DENVER — The shots just didn’t fall for Dakota Ridge’s boys basketball team in the Class 5A state quarterfinals March 2 at the Denver Coliseum.
The Eagles saw their historic season come to an end with a 65-55 loss to No. 2-seeded and undefeated Mesa Ridge. It was the first trip to the Great 8 of the state tournament since 2004 for Dakota Ridge.
“I can’t thank them enough for letting me be apart of their journey,” Dakota Ridge coach Sean Kovar said of his nine seniors. “All season long they played for each other and they played for Dakota Ridge. They really represented our school and our community the right way on and off the court.”
Top-seeded Air Academy, Mesa Ridge, Windsor and Frederick advanced to the Final Four that will be played Friday, March 10, back at the Denver Coliseum. Mesa Ridge advanced to the Sweet 16 last year before having its season ended by eventual 4A state runner-up Pueblo South.
“It was exactly what we knew they were,” Kovar said of the undefeated Grizzlies. “They were super aggressive and great shooters. Hats off to them. They have a great team and had a great game plan.”
Sophomore Bryce Riehl led the way for Mesa Ridge pouring in a game-high 25 points, including going 5-for-5 from 3-point range. The Grizzlies never trailed and used a 10-0 run to start the second quarter to grab a commanding 26-10 lead.
“It was a good punch by them,” Dakota Ridge senior Alex Rodriguez said of Mesa Ridge jumping out to a double-digit lead early in the second quarter. “Nothing but respect for that team. We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game.”
Shooting didn’t come easy for the Eagles either in the loss. Dakota Ridge shot under 30 percent from the field in the first half. They did finish just above 40 percent for the game, but the Grizzlies shot 63 percent for the game in the 10-point victory.
“They got hot there for a little bit and we didn’t have an answer,” Kovar said.
Dakota Ridge battled in the second half outscoring Mesa Ridge by six points, but the hole was too deep to dig out of to get the win. Rodriguez finished with 15 points in his final game as an Eagle. Sophomore Ethan Berninger finished with 11 points for Dakota Ridge.
“We fell short today, but I’d go to bat for those guys any day,” Kovar said. “There is no other locker room I’d want to be in right now.”
The Eagles graduate the majority of their varsity squad with nine seniors that were key in lifting Dakota Ridge’s basketball program to a level it hasn’t seen in nearly two decades.
“Nothing but good memories,” Rodriguez said of the season. “I’ve played with these guys since kindergarten. These are all my best friends.”
Kovar added that he can’t wait to ‘reload’ for next year, but his senior class will be dearly missed.
“We expect championship level basketball,” Kovar said after the Eagles’ first trip of the Great 8 since 2004. “I’m really proud of these seniors that got us to this point. The work they put in and how they put Dakota Ridge back on the map. You just want to build on that success.”
Dakota Ridge finished the season with a 21-5 record while going undefeated on its home court with an 11-0 mark. The Eagles went 10-0 in the 5A/4A Jeffco League and should be a force next year with Berninger returning as a key centerpiece for the Eagles going forward.
Dennis Pleuss is the sports information director for Jeffco Public Schools. For more Jeffco coverage, go to CHSAANow.com.
