D'Evelyn gets through rival Golden to set up finale of unbeatens in Jeffco League  (02/06/12)

by MARTY CESARIO

Mama Nature made me wait. Yet I still got what I wanted. So did Coach Troy Pachner and his Jaguars basketball team.

The Jags endured the rough ride they probably expected against their league rivals. But they put together scoring bursts to finish the 1st half and........  Click for the rest of the story....

Gabe Solarin and Jeremiah Paige seize some East Iliff authority in Rangeview win over Gateway  (01/31/12)

by MARTY CESARIO

When we put Rangeview basketball on the tube a couple weeks ago, senior Gabe Solarin set a single-game school record for steals. But his shot was off. This time, Solarin's stroke was good to him. Real good. Solarin scored a game-high 21 points.......  Click for the rest of the story....

Jon Snow scores 15 as #7 Columbine spins out of Pomona's "choke" hold  (01/24/12)

by MARTY CESARIO

The Rebels are still rollin.' That's seven in-a-row now. Their leading scorer, Jon Snow, scored a game-high 15 points. Aggressive defense by senior guards, Nick Carpinello and Josh Daly sparked an early 17-0 run. As a team, they held their opponents to merely a single field goal........  Click for the rest of the story....

Dai'Vante Collins  scores 33 during Manual's dominant win over West  (01/17/12)

by MARTY CESARIO

The Powder Blue Panther! Don't know if he likes it. But his coaches do. So he's gonna have to deal with us old dogs having some fun with it. It comes with respect, though.

Dai'Vante Collins was smooth, efficient, and athletic in the way he looked and the way he played -- like a new millenium Alex English. Thus, the tag. Again, out of respect. The Manual senior caught my attention and certainly some intrigue from our cable television audience....... Click for the rest of the story....

Carlton Hurst guides Aurora Central to critical league victory over Rangeview in overtime  (01/13/12)

by MARTY CESARIO

Ample talent. But fairly young. A lot of great moves. But a lot of misses, too. It started slow. But the pace and tension picked up in the end. It wasn't perfect. But I'd say I got the entertaining hoops fix satisfied for the evening.  

Despite their frustrations getting a ball to fall in the hole, the Raiders used great defense to spark a 14-0 run in the final quarter and earn their first lead of the game. Yet the Trojans rebounded after the sudden scare, hit consecutive 3-pointers............... Click for the rest of the story....

Huge 2nd quarter and six 3-pointers from Samson get Regis comfy win over Fountain-Ft. Carson  (01/06/12)

by MARTY CESARIO

Success is going to come with a different look for the three-time defending champs this season. Backcourt play is going to have to dominate. And perimeter shooting is going to have to be sharp. Both happened tonight.

Ignited by three consective deep balls, Regis exploded in the 2nd quarter with 32 points to set this run into a comfortable glide.......... Click for the rest of the story....

Leadership from Eddric Turner helps Overland hold on at George Washington  (12/20/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

When a team starts two freshmen and a sophomore, an upperclassman is going to have to step up when it matters most in order for his group to put away opponents and pick up victories. Junior Eddric Turner did exactly that for his Trailblazers tonight. Turner scored 16 of his game-high 18 points........  Click for the rest of the story....

Zach Rusk's all-around effort leads undefeated ThunderRidge to win over Grandview  (12/15/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Don't blame anybody -- including me and our whole CET Sports crew -- for looking for anybody but Zach Rusk to become the catalyst for a ThunderRidge victory in a game intriguing enough to summons a lot of notable names and faces to the Grizzlies Den tonight. But by the end of the contest, few could challenge who was the most valuable basketball player on the court for this one.......... Click for the rest of the story....

18-0 run to start 2nd half shifts Highlands Ranch into cruise through        Dakota Ridge  (12/09/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

'Ranch is armed with four starters over 6'5." The tallest kid on the court for the Falcons is their point guard at 6'9." And they flank those four with a perimeter winger with a sweet stroke. It may have taken a while for all pieces to click and produce the outcome expected, but it eventually got done. And now this team -- coming off a Final Four season a year ago, is sitting on a 4-0 start.......... Click for the rest of the story....

Treyvon Andres hits "3" with :01 on the clock to give T.J. the win over Green Mountain  (12/05/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Okay. New mandate for us: We start every hoops season with Spartans on the floor. Even if you're not a T.J. fan, you'll enjoy the entertainment.

A year ago, the hoopers from Thomas Jefferson High heaved us into our basketball schedule with a game-winning "3" at the buzzer. Tonight, the Spartans repeated the feat............ Click for the rest of the story....

Lakewood in the Title Game! John Greer goes 46 yards in final minute to beat Pomona  (11/25/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Are they "for real," yet? Any lingering doubters will get the visual proof of legitimacy when the Tigers line up next week in a venue splattered with Denver Broncos logos.

Lakewood has advanced to the Class 5A Championship game! 

The Tigers jumped to a 16-0 lead in the 1st half, survived an eye-opening comeback attempt, and got the big play by their go-to guy to keep their storybook season lively.

John Greer busted through a thick cloud of anxiety for a 46-yard touchdown run with less than a minute to play in regulation and the Tigers defense held up........... Click for the rest of the story....

Meschke's moves and Underhill's picks lead #3 Monarch to late surge through #6 Wheat Ridge  (11/04/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Now that's how you polish off a regular season! 

After falling behind and feeling the grips of their opponents handling their double wing offense, senior linebacker, Devon Underhill, made the pick that changed the flow of the game and another to seal the deal while senior running back, Jared Meschke, amped up the power to fuel and finish............ Click for the rest of the story....

Top-ranked Valor jumps all over another league foe to finish regular season barely contested  (11/03/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Mercy! Uncle! Mommy!

And that concludes the threat of oppression. 

At least for those who will not make the postseason.  

Irrefutable #1, Valor Christian, opened the regular season finale by scoring touchdowns on three of their first five snaps from the line of scrimmage............. Click for the rest of the story....

