Valor senior Jalen Sanders (22) takes a jumper in front of D’Evelyn’s student section. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
DENVER — Valor Christian took the inside track to the Class 4A Jeffco League title Saturday night.
The Eagles, No. 2 in the CHSAANow.com 4A boys hoops rankings, not only avoided a 2-game sweep against rival D’Evelyn, but took a one-game lead in the competitive conference with four league games remaining.
Valor (15-4, 9-1) grabbed a 74-55 road victory at No. 3 D’Evelyn (15-4, 8-2). It was a bit of revenge for the Eagles, who suffered a 10-point home lost to the Jaguars back on Jan. 11.
“That was our only loss in league,” Valor senior Jalen Sanders said. “We wanted to get revenge and show we are the best team in this league.”
Sanders, who led the Eagles with 16 points, added that he thought it was the most complete game Valor has played this season. Valor jumped out to an early 11-0 lead in the first four minutes and pushed its lead into the 20s by the second half.
D’Evelyn’s Charles Dinegar (0) attempt to block the shot of Valor’s Keisan Crosby. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“We know we had to be a radically different team from what we were Jan. 11 because that team wasn’t good enough to win,” Valor coach Troy Pachner said of the loss to D’Evelyn nearly a month ago. “We won a big game today, but if we look past Wheat Ridge or Evergreen next week then all this is for not.”
The biggest test left in league for Valor will be a road game versus Evergreen (15-4, 8-2) at 7 p.m. on Friday.
While D’Evelyn has an uphill battle and will need some help to grab the conference title, the Jaguars’ focus is forward.
“Just because you lose one night doesn’t mean you quit,” D’Evelyn coach Dan Zinn said. “We have a long way to go. We are still in great shape. We need to continue to build and grow. This is not a stopping point for us by any means.”
D’Evelyn closes out its conference schedule with some key games against Green Mountain and Golden in a few weeks.
D’Evelyn senior CJ Olson led all scorers with 22 points, but he did most of his damage going 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. The Jaguars made just three 3-pointers as Valor’s defense focused on not allowing D’Evelyn to get open looks from beyond the arc.
“In our two years together we have kind of gone through a growth process understanding what it is to defend and how essential it is,” said Pachner, who is in his second year at Valor after heading D’Evelyn’s basketball program for over a decade. “With our physical advantages and length we had to commit defense first. We aren’t just going to let teams shoot the 3-ball.”
D’Evelyn’s Josh Brinkerhoff (2) dribbles past Valor’s Karsten Michael. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Valor had a balanced scoring attack with senior Karsten Michael (14 points), Keisan Crosby (12), Dylan McCaffrey (11) and Kayle Knuckles (10) all joining Sanders in double-digit points.
“We played great from the first quarter out until the fourth quarter,” Sanders said. “I think everyone contributed when they got on the court.”
One unexplainable fact since Pachner left D’Evelyn for Valor is the teams have split their four meetings with the visiting team winning on the road in all four games over the past two seasons.
“Apparently we like it over there (Valor) and they like it over here,” Zinn said. “I don’t know why it works that way. It’s interesting for sure.”
Pachner agreed and had high praise for his former team.
“D’Evelyn has five guys who can go off for 20 points,” Pachner said. “They are going to make a lot of noise and be really good in the tournament. Coach Zinn does a heck of a job with them.”
Valor senior Davis Wilson (21) has his shot contested by D’Evelyn’s Alec Clifton (10) and Jason Gardner (11). (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)