Rangeview Advances to Final 4
The rematch between Rangeview and Cherokee Trail was much like the first time the two teams met back in January expect with one major difference. When Cherokee Trail made its run in the fourth quarter, the Rangeview Raiders kept their composure and did not allow the Cougars to get any closer than cutting the lead to less than eight points.
Cherokee Trail led at the end of the first quarter 12-11 after falling behind 9-5 early in the game. Rangview seniors Tyrei Randall and Elijah Reed were held to just a combined 2 points in the first eight minutes. But junior guard Elijah Blake and senior guard Marquis Kraemer hit big shots. Meanwhile the Cougars where balanced scoring but one could tell that senior forward David Thornton was prepared for a big game.
In the second quarter Rangeview used five Cherokee Trail turnovers to jump start a 21-10 run. Rangeview got scoring from Blake, Reed, and senior guard Kris Hollins. Again the only consistent scorer for the Cougars was Thornton. Rangeview led 32-22 at halftime.
The Raider were able to extend their lead to 18 points by the end of the quarter thank to Randall and Reed. The seniors combined for 16 of Rangeview’s 27 points in the quarter. The big quarter was spurred by a technical foul on a Cherokee Trail guard expressing his frustration with a call. Even though the Cougars gave up 27 points in the quarter they were able to score 19 themselves. Thornton and senior guard Ronnie Barfield combined for 17 points. Barfield attacked from the wing and was finishing at the basket well in the quarter. However the Raiders led 59-41 at the end of the third quarter.
The Cougars mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter and outscored the Raiders 23-16. But it wasn’t enough the Raiders were able to score enough to thwart any real challenge at the lead. Five different Raiders scored in double figures and Elijah Reed finished with a double -double.
Thornton finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds for the Cougars.
Rangview will take on Eaglecrest in the 7:00 game Friday night at the Coors Events Center in Boulder, CO.
