PARKER, CO – In front of a packed house at Chaparral High School, the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles (18-5) seized the Continental League championship with an 82-72 victory over the No. 3-ranked Chaparral Wolverines (19-4) on Friday night. A back-and-forth battle for three quarters turned into a statement win for Mountain Vista, as they overwhelmed Chaparral in the fourth quarter, outscoring them 32-19 to secure the title.

Senior guard Cal Baskind led the charge for the Golden Eagles, finishing with 24 points in a dynamic performance that set the tone for Mountain Vista’s relentless offensive attack. His aggressive play and leadership were evident throughout the game, but it was in the final stretch where his team’s identity truly shined.

“We’re a fast team. We want to play fast,” Baskind said after the game. “We kind of got away from it like a few games ago, but we’re starting to get back to it. That’s a game we won 82-72. That’s against good competition. They couldn’t keep up with the pace we played at. Eventually, they were going to wear down, and we won. You didn’t really have to motivate us for this game because it’s for the league championship.”

A Balanced Attack and Dominant Finish

Mountain Vista showcased its depth, with five players finishing in double figures. Junior Oliver Junker was a force in the paint, recording a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds, while Hudson Rooney (12), Carlos Arch (11), and Payson Land (12) all contributed key buckets throughout the contest.

The game remained a tight battle for three quarters, with both teams trading runs and neither side able to pull away. Chaparral’s high-powered offense matched Mountain Vista’s tempo early, making for a thrilling matchup with the league title on the line. However, in the fourth quarter, Mountain Vista’s relentless pace took its toll. The Golden Eagles turned up the intensity on both ends of the floor, breaking the game open with a 32-point final frame that left Chaparral unable to respond.

Head coach Brian Wood credited his team’s conditioning and mentality in closing out the game.

“We always try to play harder than the other team,” Wood said. “We try to take their legs, and with guys as talented as Chap has, you have to. You saw what they did the first three quarters. But our guys, they don’t blink. They just keep on coming.”

Mountain Vista’s ability to impose their style of play down the stretch was the difference-maker. Their defensive pressure, combined with their ability to push the pace, left Chaparral scrambling to keep up. As the Wolverines began to tire, the Golden Eagles capitalized, knocking down shots and controlling the boards to seal the victory.

Looking Ahead

With the Continental League championship now secured, Mountain Vista will turn its attention to the postseason. After proving they can hang with the top teams in the state, the Golden Eagles are riding a wave of momentum as they gear up for the playoffs.

“If you lose that game, it’s still a great high school basketball game,” Wood added. “So we try to enjoy the moment. We just try to keep coming. And I always ask them, who’s more tired? Us or them?”

On Friday night, the answer was clear. Mountain Vista’s endurance, depth, and determination proved to be the difference, as they left Chaparral’s home court as league champions.