Vista win over rival is instant classic

ThunderRidge loses in double overtime

Special To Colorado Community Media

e Mountain Vista and underRidge boys basketball teams have authored plenty of great moments together throughout their

But the Golden Eagles and Grizzlies’ latest production, an all-out war on Feb. 17 inside a loud and jam-packed underRidge gymnasium, might very well have been the two programs’ magnum pounded on each other deep into the night. irty-two minutes of regulation wasn’t enough to settle things. Nei-

Finally, momentum swing after momentum swing, big play after big play, incredible moment after incredible moment, Vista prevailed 103-99 in double overtime in what was nothing short of an perfect run in league play for the Golden Eagles, Colorado’s No. 1-ranked team. It was also Vista’s rst win over underRidge in three years.

“I’ve been a part of a lot of basketball games in my life. at was probably the best one,” Vista coach Brian Wood said. “It would be nice if nobody had to lose on a

In the other locker room, longtime Grizzlies coach Joe

Ortiz had something similar to say: “[ underRidge and Vista] have had a lot of classic games. is was one of them for sure.”

No question.

In the second overtime, Charlie Spann’s 3-pointer from the top of the key shaved Vista’s lead to 100-99 with 52 seconds remaining.

After a Golden Eagles timeout, Vista’s Radek Homer was fouled on a driving attempt and coolly sank both of his free throws. en, with less than 10 seconds left, Andrew Crawford’s would-be-tying 3-point attempt from the left wing seemingly went halfway down before coughing out.

Homer hit the back end of a pair of free throws on Vista’s ensuing possession to essentially seal the win for the Golden Eagles.

“ at was one of the best high school games I’ve ever played in,” said Crawford, who was sensational all night, scoring a game-high and mind-boggling 48 points. “We fought hard. We almost got it.” e nal moments of regulation were as dramatic as any basketball game at any level could ever produce.

Spann connected on a mid-range jumper with 34 seconds left to spot underRidge a 2-point lead at 72-70.

On Vista’s next possession, Cal Baskind buried a clutch 3-pointer to return the lead to Vista with 10 seconds to go.