Nederland boys post season’s largest win

By Scott Fuller

2/03/2005 - The Nederland boys’ basketball team benefited from its largest offensive output of the season, while simultaneously earning its largest margin of victory in 2004-05, in its 84-25 home victory over Gilpin County on Friday night.

  The Panthers now boast the proverbial cross-town trophy for another year in what was once the most celebrated in the region by scoring 49 first-half points on their way to a 59-point win. Nederland improves to 3-1 in District 7 conference play and 8-4 overall, with three of its losses having been suffered by ten points or less. They are 5-1 in their last six and have scored at least 41 points in five of their last six decisions. Gilpin is 0-12.

  Where they had shown signs of life in spurts to open a handful of games in their season, the Eagles never even contended Friday night. Falling behind early to a 22-4 first-half deficit, things got worse for Gilpin before they got better. The Eagles managed to score just three in the second quarter on their way to a 49-7 halftime deficit. The Eagles would score 18 following the intermission against what was predominantly the Nederland junior varsity.

  All eight on the Panther varsity team scored in the game, not to mention two from the JV. Josh Lederach led the charge with 14, followed by John Little, Colin Hickey, and Allen Richards; each of whom had at least ten in the win. Brian Buell, who took fourth place for the Nederland Alpine Ski Team in a meet the same day, also chipped in with 11.

  The junior-senior combination of Shane Vaughn and Anthony Cole combined for eight points to lead the Eagles. A total of seven Gilpin shooters scored in the game, but none more than four points.

  Nederland surpassed Longmont Christian for sole possession of fourth place in District 7 in the win, and remain at least two games out from the league trio of ten-game winners; Jefferson Academy, Alexander Dawson, and Denver Academy, who have combined for a 30-6 record on the year.