Denver East Dodges Arapahoe, Advances to Final 4
By Matt Langley
BasketballColorado.com
3/8/2013
Denver, CO – Denver East Head Coach Rudy Carey’s 700th career victory didn’t come easy, as the Angels got the Arapahoe Warriors best shot Friday at the Denver Coliseum. The Warriors played a perfect first half taking a lead into half-time, but the Angels roared back to advance to the final four.
In the first half of action, the Warriors shot 50% from the field and limited their turnovers to just four, to gain a 30-22 half-time lead. The Angels could not get many shots to fall shooting 31%, but their free throw shooting of 7 of 12 kept them in the game. Arapahoe senior Mitch Albyn led the Warriors with 7 points and fellow Warrior Evan Walsh added 6 points from two three-pointers. The Angels were led by junior Tyre Robinson’s 7 points.
In the second half the Angles’ defensive pressure started to wear down the Warriors. The Warriors committed 10 turnovers in the half, as the Angles clawed their way back into the game. The Angels’ defense held the Warriors to 12 points in the 3rd quarter, while rolling off 19 of their own. East tied the score at 41 with a three-pointer from junior Dom Collier at 3:08 left in the 3rd quarter. Robinson scored the first basket of the 4th quarter giving East its first lead since the beginning of the game. The Warriors and Angels then traded baskets and leads over the next 3:00 of the game until a lay-up by Collier gave the Angels a six point lead, 54-48. After Arapahoe’s Albyn fouled out with 2:15 to play, the Warriors went to their senior post player Matt Glasscock who scored 4 straight points, getting the Warriors to within one point, 54-53 with 1:35 left to play. The Angels’ Jevon Griffin answered with a driving lay-up, showing amazing body control to avoid the charge call to regain a 3 point lead 56-53. On the ensuing play, the Warriors went back to Glasscock; he made the basket and was fouled but missed the free throw, cutting the Angels lead to 56-55. The Warriors were unable to convert any more offensive possessions, and the Angels made 4 of 6 free throws in the final minute to get the 60-55 victory.
East had four scorers in double figures: Collier and junior Ronnie Harrell led with 16 points, while Robinson added 13, and Griffin scored 10. Arapahoe was led by Glasscock’s 14 points, and Walsh added 12. East will face Legend Friday at the Coors Events Center in the state semifinals.
