On Friday night, January 26, the Fossil Ridge boys basketball team took on the Greeley West Spartans. After a very shaky start, the SaberCats were able to gain control of the game and earn their sixth win in a row, (57-41).

Juniors Holdyn Kawcak, and Tommy Croft, along with seniors Brandon Lambrecht, Blake Bodnar, and Garrett Ripsam started for the Cats. The first few minutes of play were messy and hectic for both teams.

Greeley was playing high pressure defense and, offensively, the Spartans were very aggressive, having completed each of their first three attempts in Fossil’s paint. With about three minutes remaining in the first quarter, Fossil Ridge was down (0-6).

Ripsam was able to get a few shots off, but couldn’t complete them. However, Sam Osius subbed into the game and completed a very clean three point shot to give the Cats their first points of the game. Fossil Ridge was down (3-6) at the end of the first.

Once the second quarter was underway, Kawcak battled through two Spartan defenders, and secured Fossil two more points off of a layup. Calvin Marley subbed into the game, and made another layup, pushing the Cats ahead (7-6).

Senior Dylan Whittall made his first appearance of the night, and hit a three point shot with about five minutes left in the first half. The SaberCats held a (10-6) lead, but on the Spartans’ following possession, they were able to find a man under Fossil’s net for an easy layup.

Discontent after giving away such an easy basket, the Cats worked the ball down the court, and worked the ball around the three point line, occasionally penetrating the Spartan defense, only to bring the ball back out and swing it again.

The ref made a call against Fossil, giving the Spartans possession, however Greeley didn’t execute that attempt. After bodying up under Fossil’s net, Marley rebounded the ball and took it down the court for a huge play; that’s right, he can dunk, and he did exactly that on that drive. The crowd went nuts, and the Cats took a (12-8) lead.

The Spartans grabbed the ball, passed it in, and as Greeley’s point guard went to break Fossil’s line with a long pass, Marley had a leaping one hand steal. He passed it to Ethan Henderson, but Henderson wasn’t able to complete the attempt as he was fouled going up for the layup.

Henderson completed both of his free throw shots, pushing Fossil ahead (14-9) with about three minutes remaining in the second quarter.

On the Cats’ next possession, the initial shot wasn’t made, but Osius was there to slap the rebound into the hands of Lambrecht for the second attempt. Lambrecht both made the shot and was fouled. He completed both of his free throws giving Fossil a (17-15) lead with one minute left in the half.

In the last seconds of play in the first half, Lambrecht broke through three Spartan defenders for a layup, and Ripsam hit a deep three point shot right as the clock ran out, to give the Cats a (27-15) lead going into halftime.

Fossil took control of the game in the second half, their quick ball movement, and physically outweighed that off Greeley’s. Bodnar had a steal right off the bat, and took the ball down for a score.

On the Cat’s following possession, Ripsam found Lambrecht under the Spartan hoop after some creative combination play, for a very easy layup. By that point, Fossil had taken a substantial lead, (31-15).

With around four minutes left in the third, after Marley completed a free throw shot, and a layup, Fossil held a (37-15) lead over Greeley.

After completely dominating the Spartans in the third, the SaberCats entered the fourth with a (40-23) lead. The play went back and forth between both teams, and the high tempo of play caused a little chaos on the court; both teams fouling, and failing to complete passes.

Henderson made another appearance, and found himself on the free throw line again. He made both of his shots pushing Fossil ahead, (49-37) with around four minutes remaining in the game.

Fossil brought the game home, earning a (57-41) win.

Next week, on Tuesday, January 30, the boys will take on their rival Fort Collins in the City Championship game. Can they build off of this six-game winning streak, against the very talented Lambkins, and earn the City Champion title?

Come out and see for yourself. Pack the stands and cheer on the boys as they take on Collins at home at 7 P.M on January 30.