Lewis-Palmer and Scott knock off Sierra and Gordon 45-42

Lewis-Palmer and Sierra delivered.

The area’s two best teams and two best players put together a thriller in front of a gym that was sold out nearly 2 hours before the tip.

Ultimately, it was Josh Scott and his 28 points that helped the Rangers build an early lead, withstand a tying Stallions' rally and hold on for a 45-42 road victory Friday that all but decided the 4A Metro title. It also gave tentative bragging rights to Scott over Wesley Gordon that just might last throughout the next four years as they will be teammates at Colorado.

“The assistant coaches and myself thought there’s no way this would live up to the hype,” Lewis-Palmer coach Russ McKinstry said. “And by golly, it did.”

The Rangers (19-1, 12-0 4A Metro) led 25-15 at halftime in the defensive slugfest, but the lead disappeared with a fourth-quarter Sierra run that was capped by a three-point play from Wesley Gordon – who scored nine points with 11 rebounds and three blocks.

Eight points from Scott in the final 4 minutes and a late layup from Tim Helwege continually kept Lewis-Palmer one step ahead, and a steal from Jordan Scott in the final 10 seconds sealed it as Sierra scrambled for a tie.

It was no secret that Jordan Scott was actually trying to foul when he stripped the ball from Deon Wilson and batted it to teammate Tyler Owens.

Lewis-Palmer had fouls to give, and had Wilson gotten off a shot this could have been the third time these teams have gone to overtime in their past four meetings. The first three nail-biters all went to Gordon and Sierra.

“I was trying to foul, but I managed to get the ball,” said Jordan Scott, Josh’s junior brother who scored eight points. “It worked out great.”

Except for the final score from Sierra’s perspective, everything turned out great.

The gym was locked by 5:15 p.m. as the 1,300 seats were gobbled up well in advance of the 7 p.m. start time. Wesley Gordon’s father, Ed, showed up at 4 p.m. just to be on the safe side. The game was tied in the final minutes and there was even a successful halftime proposal. Sierra English department head Emily Carter said yes to a ring from Air Force Capt. Daniel Taylor.

“It was a special game, a special night,” said Josh Scott, who added 10 rebounds and two steals to his 28 points. “I’m sure all of our guys and all of their guys will remember this game forever. This was one of games you dream about.”

For Sierra (20-1, 12-1), for now, the dreams won’t be pleasant.

Coach Terry Dunn pointed to several empty possessions, some defensive lapses and the crucial turnover at the end as the difference – though he was happy to see his team, rarely challenged this season, show the drive to tie it near the end.

Guard Deon Wilson was a big part of the surge, scoring 10 of his 13 points in the second half.

“This was a test,” Dunn said. “We didn’t pass the test. Hopefully we’ll get an opportunity to get another test.”

Another matchup would likely come in Boulder – the place Gordon and Scott will call home next year – in the state finals.

Imagine the hype for that one.