Sometimes the smaller the schools, the bigger the rivalry. Such is the case when the Gilpin Eagles and Nederland Panthers boys’ basketball teams meet on the hardwood. An annual highlight on the schedule, the Eagles would be looking to avenge a 41-32 loss they suffered in Nederland last year and reclaim the local mountain turf.

The fans from both sides always add an element of excitement as they vociferously root for their team. Held in Gilpin this year on February 2, all gate receipts and contributions were donated to the Shelby and Cody Allen Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

On paper, the Eagles were the taller of the two teams with three of their players standing at 6’6”, 6’5”, and 6’3”. No one on the Panthers’ squad was over six feet, but they’ve been the shorter team in all of their games this year yet still have been able to register three victories.

From a different league, the Eagles were in search of their first win. Gilpin’s head coach Cassidy Gioia had instilled in her team to play hard, not be afraid to shoot, and never give up. Gilpin shot the ball well in the first quarter pouring in 11 points. Stoked with adrenaline and possibly caught up in the hype, Nederland clinked their shots long, scoring only three points.

Both teams settled into the contest in the second quarter. The Panthers’ full-court man-to-man defense mostly shut down the Eagles offense except for converted free throws resulting from that pressure. Nederland had trouble penetrating to the hoop and scored on outside jump shots. Score at halftime: Gilpin 17, Nederland 8.

As is at times veteran Nederland Head Coach John Leventhal’s tactic, he sent his team on the court with added intensity to start the second half. The Panthers outscored the Eagles 18-11 in the third quarter. Gilpin sank three buckets and went 7-11 at the foul line. Score after three quarters: Gilpin 30, Nederland 26.

The Panthers made a run then the Eagles made a run behind solid execution that put them up by 11 points with six minutes remaining in the contest. Battling back one more time, Nederland took their first lead of the evening with a minute to go. Gilpin answered to tie the score at 40-40 at the end of regulation play.

By then the noise in the gymnasium had risen to a fever pitch. Coaches had trouble relaying instructions to their players. The bleachers quaked under stomping feet and Gilpin supporters cupped their ears and shouted repeatedly to the Nederland side, “I can’t hear you!” to which they returned the high decibel sentiment.

The athletes and coaches had three more minutes in the overtime period to settle who was king of the mountain. Even though four of Nederland’s players had fouled out by that time, they got the shots they wanted, but were unable to convert on most of them. Ahead by two points, all of Gilpin’s starters were still on the floor when Nederland heaved a last-second prayer from beyond halfcourt that fell short. Final score: Gilpin 44, Nederland 42.

For Gilpin, Roland Keller led the way with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. Connor Holloway finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds. Drew Starkey contributed 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. Lane Willis hauled in 12 rebounds to go along with his 2 points, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. In one of the keys to winning the game, Ben Zeckser, Roland Keller, and Taurean Paxton shot 80, 75, and 75% respectively from the foul line.

On the Nederland side of the ball, Gavin Dillon stood out with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 steals. Ricky Fortunato had 5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 9 steals. Indio Koonz added 6 points and played tough defense in the trenches.

The series has proved to be so popular that depending on what the athletic directors can arrange, the schools might play each other twice next year – once in Gilpin and once in Nederland.