I love kids of this generation, the same reason they all drive us nuts. It's funny when we were growing up, we heard our parents tell us, 'We think we know everything.' And now we're in that same situation.”

Jay Powell, Eagle Ridge Academy basketball coach

FORT LUPTON -- The idea of "going with your strength" paid off for the Eagle Ridge Academy boys basketball team Feb. 24.
The Warriors controlled Denver School of Science/Technology from start to finish in a 61-47 win that sent Eagle Ridge to the regional playoff round. The Warriors face Platte Valley at 5 p.m. Friday, March 4. The winner faces either DSST-Green Valley Ranch or Highland Saturday, March 5.
"We got the ball inside," said Christian Seifert, who stands 6 feet 7 inches tall. "We started hitting a few outside shots, but really? Just working the ball inside is what we do good. It's what we've done all season. We've never had height like this before. It's a big advantage."
Cameron Seifert led the Warriors with 20 points. Christian Seifert was next with 14. Isaiah Garcia and Hunter hill added eight. Asher Sikle led the Raptors with 16 points. Jaylen Johnson and Johnson Asamonye were next with eight.
ERA didn't need the outside game against the Raptors. The Warriors made just one basket from 3-point range. ERA outscored DSST-GVR 13-2 in the last five minutes of the first half to settle the issue.
"The boys played real hard. We had an advantage of taking care of the rebounds," said ERA coach Jay Powell. "That's a good safety net to have. Defense has been our focus this year, limiting teams' second-chance opportunities."
Seifert was pleased with his game and his ability to do some damage under the basket. He also was pleased with the unselfish play of his team.
"I know we've had a lot of talent," Seifert said. "Since our freshman year, we knew one year we were going to figure this out. We knew we were going to do really well this year. We can get to the state championship."
Powell was pleased with his team's intensity. But he also pointed out the need to continue to play good defense.
"We're trying to get the boys ready to play at the next level, the ones that have that ambition," Powell said. "Kids watch Steph Curry and James Harden and think all you have to do is shoot 3s and play offense. If you want to play at the next level, you have to show coach you can play defense. We played defense very well in the first half and held them to 14 points. If we can lock in like that., we are going to be a tough team to beat.
"They have their abilities and attitudes," Powell continued. "I love kids of this generation, the same reason they all drive us nuts. It's funny when we were growing up, we heard our parents tell us, 'We think we know everything.' And now we're in that same situation."