Glenwood Springs claims Western Slope boys basketball title with win over Eagle Valley

On Friday night in Gypsum, a raucous crowd helped celebrate 16 Eagle Valley seniors across the girls and boys basketball programs, as well as team managers and dance team members. But visiting Glenwood Springs spoiled the Devils boys’ chance at the 5A Western Slope title with an 85-60 victory in the final game of the regular season.

With the win, the Demons snapped the Devils’ four-game win streak and claimed the Western Slope title for themselves.

“It’s tough. Our defense wasn’t on point tonight — our focus, our energy wasn’t there,” Devils coach Justin Brandt said after the game. “And then once we were behind, you start gambling a lot and a good team just takes advantage of that.”

The Devils finish the regular season 14-9, 4-2 in the Western Slope and second behind Glenwood Springs, despite splitting with the Demons this season.

“It was a great atmosphere tonight,” Brandt said. “Our community really came out to support us, so thank you for that.”

Support Local Journalism

Donate

In the end, Glenwood’s big three of Sim Wenger, Alec Classen and Argeny Renter proved too much for the Devils to handle on Friday night.

“The player of their game was Alec, their post player, and he just lived off of dump passes, offensive rebounds and just getting all those dirty points,” Brandt said. “We held him to 4 points last time we played them, and tonight he had I think 24, so that’s the game changer.”

Glenwood’s three top players scored 65 points themselves on Friday night. Eagle Valley was led by senior Elias Pena, who had 14 points. Parker Newbanks had 19 points and Dylan Zoller with 18 points.

“The best thing is this isn’t our last game,” Brandt said, adding that seeding will be announced Saturday. “These seniors from the very beginning, they love each other, they give great energy, they don’t care who scores and they’re just good leaders. These are the kinds of kids that are going to be leading our community someday, and we’re going to love it.”

Lady Devils win a thriller

Before the boys game, the Lady Devils won a thriller against the Lady Demons in Gypsum, 41-39. Led by senior Josie Fitzsimmons and junior Abby Talbot, the game was tied 39-39 with just over one minute left. Some clutch defense by Talbot and even more clutch free throws by Fitzsimmons helped seal the win.

The Lady Devils finish the season 9-14, 3-3 in the 5A Western Slope.

After the wild finish by the Lady Devils and before tip-off for the boys, 16 seniors were honored. Each was accompanied by family, got their photo taken, given a gift basket and enjoyed hearing their high school careers and accomplishments announced over the loudspeakers. 

The Lady Devils celebrated seniors Fitzsimmons, Kassie Carpenter, Kelsi Douglas, Morgan Bodenheimer and Sydney De Trolio. The boys honored seniors Kaden Kraft, Aedan Phalen, Pena, Eli Melter (who missed Friday’s game after wrist surgery), Kevin Hasley and Caiven Lake.

“We’ll see where we land,” Brandt said of playoff seeding. No matter the seeding, Eagle Valley will be on the road Wednesday to start the playoffs.

Follow freelance writer and former Vail Daily Assistant Editor Ross Leonhart on Instagram at colorado_livin_on_the_hill.