”
Highlands Ranch senior Keith Coleman Jr. dominated down low with 14 points and junior Jack Fiddler added 10 points for the Falcons. Chatfield was never able to cut Highlands Ranch’s lead to under double-digits in the second half.
“Our seniors really came to the forefront,” Caton said. “Patrick and Keith really did a tremendous job, then Fiddler with his rebounds and hustle plays.”
No. 2 seed and East Metro champion Rangeview (18-5) will host the Falcons on Saturday in the second round of the state tournament.
Highlands Ranch finished 10th in the 11-team 5A Continental League. The Continental was the toughest conference in 5A this season with two No. 1 seeds (ThunderRidge and Regis Jesuit), two No. 2 seeds (Mountain Vista and Legend) and two No. 3 seeds (Rock Canyon and Chaparral) for the state tournament to come out of the league.
The Falcons upset Mountain Vista for one of their two league wins. Highlands Ranch came into the state tournament having a 2-8 record in its final 10 regular-season games.
“We have a good league and it prepares us for these games,” Caton said. “We get to practice tomorrow. That’s the fun part.”
The goal for the Falcons now is to finish the season one-game below .500. That would mean six straight playoff wins and a state title.
“We can beat anybody we think,” Sullivan said.
Chatfield came into Wednesday game having won seven of eight, including a 10-point win over 5A Jeffco champion and No. 2 seed Dakota Ridge. The Chargers had some taste of the Continental League having non-league games against ThunderRidge, Chaparral and Mountain Vista. Chatfield dropped all three of those games before winter break.
“I don’t think we came out prepared as we needed to be,” said Chatfield senior Colin Downs, who led the Chargers with 18 points in the season-ending loss. “I don’t think we quite wanted this one as much as Highlands Ranch did.”
Downs was one of just four graduating seniors for Chatfield. The Chargers finished third in the 5A Jeffco this season.
Chatfield senior Connor Haines (43) battles with Highlands Ranch junior Max Jeffords (35) for a rebound during the opening round Class 5A state basketball playoff game Wednesday at Chatfield High School. (Dennis Pleuss)
“It was a great season,” Downs added. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world, ever.”
Chatfield coach Stephen Schimpeler admitted he was “disappointed.” The Chargers’ 38 points was their lowest scoring output of the season.
“When you shoot the ball that poorly you’re not going to advance,” Schimpeler said. “I think our youth showed tonight.”
Despite the loss, Schimpeler believed a stronger performance against Highlands Ranch could have been achieved.
“Continental in a good league, but we can compete with Continental teams. We’ve got to play better,” Schimpeler said. “I think it was just one of those nights. I give Highlands Ranch credit. Their guys stepped up when they needed to.”
Highlands Ranch senior Pat Sullivan (2) attempts to split the double-team of Chatfield junior Cameron Pearson and sophomore Lucas St. Germain (15) during the second half Wednesday night at Chatfield High School. Sullivan’s 22-point effort in the opening half helped the Falcons to a 56-38 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)