(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
COLORADO SPRINGS — Vista Ridge was in trouble. After holding a 20-point lead over Sand Creek in the third quarter, the Wolves were down two with less than 10 seconds left. And it was Sand Creek’s ball.
Robert Fernandez, rather than fouling, was able to steal the ball and find an open player, sophomore Raymon Harper.
He fired up the 3-pointer and after dancing on the rim for what felt like an eternity, the ball trickled through the cylinder, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and giving Vista Ridge a 63-62 win over the Scorpions.
Administrators from both schools had to step in to prevent the celebration and interaction from both student sections from getting out of control, but once tensions eased, it hit home that the Wolves (12-4 overall, 5-2 Pikes Peak Athletic Conference) are indeed a force in Class 4A.
“As a high school game goes, with big plays being made, that was as good as it gets,” Vista Ridge coach Joe Hites said. “Everyone that came in here, standing room only, got their money’s worth.”
That they did.
Sand Creek (9-6, 4-3) struggled to find a rhythm early and found themselves in a quick 19-9 hole after the first quarter. Things didn’t get much better as the combination of Hunter Maldonado and Noah Beatty paced the Wolves offensive as the game inched to halftime.
The one-two punch of D’Shawn Schwartz and Jordan Phillips just weren’t able to get a consistent offensive set going for the Scorpions.
“What I have found is that we are a defensive team,” Sand Creek coach Mark Bowers said. “When we play defense and our defense creates offense, it’s unbelievable. And we didn’t start playing defense until the second half.”
But it didn’t seem like it at first. Maldonado knocked down an early 3-pointer in the third quarter then went on a run where he scored 11 consecutive points for his team that helped the Wolves build a 47-27 lead.
“Usually everything’s falling, but I have to give Sand Creek credit, they always had a man on me,” Maldonado said. “Coach just put me in positions to get an open shot and I hit them.”
But it was a much different story in the last eight minutes of the game. Maldonado went cold and the Scorpions slowly started crawling back into the game. With the Scorpions up 55-45, Schwartz scored five points on two quick possessions to make it a five-point game. He sank a couple of free throws to keep it close at 58-56.
And then things got crazy.
Beatty drove and hit a quick layup to regain a four-point lead for Vista Ridge. Phillips took the ball straight down the floor and hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one.
Harper was fouled, but missed free throws and the Scorpions came away with the rebound. Phillips hit another 3-pointer to make it 62-60, giving Sand Creek its first lead of the game. After calling timeout, the Wolves were looking to set up a play to tie or win the game, but turned the ball over on an errant pass.
As Sand Creek inbounded the ball, that’s when it was tipped and found its way into Harper’s hands who fired it toward the hoop, knocking down the most important shot of his young career.
“I would say it’s the top one,” Harper said. “People started rushing out of the stands and it just felt like a dream.”
But no need to pinch him. The game was indeed a reality. The Vista Ridge win sets an interesting week for the team as it travels to Falcon and Lewis-Palmer for their next two games.
The Scorpions will have their chance at revenge when they host the Wolves on Feb. 19 in the regular season finale for both teams.