(Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)
The Great 8 action set us up for what we hoped to be outstanding individual performances, favorites going down, huge comebacks, and players who have performed all season becoming possible household names.
Guess what? The Final 4 in Boulder didn’t disappoint: players we expected to step up did just that, but we had a few surprises making us wish the season wasn’t over so soon! Let’s catch up on how it all went down in Boulder!
Week in review
5A Final 4
- As much as we love to watch Colbey Ross on offense, it was a defensive play Dan Mohrmann points out as key in Eaglecrest’s upset of unbeaten Rangeview.
- Brian Miller covered the Trailblazers roaring early and often vs. Chatfield on Friday.
- Final 4 Photos.
- Ball Fever Final 4 thoughts: We again had a game/team heavily influenced by early foul trouble to a star. Social media was tough on the refs but there were some fouls by Rangeview’s main man Tyrei Randall that honestly weren’t smart like a critical reach at half court 10 seconds into the third quarter that gave him his fourth. Don’t want to be too tough on the young man, he has been an absolute stud this season and has a bright future but the Raiders lacked a bit of confidence and flow as their star wing sat major minutes. Eaglecrest did their job and took advantage of Rangeview searching while their leaders minutes were inconsistent.
- Sometimes there’s not just a lot to add to dominant performances! What stood out to us? How about five seniors scoring in double figures for the Trailblazers in a Final 4 match. Overland is simply stacked and have multiple players who could be standout starters for other schools. Accepting your role is what they have been about and how championship squads are built.
- Chatfield’s Cameron Pearson led the Chargers with 10 points and Cannon Casey took a unique look at his passion here.
4A Final 4
- Dan Mohrmann has your report on the Pueblo West sophomore who continually steps up to give his team a boost.
- Can you say "4th quarter blur?!!" Brian Miller has you covered on Valor’s epic fourth quarter rally.
- Final 4 Photos.
- Ball Fever Final 4 thoughts: As Vista Ridge unleashed the "Box & 1" defense to slow David Simental, the supporting cast led by sophomore Nieyeme Smyer-Williams had no problem stepping up! Those who know all angles of the CO hoops world were fully aware of Hunter Maldonado but he let the masses know he’s a 2017 prospect to be heard from.
- Longmont has lost two elimination games in the same amount of seasons and unfortunately they both happened in Boulder. I’m sure that’s no consolation to them, and we heard a few times that the furious 30-point fourth quarter and adjustments made were exactly why Valor brought on coach Troy Pachner.
5A championship
- Long stretches without star De’Ron Davis didn’t halt Overland’s repeat march towards a title and Brian Miller recaps the complete team effort, which includes a pregame peek into coach Danny Fisher behind the scenes.
- 5A actions shots from title game here.
- Ball Fever Final thoughts: It was almost poetic that the Trailblazers had to play long stretches without big De’Ron as a mid-season loss to Eaglecrest was completely without him. In the rematch De’Ron and crew sent a dominant message early and often! So what would the rubber match bring? It was clear to the Fever Crew the Trailblazers are dominant — mostly on defense — when De’Ron’s on the floor but this squad has DEEP senior athleticism that goes far beyond Davis, Gibson, and Robinson. Those are the familiar names but Wang and Stevenson add a relentless wave that overwhelms teams and we see how top national squads such as Bishop Gorman and Omaha South (state champions) went down to "OVE" as well. Congrats to Coach Fisher who coached continually emphasized doing the little things right to this squad and this produced our first repeat champ since Regis.
4A championship
- Pueblo West raced their way to the school’s first title game ever and Brock Laue has the complete report, including a sweet clip of Coach Roberto Tyler’s pregame speech.
- 4A title game photos here.
- Ball Fever Final thoughts: Ahhh yes, the classic small town/home grown Pueblo West squad vs. the suburban talent laden private "power house" Valor! Guess what? As some were loving those dynamics in the back of their minds, this match really came down to any of that in our humble opinion. This was a special group of young men from the Cyclones who play fast, confident, and to their coaches game plan. David Simental solidified his spot in Pueblo history and both of these squads are stacked with a chance for a Boulder return.
Season wrap up
(Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)
It doesn’t take much more than looking at the eight teams who made up our Final 4s to get you excited for what’s to come next season.
Overland will be a mystery with big De’Ron and a crew of seniors moving on to the next level but rest assured Coach Fisher and staff plan to fully compete with a wealth of young talent the Trailblazers hope to become the new household names.
5A runner-up Eaglecrest had only four seniors on the roster, and with Colbey Ross getting a taste of what Boulder is like, he’ll be looking to make a return visit with a deep group of hungry seniors next season.
4A returning players you ask? How about 18 of the players who were in the championship game Saturday returning to Pueblo West/Valor rosters next season, led by stars David Simental and Jalen Sanders, respectively.
As we experienced with Longmont’s recent late-season heart break, a returning crew of veterans certainly doesn’t guarantee a championship, but goes a long way in a return trip to Boulder and we won’t be surprised if the Cyclones and Eagles are there again. What makes it even more fun for us all is who are the surprises that could punch their tickets?
Enjoy the spring and summer folks. Winter will return before we know it but the good part is it’s always 72 and sunny in the gym! The Ball Fever Crew will be ready and already counting down the days to next season. Peace.