Aurora, CO – The No. 8-ranked ThunderRidge Grizzlies secured a signature win on Tuesday night, going on the road to defeat No. 4 Regis Jesuit Raiders 69-66 in a thrilling 6A showdown at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora. The standout performance of the night came from junior forward Drew Paine, who was named Player of the Game after delivering a dominant 26 points, 6 rebounds, and the game-saving block in the final seconds.
With 11.6 seconds remaining, ThunderRidge clung to a 67-66 lead after a turnover gave Regis Jesuit one last chance. The Raiders put the ball in the hands of their star, Eric Fiedler, who drove to the paint. Paine, however, was ready, rising up to block Fiedler’s shot and regaining possession for the Grizzlies. He then iced the game with two clutch free throws, sealing the win.
“We just had to keep a level head,” said Paine. “It’s all about the next play. I’m so proud of this team for fighting until the very end, I love this team.”
ThunderRidge’s Balanced Attack
In addition to Paine’s heroics, senior forward Ulysses Brown provided a crucial contribution, scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Brown’s four three-pointers helped ThunderRidge maintain the lead for most of the game.
“The vibe of the team is amazing. We have great chemistry, just overall a great squad,” Brown said. “Coach kept telling us to stay composed and not break under pressure. We believe we can beat anyone when we play together.”
Regis Jesuit’s Star Falls Short
Despite the loss, Regis Jesuit’s Eric Fiedler delivered an impressive performance, posting a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Fiedler kept the Raiders in the game with his aggressive play inside, but the Grizzlies’ defense came through when it mattered most.
“Fiedler’s a great player and tough to guard,” ThunderRidge head coach Joe Ortiz said. “That block by Drew was a huge play, and we’re grateful to walk out of here with the win.”
Key Adjustments Lead to Victory
Ortiz credited his team’s preparation and resilience for the win. After a tough loss on Friday, the Grizzlies refocused during practice and came into Tuesday’s game determined to bounce back.
“It’d be easy to hang your head after a loss like that, but they came to work,” Ortiz said. “We worked on everything from handling pressure to shooting adjustments, and it paid off tonight.”
Looking Ahead
With the win, ThunderRidge improves to 9-2 and gains valuable momentum heading into the latter half of the season. The Grizzlies will look to build on this victory as they continue their push toward the playoffs.
“We’ve got a lot of new guys, but we’ve got heart,” Paine said. “This team is different, but I love it. We’re showing we can compete with anyone.”
Regis Jesuit, now 11-3, will look to regroup after the loss and prepare for their next challenge. Despite the setback, the Raiders remain one of the top teams in the state and a strong contender in the 6A division.
For ThunderRidge, Tuesday’s win was more than an upset—it was a statement. With Drew Paine leading the charge, the Grizzlies have proven they can compete with Colorado’s best as the postseason looms.
Denver Sports Media 