Top-seeded Kent Denver soared into the Class 4A Final Four with an exclamation point.
Kent Denver Sun Devils Caleb Fay (13) lays up a shot in the third quarter of the boys 4A Colorado high school playoffs quarter finals against the DSST: Green Valley Ranch Raptors at the Denver Coliseum in Denver on Saturday, March 02, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Late in the game, super sophomore Caleb Fay floated high above the rim and threw down a two-handed, alley-oop dunk.
“That felt great,” Fay said with a gigantic grin.
A lot of things had to feel great for the Sun Devils, who ran away from No. 9 DSST: Green Valley Ranch for a 74-56 victory in Saturday’s quarterfinal of the boys Class 4A state tournament at the Denver Coliseum.
Up next for Kent is a semifinal game next week against the winner of Saturday afternoon’s game between No. 4 Colorado Academy and No. 5 Pagosa Springs.
Fay led the way with 21 points and six rebounds, but 11 different players scored, much to the delight of coach Todd Schayes, who saw his players pass the ball smartly. Depth and unselfishness are key for the Sun Devils.
“We have 17 players on our varsity but they only allow us 14 in this tournament,” Schayes said. “We play them all. Caleb is a special talent, but it’s not just about one player.
“For us, it’s five in and five out. We hope that our depth wears down the other team. We are blessed to have that many kids. We hope it’s just a seamless substitution, bringing guys in, bringing guys out. Keep on keeping on.”
Senior Zach Morgan added 10 points for Kent and junior Devan Johnson added eight.
The Sun Devils were a top seed last year, too, but they fell to No. 8 Holy Family, the eventual state champion, in the Sweet 16. The loss lingered but also served to motivate.
“It was a point of emphasis all year and it definitely feels great to be back,” said Fay, who started as a freshman last year.
DSST: Green Valley Ranch Raptors Jovonnie Babineaux (30) and Kent Denver Sun Devils Devan Johnson (1) battle for control of the game in the third quarter of the boys 4A Colorado high school playoffs quarter finals at the Denver Coliseum in Denver on Saturday, March 02, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Kent came into the Great 8 averaging 81 points per game but it was wary of the talented Raptors, who nearly upset Kent in January before falling, 72-69.
“We have come a long way as a team since then,” Fay said. “We’ve been practicing really hard since January, especially on defense, and it’s paying off.”
Kent committed 14 turnovers while Green Valley Ranch had 28, and that was a major difference in the game.
Green Valley Ranch got off to a hot start, taking an early 9-4 lead, but the Sun Devils went on a 19-5 run to take control of the game. The Raptors were led by senior center Shalom Abioye’s 17 points. He made three of his five 3-pointers. Junior Tong Bot added nine points for GVR, which finished its season 19-6.
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While Schayes was pleased with his team’s play Saturday, he went out of his way to compliment the Raptors and coach Exavier Swain.
“Coach Swain has put together a fantastic team, a fantastic program,” Schayes said. “We’ve been friends for a long time and a few weeks ago we exchanged film. We said, ‘Let’s both get to the Coliseum.’
“Today, I think, we just made more shots than they did. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a three-point separating between in most games.”
DSST: Green Valley Ranch Raptors Tong Bot (0) shoots and scores over Kent Denver Sun Devils Gil Schayes (4) in the first quarter of the boys 4A Colorado high school playoffs quarter finals at the Denver Coliseum in Denver on Saturday, March 02, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
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