AURORA, CO — The No. 1 seed Rangeview Raiders (24-0) faced an early challenge from No. 32 Cherokee Trail (10-15) in Friday night’s second-round Colorado State playoff matchup, but a dominant second half propelled Rangeview to a 62-25 victory at home, keeping their undefeated season intact.

Playing in front of a packed home crowd, the Raiders led by just three points at halftime, holding a slim 20-17 edge after a defensive battle in the opening two quarters. But in the second half, Rangeview’s depth and talent began to take over, and the Raiders ultimately pulled away to move on to the Sweet 16.

Kenny Black-Knox Leads the Way

Senior guard Kenny Black-Knox delivered a team-high 18 points and 8 rebounds, setting the tone for Rangeview on both ends of the floor. His ability to score in key moments and control the glass helped settle the Raiders after their slow start.

Freshman forward Marceles Duncan stepped up in his first playoff home game, contributing 14 points and 5 rebounds, showing poise beyond his years. Sophomore Archie Weatherspoon V added 10 points, giving Rangeview a balanced attack that Cherokee Trail struggled to contain down the stretch.

Lockdown Defense Fuels Second-Half Surge

Rangeview’s defense, a hallmark of their undefeated season, tightened up after halftime. The Raiders forced turnovers and contested nearly every Cherokee Trail shot, holding the Cougars to just 8 points in the entire second half.

That defensive intensity, combined with smart shot selection and better execution on offense, allowed Rangeview to gradually extend the lead and avoid the upset scare.

Sweet 16 Showdown Set

With the win, Rangeview advances to the Sweet 16, where they’ll face a talented George Washington squad on Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. on their home floor.

The Raiders enter the matchup as the only undefeated team left in Class 6A, carrying both high expectations and a target on their back. But with experienced leaders like Black-Know and a deep, versatile supporting cast, Rangeview has every intention of keeping its perfect season alive.

Cherokee Trail’s season comes to a close after battling hard against the state’s top team, but Rangeview’s pursuit of a state title is just heating up.