#2 ThunderRidge 56
#3 Rangeview 70
Aurora (CO) – Rangeview came out of the gates on fire behind star perimeter players Tyrei Randall and Elijah Blake. They combined for 15 first quarter points while ThunderRidge only scored 9. Rangeview connected on 6 first quarter 3 pointers and led 26 – 9 at the end of the first quarter. Junior Matthew Johnson of Rangeview knocked down two threes during the first quarter as well.
The beginning of the second quarter was more of the same, ThunderRidge struggled on both sides of the floor with the athleticism of Rangeview. On offense they were sped up and struggled to convert shots they normally make and on the defensive end they could not keep the talented Rangeview guards in front of them.
Midway through the second quarter ThunderRidge head coach Joe Ortiz made a defensive adjustment and switched from a man to man to a zone defense. As a result ThunderRidge closed the half on a huge 14 – 4 run that was ignited by three charges taken on defense, and a barrage of three pointers. Troy Brady, Elijah Rodriguez and Kaison Hammonds combined for 5 three pointers. Rodriguez’s last three came as time expired in the 1st half providing ThunderRidge with a huge shot in the arm. ThunderRidge trailed by as much as 19 points, but trailed by just 7 at 34 – 27 at the half.
The third quarter mimicked the first, as Randall and Blake outscored the entire ThunderRidge team 11 – 9, in fact only two ThunderRidge players scored in the third. Clay Verk scored 6 points, while Brady added a 3-point basket. Randall made two huge plays in the quarter, a break away dunk and a four-point play that deflated any confidence that ThunderRidge had. ThunderRidge was outscored 19 – 9 in the third and trailed 53 – 36 as they headed into the fourth.
The fourth quarter was more of the same as senior Elijah Reed was the catalyst. Reed scored 8 of his 16 points in the fourth. Randall had another productive quarter with 7 points. Randall finished with 20 on the night, and Blake contributed with 16 also for Rangeview to give them a 70 – 56 win.
With the win Rangeview is now 8 – 0, and has made a legitimate case to be the states top ranked team next week, while ThunderRidge, who entered 2016 ranked number two has suddenly dropped two games in a row and is now 9 – 2.
Double Digit Scorers
Rangeview
Tyrei Randall 20
Elijah Blake 16
Elijah Reed 16
ThunderRidge
Clay Verk 15
Troy Brady 13
Elijah Rodriguez 11
About the Blogger: Nick Graham is the director of basketball for Chauncey Billups D1 Basketball in Highlands Ranch. Graham, who played collegiately at Washington State University trains basketball players of all ages and skill levels including many of the states top high school and collegiate players along with NBA players as well. In addition, Nick travels the country working with some of the nations top prep players. Along with leading D1 Basketball Training nationally, he also works with Spalding and many of the top trainers in the country including Johnny “Handle Life” Stephene. Through his partnership with Spalding Nick will travel to the 2016 NBA All Star game to provide youth players in the Toronto community with NBA All star training along with Stephene. Also, Nick and Stephene will lead regional All American camps this summer with D1 Basketball, Spalding and NBA players Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony amongst others. Nick’s passion is assisting Chauncey Billups in mentoring, developing and celebrating the young players and coaches along with educating and empowering parents of basketball players all over Colorado.Follow Nick on Twitter @DreamLiveBall & on Instagram @DreamLiveBallNick
Find out more about Chauncey Billups Basketball Training with Nick Graham @ D1sportsbball.com/Denver
