Golden boys basketball rings in new season with dominating win over Lakewood

GOLDEN — The spotlight was shared by Golden’s basketball and baseball teams Tuesday night.

At the halftime of the Demons’ boys basketball opener on the hardwood against Lakewood at Golden High School the Class 4A baseball state champions from last spring were honored with the presentation of their state championship rings. 

“When McBroom asked me if they could do it at halftime I said absolutely,” Golden boys basketball coach Lou Vullo said when Golden baseball coach Jackie McBroom came to him with the idea for the ring ceremony on opening night of a girls/boys varsity basketball doubleheader. “It was awesome. It helped pack the gym a little bit more too.” 

Golden defeated Cheyenne Mountain 5-1 in the 4A state championship final May 31 at the Air Force Academy to give the Demons their first baseball state title since 2003.

“It was just special,” Golden junior guard and centerfielder Dylan Paulson said of getting his state championship ring. “To share it with the community was very special tonight.”

The Demons were special in the second quarter posting 28 points in the quarter to grab a commanding 47-18 lead over Lakewood. Senior Sam Schillie, along with the junior trio of Nick Goodspeed, Zach Orser and Paulson led the way combining for 41 points in the first half.

Golden went on to cruise to a 76-40 victory. 

“We are excited about these guys. We are excited about this junior class,” Vullo said. “We don’t have a lot of experience in varsity games, but last year we threw some of these guys into the fire. We knew that we could have a big year if these guys stepped up and that is what they have done so far.”

Goodspeed had a trio of 3 pointers in the first half, while Orser — son of Colorado School of Mines men’s basketball coach Pryor — had 13 points at halftime.

“We have a new offense. With just one set we have many weapons with Nick, 

Zach and Schillie,” Paulson said. “If you can guard two of us, we still have two more.”

Vullo was able to use a lot of his bench a lot in the second half with the Demons holding a 30-plus point lead over the Tigers. Golden has a busy week playing in the annual Paul Davis Classic coming up Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Golden opens up the 8-team tournament against Highlands Ranch at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Green Mountain High School.

“We are excited about that,” Vullo said of the 3-day Paul Davis Classic hosted by league rival Green Mountain. “We are young and to go up against that kind of competition is going to make us better.”

The Demons finished in the middle of the pack in the 5A/4A Jeffco League a season ago placing fifth. Dakota Ridge won the conference, while Green Mountain was the 5A state runner-up.

“If we play our best we can surprise teams for sure,” Vullo said of this season. “I can’t sit here and say that we are going to win the league, but our boys have the potential to win the league.”

Lakewood is coming off a rough 0-23 record a year ago. The Tigers will try to end its 25-game losing streak dating back to the 2023-24 season on the road against Westminster on Thursday, Dec. 4.