Wes Crane's highlight night leads Lutheran to runaway win over Denver Christian  (10/29/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Great things happened very quickly and convincingly for a growing program that certainly showed us why they'll be a much-feared contender for the Class 1A championship here in 2011.

The Lions enforced the running-clock rule with just under three minutes before the halftime break. A huge reason why that occurred was the play of senior multi-purpose, turbo-injected and two-way stud, Wes Crane -- who opened the game with a score, ran for two more, and intercepted a pass.......... Click for the rest of the story....

Timely catches by Weaver and solid defense get Brighton up then away from Standley Lake  (10/28/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Collectively, the Brighton Bulldogs may have put together their strongest showing of the season with the help of great individual performances by versatile senior running back, Chayce Weaver, and junior defensive end, Devin Martin. Weaver muscled his way for 76 rushing yards and also caught four passes for 54 yards -- including a 25-yard TD catch to open the scoring. Martin recorded 11 total tackles........... Click for the rest of the story....

Big games from seniors, Vincelet and Howes, boost Arvada over Alameda and up in standings (10/28/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Cynical types are going to focus on the nine turnovers committed by a pair of squads with a total of three wins through eight weeks of play. Whatever. Let 'em be grumpy. I'll bring the good will and bark out the cheers for an entertaining football game that featured a couple of double-duty seniors who enjoyed a great afternoon. Bo Vincelet caught three touchdowns passes and picked one off, while Dwight Howes ran for 117 yards and recorded 10 tackles to lead the Arvada Bulldogs............ Click for the rest of the story....

McCaffrey brothers score 6 TDs as top-ranked Valor moves to 9-0 with win over Ponderosa   (10/27/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

We've ranked them at the top all season. They've yet to reveal any reason to argue against that. When scheduling finally gave us the chance to put them on cable TV, the Eagles executed another one of their complete football showcases that will certainly maintain the conversations....... Click for the rest of the story....

Mitchell Parsons catches 3 TDs while Chaparral defense blanks # 7 Highlands Ranch  (10/20/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

One of the teams the elites should fear showed up to Shea and delivered more than one reason why it won't be a fun draw in the playoffs.

The Wolverines defense -- led by linebackers Cole Alderson and Cody Doubet -- bent a bit between the 20s but made five critical 4th down stops and yielded nothing on the scoreboard against an offense stacked with skill that was averaging over 40 points per game. Meanwhile, a couple of Chap' juniors enjoyed a night on cable TV they and their families won't forget for... ever. Tight end Mitchell Parsons........  Click for the rest of the story....

Lauren Hahn drives Rock Canyon to finish Thomas Jefferson in 4 sets  (10/19/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

I'm feeling like "finish" is a fitting word. Coach Tess Rogers and her girls didn't get it done last night after jumping to a two set lead. And the Jaguars started very strong again tonight, but couldn't hold the lead and lost the opening set. Then, driven by enthusiastic leadership and all-around play by senior OH, Lauren Hahn, Rock Canyon battled to gain leads and eventually took the......... Click for the rest of the story....

#2 Longmont stays perfect with final minute TD and all-or-nothing "2" against 10th-ranked Greeley West  (10/13/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Well that was quite the dramatic thrill ride you took us on, Trojans. Thanks! And may we sit down now? 

After jumping ahead with ease in the 1^st quarter, the 2^nd-ranked Trojans then yielded 27 unanswered points leading many -- including me -- to believe tonight was the night their fairly young group would have to take a loss and a learning lesson that comes with it. But "no!" In the final five minutes, linebacker Tyler DeBarris blocked a punt to set up a quick score by junior QB, Forrest Wetterstrom. Then..... Click for the rest of the story....

Lakewood clears Columbine in 3 sets... closer to league title and beyond  (10/12/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

This wasn't supposed to end in a sweep. Not in our minds. But it was. And efficiently executed. And now we know a little better.

Enjoying a balanced attack beyond just their biggest star and roles played very well by those called to do so, the Lakewood Tigers maintained their undefeated standing in Jeffco 5A...... Click for the rest of the story....

Bear Creek scores 4 unanswered TDs in last 13 minutes to issue #8 Arapahoe first loss  (10/08/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Up and down and a whole lot of huge plays in this Super 6 clash of future playoff squads. 8^th ranked Arapahoe opened with an exciting punt return for a score then stayed ahead through most of three full quarters. However, Bear Creek quarterback, Sean Flanagan threw three of his five touchdown passes in the final twelve-and-half minutes as part of a 26-point surge....... Click for the rest of the story....

Nathan Schwied's score in the 2nd quarter holds up as George Washington holds on to edge Montbello  (10/06/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

That's two-in-a-row for G-Dub! And what a difference in just a couple of weeks.

During the week, Coach Fred Harris remarked that he hoped his guys would put on a better show than they did during our last broadcast featuring George football. Got that done! And mostly on the run. During what would turn out to be a decisive 2nd quarter drive, quarterback Nathan Schweid sprang for three nice gains -- including the go-ahead TD........ Click for the rest of the story....

Jaci Buscher leads Green Mountain to sweep of Alameda but concerning injury sours the taste  (10/05/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

The good parts first: With decisive matches ahead of them against key players in a four-team race for the league championship, the Lady Rams efficiently expedited their business against a team they were expected to beat. Multi-tooled middle, Jaci Buscher (9 kills, 9 digs), was one of many bright stars in a balanced attack that propelled the girls from Green Mountain to a straight set win........ Click for the rest of the story....

The Bell rings Red another year! Centennial offense rumbles through Pueblo Central  (09/30/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

The Bell is a big deal. The Bulldogs had it. They'll keep it. And they may achieve a whole lot more. 

Along with retaining the prize of Pueblo, Coach Mike Palumbo is eyeing postseason possibilities. The way his Bulldogs convincingly rolled their passionate city rivals tonight justified the coach's expectations. His multi-tooled option offense produced a pair of three-digit rushers...... Click for the rest of the story....

Great defense, 3 TD passes, and 4th quarter composure secure win for ThunderRidge over Mountain Vista  (09/29/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

It got very mellow for a while in the 3rd quarter as ThunderRidge thrust themselves into a commanding lead while their defenders were allowing yardage totals at, around, and below zero. But Mountain Vista delivered a brief shock in the 4th that revived the drama...... Click for the rest of the story....

