Golden coach John Anderson hopes his squad can vanquish its playoff demons this season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
GOLDEN — The spotlight will shine solely on Kayden Sund when Golden’s boys basketball team has Senior Night later this season.
The 6-foot-5 forward is the lone senior in the Demons’ program this year.
“It’s a little weird,” Sund said. “Coach (John) Anderson always takes a picture with all of his seniors at center court with everyone taking a knee. I was the only one looking up at him. It was a little weird, but it was cool.”
Having Sund — Golden’s leading scorer at nearly 14 points per game last year — back is a comfort for longtime coach John Anderson. Sund signed his National Letter of Intent earlier in November to continue his basketball career at Chadron State College in Nebraska.
“I just really loved Coach (Houston) Reed,” Sund said of signing with the Division II program that plays in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. “I think he is really trying to change the culture there. It’s good for me to get it out of the way so I can just focus on basketball.”
Anderson has high expectations for his lone senior.
Golden senior Kayden Sund has signed with Chadron State College. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“I except him to have a great year,” Anderson said. “We can be special with Kayden. I don’t want to put extra pressure on Kayden, but he can take us to that next level.”
The level Anderson has had the Demons at over the last several years is impressive. Golden has been one of the more consistent 4A programs in the state. The Demons have averaged 20 wins per season the previous three years.
However, the postseason hasn’t been kind to Golden. The Demons have lost home games as the higher seed during the state tournament the previous three seasons. Last year it was a round of 16 loss to Vista Ridge after winning the competitive 4A Jeffco League.
“We take pride in playing here. That has been very disappointing,” Anderson said of the Demons losing at home in the playoffs. “We’ve talked about that from Day 1 this year. It doesn’t matter where you play. You have to show up and play.”
Last year’s tough playoff loss was a huge motivating factor for junior Adam Thistlewood. The 6-foot-6 point guard is focused on doing everything he can in preventing another early postseason exit this year.
“It was extremely motivating.” Thistlewood said of the season-ending playoff loss. “It’s what pushed me this summer. I was probably in the gym four to five hours a day going non-stop. It was probably one of the most disappointing losses.”
Thistlewood has the talent to become of the elite players in 4A with his size and ball skills. Anderson admits he doesn’t want to put too much more on Thistlewood’s shoulders, but knows his star guard will be key to the Demons’ success.
Golden junior Adam Thistlewood, right, could have a breakout season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Junior Joe Madsen is another piece to Golden’s puzzle. The 6-foot-5 center will man the post for the Demons and play a bigger role with the graduation of Ryan Blodgett.
Blodgett was a staple on varsity for four season for the Demons. He was Golden’s leading rebounder for three straight seasons, averaging nearly a double-double since his sophomore season.
“We relied on him (Blodgett) to rebound so much last year. We just assumed he would get it,” Anderson said. “That is probably one of our biggest weaknesses right now. Other guys are going to have to step up. I don’t expect anybody to be Ryan Blodgett, but two or three guys have to get the rebounds he got.”
Golden, No. 4 in the CHSAANow.com 4A boys basketball preseason rankings, opens the season with three home games as a part of the D’Evelyn/Golden Preview Classic.
The Demons host Lewis-Palmer, a 4A state quarterfinalist last year, in their season opener at 7 p.m. Thursday. Golden continues the tournament against more 4A powerhouses with No. 7 Mead the following night and No. 5 Holy Family to close out three games in three days.
“I think it will be good for us,” Sund said of Golden opening up the season against tough competition. “It will give us a chance to see where we are at playing good teams.”
The 4A Jeffco League will likely be just as competitive as last season. Valor Christian was the 4A state runner-up last year. Evergreen and D’Evelyn return plenty of talent to be in the mix.
“It’s going to be an absolute grind,” Anderson said of the 4A Jeffco League where all eight teams play each other twice in conference play. “Hopefully it prepares us for the playoffs.”
Thistlewood doesn’t shy away from his expectations of the season.
“Our goal is to make it to the Final 4,” Thistlewood said. “We know (anything) can happen once you get to the Coliseum. Our goal is go get there and go from there.”
Golden junior Riley Stoner, far right, guards senior Kayden Sund (45) during practice over Thanksgiving Break. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)