2015 Colorado Class 1A State Tournament: Peetz ready for test

The Matchup

Who: No. 8 Peetz (15-9) vs. No. 1 Sangre de Cristo (23-0)

What: State Class 1A quarterfinal

When: Thursday, 1:15 p.m.

Where: Budweiser Events Center, Loveland, Colo.

While Peetz High School hasn't sent a boys' basketball team to the state tournament since 2008, there are plenty in the community who can help take away some of the mystery for the 2014-'15 squad.

Led by a coach who was a part of two Bulldogs' teams that qualified for state, Peetz is off to the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo., on Thursday for the 2015 Class 1A CHSAA State Championships. The No. 8 Bulldogs (15-9) will open against the top-seeded Sangre de Cristo Thunderbirds (23-0) in their quarterfinal game at 1:15 p.m.

The Bulldogs are on a side of the bracket that would match them against the winner of the No. 4 Ouaray (18-3) vs. No. 5 Fleming (17-4) game if they win. They will face the loser of that game in the consolation bracket if they fail to get past Sangre de Cristo. Fleming is a familiar team to Peetz as the Wildcats and Bulldogs are two of three 1A North Central teams that qualified for state.

"For the team to make the state playoffs, it has our school pretty excited," said senior Garrett Roelle. "I know we all thought it was possible, and it really comes down to what kind of an attitude you have."

The North Central champion Prairie Mustangs (16-7) also made state as the No. 7 seed and take on second-seeded Holly in the quarterfinals. The remaining qualifiers are the No. 3 Jim Elliot Christian Warriors (21-2) and No. 6 South Baca (Campo/Vilas/Pritchett) Patriots (18-3).

"That's pretty impressive that three teams from our league are going to state," said senior point guard Bradey Holtz. "We're used to playing good teams in our own league. We also play a tough 2A schedule with teams like Caliche, Sedgwick County, Merino and Haxtun."

Playing a strong schedule helped prepare the Bulldogs for a team such as Arickaree/Woodlin (21-1), which had been undefeated until last Saturday. Peetz took on the Indians in the state qualifying game and didn't blink as it hustled its way to a 70-63 victory.

"I think we just wanted it," said the Bulldogs' leading scorer Casey Barrett. "Our intensity was very, very high and we played like we had nothing to lose. On Thursday we'll have the same attitude. We're going to come out with passion and prove that we belong."

Though the Bulldogs have plenty of experience playing quality opponents, they're short on state experience. Fortunately, head coach Jim Gardiner was the starting point guard on the Peetz state-bound teams of 1994 and 1995.

Additionally, Gardiner's assistant coach Sean Fehringer was part of the 2008 team. Of course, the Roelle twins, Garrett and Brian, have their brother Gage to consult as he also played in 2008.

"It's getting to be like a tradition in our family," Brian Roelle said. "Gage went to state in football and basketball and now it's our turn."

Like many in the small Peetz community – population 229 as of the last census – Gage and several other Roelle family members will be cheering on the Bulldogs in Loveland.

"None of these kids have been through state, but I know they'll remember it the rest of their lives," Gardiner said. "There's going to be some distractions leading up to the game but I just want to keep it light so that we'll be ready to put up the same kind of effort we had on Saturday."

Though the Bulldogs have not faced the Thunderbirds previously, they recognize they will be facing a talented group. Sangre de Cristo is an experienced group with the bulk of its production coming from seniors. In fact, all six seniors on the 'Birds roster have played in all 23 games.

At 6-foot-3, senior Ethan Caton is Sangre de Cristo's top scorer at 14.8 points per game. Shooting guard Cory Cooley bends the twine for an average of 11.7 ppg. At point guard, Kyle Beiriger averages close to nine points. Cooley and Beiriger are also seniors.

"It sounds like they're where they are for a reason," Gardiner said. "But I don't think the big goose egg on the other end of their record means anything to us. We've proven that doesn't mean anything to us. They might be Goliath, but we have to believe we can still take them down."

Before Tuesday's practice, Gardiner made some phone calls to find out what he could about the Thunderbirds. He was told that while Caton is among their bigger players, he plays more of a forward role rather than posting up.

"They have some size and they have some shooters so we're going to have to box out, contest shots and take care of the ball," Gardiner said.

The biggest players will likely be guarded by the likes of Cody Wilson (6-1) and Garrin Cox (6-2). Though a little smaller than their Sangre counterparts, the Cox-Wilson duo has been effective all season scoring and rebounding against bigger players. Even Holtz, a 5-7 guard, is an effective rebounder with an average of nearly six per game.

Among the 'Birds more dangerous 3-point shooters, Cooley shakes the twine at an impressive 49 percent on more than 100 attempts. Beiriger hits at 42 percent as he's hit on 36 of 92 tries. As a team, Sangre de Cristo hits treys at a 38 percent clip compared to 33 for Peetz.

The Bulldogs leading long-ball scorer is Casey Barrett, who has hit from downtown 81 times this season with a success rate of 34 percent. While Holtz doesn't shoot as often, he's been very effective in landing 35 bombs on 94 attempts (37 percent). Freshman Logan Sircy, who came off the bench much of the season, is also a capable distance shooter. He scored 26 points against Flagler in the opening round of regionals. Jordan Buss can also hit the three.

"I knew they had that mental toughness to them and they proved it against Arickaree," said Gardiner of his team. "That's why they never wavered when (Arickaree) came back at them several times on Saturday. We've shown that we belong here."

COLORADO CLASS 1A STATE TOURNAMENT

Thursday, March 12

At Budweiser Events Center, Loveland

No. 3 Jim Elliott Christian (21-2) vs. No. 6 South Baca (18-3), 10:15 a.m.

No. 1 Sangre de Cristo (22-0) vs. No. 8 Peetz (15-9), 1:15 p.m.

No. 4 Ouray (18-3) vs. No. 5 Fleming (17-4), 5:30 p.m.

No. 2 Holly (19-3) vs. No. 7 Prairie (16-7), 8:30 p.m.

Friday, March 13

At Budweiser Events Center, Loveland

Semifinals

Sangre de Cristo-Peetz winner vs. Ouray-Fleming winner, 5:30 p.m.

Jim Elliott Christian-South Baca winner vs. Holly-Prairie winner, 8:30 p.m.

Consolation

Sangre de Cristo-Peetz loser vs. Ouray-Fleming loser, 10:15 a.m.

im Elliott Christian-South Baca loser vs. Holly-Prairie loser, 1:15 p.m.

Saturday, March 14

At Budweiser Events Center, Loveland

5th-place Game, 11:30 a.m.

3rd-place Game, 4 p.m.

Championship Game, 7 p.m.