Eli Pace / epace@skyhinews.com
It’s been a great year for basketball in Grand County with Middle Park’s and West Grand’s boys and girls hoops teams all making it to regionals.
For the Middle Park boys, senior Jacob Smith shot the lights out at the Class 3A boys basketball district tournament last week, as he made nine 3s in three games, and the Panthers finished runner-up behind tourney champ DSST: Montview to advance to regionals.
On Monday, coach Todd Williams was exceptionally pleased with his team’s play in the district tournament, especially Saturday’s championship game in which the Panthers lost 60-57.
“We did everything we could,” Williams said. “We just fell three points short. I was really proud of the way we played the whole district tournament.”
In the tourney, Middle Park defeated Bennett and Lake County before playing for the title. With the strong showing at districts, the Panthers boys move on to face Eaton at 7 p.m. Friday at Manual High School in the first round of the regional tournament. Making the regional tournament fulfills one of the team’s goals this season, Williams said.
Not to be outdone, the Panther girls also secured a second place finish in their district tournament last weekend. The Middle Park girls beat Lake County and DSST: Montview before running into The Academy for the championship. The Academy won 71-31 and remains undefeated this season. Advancing to regionals, the Panther girls will play Faith Christian at 3 p.m. Friday at Faith Christian Academy.
Meanwhile, West Grand’s boys and girls basketball teams are also charging into their Class 2A regional tournaments after strong finishes at their respective district tourneys.
At districts, the Mustang boys defeated Hayden, Sorocco and Panoia with a loss to Plateau Valley. As a result, West Grand will play Fowler at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Fowler High School in the first round of regionals.
At the same time, the Mustang girls will head to Ignacio, where West Grand is slated to take on Rocky Ford at 7:30 p.m. Friday. At districts, the Mustang girls defeated Vail Christian, Plateau Valley and Paonia after falling to Meeker. The Mustangs beat Plateau Valley 56-47 in overtime.