The Gilpin Boys Basketball Team traveled to Addenbrooke Classical Academy in Lakewood, February 21, to compete in the first round of the Colorado 2A District 7 Basketball Tournament. A slight underdog, the Eagles were seeded fifth and the Mustangs, fourth.

It had been an up and down year for the Gilpin Eagles, often facing bigger schools with larger programs. Battling through it all without an ounce of quit in the Eagles’ squad, the teams in this particular contest were fairly evenly matched and Gilpin felt they had a real shot at victory. In essence, this game was to be their Super Bowl.

An energized and determined Eagles came out firing on all cylinders in the opening quarter. All of their hard work and preparation throughout the season paid off handsomely as they poured in 22 points. It was the most Gilpin had scored in a single quarter of play all season. Throughout the game, the Mustangs couldn’t find a solution to the Eagles’ Ezra Williams. Williams had the best game of his high school career, leading all scorers with 29 points. For good measure, he added 14 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 blocks to his superlative stat sheet. Trey Lindberg scored 14 points, including a couple of three-pointers and 2 steals. Lane Willis added 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, and 2 steals. Final score: Gilpin 64, Addenbrooke Academy 59.

You can talk about moral victories all you like, but there is nothing quite like adding a game to the win column. Congratulations to the boys on their exciting playoff win! The next round would get tougher, but for now, it was time to savor a great performance and victory.

Coach Lisa Boulter stated after the game, “Our players definitely fought to the very last second of every game this year. They never gave up. I’m very proud of them.”