(Logan Borgmann/CHSAANow.com)
LOVELAND — It had been 64 years since a Holly boys basketball team had won a state title.
The school will get another gold ball in its trophy case after Saturday’s thrilling 33-32 win over Fleming in Saturday’s Class 1A state championship game.
“We did it,” coach Dusty Heck said as he hugged his point guard, Yaniel Vidal.
It took everything the team had.
Though Holly led through most of the game, Fleming would not go away.
With four minutes remaining and nursing a two-point lead, Holly went spread with its offense, hoping to get an open basket underneath. Fleming stayed packed in the lane.
Tristan Nelson finally had a layup opportunity but missed it.
His team up by four after two Vidal free throws, Nelson got another chance. This time he powered his way to the layup.
“I told myself if I got another chance I’m not going to miss,” he said.
He didn’t. With his team up by four after two Vidal free throws, Nelson got another chance. This time he powered his way to the layup.
Still, Fleming battled back, getting a three-point play from Alex Vandenbark and a steal in the backcourt to pull to within 33-32.
Heck called a timeout. During the entire game, his team had played a zone defense. This time, he called a man-to-man to try and confuse Fleming.
“Thank god we did,” he said as Fleming’s attempt to set up a play resulted in the ball rolling past the end line as time expired.
“We have a lot of heart on this team,” Vidal said.
Heck, a Holly grad, set the bar high during his first season as a head coach.
“We sure did,” he said with a smile, relishing the challenge.
“We just made history,” Nelson said.
Sangre de Cristo bounced back from Friday’s loss to Fleming to earn the third-place trophy, downing Jim Elliot Christian 57-43. South Baca County came back to take the consolation title, defeating Ouray 61-52.