Valor Drops D’Evelyn
By Matt Langley
Langleyscouting.blogspot.com
1/ 5/2013
Denver, CO– The near capacity gym at D’Evelyn High School Saturday night witnessed the 5thranked Valor Christian Eagles (9-2) defeat the previously undefeated and number 1 ranked in 4A D’Evelyn Jaguars (8-1) 79-77, in the type of game that is reserved for mid February, not first game back from winter break. Even though both teams were missing key players, they showed very little rust from the holiday break. Each team’s stars would shine, and the game would not be decided until the final shot.
The Eagles started the game off with a high flying alley-oop to its star junior forward Chase Foster. Foster and fellow junior forward Brandon Pleiman would add eight more points each and lead the Eagles to a 24 -19 lead at the end of the 1stquarter. D’Evelyn’s senior guard and leading scorer in 4A Luke Stratman led the Jaguars in the first quarter with nine points.
The second quarter started with the Eagles trying to take charge of the game forcing the Jaguars into bad passes and bad shots. However the tide turned when Stratman started to heat up. He erupted for 18 points in the quarter, knocking down pull up jumpers from the free throw line, making deep three point shots, and going 5-6 from the free throw line. The Eagles also hurt themselves in the quarter when with 3:43 left in the quarter, up 34-26, and after a foul had already been called on Valor, junior guard Garrett Baggett was whistled for a technical foul after pushing D’Evelyn’s Chase Cleary. That put Stratman at the line for four free throws; he made three and the technical foul gave the ball back to D’Evelyn. On the next play D’Evelyn scored again knocking the lead down to three, 34-31. The Eagles answered and extended their lead to six, 37-31, when a cutting Luke Proctor converted an old fashion three point play after he was fouled on his lay up. The Jaguars clawed their way back again when Stratman hit a very deep three point shot to tie the game 40-40 with 45 seconds left in the quarter. The Jaguars were able to get the ball back with only a few seconds left in the quarter and junior guard Brian Smith hit a 3-point shot at the halftime buzzer to give D’Evelyn a 43-40 lead.
The third quarter started of sloppy with both teams struggling to find their previous groves. Once they did find their grooves, the quarter featured three score ties, six lead changes, and neither team led by more than four points. Foster got on track for the Eagles scoring nine points in the quarter while Stratman scored only five points in the quarter for the Jaguars but did score the last basket of the quarter tying the game at 59-59.
The fourth quarter began as the Jaguars jumped to a 65-59 lead behind the hot hand of sophomore guard Grant Witherspoon. Valor’s Baggett and Foster were clutch in the fourth quarter keeping the Eagles in the game. Baggett sunk a three point shot that pulled the Eagles within one point, 73-72 with 2:04 remaining. After a D’Evelyn turnover and foul, Valor’s Pleiman sank two free throws to take the lead 74-73. On the next play Valor fouled D’Evelyn’s Stratman who made both free throws giving the Jaguars a one point lead, 75-74 with 1:03 left in the game. With 57.1 seconds left, Witherspoon fouled out and sent Foster to the line. Foster made both of his free throws giving the lead back to Valor 76-75. After a Stratman three point shot missed, the Jaguars fouled Baggett. Baggett make one of two free throws extending the Eagle lead to 77-75 with 28.7 seconds left. With less than 11 seconds left the Jaguars Cleary made a shot to tie the game at 77- 77. The Eagles got the ball in bounds and to their best player, Foster, who got the ball to the lane and was fouled going up for his shot with 4.3 seconds left. Foster made both of his free throws to give the Eagles a 79-77 lead. The Jaguars were able to draw up one last play for Stratman that was executed well and gave Stratman a three point shot that missed at the buzzer.
Both teams certainly have the talent to make a deep run in the 4A tournament this year. Stratman finished with a game high 38 points and Witherspoon added 19 for the Jaguars. Foster finished with 28 points while Baggett added 17 points, and Pleiman chipped in 13 for the Eagles.