AURORA | The Eaglecrest boys basketball team found the path to the basket and prime early position in the Centennial League standings easier than it originally expected Friday night without De’Ron Davis in the way.
The Trailblazers’ standout big man — who leads the state in blocked shots at more than five per game — had to sit on the bench in street clothes due to an ejection in the previous game and the Raptors took advantage of his absence to pick up a big early season league win on Overland’s home floor.
Junior Colbey Ross attacked the basket at will and scored a game-high 27 points, including 10 in the final quarter, which the Raptors opened with a 12-0 run to break open a tight game. Sophomore reserve Victor Garnes scored six straight points in the deciding burst for Eaglecrest, which remained perfect at 10-0 and 2-0 in league.
“Overland is a great team with De’Ron or without, but we played hard and it paid off with a huge win,” Ross said. “We were planning like he was going to play, but it was even better without him in there.”
Senior Jervae Robinson scored 15 points and senior Alijah Halliburton added 14 for Overland, which lost for the second time in the last three games after a 7-0 start. Coach Danny Fisher’s Trailblazers sit 8-2 overall and 1-1 in league play.
Eaglecrest coach John Olander has been pleased with the uncommon depth he has this season and that was on display against Overland, as 11 Raptors saw the floor and all gave the team a boost of energy when it was needed.
It was especially crucial in the final period, which opened with Eaglecrest in front 39-38 after three quarters.
Reserve Xai’Vion Jackson boosted the lead with a layup to open the quarter, reserve Josh Walton — who hit a 3-pointer in the third quarter to erase a small deficit — blocked a shot leading to a Ross basket and the speedy Garnes slashed for two buckets and two free throws.
“We have a lot of guys who can go and a lot of guys who contribute,” said Garnes, who finished with nine. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates pushing the ball and making great passes. We did it as a team.”
After another Ross driving hoop, Overland’s Tyler Stevenson eventually hit a 3-point to snap Eaglecrest’s streak, but by then the lead was in double digits.
“We talk about it all the time, we have 11 guys and it’s a four-quarter game,” Olander said. “Anybody can stay with anybody and we just hope that our depth can eventually take over. We had a couple of fresh guards and a couple of fresh bodies in there at the end and they all can make plays.”
Overland clawed back from an early deficit with Halliburton grinding on the inside and Robinson making just enough from the perimeter.
The Trailblazers managed just seven points in the final period, however, and couldn’t find a way to replace the 15-plus points Davis typically contributes, but had an even more difficult time making up for the big man’s presence in the paint.
The teams split the two-game series last season and Overland will have a chance to win on Feb. 3 at Eaglecrest. The Raptors are glad to have the first one in their pocket.
“We did what we had to do,” Olander said. “One of the best players in the nation was not in there tonight and you have to find a way to get this one because you know when he comes back, there aren’t a whole lot of teams that are going to be Overland, us included.”
Next up for Eaglecrest is a 7 p.m. Jan. 13 game at Arapahoe, while Overland plays on the same night at the same time at Smoky Hill.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
EAGLECREST 57, OVERLAND 45
Score by quarters:
Eaglecrest 13 11 15 18 — 57
Overland 11 14 13 7 — 45
EAGLECREST (57)
Colbey Ross 11 4-6 27, Elijah Wilson 1 0-0 2, Austin Forsberg 0 0-0 0, Ikenna Ozor 4 0-0 8, Nate Bokol 1 0-0 2, Xaiv’ion Jackson 1 0-4 4, Victor Garnes 3 3-4 9, Josh Walton 1 0-0 3, Jaylaughn Jackson 0 0-2 0. Totals 22 7-16 57.
OVERLAND (45)
Jervae Robinson 4 5-7 15, Reggie Gibson 1 0-0 2, Alijah Halliburton 7 0-0 14, Tedmund Taylor 2 0-2 4, Tyler Stevenson 2 0-0 6, Steven Hayes 1 0-0 2, Brent Halliburton 0 0-0 0, Brian Price 1 0-0 2, Asad Yousuf 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 5-9 45.
3-point field goals — Eaglecrest (2): Colbey Ross, Josh Walton; Overland (4): Jervae Robinson 2, Tyler Stevenson 2. Total fouls — Eaglecrest 12, Overland 18. Fouled out — None. Technical fouls — None.
