Feature photo by Sebastian Wiegand.  Tyrei Randall splits the double team against George Washington. Randall had 23 points in the win.

By Sebastian Wiegand, Sports Editor

After yet another test the Rangeview boys basketball team still remains without a blemish. The latest test, Aurora Central, was almost the breaking point for the Raiders. However, a halftime adjustment by coach Sean Palmer once again lead the Raiders to victory.

The Raiders instantly jumped up on the Trojans, and they led three at the end of the first quarter. but, after that it was all downhill for the Raiders. They couldn’t stop the trojans three ball as Central claimed the lead.  Then when things couldn’t seem to get worse they did.  With the Raiders trailing by 10 points, star forward Tyrei Randall was whistled for a foul.  Randall proceed to argue the call and was given a Technical foul.  It kept getting worse, on his way back to the bench he made another comment to the ref and was given another technical resulting in his ejection.

Without Randall the Trojans extended their lead to 14 before a group of free throws would narrow the lead to 9 at the half.  After halftime the raiders slowly began chipping away at the lead and narrowed it to a one point deficit at the end of the third quarter.  

The fourth quarter belonged to the Raiders as a barrage of free throws and fast breaks gave them the lead and helped them build it up.  Rangeview would then go on to win the game by a final score of 68-56.

Without Randall several raiders stepped up.  EJ Reed had 22 points and added 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Kris Hollins also added 10 points including a posterizing dunk in the third quarter.

“We have threats other than Tyrei,” said Senior Jalen Guidry who added two points and a pair of assists.

Tonight the Raiders will tip off league play against Northglenn.  The Norse come into the game with a record of 2-11.  The Norse are coming off of one of their best seasons in school history, however over half of their Varsity team graduated leaving them depleted.

The Raiders on the other hand are 13-0, and ranked first in state by CHSAA.  They have already beat several top ten teams, and are looking to win the EMAC for the third consecutive season.  They appear to be in good position to do so as they have already beat Aurora Central, who is one of the top teams in EMAC, in Tuesday’s non-league battle.  

“It’ll just be normal,” said Hollins. “It’s what we’re expected to do”
If Rangeview can manage to win league it will be the fourth time in five years.  The lone year Rangeview didn’t win was the 2012-2013 season, when they beat Aurora Central in the APS tournament but lost to them and CSU commit Carlton Hurst in league play.