Rangeview Survives Arvada West
The Rangeview Raiders advanced to the Great 8 of the Boys 5A State Basketball Tournament after defeating the Arvada West Wildcats 57-56 in front of a packed gym at Rangeview High School on Wednesday night. The Raiders were able to outlast the the Wildcats by their key seniors making plays at key moments of the game. The Wildcats built runs off the play of seniors Will Wittman and Luke Neff.
At the beginning of the game it was a rough start of every one including the refs, there was more fouls called in the first two minutes of the game than there was in the rest of the half. Through the first three minutes of the first quarter each team already had six fouls. However, once both the players and the refs settled into a flow the rest of the game was smooth sailing. Rangeview carved out an early 7-2 lead but Arvada West’s Neff and Wittman combined for the next nine points to keep the Raiders from running away. But the Raiders still led after the first quarter 17-11 after Matt Johnson hit his second three pointer of the game.
Rangeview was able to build an 6 point lead after Elijah Reed scored on a put back that made the score 21-15. Then some thing started to click for the Wildcats. The Wildcats used a zone to slow down the Raiders and then Rangeview started missing three points shots. Meanwhile Arvada West started hitting shots mainly by Wittman and Neff. When the Raiders went into the locker room at halftime they trailed the Wildcats 26-27.
Arvada West started the 2nd half out with back to back threes to gain a seven point lead in the beginning stages of the 3rd quarter. Raiders guard Tyrei Randall answered by scoring 13 of his 15 points in the quarter to lead the comeback. The Raiders took the lead back after a Randall layup and pushed the score to 38-35. With 1:56 left in the third quarter an Arvada West player picked up a technical foul. Which resulted in a three point play and put Rangeview up 44-39 at the end of the quarter.
The four quarter was the most exciting part of the game. With the Wildcats clawing their way back to into the game the Raiders had to find stops on defense and make free throws. Arvada West changed back to the zone from the first quarter and really stifled Rangeview. But Rangeview was patient on a couple of occasions and was rewarded with buckets like this.
The two sides played well but Arvada West wasn’t going quietly into that good night. The Wildcats fought back with effort plays like this one.
Off a shocking turnover by Rangeview in the front court this happens.
Hollins steps to the line
With Hollins missing his second free throw it gave Arvada West one more chance.
It was fitting with the kind of night that Reed had that he would be the one intercepting the pass.
Double Digit Scorers
Rangeview
Elijah Reed 19
Tyrei Randall 15
Arvada West
Will Wittman 20
Luke Neff 20
