State Champions! Rock Canyon boys basketball team wins it all

The Rock Canyon High School boys varsity basketball team, poms, cheerleaders and student section celebrating the state championship victory on March 15.

For the first time in school history, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) boys basketball team took first place in the state championship game.

On March 15, the No. 5-seeded RCHS Jaguars upset the No. 2-seeded Ralston Valley High School Mustangs 68-58 at the Class 6A tournament at Denver Coliseum. The day before, the Jags defeated the No. 1-seeded team, Chaparral High School, 75-60 in the Final Four matchup.

The team huddling with the state championship trophy.

At the state championship game, the Jags dominated throughout until the fourth quarter when they gave up a double-digit lead to the Mustangs. RCHS guard, junior Jacob David, responded with seven straight points.

Senior forward Kai Valentine tallied a double – double, scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds.

Junior guard Cooper Ellwood finished with a team high, scoring 21 points.

“Every single person and coach worked insanely hard all year,” said Cooper who is a Winterberry resident. “We talked about genuine happiness for each other’s successes all season, and this team and the coaches all love each other like family. We have a bond that will last a lifetime.”

The RCHS community showed up in big numbers to cheer on and celebrate the team that finished the season 25- 3.

“I loved so many things about this team,” stated coach Kent Grams. “They were so unselfish; they competed so hard in practice and they loved being around each other. The chemistry this group had was something very special.”

Congratulations to Jaguar nation!