Overtime Thriller

East Angels Beat GW Patriots In A Raucous Nail-Biter 

Story and photos by Reid Neureiter 
For the GPHN

It is not often that the traditional powerhouse Denver East boys basketball team enters a Denver Public Schools league match as the underdog.  

But the Angels have struggled this year, with a losing record as of mid-January. By contrast, East’s traditional rival George Washington started the year strongly, with a 7-2 record, including dominant wins against Highlands Ranch and ThunderRidge.   

So on Jan. 14, the smart money was on the Patriots when East faced off with George Washington on GW’s Chauncey Billups’ home court.  The teams played to type through much of the game. George Washington led by as much as eight points midway through the third quarter, with junior Patriot guard Jack Young hitting numerous three-point shots.  

But East clawed back into contention, making it a one-point game with two minutes to play and tying the score at 55 with seconds to go. The standing-room-only George Washington gym was wild with rafter-shaking chants from the competing student sections. Despite the fervent home-side support, the overtime belonged to Angels. Although GW junior Jeremiah Trimm took one final three-point shot that would have tied the game again, the ball clanged off the back of the rim for a 62-59 Angel victory.  

East was led by seniors Fabian Morris and James Murray, with 17 points each. Morris was 7 for 11 from the field for a 64 percent shooting percentage.