Colorado Gold Survives To Win The Hustle Region Finals Championship
Irvine, Ca – In a game filled with an electric atmosphere, the Colorado Titans captured the 17U Hustle Region Finals crown. Colorado, who lost a heart breaking championship game the previous week, came out determined not to suffer a repeat…
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Continue ReadingIrvine, Ca – In a game filled with an electric atmosphere, the Colorado Titans captured the 17U Hustle Region Finals crown. Colorado, who lost a heart breaking championship game the previous week, came out determined not to suffer a repeat performance. The Titans threw haymakers right from the start. Behind a raucous partisan crowd, and a swarming defense they jumped out to a quick 10 point lead. They kept the pressure on, and took a 31 – 19 lead into halftime. New Mexico roared back to start the 2nd half behind the play of Sal Nevarez (Las Cruces H.S Las Cruces, NM). The undersized post was huge all weekend and gave everything he had literally. (He briefly left the game to vomit, while suffering from symptoms of dehydration). The Ambassadors came all the way back to take a 1 point lead despite struggling mightily from the line. It was at that point that Jalen Paige (PHCO #11 Fairview H.S Boulder, CO) put his stamp on the game. The 6’5 forward was marvelous, scoring down low, grabbing offensive rebounds and going 9 for 9 from the line down the stretch. Behind his play Colorado regained control and took a 5 point lead, however just as they did all game, New Mexico clawed their way back. A Ray Brown (Las Cruces H.S Las Cruces, NM) 3 point play cut the lead to 2 late, however Page stepped to the line and sank two more free throws. In most games that would have sealed the deal, however like he’d done all tournament, Ricky Lujan (Onate H.S, Las Cruces, NM) saved his best for last, hitting a difficult off balance running 3 to cut the lead to 1 with seconds to go. Two more free throws from Page increased the lead and left New Mexico with 1 last chance, but after being fouled Lujan could only split a pair of free throws. All that was left was for the Titans to inbound the ball successfully, which they did, and it set off a wild celebration inside the Momentous Sports Center. The Titans celebrated with their team, their fans and their families. Exactly 7 days after a heartbreaking loss in the Championship game of Las Vegas Live, they showed resilience and character, in claiming the crown. Congratulations to the 2019 Prep Hoop Hustle Region 17U Champions . . . Colorado Gold Titans.