Multi-purpose performer, Kaylee Pierce, leads Valor to sweep of Wheat Ridge  (09/28/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

A handful of girls missed an opportunity to play on T.V. That kinda stinks, huh? (Not that I didn't find a way to weave them into the broadcast.) Collectively between these Jeffco league squads, five girls were missing -- including a team captain for each. Clearly, Valor was the group that had the depth and talent to handle such losses. Senior OH/MH, Kaylee Pierce, was one of the healthy Eagles who shined brightest with a very productive game in all spots on the floor........ Click for the rest of the story....

Patient run game and unyielding "D" get Bear Creek past Eaglecrest  (09/23/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

The Bear Creek defenders never did give up a point. They didn't even yield 100 yards of total offense. Yet they were compelled to remain sharp (and anxious) because the other two "phases" struggled. Thus, it wasn't until late in the 3rd quarter that the Bears offense seized a lead and didn't really seal the deal until............. Click for the rest of the story....

Group of gritty South Rebels fight back in 4th to finish Dakota Ridge  (09/21/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

That... certainly was entertaining!

Two sets went to extras, no string of points went longer than four in the first two, and the play-by-play guy was calling for a stopwatch because several rallies that lasted forever. And after falling behind by 8 deep into the 4th set, the South Rebels locked arms and surged forward with a 15-5 run..... Click for the rest of the story....

Isaiah Hendrix with 4 TDs during East's 1st half explosion in win over George  (09/17/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

What do ya want? Everything worked for East. Quickly. Until it was uncool to keep doing it.

Isaiah Hendrix scored four touchdowns as the Angels pounced...... Click for the rest of the story....

Luke Papilion and Cherry Creek break loose then cruise past Arvada West  (09/16/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Usually I try to spread the love around when dropping names into these game recaps. I'll still get that done here, but marquee billing in this opening paragraph has gotta go to Cherry Creek junior quarterback, Luke Papilion. Nice evening, kid! Papilion's passing stats were solid: 11-14, 124yds. But his rushing numbers -- 144 yards and 4 TDs -- delivered the most impact...... Click for the rest of the story....

Ginley's defense and balanced attack earn the sweep for Regis over Smoky Hill  (09/14/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

So many seniors. So many weapons. Just about every one of them contributed. Call it a good, solid... team win. Nothing wrong with that.

On a night when they were challenged early and often by an enthusiastic group from up the road, team togetherness and collective talent eventually helped the home girls seize command and finish comfortably. Defensive specialist, Izze Ginley, was awesome...... Click for the rest of the story....

Dylan Carter and #2 Pomona run away from Mountain Vista  (09/09/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Sold! So far. Can we do that?

The answer is now "yes" that Pomona is worthy of their #2 ranking in our Top 10 poll, should be considered a favorite to win the North Metro, and will be dangerous to those who draw them when the calendar flips to November. I think that's a fair evaluation after the Panthers spotted their opponents an early score then piled up the next 37 points to erase all anticipation of a nice match-up........ Click for the rest of the story....

Ellie Brandon and D'Evelyn vets bounce East in 3 sets  (09/07/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

The Angels had the six-footers and the impressive crush shots during warm-ups. But the Jaguars had the overall experience, an edge in team chemistry and a collective bounce in the way they moved and executed. That hop-to-it motion -- sprung by both athleticism and enthusiasm -- was individualized the most by senior setter, Ellie Brandon, who recorded 16 assists and 6 kills to lead her D'Evelyn crew...... Click for the rest of the story....

Nick Swanson runs for 3 TDs as #2 Wheat Ridge tops Ponderosa  (09/02/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

"Hey, remember when you got blasted in the championship game...?" 

It might be a professional flaw of mine to avoid something so obvious and leave dirt where it lies. But I'll admit the question was probably relevant... so somebody else asked. The answer was, "Yes." The Farmers did still have a bad taste stuck in their mouths. And the kid who affirmed it may be the Farmer holding the biggest grudge. Careful, Mountain Plains League... and Class 4A in general. Nick Swanson is..... Click for the rest of the story....

Sudden strikes from Lenox and LaRoche ignite Fort Lupton to season opening win over Arvada  (09/02/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Now that I think of it... describing this game fits perfectly with the mandatory mention of the weather. Lightning forced a delay that tested patience for those seeking points on the scoreboard. And it was a sudden 3rd quarter burst -- fueled by merely two plays -- that gave Fort Lupton enough on the 'board to take the win. An exciting 105-yard interception return by junior defensive back, Marcus Lenox, followed.....  Click for the rest of the story....

Niemi's two-way play leads Broomfield to Zero Week win over Fruita Monument  (08/26/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Fundamentally, nobody really knows much in Zero Week. Backpacks are still stiff in the classroom. Play charts and personnel decisions are still mostly theory on the football field. However, one modestly safe bet was that all-around Iron Kid, Kristian Niemi, would have a huge impact on how well the Broomfield Eagles were going to fare in 2011. Niemi paid off quite well in the opener, for sure. With a touchdown-saving interception, several eye-opening tackles, and the go-ahead score......... Click for the rest of the story....

Another CET Sports Preseason Football Top 10 is now official  (08/11/11)

Well, here we go! For the 4th consecutive year, we present you our High School Football Preview Show on CET Sports, Comcast 105. It is a comprehensive showcase of every team and conference in Class 5A and some of the top teams in Class 4A. And, at the conclusion of the show we always announce our 4A and 5A Football Top 10's. Please understand, this is never an easy proposition......... Click for the rest of the story....

For those who just love to play! Lunch Pail Kids in boys basketball for  2010-2011  (03/29/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Now that I'm fully "detoxed" from another awesome finish to the basketball seasons, I have to publish my list of "Lunch Pail Kids" for boys hoops.

If you regularly read my goofy prose on this site... you already know. In case you're new here... a brief description. These are the work horses, spark plugs......... Click for the rest of the story....

