Arapahoe Ousts East, Advances To Great Eight

CENTENNIAL—At Arapahoe High School on Tuesday night, the home team (2)Warriors narrowly edged (3)Denver East 48-46.  After combining for zero points in the first half, it was seniors Ky Kocur and Tim Billingsley who made the decisive plays to win the game.

With the game tied 46-46, and less than six seconds remaining, Billingsley inbounded the ball under the basket to a streaking Kocur who laid the ball in for the two points which proved to be the final margin.

According to Arapahoe head coach Dan Snynder the last play was drawn up specifically for the moment.  “It’s a pick the picker—screen the screener,” he said.  “We like that little play.”

A lot of basketball was played before the Kocur’s winning shot, and for the majority of the game, East was the team in control.  The Angels executed patient offense to get good shots for seniors Chance Moore and Elliott Zettas.  When the good shots weren’t falling, Sophomore Talon Whitaker out-jumped numerous Warriors for rebounds.

Out of the gate Arapahoe missed, clanked, bricked or air-balled 13 of their first 14 shots.  In the first quarter Arapahoe scored only six points, and only added a measly six more in the second.  By intermission the score was 25-12, East.

“Rough start,” said Tim Billingsley, “definitely a rough start.  I think the biggest thing was, they were hitting their shots, and we weren’t hitting ours.”  

In the second half, Arapahoe began to find its rhythm.  Forwards Billingsley and Dan Eigner went to the glass in search of boards and buckets.  Billingsley finished with 12 points and six rebounds, and Eigner eight points and five rebounds.  After three quarters Arapahoe still found themselves down nine 39-30.

In the fourth and final period, Arapahoe put the clamps on East Coach Rudy Carey’s slow-down offense.  The Warrior press forced the Angels into quick decisions and passes, which fortunately for Arapahoe, produced more turnovers than buckets.

Down the stretch it was Ky Kocur, a non-factor for the first three and a half quarters, who came up biggest in this game. Kocur’s first basket gave the Warriors their first lead of the game 44-42.  His second bucket, a tough double-clutch leaner going left untied the game again 46-44.  Kocur’s third and final bucket, with 3.4 seconds remaining was Arapahoe’s ticket to Colorado’s Great 8, where they will take on top ranked Regis.

For the players and coaches of East, this game will leave a bad taste in their mouths as their season ends.  In close games, it is often the small things which eventually decide the outcome.  The memories of missing 4-of-6 fourth quarter free throws, and watching numerous jumpers go in-and-out will stay with East until next year.

Checkout the updated brackets.

Contact the writer at csilverman@milehighhoops.com