As I pulled into the parking lot of the Budweiser Event Center something was wrong. No, I’m not talking about the empty parking lot, the lack of a media entrance in to the building, or even the fact that the CHSAA State tournament was the only basketball still happening in the state. What was wrong was my mind, along with the minds of many others, was not on the game. It was on everything surrounding it. That’s not how sports are supposed to be viewed, played, or broadcast. That is why when the announcement came that the rest of the tournament had been canceled, I felt a sense of relief.
Yes, it sucks. There is no denying or disputing that fact. But High School Sports are meant to be played to make memories and I’m not sure the right ones would’ve been taken away had the tournament continued. Here in Northern Colorado there were three teams still standing who had a legitimate shot at winning the state championship. The Resurrection Christian Cougars, The Eaton Reds Women team, and The Highland Huskies.
First for the Cougars; Bruce Dick led a team that had possibly two of the most talented seniors in the state with Reece Johnson and Isaac Jessup. They are now in the history book as having an undefeated season. That cannot be taken away from them. The fact of the matter is when we look at the 2019-2020 Cougars basketball team, they will go down as one of the most talented group of players in Northern Colorado basketball history. They will also go down as OUR state champs.
Todd Hernandez and the Eaton Reds Girls basketball team were doing, no did something incredible. They came into the tournament as a 10 seed. That’s right a 10 seed. Addie Randel and company took the opportunity and ran all the way into the semifinals. Marking there run as one of the brightest take-aways of the shortened tournament.
The Highland Huskies team was something special. There were two biological brothers on the court for the Huskies, but the way that they played together, it felt more like they were all family on the court. Coach Pete Freeman and company took the state title this year and they left no doubt. Number one in the polls all season long and beating a team in the elite 8 by 55 points is ridiculous. A tip of the hat to OUR state champions.
There is a lot of anger, confusion, and even fear in not only our community but in the world right now. But let’s pause for a second, let’s pause for thought and think about the tremendous seasons and careers that every Northern Colorado senior had. That is what we here at KFKA will remember. We hope you do too. Stay Safe and Be Happy.
Preps Director: Tanner Schwindt