Rising star, Talton, guides Sterling Tigers to 4A boys hoops title  (03/12/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

The Orange is poppin' with pride up in Sterling! For the first time in nearly three decades, their Tigers are champs!  

Coach Mike Holloway's kids claimed the biggest prize of all with a top-shelf performance. Impressive final team stats include just three turnovers, merely seven fouls, and 50% shooting from 3-point range. Individually, seniors Bobby Lebsock and Aaron Reyes excelled in their all-around roles while the juniors racked up the eye-catching offensive numbers. Derek Karg scored 16 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. And Xavier Talton awed even more folks who'd never seen him before........ Click for the rest of the story....

McDaniel and Neuhaus elevate Highlands Ranch to 7th girls basketball title  (03/11/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Hilarious. Or maybe it's just a statement of expectations. More than one Falcon I put a mic on in the post-game celebration shared her satisfaction about ending some kind of "drought." I found that funny just because Highlands Ranch only missed two years at the top. But that's the impact of the expectations now with that program. Winning it all is a fair objective....... Click for the rest of the story....

Bre + Bri = Five! Burgesser and Wilbur shine in Broomfield's 5th straight 4A title win.  (03/11/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

They had 'em. And then it went away.

A five point burst at the end seemed to be perfect timing and the champion-like follow-through the Trojans needed to get that title they coveted so fiercely.

Then a taller Bre and a smaller Bri helped the legend of Broomfield girls basketball survive and expand to unmatched historical status........ Click for the rest of the story....

Pueblo West wills themselves into late rush and Great 8 win over Longmont  (03/05/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Geekin' up on stats here: 8 ties and 17 lead changes through barely over three quarters of play. This competition... was... intense!!! The Cyclones made the last move though, with a 16-2 surge to open the final frame. Later in 4th, seniors Connor Roumph and Jordan Montera inspired and fortified 4th-seeded, Pueblo West, as they fought through one last challenge and an extremely emotional finish....... Click for the rest of the story....

Early 3-balls and late free throws get Sterling past Valor and into Final Four  (03/05/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

The kids from Sterling came with the big bombs from the outside and finished with the fundamental tosses from the free throw line. In the opener of the Great 8 slate of 4A games on the Mines campus, senior Aaron Reyes and the third-seeded Tigers bust open an early gap they never gave up then suppressed threats in the 2nd half with clutch efficiency shooting free throws -- most often by junior Xavier Talton. Coach Mike Holloway's Sterling squad handled 6-seed, Valor Christian, 74-60........ Click for the rest of the story....

Semin and Arapahoe down Chaparral with top-seed focus and team precision  (03/02/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

The Arapahoe kids came out of their locker room and executed like a machine for an entire 1st half. All-State senior, Parker Semin, was a huge catalyst for that near perfect play scoring 13 of his team's first 18 points to help create an early double-digit jump on their opponents. The Warriors held strong during a late threat, regained control, then finished with authority........ Click for the rest of the story....

Guy Talk: Names and games from our broadcasters on the boys basketball Sweet 16  (03/02/11) 

Arbiter:   Here we are at the Sweet 16. What are your reactions to Monarch and Montbello advancing beyond their seedings?

Brian Roth:   Well, I think we all know that Montbello has some nice talent. For whatever reason they have not been able to put it all together this season. But I think we all thought they would be dangerous in the playoffs and knew someone would get a bad draw. That team just happened to be....... Click for the rest of the story....

Needles drops 34 on Chaparral to get ThunderRidge into girls Great 8  (03/01/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Are we long enough past the Super Bowl to cue up a Black-Eyed Peas track without judgment? Because Carlie Needles must've been humming "I Got a Feeling" as she bounced around her home floor tonight. Decisive drives, smooth shots, and press defense like an alley cat on the ambush... Needles enjoyed a reeeaalllly nice evening scoring 34 points to lead ThunderRidge -- a region top seed -- into the Great 8 with a 55-42 victory over Continental League rival, Chaparral....... Click for the rest of the story....

Our girls hoops broadcast team chimes in on the Sweet 16  (03/01/11)

Arbiter:   The girls brackets usually follow the letter of the law with regards to seedings, don't they? What are your reactions to teams like Pine Creek, Heritage, Mountain Range, Chaparral, and Boulder beating higher seeds to advance to the Sweet 16?

Cory Lopez:   CHSAA did what they always do... reward conference champions and even the teams that finish runner-up with higher seeds. It's a big deal to win the conference! Coaches and even players talk about it all the time with us before and after games on CET105...... Click for the rest of the story....

Miller leads late push to move Mountain Vista past Columbine and into Sweet 16  (02/26/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Supported by a huge crowd in dark blue who travelled in to back their boys, Columbine led at the end of each of the first three quarters. The higher seed, Mountain Vista, made their move in the 4th, though. Senior Zach Miller guided the late charge by the Golden Eagles -- eventually leading all scorers with 16 points -- and Mountain Vista avoided the threat of a seeding upset........ Click for the rest of the story....

Small hits six 3s to get the girls of East past Dakota and into Sweet 16(02/25/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Diedra held court in the middle. Sydney went nuts from the perimeter. And the defending champs are movin' on.

As usual, senior center, Diedra Smith, did the dirty work -- muscling in 19 points to lead all scorers and smothering opponents who dared to step near her bucket. The finesse job was done by junior sniper, Sydney Small, who put on the show that inspired strangers to turn to each other with big-eyed looks... "Really?!" Small hit SIX three-pointers...... Click for the rest of the story....

Wilson preserves win for Kennedy with block at buzzer against Denver South  (02/18/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Here's a steady stat line for a senior captain who plays the part of big man in the middle: 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Pretty solid work, right? And it was. Yet the good job by Kennedy's Amal Wilson became so much greater when he stuffed a game-tying three-point attempt at the buzzer..... Click for the rest of the story....

Rock Canyon dominates 4th to blast past Douglas County  (02/15/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Tuesday night in the new County gym. Loved our first look at the new home of the Huskies.

