FLHS boys team hits road for first playoff game

GREENWOOD VILLAGE -- Even though his team finished with a record of 9-14, Fort Lupton boys basketball coach Jim Roedel knew from the end of January -- a win against Thornton -- that the Bluedevils had a chance to make the playoffs.

That's exactly what happened. The Bluedevils drew an 11th seed and will travel to Golden (14-9) for a first-round game at 7 p.m., Tuesday. The winner faces third-seeded Windsor (17-5) Friday.

"I thought after our win at Thornton that we were playing better basketball and I felt confident that if we continued to play the way we did that night that we would make it in," Roedel said. "We got off to a bit of slow start, but we finished 4-4 in our last eight games and we feel like we are playing our best basketball right now."

Those last eight games include two losses to two of the Eastern Metro Athletic Conference's top teams in Rangeview (a No. 4 seed in the 5A boys tournament) and Aurora Central (also a No. 4 seed in the state tournament). FLHS wrapped up the regular season with a five-point overtime loss to Prairie View, which is a No. 8 seed in the 5A draw.

"We had two big wins against 5A Westminster and 5A Adams City which I think sealed the deal for us getting in," Roedel said. "I am extremely happy with our run. The kids are playing for each other, as one team and are playing the best basketball they have all year."

Four Golden players -- Nate Hill, Austin Rickard, Brad Chaco and Jordan Johnson -- average in double figures. Chaco tops the list at 14.7 points per game. Rickard averages more than seven rebounds per game.

Fort Lupton counters with Zach Boyd's almost 14-point-and-10-rebound-per-game average to lead the team in both categories. Mikey Gomez is the second-leading scorer at just under nine points a game.

"Golden comes out of a tough 4A Jeffco League where they finished fifth," Roedel said. "They run our old offense from a year ago, which is dribble-drive motion made famous by the Memphis Tigers and Vance Walberg. It's a pretty balanced attack, but some that is due in large part that they aren't very deep off the bench. We match up fairly well with them and believe our advantage will come from our experienced guards and our inside post-up game.

"I believe we are one of the most physical teams in 4A and I fully expect for our defensive pressure and size to be an advantage on Tuesday night," Roedel added. "We are excited and are happy to see that, despite some early losses to a few of the other teams on the bubble (Arvada and Englewood) the committee decided to let us in based on our overall record and how we have been playing down the stretch."

Contact Sports Editor Steve Smith at ssmith@metrowestnewspapers.com or at 303-659-2522, ext. 224.