Frederick's Harry Singh (4), has his shot blocked by Pueblo South's Terrance Austin during third quarter action of a CHSAA 4A semifinal game, March 11 at the Denver Coliseum. The Colts ended Frederick's postseason run 67-56.
Stefan Brodsky
Frederick's Alex Sturn, right, joins Pueblo South's Jace Bellah, left, and Mateo Esquivel in a scramble for a loose ball during a CHSAA 4A semifinal playoff game at the Denver Coliseum March 11. Pueblo South beat the Warriors 67-56.
Stefan Brodsky
Frederick's Jacoby Conway, left, powers to the basket against Pueblo South's Terrance Austin during the first quarter of a CHSAA 4A semifinal playoff game at the Denver Coliseum March 11. The Colts beat the Warriors 67-56.
Stefan Brodsky
Frederick's Alex Sturn, right, attempts a reverse layup against Pueblo South's Mateo Esquivel (33) during a CHSAA 4A semifinal playoff game at the Denver Coliseum March 11. The Colts ended the Warriors season 67-56.
Stefan Brodsky
Frederick head coach Jeff Conway delivers some late-game instructions to his team during the Warriors' semifinal game against Pueblo South at the Denver Coliseum March 11. The Colts ended Frederick's hopes of a state title 67-56.
Stefan Brodsky
Reality begins to sink in for this trio of Frederick High School students late in the fourth quarter of their school's game against Pueblo South at the Denver Coliseum March 11. The Warriors were defeated 67-56.
Stefan Brodsky
Pueblo South's Dez Floyd comes up with a loose ball against Frederick during a CHSAA 4A state semifinal game at the Denver Coliseum on March 11. The Colts won 67-56.
Stefan Brodsky
Steve Smith
ssmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com
DENVER -- Even though the Frederick boys basketball team made it to the final four of the state tournament for the first time since 1956, it was easy to see the disappointment on the faces of the Warriors’ players at the Denver Coliseum.
Pueblo South took advantage of 23 FHS turnovers to end Frederick’s season 67-56 March 11.
“Obviously the game didn't go as we wanted it to,” said senior forward Alex Sturn, who scored four points and grabbed one rebound. “We never really got going offensively, and a lot of credit goes to Pueblo South. They played a phenomenal game. That being said, I couldn't be more proud of this team this season. We've had a lot of forks in the road where we could've crumbled. However, we persevered, and we got all the way to the final four. That's the best any Frederick team has done in 70 years.”
Bryce Conover led the Warriors with 17 points.
“When we beat Mead (March 5), we started to realize how much we were doing for our town,” he said. “Middle-school kids were coming up to us, asking for autographs, pictures. I think once that hit that we were going to the Coliseum and that they were cheering us on, we started to realize how much we were doing for the community and for the kids.” The Frederick Police Department gave the team an escort out of town before the semifinal game.
Junior Harry Singh finished with eight points and pulled down six rebounds. He credited the seniors.
“They always pushed us and always had our backs,” Singh said. “The season went well because people didn’t expect us to make it past the first round. To have made it to the final four and still feel like we could have done more shows how great this team really is.”
Coach Jeff Conway credited the seniors, too.
“Our senior leadership stepped up big time this year,” he said. “This senior class gave us huge confidence to give the underclassmen the confidence they need for next year.”
Terrance Austin led the Colts with 25 points. Maurice Austin added 17, and Mateo Esquivel scored 10.
FHS had a five-point lead after the first quarter, but the Colts scored 20 of the second quarter’s 24 points to take command.
“We kind of lost in the second quarter where we gave them a little bit of a run,” Conway said. “But we battled back, stayed composed. We kept grinding and scrapping. We made a game of it. We just ran out of time.”
Conover, whose point total included three baskets from 3-point range, called it “just one of those games.”
“They had an advantage on us. They play in the Pueblo Coliseum (with its different shooting background from a regular gym),” he said. “When we first got out here, we couldn’t hit a shot to save our lives. It definitely transferred to the game. There seemed to be a lid on the basket.”
:The game was hard,” Singh said. “We didn’t play our best, and we all know that. So, it hurts a little more. But it’s OK. We didn’t lose to a bad team Pueblo South is an extremely good team.”
“We didn’t shoot the ball very well (FHS made 45 percent of its field goals),” Conway said. “They (Pueblo South) are tremendous on defense. They get above screens and don’t give you open looks. We didn’t get a lot of transition points.”
FHS finished with a record of 21-5.
“We went down as the winningest team in Frederick history. I would not have wanted to do it with any other group of guys,” Sturn said. “I love every single one of them. These juniors are special, and they will definitely be a force to be reckoned with next year. I can't wait to watch them play. I'd also like to thank the fans and the town of Frederick. The amount of support we've received has been out of this world.”
Frederick loses three players to graduation.
“We knew we were going to be a pretty good team,” Conway said. “We had a really good summer last year. It had to come together, and it kinda did. We’ve got a lot of kids in the pipeline, and we have a loaded junior class. We expect to be back here. It’s not going to be easy. This experience is going to help our underclassmen.”