The game... struggled to find a flow. But that seemed to help the hosts who owned a lead through three quarters. Then the Jaguars pounced and put away their Continental foes by outscoring the Huskies 27-11 in the final period. Junior Grant Noyes excelled around the basket leading all scorers with 20 while senior Matt Hopper made things happen everywhere else........ Click for the rest of the story....

Sierra's game-long comeback makes top-ranked Lewis-Palmer wait for league title  (02/11/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

The monkey ain't that big. Nor is it that old. Sure must be starting to get irritating, though. 

After trailing for almost the entire game, junior Deon Wilson drained a 25-foot, three-pointer with three seconds on the game clock to spring Sierra into an overtime session with top-ranked, Lewis-Palmer. And in an event where blue-chip big kids drew a handful of recruiters to the gym, it was another "little guy" who offered the decision-maker in the OT.......... Click for the rest of the story....

Sparks the catalyst. Read the anchor. Valor downs D'Evelyn for first Jeffco crown.  (02/09/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Tonight, we saw a whole lotta young guys on the gym floor of the "Jungle." Some leadership was required from the few seniors that were out there. Valor Christian's Niko Read stepped up to be that steady stud while his sophomore teammate, Austin Sparks, dominated the paint with plenty of points and a one-man block party........ Click for the rest of the story....

Pardner paces Overland with 21 in Centennial win over Grandview  (02/07/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Here's what my instincts tell me about my first live look at the Trailblazers: Their lead guard is very gifted in all sorts of ways. The other pair of "big rocks" in which Overland depends so much are tirelessly active and bring traits to their game not necessarily orthodox for their size and position. Yet... I just know I haven't seen enough to pass along my unsolicited judgment. For noble reasons, the 'Blazers didn't put out with their best effort tonight.

Senior Darius Pardner was precise from the perimeter..... Click for the rest of the story....

Olson drops 28. Donatell with the game-winner. Top-ranked Highlands Ranch outlasts Regis in double overtime.  (02/04/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

As I weaved through the bouncing maze of student jubilation, the first thing Coach Bob Caton said to me was, "... well, you got your money's worth."

Yea buddy! All that and a bag of harvest cheddar Sun Chips..... Click for the rest of the story....

Cool frosh, Collier, and timely sub, Cardoza, lead East past Lincoln  (02/03/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

After spending the past two days becoming lost and confused by game cancellations due to arctic temps, I was jonezin' for a hoops game. This one popped off my LG monitor like a cartoon bunny slapping me upside the head with a rubber skillet. Bingo! Winner! Gotta have it. Two of the top teams in an extremely competitive Denver Prep League. A pair of coaches who collect state championships. Lincoln's All-Stater, Dominic Williams. And the East freshman who's got all intrigued, Dominique Collier.......  Click for the rest of the story....

Yancey's 17 leads Fort Collins towards timely healing at Horizon  (01/27/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Perfect timing for the hoops gods to give the Lambkins a lil' Mama-Cat pat in the scheduling. This Fort Collins squad has just endured three consecutive defeats -- all tight games to teams in the top third of what has now been established as a brutal Front Range league this season.

All better now, though........... Click for the rest of the story....

Welch drops in 28 to help Pomona win Jeffco battle over Columbine  (01/25/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

I know you. You know me. Let's just pick sides, grab the rope, and get it on!

Plenty of intrigue for me heading into this tug-of-war between Jeffco squads. Pomona has a kid, Alex Welsh, who could play with any crew in the state and a pair of guards who more than compliment their star scorer. Columbine trots out three dudes who go 6'6"....... Click for the rest of the story....

MoHi trio of Spence, Wilding and Brooks lead Coyotes to strong win over Greeley West  (01/20/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

It's tough to dance around the fact that this Monarch basketball squad had more size and experience than their opponents. Those advantages certainly helped the Coyotes score a convincing victory. Most impressive to me, though, was how the Monarch crew played with those advantages. Their size afforded them a lot of attempts near the net. And their experience in working together as a disciplined, patient and very mobile unit was a fundamental factor in earning a 63-45 win over Greeley West....... Click for the rest of the story....

Regis rebounds from loss with dominating defeat of George Washington  (01/13/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Fearful is the team drawing the champs after a loss. 

Including the upset by the Palmer Terrors earlier in the week, Coach Ken Shaw's guys have been beaten twice by in-state squads. (Their other two losses occurred during holiday tourney action to begin the season.) After tonight's clinically near-perfect performance at G-Dub, the Raiders have now followed up each of those in-state defeats with victories of 20+ points...... Click for the rest of the story....

Thompson leads team effort for Eaglecrest in league win over Cherokee Trail  (01/12/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Careful with this Eaglecrest crew. Although Coach John Olander would agree with me that expectations for his Raptors squad should remain conservative, he may also accept my perception that his team has the look of a group that could surprise some folks when the state tournament brackets start getting active.

Here's what I saw tonight from the Raptors at their Nest: Great defensive energy, outstanding execution breaking the press, impressive team effort....... Click for the rest of the story....

Pesky defense helps Heritage score runaway win over Mesa Ridge  (01/04/11)

by MARTY CESARIO

Confidence can be contagious. Coach Mike Broyles admits his Eagles haven't seized much pride so far this season and tended to infect each other with inconsistent play -- especially shooting the basketball. Maybe Heritage just found their plan of attack for the rest of their season, though.

After suffering through a low-scoring first frame, Heritage put up 20-plus in the next three quarters. And they did it by playing defense -- repeatedly picking dribblers.....  Click for the rest of the story....

Roland sinks three at buzzer to lift T.J. over Chaparral  (12/14/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Somewhere in the halls of T.J., Coach Grant Laman is going to be sifting through his varied emotions. (At least, until he can distract himself with another game.) Laman's Spartans played a near-perfect 2nd quarter to establish control over a very talented Chaparral squad. T.J. expanded their lead to 20 midway through the 3rd quarter. Then his kids sat on it and eventually were shocked when they were seconds away from actually losing. Fortunately for Laman and his crew, junior Jordan Roland, turned the frowns upside-down..... Click for the rest of the story....

