Golden boys basketball stays within striking distance of 5A/4A Jeffco League title

GOLDEN — Quietly, Golden’s boys basketball team is two wins away from capturing the Class 5A/4A Jeffco League title.

“This is exactly where we want to be. To have an opportunity to do something special,” Golden senior Sam Schillie said of the Demons controlling their own destiny to win a league title.

The Demons (17-4 record, 6-1 in league) are trailing Green Mountain (17-4, 7-0) and Standley Lake (13-7, 6-0) in the conference standings. However, Golden closes league play with road games at Green Mountain on Thursday (Feb. 12) and at Standley Lake on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Wins in those two games would give Golden its first basketball league title since the 2019-20 season. Wins or losses against the Rams and Gators, those games will serve as solid tests for Golden heading into the 5A state tournament that begins Feb. 24.

“It’s going to be some good ones. Two challenging teams to finish out the (regular season),” Schillie said. “I think that is exactly what we want heading into playoffs. Playing playoff caliber competition. I think it sets us up great.”

Golden had to contend with Dakota Ridge — three-time defending league champs — on Tuesday night on the Demons’ home court. Golden took care of business on Senior Night with a 65-47 victory. 

“We are just taking it one game at a time. This league is brutal,” Golden coach Lou Vullo said after the fifth straight league win. “We knew coming into this game that Dakota Ridge is a very good team. They are very well-coached. I knew we had our hands full tonight.”

The Demons held a 31-25 lead at halftime. Golden started to extend the lead in the second half, outscoring Dakota Ridge 17-7 in the third quarter. The Eagles (6-14, 4-3) were on a 4-game winning streak themselves, but couldn’t stay with the Demons’ balanced scoring attack in the second half.

Dakota Ridge seniors Barrett Schattinger (16 points) and Caiden Dixon (14 points) led the way for the upset-minded Eagles.

“A little nervous, but I was mainly just happy to celebrate with my guys,” said Schillie the Demons’ lone senior this year. “We’ve been through a lot this season. We’ve formed great chemistry. It was awesome to come out and just get a win on Senior Night.”

Schillie (11 points), along with juniors Zach Orser (15 points), Nick Goodspeed (12 points) and Dylan Paulson (11 points) led the way for the Demons. Freshman Luke Miller also came off the bench with 8 points.

“When we come to play focused and share the ball we are a really dangerous team,” Vullo said. “When we become selfish we can get beat for sure.”

Golden dropped its second league game of the season to Evergreen, but since then the Demons have righted the ship to give them a shot at the conference title.

“Evergreen was a great wake-up call,” Schillie said of the Demons’ lone league loss back on Jan. 23. “It showed that we really have to come out and play if we are going to win games, especially in this league where anyone can beat anyone. We’ve kept our heads down and kept grinding.”

Golden has lost four straight games to rival Green Mountain dating back to the 2021-22 season. The Demons last defeated the Rams on Jan. 12, 2022.

“We are going to have our hands full against Green Mountain. They are big, skilled and physical team,” Vullo said of the road match-up against the Rams. “We are definitely going to have to bring an A++ game against them.”

Dakota Ridge is back on the court tomorrow (Wednesday) at Ball Arena. The Eagles face Denver South in a non-league game. Dakota Ridge finishes out its conference schedule at Wheat Ridge (Feb. 17) and at home against Littleton (Feb. 18) next week.

While the Eagles are fourth in the league standings and won’t win a fourth straight conference title, Dakota Ridge will be a dangerous underdog in the 5A state tournament. The Eagles have played one of the toughest 5A schedules in the state and took Standley Lake to overtime in their league game a few weeks ago.