Slow start dooms Doherty boys in 5A semifinals

BOULDER • The way Dan McKiernan figures it, his Doherty boys’ basketball team has an argument for being the third best in Colorado this year.

Click here to see a photo gallery from the game.

That will have to do, because Regis beat down the Spartans’ dreams of playing for a state title with an 80-42 blowout in the Class 5A state semifinals at Coors Events Center.

“They’re better than we are,” McKiernan said. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of saying you got beat by someone who’s better than you are.”

Regis, the defending champion, had a significant size advantage and hit seven 3-pointers as well. While the Raiders were hitting shots from all over the floor, the Spartans either couldn’t get good looks, or couldn’t hit shots when they were open.

“They just had a good shooting night and we didn’t,” said senior guard Tyler Velasquez, who scored 20 points. “It’s frustrating when they’re hitting everything and we couldn’t get stops.”

Doherty scored the first two points of the game. Regis scored the next 15.

The score after the first quarter was 18-7, and it was only that close because Velasquez hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Velasquez scored all seven of Doherty’s points in the first quarter.

Regis’ lead swelled to 23-7 early in the second quarter before Andrew Hill’s layup stopped the run. Doherty went on a 5-0 run to pull within 11, but Regis calmly regained control of the game.

Regis hit 11 of its 14 shots from inside the 3-point line in the first half. Velasquez hit a shot late in the second quarter, and Doherty trailed 35-18 at halftime.

The game got further out of hand after halftime. The Raiders’ lead was more than 30 points before the end of the third quarter.

One of Doherty’s few highlights during the game came in the final minute when Jacob Lancaster threw down a dunk on a breakaway.

Although the loss stung, Velasquez said it was his most enjoyable season at Doherty.

“It was a real good season,” Velasquez said. “All the way around it was a fun season.”