The nitty-gritty gettin' notice! Lunch Pail Kids for Fall of 2010  (12/12/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Football is done. Our Fall sports schedule is officially over. But I'm no good with closure. I still have some items to check off my to-do list before I close the books on the athletes of Autumn. A must for me is publishing the seasonal list of Lunch Pail Kids! You ready?  

Here they are! The work horses, spark plugs, and hustle players..... Click for the rest of the story....

Rayer's 2nd half scoring burst leads Coronado to a win over Littleton  (12/10/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

You see the score and probably assume offenses struggled, or defenses played well, or... a little bit of both. Yes. Yes. And yes. A little bit of all that would be a fair evaluation.  

On this Friday night inside the awesomely intimate North Gym at Littleton High, the best individual defensive performer was Coronado junior, Jason Schmidt, who effectively bird-dogged the most athletic player in the building for most of four quarters. Offensively, the Cougars had to wait for junior shooter, Eric Rayer, to find his rhythm, but 11 of his game-high 13 points.... Click for the rest of the story....

The streak at 33. And 3 straight titles. Mullen rules Class 5A clash with Regis  (12/04/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

On the first play from scrimmage, sophomore linebacker, Patrick Healy, burst through the Regis protection and dropped their quarterback on his rear. It happened right in front of me as I stood on the 10 yard line... which made the statement very clear to me. No more hype about the pair of archaic parochial schools with the undefeated records. No more historical references about the rebirth of an 80-year old rivalry. No more yakkin' by old folks in street clothes. When the boys put their pads on... Mullen rules.... Click for the rest of the story....

Berglund's big game and killer defense earn Valor a Class 4A title with win over Wheat Ridge  (12/04/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

It is official. Valor's infant blip on the radar is now a fascinating light one can't ignore. Recapping their semifinal win last week, I asked, "Are the Valor Eagles really gonna do this? Seriously?" Well, yes they did! And they did it extremely well. 

Senior quarterback, Brock Berglund, put on the performance of a lifetime on a stage reserved for only select company and the Eagles defense strangled another all-state candidate as 5th-seeded, Valor Christian, dominated the #3 seed, Wheat Ridge, with a 38-8 victory.... Click for the rest of the story....

Valor is in the title game! Defense flexes and finishes the top-seed, Broomfield  (11/27/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

These Eagles from Highlands Ranch are one step closer to being the "history makers" Coach Brent Vieselmeyer has hoped they could become.

Their senior quarterback, Brock Berglund, was outstanding keeping plays alive with his footwork and enjoyed a very efficient day throwing (15-22, 218 yards, 3 TDs). Their Peterbilt-sized fullback, George Talanoa, scored a pair of touchdowns to flip his team into cruise control. And the Valor defense, the definitive decision-makers for the outcome of this game, negated a potential player-of-the-year..... Click for the rest of the story....

Ruthless "D" and two Singleton TDs give Cherokee Trail a quarterfinal win over Ralston Valley  (11/19/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Look at the score. Not much, huh? That's because a couple of defensive units showed up and put out some serious playoff-caliber efforts. Add the chill in the air held down by nearby Aurora Reservoir and the tension felt by two programs trying to extend their stay in a place they'd never been before... a football fanatic didn't need a lot of points to feel he or she got a return on the Friday evening investment.

Obviously, C.T. folks enjoyed the true payoff. Their Cougars got a pair of 2nd half scores from junior QB, Thomas Singleton, and a defensive performance that yielded not one point..... Click for the rest of the story....

The Rangeview ride still perfect with Round 2 win over Arvada West  (11/13/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

The folks at Elitch Gardens couldn't pull off a ride like this: a runaway thrill exploding out of the start but earning its ultimate "hurrah" by yanking the brakes before it gets derailed. 

The Rangeview Raiders, a modest 4-seed, proved once again they are extremely talented and enjoying a dream season. That talent has to play a whole lot, though. On this Saturday afternoon at the NAAC, the Raiders jumped ahead by three touchdowns on three different occasions.......... Click for the rest of the story....

Scoring surge in 2nd more than enough to get Cherokee Trail by ThunderRidge  (11/11/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

It's on! The meat of the 5A football playoff schedule. It's off! The Indian Summer. Buh-rrrrrrrrrr! 

Post-season weather has officially arrived and the Cougars have convincingly moved on. Through a frigid chill at Shea Stadium, senior Bobby Tolliver scored on a 61-yard punt return, and junior quarterback, Thomas Singleton, tossed two TD passes during a 20 point, 2nd quarter surge.....  Click for the rest of the story....

Class 4A Football: Your CET announcers talk up the playoffs  (11/11/10) 

Arbiter:   Gentlemen, let's discuss the Class 4A football playoffs. I would like to start by offering my own reaction. At first glance, I see many competitive pairings among teams from all over Colorado. Would you agree, or disagree, that the broadness of representation is good for high school football and its followers.

Marty Cesario:   I see what you're looking at, Arbiter. It appears every county along the Front Range is well-represented and it's cool to see Durango get in the mix. I get a bit annoyed by.... Click for the rest of the story....

#3 Monarch gets big gainers and disciplined "D" to drop top-ranked Wheat Ridge  (11/05/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Couldn't ask for an easier scene set-up. Farmers and Coyotes -- ranked 1 and 3 in our 4A poll. The Wheat Ridge squad undefeated. The team from Louisville on an eight-game win streak. Regular season finale. League title on the line. Playoff seeding will be affected. Bam! Game on!

Wheat Ridge forced a couple of turnovers early and capitalized on one of them to grab an early lead. Then, MoHi seized command and settled into their system. If you've ever seen a Monarch game in the last decade, you don't need much from me to intuitively sense what happened.... Click for the rest of the story....

Medbery and Weissmann run Loveland through Greeley West and into playoffs        (11/04/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Win... and get in. Some added pressure for two 4A football squads who would normally enjoy beating on each other anway. The home boys fought hard, but it was the intruders in red and white who embraced the burden and drove it into the ground. (Thud. Pffffff. Grrrrr.)

