The Sabercats lost a nail biting matchup to the Lobos after a controversial ending. 

The two teams were in the process of feeling one another out early, as the two were evenly matched after the first eight minutes. But the Sabercats were aggressive early, attacking inside the paint and drawing several fouls to take a two-point edge. 

However, Rocky bounced back in a big way during the second quarter, draining several three pointers en route to a 20-9 run to secure a nine point lead heading into halftime. But Fossil was comfortable playing from behind, slowly chipping away at the Lobo lead.

After plenty of back-and-forth action, Rocky Mountain still held a 56-49 lead with only a few minutes remaining in the contest. The Sabercats battled back into the contest with a 9-2 run to tie the game back up at 58. This included a massive one by senior Andrea Walser to knot the game with seven seconds remaining.

Although they were saved by the free throws, Fossil would eventually lose by the free throws as well. After a relatively tame looking foul was called on the Sabercats, the Lobos nailed one free throw with less than a second to go to win the city matchup 59-58.

This led to a bittersweet senior night, where Fossil Ridge honored their three seniors who have made an incredible impact on the program: Kate Davis, Ella Lavigne, and Andrea Walser. 

With this loss, the Sabercats fall to 13-9 overall and 10-3 in conference play, good enough for third in the Front Range Conference. The team also drops to 1-1 in the race to defend their city championship, tied for second with Rocky Mountain. In order for a shot at being repeat city champions, Fossil will have to defeat Poudre on the road this Thursday, February 16, who currently is in the driver’s seat going 2-0 in their crosstown games. 

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Kate Davis attempting a free throw during a game in early January.

On the boys’ side, Fossil Ridge pushed past Rocky Mountain 74-50 after a dominant second half. 

They started off with a bang celebrating their seniors immediately after the girls’ team. 

The boys basketball team has had a very unique team dynamic for this season, having a total of 10 seniors on the roster: Matthew Boldt, Ty Brown, Mac Busteed, Colin Hayes, Drew Larson, Domenic Leone, Cooper Mcmillin, Nick Randall, Brady Rotner, and Pryce Wyatt.

While this night was special for all ten young men, it was particularly unique for two. Rotner spent most of this season out after injuring his meniscus before the season even started.

“It feels great,” Rotner says. “It’s really good to be back and out there again and play with my buddies.”

Rotner has now played in three games this season, with this game being his most impressive of the bunch. The guard racked up 10 points alongside three rebounds and three steals in his first career start for the Sabercats. Not only does Rotner look as good as before he got injured, there is a decent argument in saying that he has improved. 

“I guess I was just really excited to get back out there,” Rotner says. “And I just wanted to do my part when I get in and make the most out of it just because we have such limited time left.”

But Rotner was not the only one who had cause for celebration, as star player Nick Randall hit the 1,000 point threshold. It came on a fairly mundane performance, with his 15 points and 5 rebounds falling well short of his season averages. But none of that mattered on this day, as the standout forward continues to lead his team to win after win and add up milestone after milestone. 

“It was a close game so I knew I just had to keep scoring,” Randall says. “After coach [Johannsen] called a timeout, it really got to me. I really just hit 1,000 points. That’s a big milestone.”

Before the season, Randall spoke about the need for him and his fellow seniors to finally step up and fill the leadership roles after the departures of seniors Brock Mishak and Will Hemme. These ten men have passed the test with flying colors, continuing to build on Fossil’s reputation as one of the best teams in the entire state.

“I feel like our ten seniors, we all have the same amount of leadership,” Randall says. “When you’re on the floor you have to pick up everyone…I feel like I’ve done that.”

But perhaps the biggest moment came from head coach Matt Johannsen. Johannsen has spent the last four years with this large senior class, sharing a wide array of memories with each member of the squad. Between the plenty of games during both the CHSAA and club season, Johannsen and his team have worked extremely hard to earn the position they are in right now. 

“These guys really do trust each other and they care for each other,” Johannsen says. “When you have that the sky’s the limit…They come in here and they have a smile on their face…it’s an awesome thing to have.”

Before Fossil looks ahead to playoffs they have two games next week, including one this Thursday, February 16 on the road against Poudre to finish out their conference schedule against another city rival.

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Drew Larson driving in an early season matchup against Denver East.