The Dark Knight, Empire Strikes Back, and Aliens. 

Sometimes sequels are better than the original. Hopefully that’s the case in basketball, as Fossil Ridge and Fort Collins hope to top their instant classic from earlier this season. But this time around, the Sabercats look to secure the win. 

Fossil lost the first match 55-52 on their home court, as the odds were stacked against them from the start. With the entire team feeling ill due to a cold jumping around the squad, no one felt 100% heading into the game. Right after the game began, starter Matthew Boldt went down to an ankle injury, forcing the Sabercats to scramble with their rotations. 

But even with all these external factors, there were plenty of in-game issues that the Sabercats struggled to fix. Fossil Ridge has a list of fifteen goals to hit over the course of a game, which leads to success. The Sabercats were unable to hit a single one, a primary reason for the loss. But the one thing above all else that needed to be fixed was the team’s pace of play.

“The one main thing that coach [Johannsen] was harping on us about was running the floor,” says Colin Hayes, a senior wing. “We’re all super skilled and athletic and one of our strengths is getting out and running. Not even having to set up an offense but just scoring in transition. I don’t think we did that at all against Collins.”

“We just have fast guys on our team, and we know where to find them,” says senior forward Nick Randall.

One reason the team did not push the pace of play was due to exhaustion, as most of the team played most of the game as the Sabercats only played six guys during the second half. Fossil Ridge has plenty of depth along their bench, especially with the return of senior guard Brady Rotner, who was unable to play during that first meeting.

“I know last time some of the starters were pretty gassed,” Rotner says. “I hope to bring a bunch of energy on defense, make some plays, get some stops…just go out there and bring a spark.”

The focus of this Sabercat team is their defense, allowing less than 50 points in the majority of their games. Even though they only allowed 55 points in the first matchup against Collins, Fossil knows that they can hold them under that total. 

“I feel like the whole team could’ve played better on defense,” says senior guard Domenic Leone. “We’ve been playing against these kids since we were young and we know how to defend them.”

The key to defending Fort Collins is keeping track of their top two players, Luke Wagstaff and Jayce King. The Sabercats struggled with these matchups during their first meeting, as the duo combined for 32 points. Now Fossil has learned from their mistakes, as they are ready to blitz them and come out firing on all cylinders.

“I’ll start on Jayce [King] this time,” says Ty Brown, a senior guard. “Especially since he got a few open looks to start the game last time.”

“I think we’re going to throw a bunch of guys at [Wagstaff],” says senior forward Drew Larson. “I think we have a lot of players that are capable of guarding Luke, me included.”

This time around, the Sabercats are expecting a different result. Fossil feels confident in their experience, as their deep playoff run, including three games at the Denver Coliseum last year, have taught them plenty.

“We’re obviously confident,” Leone says. “We’ve played there before and have no nerves going into it. We’re ready.”

“Not a lot of teams have played in an arena like the Coliseum,” Randall says. “We’re going to be ready. We know how to shoot the ball in the Coliseum.”

The Denver Coliseum is unlike any other arena due to the lack of a background behind the rim, messing with a shooter’s depth perception. Luckily, Fossil is already poised and ready to make the adjustment.

“We need to focus on a certain spot on the rim,” Brown says. “If you’re looking at one specific spot on the rim, you’re more likely to make it, so that’s what we’ve been focusing on.”

The Sabercats believe that this adjustment in shooting style along with improvements in their game will allow them to rack up more than the 52 points they scored in their first meeting.

“I think as a fan watching this game you’re going to see a very different game,” Leone says. “Just the way we’re going to move and how fast we’re going to play.”

This revenge game means so much more to Fossil than any other matchup, as they feel that they are the big brother to Fort Collins. That personal feel has left an imprint in the minds of the Sabercats.

“This is the first year I’ve been here that they’ve been really good,” says senior forward Mac Busteed. “We’ve been playing against all these guys for years…it just means more.”

“In my four years at Fossil, even playing on C team , we’ve always destroyed Collins,” Hayes says. “For them to finally get us back, I feel like we have to put them in their place.”

The two Fort Collins teams will square off this Saturday, March 4 at the Denver Coliseum at 1:15 p.m.