4A boys' state championship capsule: Lewis-Palmer vs. Valor Christian

LEWIS-PALMER (24-3) vs. VALOR CHRISTIAN (22-4)

4A Boys' State Championship, 6 p.m., Saturday

Coors Events Center, Boulder

Last year, Lewis-Palmer ended three years of semifinal-loss frustration by dispatching the Eagles, 70-59. On Saturday, a repeat ending would give the Rangers back-to-back state titles and a third overall. Valor Christian, a varsity program since 2008-09, makes its first appearance in a state championship game. On Friday, the Eagles rallied from 16 down in the second half to shock Broomfield, 75-74 on a 3-pointer by Luke Proctor in the closing seconds. Chase Foster led the Eagles, as he has most of the season, with 25 points, while Garrett Baggett added 20. Valor Christian has gradually scaled the playoff ranks, losing in the second round in 2010 and round of 16 in 2011 before its breakthrough last season. The Eagles play as a 4A independent and went up against several Pikes Peak region teams, beating Cheyenne Mountain, Liberty and Pine Creek in the regular season and adding postseason wins over Falcon, Widefield and Sand Creek. The Eagles also lost to Doherty and Sand Creek during the regular season. Foster had 20 in last year’s game against Lewis-Palmer, while Justin Smith had 26.