PUEBLO – Up next for the Sanford boys basketball team is a chance at a state championship three-peat.
The Indians made that a reality by muscling past Holyoke 51-42 in a Class 2A state semifinal game at Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Massari Arena.
“We really didn’t run our offense that good tonight and it was a battle because they are a very good team,” veteran Sanford coach Rhett Larsen said. “I just feel good about getting out of there with a win.”
Sanford improved to 26-0 this season and dating back to the middle of the 2013-2014 season the Indians have won 72 games in a row. The state record is 73.
Sanford finished the season 27-0 in 2014-15 and claimed the school’s seventh state boys basketball title and second in a row with a 47-44 overtime victory over Resurrection Christian – the team it will meet in a rematch at 7 p.m. Saturday.
“They are a very good team and we are going to have to play very good against them,” Larsen said. “We are going to have to play our best basketball. We are just glad we are here and have the opportunity to play (Saturday night) for it (a title). We will find out (if playing Resurrection again will help). I know every experience helps you and I’m excited for our kids, they have worked hard for this opportunity.”
In 2013-14, the Indians had a 26-1 record, culminating with their 58-53 victory over Akron in the finals.
Holyoke dropped to 22-4 and into the consolation bracket Saturday.
Sanford held a slim 25-22 halftime lead, but then was able to pull away in the third quarter, outscoring the Dragons 14-8.
The offensive firepower for Sanford was supplied by Chance Canty who had a game-high 28 points. Miles Caldon also added 20 points for the Indians. Jesus Loya (18) and Alex Strauss (10) were Holyoke’s only players in double figures.
Resurrection Christian 74, Sedgwick County 46
High-scoring Tanner Ervin poured in a game-high 28 points propelling the RSC to the win.
RSC raced out to a 37-18 halftime lead and kept pushing down the gas pedal. Ervin, a junior, had 17 points in the first half. After the third quarter, RSC was up 58-31.
“We had a big lead, but we had a big lead (Thursday night) and we were able to handle the ball and be strong,” Ervin said.
The Cougars, who were a 2A runner-up to Sanford (47-44 in overtime) a year ago, ran their record to 25-0. Sedgwick County dropped into the consolation bracket with a 23-2 record.
“I thought we made better decisions overall (Friday night), and played good from the start,” RSC coach Bruce Dick said. “The effort was just great and I thought we were as good as we’ve been against the zone.”
Last year’s defeat in the state title game is still fresh in Ervin’s mind – for good reason.
Ervin missed a possible game-tying trey right before the overtime buzzer, ending the Cougars’ dream season. It was the Cougars inaugural appearance in a boys basketball title game and their only loss was to Sanford.
“That why we were back in the gym a week after last season ended,” said Ervin about wanting to redeem the defeat. “I was glad they gave me the opportunity to shoot that 3 and hopefully if I get the opportunity this year things will turn out different.”
Dick also is ready for another shot at state supremacy.
“This year’s team had had that desire and passion to get back (to the state championship game),” Dick said. “We just have to be ourselves (Saturday), and play the way Resurrection plays.”
In addition to Ervin, Michael Stevenson and Luke Fick had 14 points each. Sedgwick County’s Tyler Woodhams was held to 15 points after scoring 35 points in his team’s quarterfinal win over Paonia (72-59) Thursday.