No. 1 Longmont snuck past Valor Christian 47-46 in a back and forth battle to move to 26-0 and more importantly, earn a bid to the Final 4 for the first time since 2010.
The Trojans’ Kolton Bachman drained a shot with 3.9 seconds remaining to edge out the No. 2 seeded Eagles. Longmont had made at least the Sweet 16 the past three seasons, but this was their first Great 8 since 2011.
Longmont will face Sierra, a No. 2 seed which claimed the Colorado Springs Metro crown, in the state semifinals.
(2) Sierra 56, (4) Pueblo South 47
A seesaw battle in Colorado Springs saw the Sierra Stallions squeeze out a 56-47 win over Pueblo South in one of four outstanding 4A Great 8 games.
Tevion Thompson left the game with an injury in the second half, but returned shortly to give the Stallions a much-needed boost. The Stallions return to the Coors Events Center where they won back-to-back state championships in 2009 and 2010.
(2) Air Academy 45, (1) Golden 41
Despite a scoring drought for most of the second quarter, the Air Academy Kadets hung on to topple No. 1 Golden and advance to next weekend’s Final 4.
Austin Dewing knocked down key free throws with the waning seconds to seal the victory for the Kadets. They’ll face Pikes Peak Athletic Conference foe Lewis-Palmer Friday for a chance to go to the state championship game.
(4) Lewis-Palmer 57, (3) D’Evelyn 55
Lewis-Palmer got a late steal, and then two game-winning free throws with 7.2 seconds left to pull the upset on the road.
D’Evelyn led 55-52 with 42.6 seconds remaining. Jonathan Scott hit two free throws to make it 55-54. Then, Lewis-Palmer tied the game.
It marks a return to the stage that Lewis-Palmer is very familiar with. The Rangers won titles in Boulder in 2012 and 2013.
Final 4 matchups
March 13, at CU, times TBD (Bracket)
- Longmont vs. Sierra
- Air Academy vs. Lewis-Palmer