On Friday, January 19, at Fossil Ridge High School, the boys basketball team took on Horizon High School in a regular season game. From the blow of the first whistle, the Cats controlled the game, up and down the court, and earned a (60-49) win over the Hawks.

The starting lineup for the SaberCats included juniors Holdyn Kawcak,  and Tommy Croft, along with seniors Brandon Lambrecht, Garrett Ripsam, and Blake Bodnar. About 20 seconds into the game Croft hit a shot, putting the Cats on the scoreboard early.

On Fossil’s next possession, Croft found Lambrecht under the hoop for a very easy basket. Kawcak was fouled on the Cats’ following offensive play, and was able to complete both of his shots from the free throw line, pushing Fossil ahead (6-0) with 4:04 remaining in the first quarter.

Ripsam sunk a three point shot, exciting the Fossil Ridge student section, and after a diving pass from Bodnar on Fossil’s next possession, Croft hit another deep three point shot. The Cats held a (12-3) lead over the Hawks at the end of the first quarter.

Fossil’s ability to combine in the Hawks paint was a game changer; the quick ball movement, and high-tempo energy stopped Horizon in their tracks. Sam Osius subbed into the game and drained a three point shot after a breakdown in the Hawks defense.

Lambrecht completed a shot after driving through a defender, giving the Cats a (17-3) lead with 6:53 left in the second quarter.

After another set of very pretty combination play, Ripsam found Lambrecht on a slot pass for another easy basket. On the Hawks’ next possession, Ripsam stole the ball and took it all the way down for a layup. As he went up to the hoop, he was fouled and completed both of his free throws, pushing Fossil further ahead, (20-9).

Dylan Whittall then subbed into the game and was also fouled on a drive to the hoop. Whittall secured Fossil two more points, as he made both of his shots from the line, giving the Cats a (24-13) lead.

Osius hit his second three pointer of the night with 1:27 left in the second, and Calvin Marley, holding his ground, came up with a huge block against a Horizon shot under Fossil’s net. The SaberCats went into halftime with a (27-19) lead.

Once the second half had begun, the play remained balanced between both teams. The pace of play along with the aggressive physicality made it even that much more exciting to watch for the students and fans.

After being tripped in Horizon’s paint, Lambrecht was able to get the ball into the hands of Ripsam who sunk another shot, and on the next play Kawcak found Ripsam for another three point shot.

Kawcak was fouled shortly after, and completed both of his free throws, pushing Fossil ahead (34-26) with 3:52 left in the third quarter.

In the remaining three minutes, Ripsam hit three more three point shots, for a total of five completed three point shots, and completed two more free throws, giving the SaberCats a (46-33) lead at the end of the third.

In the fourth quarter, the Cats dominated the game to say the least. The speed of play, and creativity that Fossil displayed was impressive. Osius found an unmarked Lambrecht under the net for one more easy layup; the SaberCats held a (52-42) lead with 3:27 left in the game.

In the last few minutes of play, the Hawks played the foul-game. Lambrecht, Bodnar, and Drew Cornmesser secured a few more points each for the Cats, two, two, and three points respectively. Fossil Ridge took a (60-49) win over the Hawks for their fourth win in a row.

In an interview after the game Ripsam commented, “Our game plan for the upcoming games is to continue to do the little things such as taking charges, allowing minimal shots on defense, and minimizing turnovers, and by doing those things we should have a better chance of winning and making games easier.” On Tuesday, January 23, the boys will take on the Broomfield Eagles at Broomfield High School at 6:30 P.M. Good luck SaberCats!