AURORA | The Rangeview boys basketball team was rarely contained during the annual Aurora Public Schools Classic, as the Raiders piled up points on their way to a second straight title in the tournament involving four district teams.
In three games against Aurora Central, Gateway and Hinkley, coach Shawn Palmer’s team piled up a whopping 259 points — including a 108-point outburst against Gateway — to finish undefeated and move to 8-2 on the season.
The Raiders’ toughest contest came in the opener against Aurora Central, which had a 16-8 lead after one period, only to see Rangeview rally to tie the game at halftime and eventually edge away in the fourth quarter for a 65-57 victory.
Five players scored in double figures in the Raiders’ 108-53 rout of the Olys, led by senior Jeremiah Paige with 19 points. Paige — who had 30 in the opening win against Aurora Central — then went for 16 in Rangeview’s 86-36 win over Hinkley on Jan. 4 that clinched the tournament championship for the second straight season.
Coach Ian Calvert’s Trojans saw their losing streak extend to five games with the loss to Rangeview, bounced back with an 86-44 victory over Hinkley and followed it up with a 67-45 defeat of Gateway.
Aurora Central last won the APS Classic in the 2011-12 season.
Sophomore Ladarius Thomas and junior Tahleel Khabir each scored in double figures in all three games for Aurora Central (5-6).
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. Facebook: Aurora Prep Sentinel
2014 AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASSIC BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Jan. 4 — Rangeview 86, Hinkley 36; Aurora Central 67, Gateway 45
Jan. 3 — Rangeview 108, Gateway 53; Aurora Central 86, Hinkley 44
Jan. 2 — Rangeview 65, Aurora Central 58
