Coal Ridge boys basketball advances to program’s first Final Four

Although spring may have already sprung, the No. 6 Coal Ridge High School boys basketball team is staying in its winter mindset for at least one more game.

The Titans met the No. 19-seeded Timnath Cubs on Wednesday at the Denver Coliseum, beating them 44-39 in a defensive battle.

“Our defense was outstanding,” Titans coach Paul Harvey said after the win.

Although the Titans have been running through their high-powered offense all season, outshooting opponents by nearly 200 points, their defense is what has pushed them deep into the 2024-25 playoffs.

Coal Ridge only allowed the Cubs to score more than 10 points in a single quarter once throughout the game. Through the first half of play, the Cubs had only 13 points to their name.

“We just know the biggest factor is not letting the moment get too big,” Titans senior captain Ben Simons said. “Although this is unknown territory for our basketball team, many of the boys play other sports and have gotten this deep into a playoff run. The ones who have experience in times like these are doing a great job leading the team and bringing positive energy.”

Timnath, a Fort Collins suburb, fielded a more physically opposing team than the Titans are accustomed to, forcing Coal Ridge to adjust their game plan. The Titans were unable to find the same success they had seen in the paint during the regular season.

“Timnath’s size forced us to shoot outside a little more than usual,” Harvey said. “But the boys’ aggressiveness offensively made a huge difference. They went out and played loose, let the shots fly, and connected on enough to build a lead.”

Coal Ridge junior Diego Gamez helped the Titans immensely on the offensive side of the ball, shooting 50% behind the three-point line. Gamez sank three triples to help Coal Ridge seize momentum throughout the game. 

Gamez finished the Elite Eight matchup as the Titans highest point-getter with 13. Simons dominated in the paint, scoring eight points and grabbing 11 boards off the glass. 

With the win, the Titans advance to the Final Four of the CHSAA 4A state tournament for the first time in the program’s history. The Titans were promoted from it’s 3A classification following the 2021-22 season. 

“This is our first ever trip to this game,” Harvey said. “I think being able to find success yesterday will help us move forward since the unknowns are largely gone; the newness of a new arena and just finding out what the state tournament was like. Now the team can just focus on basketball and trying to get a little better each game.”

The Titans will trek back down to the Front Range in preparation for their Final Four matchup against No. 10 Colorado Academy at 4 p.m. Friday at the Denver Coliseum, fighting for a chance to play in the school’s first ever state championship game.