Air Academy vs Lewis-Palmer

By Matt Langley

www.BasketballColorado.com

3/13/2015

Boulder, CO – Air Academy and Lewis-Palmer gave the crowd exactly what it expected. A slugfest between conference rivals that would come down to the final moments of the game. The game started out slow as both teams worked to get their legs under them as both teams shot under 40 % from the field in the first quarter and committed 11 turnovers combined. Ranger junior Sam Strasburger led the way for Lewis-Palmer with 4 points in the quarter. The Kadets struggled mightly from the free throw line through out the game but it was the worst in the first quarter as they shot 1 of 6 from the line in the first quarter.  The Rangers led the Kadets 9-7 at the end of the first quarter. For the rest of the half Air Academy out scored Lewis- Palmer 14 to 12. Davis Louthan, James Sims, and Paul Ambuul each scored four points respectively in the second quarter.  After not shooting any free throws in the first quarter, Lewis-Plamer  went 6 for 6 from the charity stripe.

The score was tied 21-21 at the beginning of the 3rd quarter. Air Academy continued to employee primarily full court pressure and half zone defense to try to keep the Rangers out of rhythm. In fact the Kadets had scored 17 points off  of 14 Lewis-Palmer turnovers through the 3rd quarter.  However the Rangers were still able to get to the basket and thanks to a five point run at the end of the quarter lead by Jonathan Scott and Charlie Hovasse cut the Kadets eight point lead to three at the end of the 3rd quarter 42-39.

The Rangers were able to capture the lead after a Sam Todd three pointer from the corner with six minutes left in the game, 45-44. From that point forward neither team would hold a lead larger than four points. Each teams key players made clutch baskets down the stretch. The Kadets Austin Dewing, Ambuul, and Louthan each scored four points in the final quarter. While Scott, Strasburger and Hovasse combined for 12 points for the Rangers. An Ambull layup gave the Kadets the lead for good with 3;10 left 51-19.  The Rangers were unable to convert the limited chances they got due to the fact that the Kadets began to play keep away with 2:45 left in the game. The Kadets were very effective eating up time off the clock. But drama remained in the game as they were unable to convert at the free throw line shooting 5 of 9 in the final quarter and just 40% for the game.  Lewis-Palmer had multiple chances to tie the game in the final minute and had the ball for the final possession. Louthan came up big as he has all season for the Kadets.

 

The block sealed the 54-51 victory and send Air Academy to face Longmont in the 4A state championship on Saturday March 14th at 6:00.