Gritty Arvada West boys basketball squad rallies to defeat Chatfield

ARVADA — Facing a 12-point deficit late in the first half, Arvada West’s boys basketball players didn’t blink.

“As a team what makes us great is we are always confident in our ability and our ability to make shots,” said A-West senior Noah Meurer of the Wildcats facing adversity Wednesday night on their home court. “There wasn’t a worry in the world in the locker room at halftime. Coach Vais came in and just said we had to go to work. It wasn’t going to be handed to us.”

The Wildcats (21-1, 10-1 in Class 6A Jeffco) got down to business with a key 10-0 run late in the first half through early in the second half to get right back into the game against the young and talented Chatfield Chargers. A-West eventually went on to a 67-56 victory for the Wildcats’ fifth straight win.

“I told the guys last time we played (Chatfield) to be ready for a battle. Tonight I told them to be ready for a rollercoaster ride,” A-West coach Danny Vais said. “It’s the resiliency of our kids and our offense. It kept us close.”

Chatfield (16-6, 6-5) drained nine 3-pointers from six different players in the first half. The Chargers looked game for the upset, but Meuer and fellow senior Anthony Torres combined for 20 points in the first half to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.

Torres finished with a career-high 19 points, while Meurer had 18 points for the Wildcats.

“I think the biggest thing about this team is we all know when we are together and passing the ball nobody can stop us,” Torres said. “In the first half we were moving slow. We needed some energy to get the chemistry going and then everything starts clicking.”

Senior Keegen Balistreri (15 points) and junior Cooper Vais (11 points) were big in the second half for A-West as they outscored Chatfield 34-16 after halftime.

“Anthony came up big for us. Noah came up big,” Coach Vais said. “Then Cooper and Keegen got us going in the second half. It’s a team effort. We don’t try to get one person the ball. We just move the ball until we get the right shot.”

Chatfield had the ball trailing 58-56 with 2 minutes to play, but a steal and layup by Meurer started a 9-0 run to end the game for A-West. The Wildcats went 7-for-8 from the free throw line in the final minute to seal the victory.

“I think sometimes he (Torres) gets over looked by teams,” Meurer said. “You have me, Cooper and Keegen. Teams just don’t game plan for Anthony as much. The subtle heart of the team is Anthony.”

Chatfield had its 2-game winning streak snapped, but coach Nathan Jerome liked what he saw from his young squad.

“I’m really proud of them,” Jerome said. “We told them today, win or lose tonight it was about getting ready for the playoffs. I felt like we took a step forward.”

Sophomore Nolan Feddersen led the way with 14 points for the Chargers. Senior Taylor Stange had 11 points, including a trio of 3-pointers in the first half.

“We knew they were going to punch back,” Jerome said. “Unfortunately, we came up a little short. We weren’t hitting our shots in the second half. Fouls really killed us tonight. All credit to A-West. They are an incredible team. That is why they are No. 3 in the state.”

Chatfield closes out its regular season on the road against its rival. The Chargers are at Columbine (15-7, 6-5) for a 5 p.m. tipoff Saturday night. 

Both South Jeffco rivals are likely to get a first-round bye for the opening round of the 6A state tournament with both in the top-24 in the seeding and selection index, but they would need to be in the top-16 to host second round games Friday, Feb. 27.

A-West has one more league game remaining and it will be for all the marbles. The Wildcats face rival Ralston Valley (21-1, 10-1) at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Ralston Valley High School. The scenario is simple, winner is the 6A Jeffco League champion.

Ralston Valley is attempting to repeat as league champions. A-West hasn’t won the conference title in boys hoops since the 2017-18 season.

Entering Wednesday night’s games, Ralston Valley was No. 2 in the 6A boys basketball CHSAA Seeding & Selection Index. A-West held the No. 3 spot.

“The league title is just the icing on the cake,” Coach Vais said of the winner-take-all showdown with Ralston Valley in a few days. “It’s RV versus A-West. No matter what it’s going to be a great game.”

A-West took the first go-around against Ralston Valley back on Jan. 31 with a 45-42 victory.

“This team is special. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” Meurer said. “We can do whatever we put our minds to.”

The Wildcats hope to close out the regular season on a 6-game winning streak and league title in tow Saturday.

“I told the kids these next three games (Fairview, Chatfield and Ralston Valley) are a great opportunity to get the feeling of the playoffs,” Coach Vais said. “We’ve got a big one Saturday now.”