Jags Win Overtime Thriller

December 9, 2011

Boulder Creek vs. Regis Jesuit- Denver Colorado
Majerle Challenge

The Boulder Creek Jaguars entered the third round of the Majerle Challenge facing the Regis Jesuit Raiders from Denver, Colorado. Regis has won the Colorado State 5A basketball championship for the past three years. The challenge against a program with such a winning tradition would be formidable.
The Jags began the game playing solid man-to-man defense. They were especially effective in the paint keeping the Raiders from getting easy baskets. Both teams played very aggressive basketball with team fouls mounting early. At the end of the first quarter the Jags held a 14-11 lead.

As the second quarter began Regis tightened their man-to-man defense. The Jags offense couldn’t get in sync. Turnovers and missed shots led to two consecutive Regis 3’s. Both offenses struggled and with 4 minutes left in the second quarter, Boulder Creek had only posted 2 points. Regis then began raining 3 point shots to take a 27-21 halftime lead.
A determined Boulder Creek team came out of the locker room in the third quarter. Stephen Crim led the charge back with 7 points in the quarter. Once again, the Jags defense came up strong holding the Raiders to 4 points. Connor Kuchar defended the middle and altered or blocked shots by any Raider who dared to challenge the big man. At the end of the third quarter the Jags fought back to take the lead 32-31.
The fourth quarter proved to be some of the most intense basketball we have seen all year. Josh Braun hit a 3 and Weston Newell slashed to the basket getting fouled and hitting two free throws. With 4:20 to go in the game the Jags led 41-35. Regis then proved why they are the 3 time defending Colorado State champions by hitting 3 three point shots in a row. The Jags missed their 3’s and with 2:14 left the game was tied at 41. With just over a minute left Weston Newell found that silky smooth outside touch we have seen over the last 3 years and buried a 3 point shot from the right wing. Regis countered with a 3 of their own and with 51.2 seconds, the game tied at 44, Regis had the ball and a chance to win. They ran the clock down to 7.9 seconds, took a time out, and set up their final shot plan. Randyll Roberts hounded the point guard from Regis tipping a pass attempt back toward mid court. The Raider guard recovered the ball and heaved a last gasp effort that appeared to have a chance. The ball caromed off the glass and the game headed to overtime tied 44-44.
In overtime Weston Newell connected on a 3 point shot and hit one of two free throws. Stephen Crim and Josh Braun hit 2 free throws each and the Jags slipped in front 53-52 with a minute left. The Jags defensive intensity forced Regis to miss and the Jags connected on two more free throws. Once again, the defense forced a turnover and ran the clock out for a 58-55 final sending the Jaguars to the championship game Saturday night vs. Hoover High School, Alabama.