Regis Rips Overland

By Matt Langley

www.BasketballColorado.com

12/2/2014

Aurora, CO – Upset isn’t the correct term when #3 Regis Jesuit defeated the Overland Trailblazers 61-45 Tuesday night at Overland High School. After all Regis had beaten Overland the year before and both teams returned a number of the same players.  Upsetting was Overland’s inability to make a field goal in the second half. Regis took full advantage of Overland’s shooting woes and pulled away for the victory in the fourth quarter.

The game started out as a typical first game of the season. Both teams showed signs of rust and lack of timing meanwhile neither team was able to grab an offensive rebound. The quarter quickly developed into a half court game with both teams using zone defenses for stretches of the first quarter. Raider senior guard Taylor Kallsen drained a 3 pointer just before the quarter buzzer to give Regis a 13-10 lead.

The pace of the game shifted to a full court game once Overland started making baskets which meant junior DeRon Davis was scoring in the post and Overland was able to set up it’s full court press. With college coaches from the University of Colorado and the University of Connecticut looking on, Davis posted a solid 22 points and 10 plus rebounds night even though he fouled out with over 4:30 left in the 4th quarter. Regis meanwhile some what struggled with the press at times and then other times passed right through the press without a problem. Overland was able to take advantage and outscored Regis 19-15 in the quarter earning a 29-28 lead at half.

Defensively, Regis plugged the lane up in the second half, sending three and sometime four players to pester Davis and to keep senior guard Austin Conway out of the driving lanes. Overland struggled from the field only making four field goals in the entire half. Kallsen struck again with a 3 pointer from the corner to give the Raiders the lead 33-32 just a couple of minutes into the 3rd quarter. But the Raiders struggled to put any real distance between them and the Trailblazers due to Conway’s aggressiveness on defense that cause a number of turnovers in a row.  But when Regis guard Tony Caseria  drilled back to back 3 pointers that put the Raiders up for good 41-36 with 2:00 left in the  3rd quarter.  The game quickly spiraled out of control after that for the Trailblazers. Seniors Bryan Staerkel and Kip Boryla combined on sweet assist and score for the Raiders, then Nolan Ebel canned a three pointer. The Raiders maintained a 47-36 lead at the end of the quarter.

Overland was simply unable to hit a field goal, wether it be a lay up or a jump shot. When Davis attempted to force the action he was called for player control fouls  or was unable to get the foul call.  Once Regis reached it’s 10 point lead in the final quarter, the Raiders used it’s spread to score game to force the Trailblazers to extend their defense to create driving lanes, backdoor passes, eat up time and force Overland to foul. Regis was in the bonus for the entirety of the 4th quarter.  Even though the Raiders only lead by 11 points it might as well have been 25. Boryla went 5 of 6 from the free throw line to push the Raider lead to 14 points.  The Trailblazers simply could not find a rhythm on offense and once Davis fouled out with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter Overland did not have an answer.

Regis doesn’t have long to enjoy this win, as they take on Columbine this Thursday who is fresh off a one point win over Lincoln.  Overland on the other hand has plenty of time to get back to work as the Trailblazers do not play again until December 11 when they face a tough Jordan, Utah team at the Free Tax USA.com Shoot-Out in Provo, Utah.

Double figure scorers

Overland: Davis 22 points 10 rebounds

Regis: Boryla 15 points 9 rebounds, Kallsen 15 points