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Blog Entry 21 of 79 BroFax Cosmonaut
Denver rocks.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~TruthOrConsequences

Warriors clip Angels' wings for share of DPL title

Contributed by: Eric J. Lubbers/YourHub.com   on 2/19/2007

Early Feb. 17, I saw the greatest basketball game of my life. And no, that isn't an exaggeration.

The Denver East Angels hosted the Montbello Warriors at the Thunderdome at Manual High School to decide the fate of the Denver Prep League title, of which East has had a near monopoly for nearly two decades. Throw in the effect the game could have on the state playoff picture (East came into the game ranked No. 2 in 5A,Montbello No. 7) and the father-son rivalry between East head coach Rudy Carey and his son, Montbello head coach David Carey, and you've got the makings for a great game.

Montbello pulled off the nailbiter in double overtime, 82-79, to clinch a tie with East and Abraham Lincoln for the Denver Prep League title. That's right, I said double overtime. You just can't ask for more out of a high school basketball game.

The timing seemed unnatural (who schedules a 5A varsity basketball game at 10:30 a.m.?). But that didn't stop fans from turning theThunderdome into a standing-room only sardine can by tipoff.

Fans were treated to dueling drumlines which during every break in the action seemed in as much competition as the players on the court.

For most of the game, the experienced and savvy Angels seemed to have the game in their pocket with double-digit leads and an easy command of the court. Each time East got comfortable, however, the scrappy Warriors fought back, and quickly. Back-to-back forced turnovers and well-executedfastbreaks erased those big leads seemingly in an instant.

For a full recap of the game, check out Neil Devlin's story in the Denver Post, or Alan Pearce's piece in the Rocky Mountain News.

What those guys didn't write about was the spectacle the competing energies of the fiercely loyal fans created on and off the court. Duelingdrumlines took over the competitive spirit during every break in the action and seemed as much in competition as the players on the court. So fierce was the percussive battle that after the halftime performance, the leader of the East line actually headed to center court to challengeMontbello's drum leader to a drum-off. A crowd formed quickly and very little drumming was done as school officials and police sent everyone off the court, but the battle lines were drawn.

In the second half, during a full timeout, an athletic Montbello fan launched herself on to the court for an impressive display of handsprings and flips. Not to be outdone, several East cheerleaders sprung onto the court for an impromptu show of their own, all around a very confused looking referee who, with a couple blasts of his whistle managed to clear the court for basketball by the end of the timeout.

The sympathetic father and son dynamic that the head coaches shared during some of the tension-filled final minutes was completely shattered when the final buzzer sounded with David Carey shouting and leaping onto the court higher than any of his players (I think he probably thought about ripping his immaculate shirt and tie off and twirling it around his head to join the players but caught himself before doing any permanent damage to his outfit).

If I could just see one game like this once a year, I could be happy never watching an NBA or NCAA game for the rest of my life. Because those guys on the court at Manual High School weren't playing for money or the promise of future glory.

Those guys played for neighborhood pride, to continue the proud tradition of Denver schoolboy basketball and for regional bragging rights for months to come.

So bravo, guys, and thanks for a hell of a game. I'll see you in the playoffs.
_______________________________
Author's note: The Warriors ended up with the No. 1 seed in the John Casey quadrant of the state playoff bracket and will play the winner of the Feb. 22 first-round game betweenFruita-Monument and Heritage on Feb. 24 at home at 7 p.m.. East is the No. 2 seed in the R.W. Truscott quadrant and will play the winner of the first-round game between Chaparral and Air Academy at home on Feb. 24 at p.m.

For a complete bracket, click here.

Got a camera and love high school sports? Post your sports photos here and you can see them online and in one of our 15 weekly print sections.


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Showing 1-3 of 3 comments
Submitted By: Cailey s
posted on 2/19/2007 @ 6:21:23 PM
(Not Rated)
Coming from an East cheerleader who has seen every basketball game this season; this was the most intense game I've ever seen, and not just the basketball but the intensity in the crowd too! East fought hard and down by three points in double over time isn't too shabby! Good job Angels! see ya at PLAYOFFS!
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Submitted By: Becky Lubbers
posted on 2/19/2007 @ 4:09:12 PM
(Not Rated)
Great pictures! I really enjoyed your commentary too! The best picture is the last one of the coaches!
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Submitted By: John Brandstetter
posted on 2/19/2007 @ 12:49:56 PM
Rated Blog Entry
I thoroughly enjoyed your commentary, Eric. And look at those spiffy photos! You're turning into a regular John Eisel.
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Showing 1-3 of 3 comments
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