By Kyle Kercheval

Headed into the 5A State Playoffs, the boys’ basketball team had dropped three straight, including a 70-52 loss to rival, Chaparral Wolverines. However, the blue and white got back to their winning ways, defeating Loveland in their first round contest at home, 50-44.

While the Coliseum Crazies were quick to point out Legend’s size advantage, the Titans’ offense struggled to get the ball into the paint during the first quarter, with big man, senior Zach Mihlaicz, only totaling two points.

However, as the game progressed, Legend’s offensive fluency improved dramatically as they never allowed the Indians to gain serious momentum. Even as Loveland went on a 7-0 run at the end third quarter, senior Elijah Cherrington (“EC”) found the basket for two of his game high 16 points with a big tip-in as time expired.

In the fourth, it was “EC” and Mihalicz again leading Kevin Boley’s offense, as they combined for 12 of Legend’s 15 fourth quarter points.

Although it’s clear Legend didn’t play their best basketball, they came out on top, 50-44, and will take on Dougherty (16-7) on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the second round of the 5A State Playoffs.

By Caleb Friginal

The Wolverines and Titans have met four times in this up and coming rivalry, and not one of those games has been decided by more than six points. Last year’s meeting marked the first time Legend defeated Chap when they took down the Wolverines in the Coliseum behind a sold-out crowd.

This year, the Wolverines came into the meeting with a chip on their shoulder, ready to prove that they were the best in Parker. And they did. Chaparral opened the game with a 9-0 run and never looked back, putting the Titans in a 13 point hole at the end of the first quarter.

Legend managed to make up ground in the second, cutting the Chap deficit to only nine points going into the half. During halftime, Coach Kevin Boley talked to his team about rebounding and turnovers. He said it “was the difference in the game to this point.” Boley wanted his team to “stay calm under the pressure” and get [Chap] “out of the paint.”

The Titans came into the second half firing and cut the Wolverine lead to only two before Chap was able to pull away again. Going into the fourth quarter Chaparral had extended the lead back to nine.

Legend fell apart in the fourth quarter and was outscored by nine. The Titans ended up losing the game by 18.

Chaparral was lead by 6-6 guard Chris Moody. Moody totaled 19 points and shot 6 for 10 from the field. Moody also accounted for two assists and seven rebounds. Chaparral also received help from junior Jake Holtzman who scored 17 points and had six rebounds.

For the Titans it was sophomore Monroe Porter who lead the charge. Porter almost single handedly brought Legend back after making many tough jump shots.

All that’s left for the Titans now is the Colorado state tournament where they’ll take on Loveland on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at home in the first round. Game time is 7 p.m.

By Kyle Kercheval

After a big 52-41 victory over cross-town rival Ponderosa and a dominating 67-39 win over a struggling Douglas County, the past week has been a rough go for the now 15-7 Legend Titans boys basketball team.

Headed down the final stretch of the 2013-2014 regular season, Legend has dropped two-in-a-row at home for the first time since the 2011-2012 campaign. The first loss came on Feb. 14 to Highlands Ranch, 60-46, and the second on Feb. 18 to Mountain Vista, 80-66.

Although offense hasn’t been the Titans’ strength all season, during these two losses, Kevin Boley’s team has combined for 112 points while their opponents combined for 140.

But, if you had to put your finger on one key statistic, it would be Legends’ slow first quarter starts. After only scoring six against Highlands Ranch and five versus Mountain Vista they’ve been outscored 37-11.

Going into their final regular game of the season on Friday, against the other cross-town rival in Chaparral, Legend will need to bring their best as the Wolverines have won eight out of their last nine games; including a 63-48 win against one of the top teams in the state, Regis Jesuit, at Regis—a team that Legend lost to back on Feb. 1.

By Kyle Kercheval

After starting out the season with an exceptional 6-1 record, Legend boys’ basketball has lost three out of their last four contests. However, during this rough nonleague stretch for head coach Kevin Boley and his team, the Titans haven’t been back at the Coliseum since Dec. 21 where they are a perfect 3-0.

