GOLDEN — A balanced scoring attack and solid play in the final minutes gave Golden’s boys basketball team its second win in as many nights Friday.
The Demons held off Glenwood Springs 58-46 in the second day of the D’Evelyn/Golden Preview Classic at Golden High School. The win for Golden (2-0 record) gives the Demons a chance to go undefeated in the annual tournament.
“We are trying to find ourselves,” Golden coach Lou Vullo said of the goal during the tournament after wins against Steamboat Springs and Glenwood Springs. “We are trying to build some continuity because we’ve only had everyone together for about eight days. We knew the first three games would be kind of sloppy with turnovers.”
With a handful of football players coming off a postseason run, the Demons have had to hit the hardwood running.
Photo by Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Public Schools
Golden never trailed against Glenwood Springs in the battle of the Demons (mascot for both schools). Seniors Alex Erger, Slade Pike and Shad Garrett each had five points apiece in the first quarter to get Golden going.
“That is what we are excited about this team, we’ve got some depth,” Vullo said. “We can also play in different ways.”
Erger led the way with a game-high 19 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Pike finished with 16 points, while Garrett and junior Leif Hansen had 9 points each.
“It is a struggle a little bit,” Erger said of playing three games in three days. “I’m just trying to stay in shape and use our depth. We’ve got a lot of depth.”
Glenwood Springs did cut Golden’s lead to 46-40 midway through the fourth quarter, but Golden finished the game on a 12-6 run with Erger scoring the final six points of the game for the victorious Demons. Golden had some issues with turnovers through the first three quarters, but were solid taking care of the ball in the final minutes to perverse the win.
“That was the number one thing we were working on in practice and before the game, taking care of the ball,” Erger said. “It was a personal goal for me.”
Glenwood Springs seniors Alec Claassen and Argeny Renteria both finished in double-digits for the visiting Demons, but Golden held on to stay undefeated on the season.
“The last four of five minutes during the timeouts we talked about games like this when you can pull them out you build character,” Vullo said. “I was proud of them for doing that.”
Golden finishes the tournament hosting Sierra at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Golden High School. Glenwood Springs goes up against Lewis-Palmer at noon Saturday at D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School to finish the 3-day tournament.
