D'Evelyn scores a sweep over Golden (1/30/09)

BY MARTY CESARIO

Golden 40
D'Evelyn 65

A perfect atmosphere for our double-header at D'Evelyn High School. A jam-packed Jungle! With a huge showing of students and fans from both schools, the gym was standing-room only before the early 6:00pm start for the ladies. Even when our crew arrived 90 minutes before that first game tip, kids were already lined up and waiting for the gym doors to unlock. That patience and support payed off -- especially for Jaguars fans.

In game one, we all were treated to a great show by Jaguar all-state candidate, KRYSTAL PITTMAN, and her extremely active teammates. D'Evelyn head coach, CHRIS OLSON's press-n-run style had relentless Jaguars pestering, outplaying, and exhausting a young and extremely inexperienced Golden squad. Every Jaguar seemd to be aware of and executed thei role. Senior KATE REISINGER, who I saw as the heart & soul of Olson's team, stalked the lane and the baseline. Most importantly, the Jaguars continually denied Golden's freshmen point guard, KYLIE SANTOS, the chance to bring the ball up the floor. With less capable players handling the basektball, D'Evelyn defenders like SARAH HORN, JESSY BATELLI and MADALYN NEELY would then set traps which allowed Pittman to repeatedly pounce on desperate passes. Counting Krystal's steals became a fun objective for our CET crew. She notched 7 by halftime-- a total of 11 picks for the game. As a result, most of D'Evelyn's points were produced directly from those turnovers. If Pittman wasn't driving the length of the floor for easy buckets or two-shot fouls, she flashed her outstanding touch hitting flyers on fast breaks. Krystal concluded her 1st half highlight showcase with another steal and full court run for a lay-up at the buzzer. D'Evelyn led by 20 points at the break and pretty much coasted the rest of the way to their 14th victory of the season and their first ever win against the Demons in seven tries.

Hey, let's be honest. The outcome wasn't surprising. Golden has a new coach, new staff, zero returning starters, and exactly one player who'd ever dressed in a varsity uniform before this season. To be clear, I'm the one offering the excuses. The Demons are not. But if you're looking towards a better future in Golden, just watch Santos. She's a player. No doubt about it. Kylie will be coach LAUREN O'CONNELL'S centerpiece over the next three seasons while sophomores SHANNON SEERY and KAT NORIEGA showed they could be really good role players. SEERY, who doubled her season scoring average in this contest, is that one slightly seasoned Demon I mentioned and has good size at 5'11.'' With sincerity, "good luck" in regaining that previous glory. 

Final: DJ 65 - GD 40... DJ (14-4, 6-2) K. Pittman 23, Neely 14... GD (4-13, 1-7) Seery 14, Santos 9.

Golden 59
D'Evelyn 64

The nightcap was much more intense and just short of bonkers. I'm not sure anybody in The Jungle, including my broadcast partner, Keith Prevost, and I ever sat down. This was a Jeffco street-brawl. Frantic and physical from the tip to the final buzzer.

Two notable observations immediately after the jump: both teams seemed to suffer from rivalry tension and each squad's top scoring threat was going to have work extremely hard to get his points. After trading wild drives and forced shots for the first few minutes, Golden gained control halfway into the 1st quarter after an offensive flurry from junior RYAN STOKES who drilled a pair of pretty three-pointers and a lay-up in successive possessions. With ALEX MILLER nearly neutralized in a one-on-one war with D'Evelyn defender, CHARLIE BASIL, the supporting cast stepped up to produce very effectively for Demon's coach, JOHN ANDERSON. Sophomore MATT BONESIO converted a rare four point play. Then TRAVIS FOSSETT and KEATON DILLE snuck around for unguarded 3-point shots to spread the Demons lead to six. D'Evelyn quickly stopped the bleeding, though... in exciting fashion! After Basil sank two free throws, he made another stop singled up against Miller which led to a moment of glory for Jaguar's junior MARK NEELY who nailed a buzzer-beater from behind the half-court line to cut the Golden lead to one point at intermission. (Look for that one on our Plays-of-the-Week page!!!)

Same story in the 2nd half: people pounding each other and supplemental players hitting timely shots. Thanks to hard labor from their seniors, Golden maintained their slim advantage for one more quarter. RHETT NEBEKER, possibly the best jumper in Jefferson County, snagged rebounds and clawed for loose balls while Miller literally fought for points. (After an in-game, non-whistled skirmish on the floor, Alex had to sit out a couple minutes while he received medical attention to an ugly gash on his cheekbone.) The Golden lead was lost though when Basil hit a three-pointer at the six minute mark in the final period. The Demons did jump back ahead for one brief moment until D'Evelyn reserve CONNOR DAVIS and senior CHRIS TSCHUDY burst into the limelight to break their opponents for good. Davis helped his Jaguars regain their lead by converting all three free throws foloowing a foul on a long-range attempt. Then Tschudy, who was quiet most of the game, showed up wide-open behind the defense to score the Jaguars final four points. Indeed, it was a great night for role players.

What about D'Evelyn senior leader, JEREMY SULLIVAN? He's one of the state's leading scorers. I didn't forget him. He got his. Proving he is much more than a jump-shooter, Sullivan equaled his average tallying 24 for the winning squad. But I saved him for last because he and Jaguar's coach, TROY PACHNER, designed and executed a technically savvy effort to officially finish off the Demons. With six seconds on the clock and a four point lead, D'Evelyn was inbounding underneath their own basket. Obviously, the Jaguars wanted to get the ball in the hands of their star. Of course, Golden crowded Sullivan before the toss-in. But Pachner had Sullivan spin out of the huddle in a full sprint to the other end as the ball sailed towards the opposite baseline. Jeremy took flight for a behind-the-back save to keep the clock moving and senior ALEX CRABB beat everybody to the loose ball. Done deal. D'Evelyn handed Golden their first league loss, Jungle fanatics stormed the floor, and I sat back and waited for our Skate City players-of-the-game, Sullivan and Davis, to finish their royalty rides atop the shoulders of their fellow students.

Final: DJ 64 - GD 59... DJ (11-7, 6-3) Sullivan 24, Davis 9, Basil 7 ... GD (12-6, 8-1) Stokes 11, Miller 11, Dille 11.