Regis Romps ThunderRidge

AURORA—Here we go again. Here comes Regis.

The big red machine that is the Regis Raiders ran on all cylinders Tuesday night, and pounded the very capable Thuderridge Grizzlies 67 - 46. The 3-time defending state champion Raiders (10-3) had no problems with the Grizzlies (10-4), running them out of their own gym.  

It was quite the statement game for Regis, who improves to 2-0 in the Continental League, picking up a crucial conference victory against a fellow team ranked in the top ten in the state. (As of January 12th, Thuderridge was ranked 5th and Regis was ranked 7th in the Denver Post Coaches poll.)

Coach Shaw knew he was up against a staunch opponent, and was pleased with his team’s productive performance.

“Thuderridge has a great program, and we took them away from some things that they are very good at,” said Shaw, in his fifth year as head coach at Regis. “We have been playing very well since we got back from Christmas break. Fortunately we came to play tonight and I thought we did a lot of little things very well.”

Coach Shaw speaks the truth about the play of his team in this new year.  In 2012, Regis is outscoring its opponents by an average of 33.3 points per game.

Regis players Tanner Samson and Josh Perkins spearheaded the Raiders mauling of the Grizzlies Tuesday night. Samson, a senior that has committed to Elon University, led all scorers with 25 points, including five three-pointers.  His running mate Josh Perkins, a sophomore sensation, chipped in with 15 points, knocking down two three’s, and making many smooth takes to the rim.

“Well they are two of the best players in the state,” complimented Coach Shaw. “And we want to give them opportunities to play their game and give them the green light. They are still both very unselfish players, who look for their teammates. But if you give them some space, they are hard to guard.”

Samson elaborated on how dynamic this Regis duo can be.

“If one of us gets it going we just get the ball to each other and let them work. One of us should be going so whoever it is we just let him go,” said Samson.

And when they both have it going, like the first half Tuesday night, Regis is tough to stop. At the intermission, Samson and Perkins had already combined for 25 points, outscoring the entire Thuderridge team by seven points.  

Regis pulled away in the 2nd quarter, suffocating the Grizzlies 25-7 in the second frame alone. Regis led 39-18 at the break, and ended up winning by the same 21-point margin.

Junior guard Joe Marucci led the Grizzlies with 14 points, including three swishes from beyond the arc. But he was the only Grizzly in double figures.

Joe Ortiz’s Grizzlies had an off night across the board, and could never find a consistent offensive rhythm.

“We didn’t let them play their game. We played our game,” Samson said. “It was definitely a statement win.”

Game Notes

Thuderridge senior Kendyl Grover had two impressive baseline dunks, a few bright spots on an otherwise tough night for the Grizzlies…Perkins had an outstanding rejection in the fourth quarter, but let his emotions get the best of him, and he verbally taunted the opponent.  He received a technical foul and Coach Shaw put him on the bench to cool off for a bit.  He did re-enter later in the game…Scott Dickey also scored in double figures for Regis with 11 points…As a team, Regis made ten three-pointers…

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