(Kelsey Lowry/CHSAANow.com)
MONUMENT — In front of a packed gym, the Lewis-Palmer and Palmer Ridge boys basketball teams knew going into Wednesday’s Sweet 16 game that only one team would be continuing their season.
The Rangers had home-court advantage versus their rivals and left their gym with a 10-game winning streak and, more importantly, a spot in the Great 8 for the Class 4A boys basketball state tournament. The second-seeded Rangers beat the No. 15 Bears 65-54.
Being rivals, the two teams are very familiar with one another and came into the game knowing either team could win. The two teams split their regular season matchups.
“Having lost to them actually benefited us,” said Lewis-Palmer coach Bill Benton. “We knew if we didn’t play well and with that perfect effort, that they had chance to beat us because they’ve done it once already.”
Joel Scott scored seven of Lewis-Palmer’s first 13 points. But Palmer Ridge stayed close and the first quarter ended with a score of 13-7.
The second quarter was much more focused on defense from both teams and the score remained unchanged in the first three minutes. Palmer Ridge began a comeback and got within two points of Lewis-Palmer, but it didn’t last long, courtesy of Salim Nehme and Noah Baca, who each hit 3-pointers. Palmer Ridge’s Nathan Kuglar hit a jumper at the buzzer, and the Bears went into halftime trailing 25-20.
Over the next two quarters, though, Lewis-Palmer came out and proved why they are seeded second. With one minute left in the fourth quarter, the Rangers built a 14-point lead. The Bears were able to close the gap in a last-ditch effort, but ultimately came up short.
(Kelsey Lowry/CHSAANow.com)
“I’m extremely proud of my guys and very impressed with our level of physicality,” Benton said. “This is a fun bunch to coach and they have the balance to be pushed while also pushing themselves and that’s a sign of a good basketball team.”
Joel Scott finished the game with an impressive 19 points, and was followed by Matthew Ragsdale, who provided 15 points, and Noah Baca with 12 points. With eight different players scoring, and going 15-for-21 in free throws, the Rangers excelled offensively.
“We did very well,” Scott said. “We played with intensity and came out and smothered them on the defense end and we were able to hit our shots.”
Palmer Ridge was lead in scoring by Zach Hester, Nick Boldvich, and Cory McLellan who all scored 11 points. Nathan Kugler also provided ten points.
Palmer Ridge came fighting and played hard but missed rebounds and going 9-for-21 at the free throw line just proved to be too much to overcome. The Bears finished the season with a 16-9 overall record.
Last year, Lewis-Palmer lost in the 4A title game to Valor Christian, but according to coach Benton and his players, that game is in the past and the only focus they have is on the next game.
“It really sucks to lose the championship game,” Scott said. “But we just have to take every single game one at time and approach it the same way and know that we can go out and play like we know how to play and be successful.”
“There’s a drive to get to the championship game and they want to experience it, but we don’t talk about it and our biggest focus is on Saturday night,” coach Benton said.
That’s when Lewis-Palmer will host No. 10 Widefield in the Great 8 at 7 p.m. The Gladiators upset No. 7 Silver Creek 54-51 to punch their ticket.