Seniors get dialed in for annual Jeffco High School Senior Basketball Game

LAKEWOOD — The 3-pointers were raining down at the Gold Crown Field House on Tuesday night.

In the 8th annual boys Jeffco High School Senior Basketball Game nobody was turning down open shots from long distance. A combined 31 3-pointers were made in the senior all-star game put on by the Gold Crown Foundation.

“When the first 3-pointer goes down you have to lock in and keep them going,” said Evergreen senior Drew Yager, who led the way with eight 3-pointers on the night. “After the first few go in you know it’s going to be a good night.”

Yager led the White squad to a 130-119 victory.

“It was pretty fun,” said Yager, who poured in a game-high 34 points. “Teaming up with some guys who I played club basketball back in the day was really fun.”

Dakota Ridge coach Sean Kovar, who led the Eagles to a third straight Class 5A Jeffco League title this Winter, had six players in double-digit points.

Dakota Ridge’s Ethan Berninger (20 points) and Nathan Esau (12 points), Arvada West’s Jordan Stremel (14 points) and Mason Lusche (10 points), along with Chatfield’s Indiana Hostetler (13 points) helped the White team overcome an early first-quarter deficit.

Yager received the MVP/Hustle & Heart award for the White squad.

The Blue squad also had six players in double-digit points for Ralston Valley coach Chris Braketa. Ralston Valley’s Tanner Braketa (24 points) and Hayes Gatlin (13 points) combined for seven 3-pointers.

Green Mountain senior Simon Lunsford, who helped the Rams to the 5A state championship game a little over a week ago, took a break from being one of the top baseball pitchers in the state to pour in 19 points for the Blue squad. Pomona’s Jaxon Perry (13 points), Littleton’s Sam Lasswell (11 points) and Standley Lake’s Derrek Sims (10 points) also filled up the scoresheet.

“It was a great way to end it. I know all of these guys,” said Tanner Braketa, who was named the Blue team MVP. “I all love each other. We all respect each other and are all friends.”

It was a tight senior group across Jeffco this season with a lot playing together on the same club teams at some point in their careers. Ten of the seniors playing on Tuesday night are all alum of B&B Academy.