Mesa Ridge and Windsor set for semifinal rematch of 2024 5A boys basketball title game

DENVER — Winning down at the Denver Coliseum has become a trend for Mesa Ridge’s boys basketball program.

The two-time defending Class 5A boys basketball state champions are now two wins away from a 3-peat. No. 2-seeded Mesa Ridge secured a spot in the Final 4 on Friday night with a 61-45 victory over No. 7-seeded Standley Lake.

“This is the coolest thing in the world,” Mesa Ridge coach Joel Babbitt said of the Grizzlies’ 7th straight victory at the Coliseum. “These kids have worked their whole lives for this. The coaches have been doing this for a long time. Every time we get a chance to play on this court we are just appreciative of it.”

The last time Mesa Ridge senior Bryce Riehl stepped on the court at the Coliseum he dropped a cool 30-point game in the state championship game against Windsor. The Grizzlies were able to claim back-to-back titles after a 57-53 victory a year ago.

Riehl came up big again in the fourth quarter to put Standley Lake away. The senior had a 4-point play midway through the fourth quarter to push the Grizzlies’ lead to 54-40. Another 3-pointer in the final 3 minutes was the dagger for Mesa Ridge (25-1 record).

“I love it here,” Riehl said. “It’s a whole different feeling.”

Riehl finished with 18 points.

“He (Riehl) is such a treat for us to have because teams have to do something different than they normally do because of him,” Babbitt said. “All season long he has had to face some adversity because of that. It’s wonderful to have other guys step up like Isaiah (Lucas) and Zander (Iwanski). They are so consistent for us.”

Junior Isaiah Lucas actually led the way for Mesa Ridge pouring in 19 points. The transfer from Colorado Springs School played JV for first half of the season before becoming eligible to play varsity at the mid-point of the season due to the transfer.

“He (Lucas) is excited to be here,” Babbitt said of Lucas. “Walking into the Coliseum today I think was a big moment for him and I think he stepped up.”

Junior Zander Iwanski finished with 11 points, including two big 3-pointers in the third quarter.

Standley Lake (20-6) saw its most success season in the program’s history come to an end. The Gators set a program record with their 20-win season and it was also the first trip to the Great 8 for the school that opened in 1988.

Standley Lake does graduate senior Derrek Sims (15 points), but a return trip next year could definitely be possible for coach Tyson Schrecengost. The Gators return sophomores Titus Schrecengost (17 points) and Asher Serlen (11 points).

(6) Windsor 72, (3) Dakota Ridge 64 OT

Windsor will get its shot against 2-time defending state champion Mesa Ridge in the Final 4 on Friday, March 14, at the Denver Coliseum.

Mesa Ridge has eliminated Windsor from the 5A boys basketball state tournament the previous two seasons, including the Grizzlies defeating the Wizards in the 5A title game last year.

“We really want the revenge back against them (Mesa Ridge) after they have taken us out the last two years. It really stings,” Windsor junior Madden Smiley said after the final of eight Great 8 games finished up Friday night. “We are going to come out with a little chip on our shoulders.”

The No. 6-seeded Wizards punched their ticket to the 5A state semifinals with a late-night 72-64 overtime victory against Dakota Ridge.

Windsor start the extra-session with an 8-0 run to secure the win. Smiley scored six of his team-high 25 points in the overtime period.

“We had been in a couple of overtimes before,” Smiley said. “We knew were battle tested and had the grit to get through it and win this thing.”

Smiley and fellow junior Brady Kingsley carried Windsor offensively. Smiley and Kingsley combined for eight 3-pointers. Kingsley poured in 22 points.

Windsor (20-6 record) led for the majority of the game, but Dakota Ridge (19-7) rallied to take its first lead of the game with just under 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Dakota Ridge junior Ethan Berninger hit a fadeaway 3-pointer in front of the Eagles’ bench to give Dakota Ridge a 54-53 lead.

Berninger finished with a game-high 26 points before fouling out in overtime.

Friday was Dakota Ridge’s third straight trip to the Denver Coliseum. Dakota Ridge’s lone appearance in a boys basketball state title game came back in 2000. The Eagles lost to Sierra in the 4A title game.