Sand Creek Holds Off Colorado Academy

In what was one of the best played games all year the Sand Creek Scorpions out dueled the Colorado Academy Mustangs 77-71 Friday night at the Mullen Holiday Invitational. Both teams are considered in the top five of their respective classes and feature  some of the states top college prospects.  With Colorado Academy’s Harvard bound Justin Bassey and Colorado Christian signee Christian Hyatt and Sand Creek’s junior four star recruit D’shawn Schwartz and highly regarded senior Jordan Phillips  the game was expected to be great and it didn’t disappoint. The game was fast, free flowing,  devoid of an over abundance of whistles (until the 4th quarter), players made plays and a freshman proved the varsity stage isn’t too big for him.

The first quarter was fast paced with both teams coming out on fire. Sand Creek’s Jordan Phillips scored 12 points of the Scorpions 19 points off deep threes and a highlight dunk. Schwartz hit a three and a blow by lay up  on his way to seven points in the quarter. Colorado Academy was more than happy to play the fast paced game pushing the ball to the front court looking to attack quickly. Colorado Academy’s freshman Hunter Shkapich hit two three pointers himself to off set the absence of Justin Bassey while he got his ankle taped after rolling it early in the quarter. Hyatt was responsible for seven more of the Mustangs points, able to get into the lane and finish. Sand Creek led 19-17 after the first.

In the second quarter the scoring slowed a bit but the action was just as fast. Bassey returned to the game and immediately made an impact, scoring four points. But it was Shkapich that hit two more three pointers that kept the Mustangs from falling too far behind. The Scorpions where led again by Schwartz and Phillips combining for 10 of Sand Creek’s 15 points in the quarter.  Both were able to attack the basket.  Sand Creek led at halftime 34-30.

In the third quarter the action really picked up. Both teams combine to make 9 three pointers  to score a combined 44 points  in the quarter. Both teams primary played man to man defense and rarely slipped into zone. It was very much a mono e mono game. The Mustangs were able to find the open man and they knocked down the open shot. Hyatt’s three pointer with 5:06 capped a 11-5 run that gave the Mustangs a brief lead. Sand Creek then went on it own 10-5 run to regain the lead 51-46 with 2:45 left.  Mustangs finish the quarter on a 8-3 run with Shkapich hitting a jumper with a minute left in the quarter to tie the game 54-54.

In the fourth quarter the Mustangs and Scorpions traded baskets and leads multiple times. Phillips, Bassey, Schwartz and Shkapich all hit big shots.  The exciting last two minutes are below .

 

Double Digit Scorers

Sand Creek

Phillips – 26

Schwarts – 20

Hobdy – 12

Colorado Academy

Shkapich – 24

Hyatt – 15

Bassesy- 18