ARVADA — Ralston Valley boys basketball team is way ahead of where it was last season.
The Mustangs grabbed their third victory of the season Tuesday night with a dominating 62-29 victory over Standley Lake in the opening round of the 11th annual Ralston Valley RoundUp Tournament.
“It feels just great,” Ralston Valley senior Jordan Stratch said after the Mustangs’ 33-point victory. “Last year we had some problems. We played really good this game in the home opener.”
Ralston Valley senior Jordan Stratch (23) soars toward the basket during his game-high 24-point performance against Standley Lake. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
The win matched Ralston Valley’s win total for the entire season last year when the Mustangs struggled to a 3-20 mark.
“It is kind of nice isn’t it,” second-year Ralston Valley head coach Chris Braketa said after the Mustangs ran their season record to 3-4. “They are playing hard and doing some good things. We are trying to play quicker and get out in transition.”
Standley Lake senior Jared Spencer started off the game with a 3-point play in the opening seconds to give the Gators (1-3 record) a lead, but it was clear early that Stratch would be tough for Standley Lake to cover.
The Mustangs’ lone senior scored 11 straight points early in the first half to help Ralston Valley grab a 27-13 lead at halftime.
“I didn’t think anyone on that team could guard me,” Stratch said after tying his career-high 24 points in his third year playing varsity for the Mustangs. “I was feeling it tonight.”
Ralston Valley junior Walker Brickle (30) looks for away around Standley Lake senior Alex France (22) during the first half Tuesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Stratch scored 24 points last week in a loss to Castle View.
“He (Stratch) has a ton of potential. He can shoot, drive it and post up and is a good ball handler,” Braketa said. “He’s got the potential to be a great player.”
Juniors Walker Brickle (8 points), Luke Carlston (7 points) and Caden Gigstad (7 points) helped the Mustangs move into the semifinals of the Ralston Valley RoundUp Tournament. Next up for the Mustangs will be Rampart at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, in the semifinals.
Rampart defeated Mountain Range 67-54 in the final of four games Tuesday night. Pomona and Legacy will meet in the other semifinal scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday at Ralston Valley High School.
“It is really important to win this (tournament),” Stratch said. “It will give us some confidence going into league.”
Ralston Valley junior Luke Carlston, far left, drives through traffic Tuesday night against Standley Lake. Carlston scored all of his seven points in the second quarter. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Ralston Valley hasn’t won the tournament it hosts since 2013.
Standley Lake was led by senior Chris Bowerman in the loss. Bowerman drained three 3-pointers in the third quarter on his way to a team-high 11 points. It was actually the only three field goals the Gators had in the second half. Standley Lake was limited to seven made shots on the night.
Spencer and senior Brady Rose both finished with six points each for the Gators.
“We want to hang our hats on the defensive end so we can get in transition,” Braketa said. “We have to find a way to get easy buckets. We really still don’t shoot it well from the outside.”
Ralston Valley junior Caden Gigstad (2) drives on Standley Lake senior Jared Spencer (10) as the Mustangs’ student section looks on during the first night of the 11th annual Ralston Valley RoundUp. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)