ThunderRidge repeats as Class 5A boys basketball champions with victory over Fossil Ridge – The Denver Post

The ThunderRidge Grizzlies are back-to-back Class 5A boys basketball state champions.

Credit their latest title — a 58-49 victory over Fossil Ridge — to an epic defensive effort Saturday night in the Denver Coliseum. ThunderRidge held the high-powered SaberCats to just seven total points in the third quarter before pulling away for the win.

ThunderRidge players celebrated by carrying the championship trophy to their rowdy student section. Senior power forward Zach Keller, a Wake Forest signee, lifted it high into the air. He led the second-half comeback with 13 points and seven rebounds.

“Our students get to be here this time for us to win it,” Keller said. “It felt really good to bring the trophy over so that they can be a part of it.”

Longtime Grizzlies head coach Joe Ortiz hugged his assistants in the postgame madness. He is now the winner of four state basketball championships (2002, ’03, ’21, ’22).

“Super proud,” Ortiz said. “I’m kind of dazed by the whole thing, to be honest.”

The latest ThunderRidge title? A product of perseverance.

Fossil Ridge opened up a 12-0 lead to start the game and the Grizzlies had no answer for Brock Mishak. The SaberCats senior point guard — signed to play at West Texas A&M — dropped 18 points by halftime on 7-of-9 shooting (4 of 5 from 3) to give the SaberCats a 30-22 lead at the break.

“Our halftime was quiet,” Ortiz said. “We talked about discipline and toughness. We’ve been here many, many times. One possession at time. Let’s go fight.”

The message clicked. ThunderRidge opened the third quarter with its own 12-0 run and held Fossil Ridge scoreless for the opening five minutes. Mishak was limited to just 2-of-9 shooting in the second half. Meanwhile, Keller came alive with six consecutive points and a thunderous fourth-quarter dunk.

“We needed to throw the first punch after halftime and that’s exactly what we did,” Keller said.

ThunderRidge was also buoyed by the strong play of guards Andrew Crawford (16 points/four rebounds) and Jackson Brennan (10 points/seven rebounds). Grizzlies starting forward Joey Bilello was limited after a recent bout of food poisoning. He still finished with 11 points.

“I couldn’t sleep all night, throwing up, and all that good stuff,” Bilello said. “I took a nap today and had to battle through it. … The rush of emotions and doing it with my guys is awesome. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

The No. 1 Grizzlies (26-2) had a target on their backs all season after winning the title a year ago. They never relented under that pressure, especially on an unforgettable Saturday night in the Coliseum.

“That’s our strength in the second half. Our heart. Our fight. Our toughness and depth,” Ortiz said. “These guys didn’t want to quit and wanted it more. They deserve it.”

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