Denver North boys hoops wins third straight during Jeffco tour

DENVER — Denver North boys basketball program is enjoying its journey against Jeffco League teams. 

The Vikings (3-6 record) pushed their winning streak to three games Thursday night with a 68-50 road victory against D’Evelyn. 

“It has been good because we didn’t start hot at all. We really weren’t in a rhythm,” Denver North sophomore Sawyer Aubuchon said of the Vikings started the season with a 1-6 record. “We’ve played some teams who are at our level and have gotten some wins.”

Denver North’s winning streak consists of victories against Wheat Ridge, Lakewood and D’Evelyn. All old familiar Jeffco foes of Denver North coach John Anderson, who was the longtime coach at Golden High School. 

After retiring from teaching in Jeffco, Anderson took over the boys basketball program at Denver North.

“I love it,” Anderson said of his second year at Denver North. “My original plan after Luke (youngest son) graduated, I said I wanted to coach in Denver. I wanted to do something different. Denver North is a good place. It is growing. It’s a great community and the administration has been great.”

Scheduling a handful of Jeffco teams for non-league games was clearly a priority for the Vikings.

“I like a lot of these (Jeffco) coaches and respect them. It is easy travel too,” Anderson said of playing five Jeffco League teams before the Vikings get into the heart of their 6A/5A City League schedule. “They are good games.”

D’Evelyn (0-10 record) gave Denver North a test in the first half. The Jaguars went on a 12-0 run midway through the second quarter to cut the Vikings’ lead to 30-29. D’Evelyn sophomore Eric Steinat led the way with a trio of 3-pointers in the first half.

However, just before halftime Denver North retook the momentum. Aubuchon hit a big 3-pointer to end the Jaguars’ run.

“We came out after halftime pretty well,” Aubuchon said of the Vikings taking over the game outscoring the Jaguars 18-7 in the third quarter. 

Aubuchon finished with a game-high 16 points. Senior Sammy Barajas and junior Braydon Thornton both had a dozen points each for Denver North. 

The Vikings’ defense also tightened up in the second half limiting D’Evelyn to six field goals after halftime. Denver North also had six different players combine to make eight 3-pointers in the win.

“We’ve got issues, like everybody,” Anderson said. “But this team is fun and they grind. Basketball is a pretty easy game nowadays. If you make your 3s you have a chance. You have a chance to extend your lead, get back into a game or put a team away.”

Denver North continues its tour against Jeffco League teams tomorrow (Friday, Jan. 10) hosting Littleton (4-6).

D’Evelyn will attempt to get into the win column with road games next week against Colorado Academy (Jan. 14) and Longmont (Jan. 17).