McClave Cardinal Weekly Sports Update, March 11, 2014

The defending state champions in Class 1A punched their ticket back to the state tournament last weekend, but it wasn’t easy. McClave had to get through both Genoa-Hugo and South Baca in last weekend’s Region 3 tournament to claim a spot in this week’s Great 8.

McClave had a tougher time against Genoa-Hugo than most expected on Friday night. The Cardinals only led the Pirates by a 12-11 score after one quarter. That lead grew to seven at the half, 27-20, but it was the third quarter that gave the Cards all of the cushion they would need. The Pirates went stone cold in the frame and McClave pushed its lead to 41-23 heading into the final period. Genoa-Hugo fought to the end, but McClave earned a 53-40 victory behind TJ Trujillo’s 16 points.

The Cards would be pushed even harder on Saturday, as they faced South Baca for the right to go to Loveland. Neither team could gain much of a lead, as the entire night was played within a window of about six points. McClave led 11-10 after one period, but a late flurry send the Patriots into the intermission leading 24-21. The lead would bounce back and forth throughout the second half, and McClave would erase a 39-37 deficit in the final eight minutes, thanks to a 20-14 scoring edge in the fourth quarter. Taylor Geisinger took over down the stretch, scoring 10 of his game-high 22 points in the final quarter.

McClave drew the #5 seed for the state tournament that opens on Thursday at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland. The Cards will face a familiar face in the quarterfinals, as Holly drew the #4 seed. That 10:15 am game will be the third meeting of the season between the two sides. McClave won the first one, 49-48, in the finals of the Lamar Holiday Tournament on Dec. 21. Holly won the rematch, 40-34, three weeks later at home.

By Kerry Sherman

Colorado high schools for Colorado Preps. Kerry is in his third year of streaming high school sports online for Colorado Preps, and this is his 23rd year of covering high schools for various print and online outlets throughout Colorado. He also has nine years of coaching experience, with the boys basketball programs at Woodlin and Otis.