4A boys basketball Great 8 roundup: Vista Ridge earns first-ever trip to Final 4

Vista Ridge Lewis-Palmer boys basketball

(3) Vista Ridge 52, (1) Lewis-Palmer 47

For the first time in school history, the Vista Ridge Wolves are heading to Boulder for a chance to win a state basketball championship.

The Wolves stunned Lewis-Palmer 52-47 to advance to the state semifinals.

It was only the second loss of the season for the Rangers and the first to a team from their league. Lewis-Palmer beat Vista Ridge by a combined 13 points in their two prior meetings this year.

A packed gym at Lewis-Palmer High School hosted the third meeting that finally fell the way for standout guard Hunter Maldonado and coach Joe Hites.

The Wolves went through a murderer’s row of teams to reach the Final 4, beating Pueblo Central and sharpshooter Mike Ranson in the first round, Jeffco regular season co-champion Golden and Pikes Peak Athletic Conference foe Lewis-Palmer.

Vista Ridge lost its regular season finale to Sand Creek.

The Wolves will face Pueblo West in the semifinals on Friday at the Coors Events Center.

(1) Longmont 55, (3) Mead 45

The Longmont Trojans are back in the Class 4A Final 4 after beating Mead 55-45 at home Saturday night.

Walker Korell ended with 21 while Justinain Jessup ended with 19 to get the Trojans back to Boulder.

Longmont lost to Air Academy in the 4A championship game last season and is hoping to come away with a state championship this time around.

(1) Valor Christian 73, (3) Windsor 69

Valor Christian is back in the 4A Final for the first time since 2013 after they topped Windsor 73-69 Saturday night.

It was a tight battle in which Valor maintained a slim lead through most of the game. Jalen Sanders got to the free throw line to give the Eagles a 72-69 lead with 15 seconds left and the defense was able to clamp down and close out the win.

Valor will face Longmont in the 4A semifinals on Friday.

(1) Pueblo West 79, (2) Denver South 67

Jim Ranson at Pueblo Central was rocking as the Cyclones toppled the Rebels 79-67 to get back to the Final 4 for the first time since 2011.

All tournament the Cyclone have been clutch from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, which helped them advance past Mesa Ridge and Durango in the first two rounds.

Pueblo West shot 83 percent from the free throw line Saturday en route to the state semifinals.

The Cyclones will face Vista Ridge for a chance to play for the 4A boys state championship.