4A Semis: Sierra Aims To Repeat, Pueblo East Pursues History

BOULDER—For the third time this season the Sierra Stallions defeated the Lewis-Palmer Rangers. And for the second year in a row, Sierra beat Lewis-Palmer to advance to the 4A state championship game. The Stallions won 64-52, and now attempt to repeat as state champs.

In the first period, Sierra bolted out to a 10-2 lead by forcing a couple turnovers and playing strong team defense. But Lewis-Palmer kept its composure, started taking better care of the ball and hit open shots.

At the end of the first quarter, Lewis-Palmer standout Kyle Engelhardt came off a curl and drained a three-pointer to take a one-point advantage, 16-15.

But that was the last Rangers’ lead of the game, and Sierra started to play stronger with the ball in the second period.  Air Force bound Kamryn Williams started finding his groove as did fellow Stallions Chris Fielder and Jahmall Fountain.  After two, the score was 36-26.

Sierra continued to stretch its lead in the third period and was up 52-35 after three.

The Rangers, however, had one final run left in them.  Engelhardt stole the opening inbounds pass and flushed a one-handed dunk to send the Lewis-Palmer student section into a frenzy. After another quick turnover, 6-foot-8 sophomore Josh Scott converted a three-point play after getting fouled on a layup.

Palmer’s defense turned up the heat, and Sierra could not get anything going on the offensive end. After cutting the lead down to eight, Jordan Ververs stole another inbounds pass, hit a quick layup and cut the deficit to 52-46.

But the Stallions did not wilt under pressure and after a timeout, built on the lead and created stops on the defensive end.

“Coach (Otis Johnson) told us to keep our composure,” Fielder said. “We just had to make sure we kept it simple, played hard defense and good things would happen.”

Said Johnson, “I told them to work through what they’re taught to do and execute, and they did that.”

Sierra forced Lewis-Palmer into 21 turnovers on the night, and also blocked 11 of their shots.

Six-foot-seven sophomore Wesley Gordan was the Stallions’ defensive anchor. He grabbed seven rebounds, blocked eight shots and chipped in three points and two steals. Fielder led Sierra with 18 points, Fountain scored 16 and Williams added 12

Engelhardt had the gutsiest performance of the night in his final high school game. The rangy Lewis-Palmer senior scored 23 points on an efficient 9-for-13 from the floor.  Scott added 20 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots for the Rangers.

Sierra plays Pueblo East for the Gold Ball at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Coors Event Center.

Pueblo East Scraps Its Way Into 4A Finals

The Pueblo East boy’s basketball team has a chance to make history after its strong performance Thursday night. The Eagles outlasted the Trojans 59-52, and now face the prospect of becoming the first team in school history to win a state championship.

“It’s huge—we’ve never got this far,” said Eagles senior guard Jordan Gregory. “Before this season, I’ve never won a playoff game. “

Gregory led the Eagles with 17 points, five assists and five rebounds—not to mention a host of hustle plays that don’t show up in the boxscore.  Mike Fabrizio also had a big night, hitting timely three-pointers. Fabrizio shot 4-for-7 from long range and scored 18 points.

The Trojans were led by Cade Kloster (16 points) and Nick Chopp (13).

Pueblo East faces defending state champion Sierra at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Coors Event Center. Coach Dave Ryder knows his team is in for a challenge.  “They’re athletic, they rebound like crazy and they’re defending state champions so we have to go right through Sierra,” he said.

Gregory is excited for the challenge. “Sierra’s a really good team, but I think we’re really good too,” he said. “We want to represent Pueblo well and hopefully come away with the Gold Ball.”

Checkout the updated brackets

Contact the writer at prossi@milehighhoops.com