GYPSUM — At one point when talking about Eagle Valley basketball's postseason date with Wasson on Friday at 4:30 p.m. at Broomfield High School, Devils coach Brent McConaghy spoke of some guy named Tim Sabo.

Could Juan Lounsberry be next?

It was a slip of the tongue, but it provides an interesting insight into Eagle Valley boys basketball in 2011-12, and one that will key in Friday's tilt against the Thunderbirds.

Who is the Devils' threat? Whom from Eagle Valley do you guard?

Good luck finding one person.

Honestly, the Devils don't look very scary on a stat sheet, though their 18-5 record and a share of the Western Slope title says otherwise. Ahem, Jeremy Sabo leads Eagle Valley with 11.2 points per game, followed by Tim Wells (10.2) and Sam Lounsberry (9.1).

But for those who have watched the Devils all year, these three and a host of others in red, white and black have had big games — Juan Baca, Ayren Hart, Cooper Senn and Ryan Werner, to name a few.

And it will take a team effort to down Wasson Friday in order to advance to the Sweet Sixteen Saturday against host Broomfield. And the coach has got a plan.

From way downtown

Coach McConaghy went down to Colorado Springs to watch Wasson defeat Denver South, 63-60, Tuesday night in the first round of the 4A state playoffs.

“They are probably the epitome of a John Calipari team that dribble-drives and only shoots 3s.” McConaghy said.

Thus the word has gone out in Gypsum in practice this week that Wasson's 3-point barrage will be a point of attention. And if you've followed the team closely, you know what the defensive response will be.

“We're going to make sure their guards are under pressure (with the press),” McConaghy said. “If we give up the some easy buckets over the top which our center can't guard, so be it. We want to run it right back and tire out their guards.”

Twelve is an important number here, and we're not talking Reece Ellsworth, even though he's a great guy. McConaghy says that 12 or fewer 3-pointers from Wasson, and the Devils are in good shape. More than 12? The Devils are in trouble.

Welcome to the paint

While Eagle Valley certainly can shoot the 3-ball — McConaghy was listing off his trifecta shooters Wednesday when he came up with Tim Sabo accidentally — the Devils do not want this to turn into a shootout.

“The one thing we're scared about is if (Wasson) hits a few early,” McConaghy said. “... We don't need to counter with a lot of 3s. We get the ball into Cooper and Ayren and get the bucket and one.”

And this is the offensive game plan. Certainly take transition breakaways when they present themselves, and, otherwise, pound it inside where the Devils have a height advantage.

“Cooper, Ayren, Sam, Ryan and Daniel (Vargas) need to be ready to contribute 10 points each,” McConaghy said. “Finish your shots and prepare to carry us. We're throwing the ball inside.”

Once that's established, presumably, feel free to kick it out for the boys on the perimeter to knock down the 3.

“The big thing we worked on all this summer in going to tournaments in Pueblo, Denver, Grand Junction, Greeley and Fort Lewis was to play against the best teams in the state,” McConaghy said. “That was the ultimate goal. Winning the Western Slope was a big step. Doing something we've never done before — winning a 4A playoff game — is the next.”

Sports Editor Chris Freud can be reached at 970-748-2934 or cfreud@vaildaily.com.

If you go ...

What: Second round, 4A state playoffs, Eagle Valley vs. Wasson

Where: Broomfield High School

When: Friday, 4:30 p.m.

And if you're not: KSKE radio is broadcasting the game on 101.7 FM