ECA boys rally for state tourney berth/ Limon boys and girls also

PUEBLO - With his players celebrating under the basket, Evangelical Christian Academy coach Dennis Bruns hoisted the champion's plaque after his team's 72-69 come-from-behind victory over Cotopaxi on Saturday in a Class 2A regional title game at Massari Arena.

Limon's girls and boys also advanced to the state tournament with regional wins.

ECA, down 67-60 with 2:18 left in the game, went on a 10-0 run to take the lead and then held on for the dramatic victory.

"All year we've been able to come back, 8, 9, 10 points at a time, and we were hoping we could do it again," Bruns said. "We missed a lot of shots early, a lot of shots in the paint. We were hoping they would fall sooner or later."

The victory moves ECA (19-4) into the quarterfinals of state tournament, which begins Thursday in Pueblo. Its opponent will be determined today.

"I just thank the Lord we are getting a shot at it," Bruns said. "We wanted this all year long. We worked for it, worked hard all summer for this chance."

ECA didn't look like it would get that chance early in the second quarter. It trailed hot-shooting Cotopaxi, 26-12, with 6:04 to go until intermission.

But 6-foot-5 senior Justin Perkins kept his team in the game. He scored 19 first-half points - mostly floaters in the paint - to close Cotopaxi's lead to 37-33 at halftime.

It looked like Cotopaxi could start making its travel plans when Dustin Nero converted a pair of free throws with 2:18 left, putting his team up 67-60.

But a pair of field goals by Nate Beers and Luke Attikins pulled ECA to within 67-65. ECA took the lead for good moments later when senior Joe Contreras scored on a steal and was fouled. He converted the three-point play, putting ECA up for good, 68-67 with 1:20 left.

Limon's girls (22-1) left nothing to chance in its regional title game against La Veta, cruising to a 72-36 victory.

The win advances Limon into the state tournament, its first appearance in 10 years.

"Everyone came through," said an emotional coach Mark Brown. "It's kind of hard to talk right now."

Four Limon players finished in double figures, including Kylee O'Dwyer, who had a game-high 16.

In the final game of the night, Limon's boys outdueled Cripple Creek-Victor, 73-64.

With the game tied at 45, Limon (16-4) went on an 11-0 run at the end of the third quarter then matched Cripple Creek in the fourth period.

"We just tried to wear them down and I think that's what happened toward the end of the third quarter," said Limon coach Don Schmidt.

For Cripple Creek coaches Jim Brown and Dick Patterson, it was their final game. Brown, 69, and Patterson, 68, are retiring.

- Troy Schwindt may be reached at 636-0250 or gtsports@gazette.com

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