On a Thursday night at District 6 Stadium, the Loveland Indians unleashed a beast and his buddy to barrel their way into the playoff brackets. Senior fullback, Connor Medbery, ran for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Senior quarterback, Scott Weissmann, travelled 156 yards...... Click for the rest of the story....

Class 5A Football: CET announcers react and ponder the postseason field  (11/04/10) 

Arbiter:   Let's start with Mullen -- which is again the top seed in the 5A playoff field. Your comments about their status going into these playoffs, the path laid out before them in the brackets... whatever you would like to share.

Marty Cesario:   It's a credit to their success that every playoff season, Arbiter, you ask for comments specifically about Mullen. My tendency has always been to find some faults or traits that might be exploited -- just for the sake of argument and intrigue. I'm going the other way now...... Click for the rest of the story....

#2 Regis handles Highlands Ranch to complete undefeated regular season  (10/28/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

"Fire melts wax... but hardens steel."

Coach Mark Nolan had that quote ready when I mentioned how his Raiders squad had to fight off a modest, yet real, challenge in the second half before they could safely celebrate. Nolan said it with a straight face and an attitude that seemed to hint he enjoyed the threat and expected his kids to handle it...... Click for the rest of the story....

Class 5A Volleyball: A glance at the districts and looking beyond  (10/27/10) 

The Arbiter:   Conceding the obvious use of a cliche, "Wow, how time flies!" The volleyball postseason is already here. The Class 5A district brackets have been released. At first glance, do any groups or team placements intrigue you?

Cory Lopez:   District 6 at Monarch High School could come down to any one of four teams (Monarch, Doherty, Fairview and Columbine). Monarch (16-1) rolled through the Front Range losing only to Fort Collins, but they haven't played anybody..... Click for the rest of the story....

Undefeated Ralston Valley clinches Big 6 title on Grenfell's kick with :06 left  (10/22/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Big plays and a big-time boot brought a whole community down to the field at the NAAC. The entire visitors' area -- with students fashioning a White-Out -- spilled onto the turf to celebrate a huge win. Ralston Valley was forced to give chase for more than three quarters then endure an exciting game-tying rally. The Mustangs did both, broke a few long-distance run plays, and finally seized victory........ Click for the rest of the story....

Mountain Range gets by Rocky with late TD by DeHerrera and tough "D"  (10/21/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Deeee-fense! That's what defined this one. Both squads defended extremely well in this low-scoring grinder. In the end, it was the Mustangs who made the deciding impact with two big stops within the final two minutes as the Lobos tried to rally. Thus, a 13-yard TD run by sophomore Preston DeHerrera at 3:38 in the final quarter proved to be the game-winner for Mountain Range in a brutally competitive Front Range League match-up with Rocky Mountain....... Click for the rest of the story....

Karst and Bohl lead Eaglecrest to 19-0 with thrilling win over Grandview  (10/19/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

At some point we just couldn't hold back our emotions. "Electric!" That's how my broadcast partner, Cory Lopez, described the atmosphere as I declared it to be "... the most captivating regular season match I've done in six years with CET." These girls had the gym Rrrrrrr-rah-kin!!!'

Fueled by a competitive intensity most football players can only wish they offered... bluntly... the Wolves scared the ^%$ out of the only undefeated 5A squad in the state. That said... the Raptors gave us more proof of the identity in which Coach Tanya Bond takes so much pride.......  Click for the rest of the story....

T.J.'s Truesdale scores with :17 left to beat George  (10/16/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

How did he put it? There were no Man-Hugs being shared in the T.J. locker room at halftime. I'm liberally paraphrasing. He was, for sure, self-censoring. Through the big smile, the way Coach Tim Owens offered it implied and inspired some radically angry visuals in my drama-noggin.' Whatever was really shared among Spartan coaches and players... it worked!  Click for the rest of the story....

Boulder's Granillo shines on both sides... scores game-winner against Legacy  (10/14/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

A pair of squads that started the season well but were recently on the skids grrrrr-rinding for a "W" like a cargo train muscling through the steeps of Grand County. That's my hindsight description of this Big 6 battle at North Stadium in Westminster.

This wrastlin' match featured plenty of pops from physical tacklers, seven turnovers and so many personal fouls that I actually got confused and lost track when the count reached eight. Catch me? It wadn't perdy, Hank. Yet, it was a fancy effort by Boulder's shifty senior quarterback that decided the final.... Click for the rest of the story....

Spencer and Edelman dominate in Fairview's sweep over Legacy  (10/12/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

The Knights were "on" tonight! Maybe the girls in red were physically venting after losing to league leader, Rocky Mountain, in their previous match -- for second time this season. Maybe it was one of those late season matches where a group just had it together. Or perhaps it was the fact that the Lightning had no way to stop two of the more impressive players I've seen in 2010....... Click for the rest of the story....

Fairview rallies but A-West finishes with Burgard's game-winning kick  (10/09/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

A herky-jerky, gear-grinder with less rhythm than a cheesy politician tap-dancing for young voters at an MTV ball actually ended with one of the most exciting finishes I'll see all football season.

With the Fall wind whipping and the penalty flags flying all around the NAAC, a rhythmic game flow was not happening for most of this Saturday afternoon in Arvada. Who cares now? An exciting drama unfolded suddenly in the final minutes of the game as Fairview scored eleven points in less than two minutes to tie the game.......
Click for the rest of the story....

Breaux and Boatwright own the net as Ponderosa puts away Mountain Vista in three(10/05/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

They still are the champs. And they can prove it. Just did. Right in front of our cameras. 

Ponderosa's volleyball team wasn't perfect tonight. A couple of weaknesses were temporarily exploited. Those flaws, though... dwarfed by the savvy play of their senior-heavy line-up and the relentless assaults of their top-shelf tandem at the net. On a Tuesday evening at Mountain Vista High, Caitie Breaux and Carly Boatwright,  performed like the all-staters they are to lead their Mustangs to a sweep......  Click for the rest of the story....

