AURORA | A look back at key games, tournaments and happenings in Aurora prep sports between Feb. 3-9, 2016:
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
The Overland boys basketball team put it all together on Feb. 3 as they went on the road and dealt previously undefeated Eaglecrest its first loss of the season.
The Trailblazers put themselves back in contention for the Centennial League championship with an emphatic 63-41 win over the Raptors on their home floor in front of a packed house and looked every part of the defending Class 5A state champion. Full game story and box score, here.
Senior De’Ron Davis — who missed the first matchup between the teams won by the Raptors — scored 10 points joined fellow seniors Jervae Robinson (15), Alijah Halliburton (14) and Padiet Wang (11) in double figures as fifth-ranked Overland gained a split of the Centennial League series. Colbey Ross scored 16 points to lead Eaglecrest, which lost for the first time since the Final Four of last season’s 5A playoffs, but retained a one-game lead in the league standings.
• The Rangeview boys basketball team took over the top spot in the Associated Press Class 5A boys basketball media poll on Feb. 9 and went out later and posted a 68-46 win over rival Aurora Central. Tyrei Randall scored 23 points to lead the Raiders, who are now the only undefeated 5A boys team at 19-0. Full game story and box score, here.
• Five Aurora wrestlers won individual titles at the EMAC Championship meet Feb. 6 at Adams City High School. Hinkley’s Ben Rhoton (106 pounds), Rafael Garibay (120) and Serj Chavez (138), Aurora Central’s Jonnathan Quijada (132) and Rangeview heavyweight Humberto Caloca all came away with crowns at their respective weights, while Aurora Central’s Quincy Moreno (120) and Rangeview’s Kipp Corby (138) both made finals as well. Full team scores, championship and third-place match results, here.
• Vista PEAK’s Marcus Guerra won the 138-pound title at the Colorado 7 Championship meet Feb. 6 at Englewood High School and a total of 11 Bison placed in the top four of their respective events. Dilan Esparza (113 pounds) and Jayden Smith (160) both made finals as well for Vistas PEAK. Full team scores, championship and third-place match results, here.
• Hinkley senior Brooke Connelly set an EMAC diving record with her score of 381.70 points in her victory in the event at the EMAC Championship girls swim meet Feb. 6 at the Veterans’ Memorial Aquatic Center. Gateway’s Cassie Brozek set the previous league mark of 378.30 points in 2012, but Connelly topped that in her final tune-up before the Class 5A state meet. The Thunderbirds finished an all-time best fourth, while Rangeview led Aurora teams in fifth. The Raiders were led by freshman diver Sarah Mortenson’s second-place finish. Full EMAC meet results, here.
• The Regis Jesuit girls swim team finished second at the Continental “A” League Championship meet Feb. 5-6 at Heritage High School and came away with nine new 5A state qualifiers in the process. Sierra Viereck and Rachel Hubka made state in two events each and Erin Whitaker, Izzie Capra, Audrey Trainor, Hadley Templin, Claire Middlemist, Catie Vitela and Summer Edwards also qualified. Full Continental “A” League meet results, here.
• The Regis Jesuit and Cherry Creek ice hockey teams skated against each other on Feb. 5 and played a quality late-season contest that helped both prepare for the upcoming postseason. Despite getting outshot 25-24 by the Bruins, the Raiders emerged with a 5-3 victory as they had five different goal scorers — Michael Baer, Eamon Duffy, Jack Jordan, Kyle Nelson and Spencer Sannes — and goaltender Bret Jahde saved 22 of the 25 shots he faced. Duffy’s power play goal early in the third period open a one-goal game. Danny Taggart (Grandview) had a goal and two assists for Cherry Creek, while Rhys Phelps (Grandview) and Austen Kuskowski (Rangeview) also scored goals.