Legend’s four game absence from Parker has landed them everywhere from Colorado Springs and Denver during the Cherry Creek Holiday Tournament where they finished second for the third straight season with a 59-63 loss to Cherry Creek; to Littleton where they dropped a game to Dakota Ridge 42-54; back to the Springs where they crushed Palmer 76-56; and then to the western slope where they fell at the hands of the Grand Junction Tigers 54-62.

Heading into the second half of the season, the Titans can certainly pride themselves on being balanced in every part of the game and placing an emphasis on team play; an idea that Boley has preached throughout the course of the season. As a team, they rank in the top five of the Continental League in almost every statistical category.

Seniors Zach Mihalicz and Elijah Cherrington have been leading the team effort this season as they average a combined 27.2 points per game on the offensive end. On the other side of the ball, both average one steal per game and just under eight combined defensive boards.

While the senior leadership has been critical to the boys’ success, sophomore Monroe Porter has been stuffing box scores all season long. In just his first year at the varsity level, the 6-foot-2 guard is fourth on the team in scoring with 9.1 points per game, second on the team (behind only 6-foot-8 Zach Mihalicz) with 5.3 rebounds per game, and leading the team in steals and assists with two pilfers and 3.7 dimes per game. Although he’s usually identified as an outside shooter, Porter has proven to be much more versatile.

For Legend’s next matchup, they will finally be back in a “whited-out” Coliseum as they take on Rangeview High School (9-2) who is coming in off of a monster 72-49 victory over George Washington on Friday.

By Kyle Kercheval

Boys basketball has a combined 34-12 regular season record and a 6-2 postseason record the past two seasons; including last year’s state run that landed the Titans in the Colorado 5A State Championship Final Four.
Although only six of last year’s 13 varsity players are returning for the looming 2013-2014 season, the program remains confident that their talented and hardworking team can pick up right where they left off.
Senior Zach Mihalicz will be instrumental in the Titans success this season and not only is the 6-foot-8-inch big man poised to be one of the best in the Continental League, but also in all of 5A Colorado, according to varsity head coach, Kevin Boley.
“[Zach] will be the best big man in the state. He can’t be guarded with his size and skill set. We need to do a better job of getting him the ball in positions to score,” Boley said.
“That statement is humbling,” Mihalicz said. “Everyone strives to be the best at their sport, and more specifically at their position.”
Through hard work on and off the court, number 42 feels like he can outsmart and out physical most people in the state. However, he still plans to approach the season step by step.
“The goal starts during game one, and that’s how I will approach the season—one game at a time,” he said.
While Mihalicz’s numbers speak for themselves, the veteran also understands the leadership role that comes with having the most varsity experience in the program.
“I need to use my experience and maturity to be a leader for the younger kids on the team and in the program. I’m a big believer in being smarter and better prepared than your opponent and it will be my job as a vocal and physical leader to get the team to buy into that theory,” he said.
With a younger varsity rotation this season, senior forward Elijah Cherrington will also play a key leadership role, along with sophomore guards, Riley Matticks and Monroe Porter.
Although Legend lost arguably their best shooter in programs short history, Taylor Jenson, to graduation this past summer, Boley believes that they have a bright future with the sharpshooter, Porter; who he thinks will “set records for three-point shooting before he is done.”
With the combination of Mihalicz’s low-post game and Porter’s shooting touch, the Titan’s offense should be able to space the floor with an overall balanced attack.
However, with all the praise and potential of these young players, comes the growing pain associated with the transition and Legend’s consistent success. For coach Boley, the success not only increases the excitement, but also the competition.
“What [the program’s success] does is put an ‘x’ on our back, as we will now start to see everybody’s best shot,” he said.
While what Boley said was true, Mihalicz feels that the team’s high moral standards are equally as important as the success.
“The program as a whole has a high moral standard and culture for everyone at all levels. This helps mature the younger players and prepare them for when they get their opportunity at the varsity level,” Mihalicz said.
While the average age may be lower, the excitement level is at its peak as boys basketball is back at Legend.
“[I’m] very excited [for this year],” Boley said. “[We have a] very hard working team with a high basketball IQ.”
“It’s exciting to have a young team that is full of energy and enthusiasm for the game,” Mihalicz said. “We believe in each other’s skills and are excited to showcase it at games. Everyone has bought into our goals and we are ready to start the journey.”