Sierra claims back-to-back titles with overtime win in Class 4A

BOULDER – Senior guard Mark Hatcher had to raise his voice — not only so he could be heard over the screaming Pueblo East fans, but because Sierra’s season was on the line.

The Stallions trailed in the fourth quarter of the Class 4A state title game after leading by 16 in the first half. Hatcher isn’t the team’s best player, but the quarterback of Sierra’s football team made himself clear in the huddle.

Click here to view a photo slideshow from the game.

“It’s our senior year, and we’re not going out like this,” Hatcher said, recalling his words. “We made it this far, and we’re going to come out with a win.”

If there was a moment of doubt, Sierra didn’t let it show as it rallied in the fourth quarter and controlled overtime in a 61-56 win over Pueblo East on Saturday at Coors Events Center. The Stallions repeated as champions for the first time in school history.

Hatcher, an unlikely hero, hit a 3-pointer and a layup and also assisted on a Jahmall Fountain layup in the fourth quarter.

Even after the Eagles’ Jordan Gregory banked in a shot with about 8 seconds left to force overtime, there weren’t any signs of panic. Fountain hit a 3-pointer and 5-of-6 free-throw attempts in overtime. Forward Wesley Gordon drove to the basket for a layup.

And when Pueblo East cut Sierra’s lead to two with 16.8 seconds left, the Stallions beat the press and Chris Fielder made a layup to seal the win.

Through all the tense moments, Sierra (26-2) never blinked. Fountain said when he went to the free-throw line in overtime, he thought back to coach Otis Johnson making each player hit 50 free throws in practice before coming to state.

“It was just like being back home,” Fountain said.

The Stallions were prepared for a tense game. They won the state title last season on a buzzer-beating shot. Johnson remembered a game this season against Lewis-Palmer in which his team was down double digits but rallied to win in overtime.

“Those experiences left me at ease a little bit on the bench, knowing our kids are going to fight through this and they have the mental toughness to get it done,” Johnson said.

Sierra started fast against Pueblo East, and a 15-0 run in the first quarter was the key to a lead that grew to 24-8 in the second quarter. Pueblo East (25-2) kept chipping away, and the Eagles led 39-37 entering the final quarter.

As Hatcher passionately told his teammates in the fourth quarter, this was their moment.

“Now we’re part of Sierra’s high school history, going back to back,” Fountain said.