McDondle's 4th TD earns #3 Columbine an overtime win over Chatfield (10/01/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Boy, am I glad I went with my gut. 

Every so often, when I'm not assigned to broadcast a game, I'll go "cover" a match-up as a writing assignment for our website here -- just me prancing around the sidelines with my ole-school, seventy sheet, college-ruled notebook and a fancy clicker pen. Which game is usually my choice. I definitely got this one right. My hunch was that the Chargers would give their rival Rebels a tough challenge. Sure did! Great show! Tense finish! Chatfield senior quarterback, Alex Hoehler, ran in a game-tying touchdown with :21 on the clock, but Columbine junior tailback, Cameron McDondle, scored his fourth TD during the overtime session to give the 3rd-ranked Rebels a 31-24 victory...... Click for the rest of the story....

Weber a bright force in the middle as Cherry Creek sweeps Mullen  (09/28/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

During our post-match chat, I called her a "smiling assassin." She gave me an Adam Sandler look, "Weeirrrr-dooh." Fortunately, Coach Sally Moos backed me up. Moos got what I was implying and understood my genuine compliment. Her senior middle, Ali Weber, enjoys the heck out of the game in which she also excels.......
Click for the rest of the story....

Seven touchdowns for Flack in D'Evelyn win over Denver North  (09/25/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

If you wanna see the spread run efficiently, productively, excitingly... perhaps perfectly, check out these Jaguars from D'Evelyn High. And make sure you savor the experience of watching their junior quarterback run the show.

During this Saturday midday game at All-City Stadium in Denver, D'Evelyn QB, Caleb Flack, threw five touchdown passes to five different receivers and ran for a score in the first half then added another TD toss during his only series in the third.......  Click for the rest of the story....

Nash and Prior-Newburn lead Highlands Ranch to a sweep over ThunderRidge(09/21/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

A lot of girls are gone from last season's Class 5A finalists, but it's easy to see how Highlands Ranch should still be respected in the toughest league in the state. On a Tuesday night at ThunderRidge High, the visiting Falcons fought off an inexperienced but competitive Grizzlies group with a variety of productive attackers -- most notably senior right-side, Syndey Nash, and superior net presence from senior middle, Brogan Prior-Newburn, in a three set sweep: 25-21, 25-21, 25-19....... Click for the rest of the story....

Ossello runs for five... throws for one... #3 Wheat Ridge scores nine TDs in wild win over Longmont  (09/18/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

No huddle. Quick snap. Mirror the pace. Try to keep up.

99 points on the 'board. 59 in the first half. Nearly 1000 yards of combined offense. One quarterback ran for over 200 yards. He scored five touchdowns on his feet and threw one. The other QB went 17 of 25 for 235, two TDs, and had a 94 yard touchdown completion called back. Each squad had a running back eclipse the 100 yard mark. Longmont led after two, 31-28. But the Wheat Ridge defense shut 'em out in the second half....... Click for the rest of the story....

Hawks O-Line springs Drew Patrick for more big gains as Horizon beats Overland (09/16/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Whatever happened to the Horizon football squad in week one... drop it! Coach Frank Ybarra's crew has rallied together quite well after that thirty point loss in their opener. Now, for the second consecutive week, the Hawks' power running game has delivered big yardage totals and enough points to earn victory. On a Thursday night at Adams 12 North Stadium, junior Drew Patrick bullied his opponents for 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns -- including the game-clinching TD on a fourth quarter drive..... Click for the rest of the story....

Driscoll, Hercher, and depth get Heritage by Columbine in four  (09/14/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Okay. So... seeing Heritage junior, Katelyn Driscoll, whack 'em in warm-ups is like watching Tulowitzski or Gonzalez take batting practice before a Rockies game. It's like a bonus show before the main event. Like those ballplayers, Driscoll delivers big blasts when it counts, too. Katelyn would even admit, though, that her teammates offer plenty more reasons Eagles volleyball fans should be encouraged....... Click for the rest of the story....

Reggie Love scores 5 TDs to push Cherry Creek past Denver East  (09/10/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

It's early in 2010, but so far the the city kids have been giving me the best returns for my passionate presence. That's a bittersweet compliment, of course. South lost on a score with 90 seconds left in our CET game last Saturday. And on this Friday afternoon at Stutler Bowl, East offered an exciting comeback but got bested by a killer 4th quarter drive put together by Cherry Creek.

Running backs earned big applause today! The Angels got 245 yards and two touchdowns from Shahid Hoover, but it was Creek's Reggie Love who took top honors and the right to celebrate...... Click for the rest of the story....

Big hitters, Brown and Wilson, power Overland past Gateway  (09/07/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Coach Jill Carlson seems like a very humble lady-- smiling yet cautious. But if her ladies continue to play like they did tonight, Carlson may just be compelled to hike her shoulders up a bit and begin working a confident strut through the halls of Overland High........ Click for the rest of the story....

Hightree leads Golden on late drive for comeback win over Denver South  (09/04/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Here's a sports announcer cliche for ya: "They snatched victory from the jaws of defeat." Hurts just to write it down. (Should I be wearing a mustard blazer and gigantic headphones?) But the cliche sort of fits. In one of those Saturday morning games at All City Field in Denver, the Golden Demons seemed to be outplayed for a majority of their time on the field until a third quarterback managed to move his squad 61 yards in five plays in the final couple of minutes for a eye-widening, game-winning score....... Click for the rest of the story....

Miles makes strong debut as "the man" for defending champs...
Mullen big over #2 Chaparral  (09/03/10)

by MARTY CESARIO

Oh, the anticipation for this Week 1 match-up was stimulating. Getting football started would've been enough to jack up any high school fan, but there was so much more to sell for this one at Burt.com Stadium down in Parker. The two-time defending and still top-ranked champs against a #2 Chaparral squad that, despite the drama endured by the suspension of their all-league quarterback, was returning 17 starters and remained loaded on offense with arguably as much high-grade, skills-position weaponry as their opponents......  Click for the rest of the story....

Catch up with Marty Cesario all season long as he gives his thoughts on Colorado high school sports.......