Tuesday night, eight teams played their way into Friday’s state quarterfinals. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
(2) Horizon 40, (3) Pine Creek 37
Pine Creek took a seven-point lead into halftime and seemed to be on the verge of upsetting the Hawks. But it wasn’t meant to be as Horizon battled back and edged the Eagles 40-37, ending Pine Creek’s season in the Sweet 16.
(3) Cherry Creek 39, (2) Poudre 33
More photos. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
In a defense battle, the Bruins held the lead nearly from wire-to-wire as they knocked off the Impalas 39-33.
Poudre did cut the lead to two points with just over four minutes remaining, but weren’t able to gain the lead. A team that began the year unranked, the Impalas impressed early with some high-profile wins.
The Bruins will have their hands full as they’ll take on Grandview.
A photo gallery from the game is available here.
(2) Ralston Valley 56, (3) Doherty 31
The Mustangs jumped out to a quick 13-point lead at halftime and stayed in cruise control the rest of the way as they topped the Spartans 56-31.
The win puts Ralston Valley back into the Great 8 where they fell to ThunderRidge last year.
(1) Lakewood 65, (4) Rampart 51
Nebraska commit Nicea Eliely scored 31 points for Rampart, but it wasn’t enough as the Rams fell to the Tigers 65-51.
Lakewood returns to the Great 8 where last year they lost to eventual state champion Broomfield.
(2) ThunderRidge 51, (6) Arapahoe 37
The Grizzlies advanced to the Great 8 once again with a 51-37 win over Arapahoe. ThunderRidge is looking to get back to the Coors Events Center at CU where last year they fell to Broomfield in the state championship game.
They are set to face Lakewood at the Denver Coliseum on Friday.
(1) Highlands Ranch 70, (5) Dakota Ridge 41
It was an explosive second quarter for the Falcons as they went on a 12-0 run to pull away from the Eagles.
Highlands Ranch came away with the 70-41 win and will face Horizon at the Denver Coliseum Friday.
(1) Grandview 81, (5) Fairview 31
Grandview held a slim four-point lead after the first quarter, but then completely took over. The Wolves went on a 60-14 run through the final three quarters of the game to top the Knights 81-31 and secure a spot in the Great 8.
Grandview has now advanced farther than they did in last year’s tournament when they fell 86-83 to Lakewood.