Wheat Ridge Boys Basketball Wraps Up OT Win Over Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, CO – By Dennis Pleuss for CHASSNow.com/Jeffco. Wheat Ridge senior Isaiah Lucero handed out maybe his most important gift of the holiday season on the basketball court Wednesday night.

Lucero snagged a rebound under the basket, but instead of forcing up a shot with a pair of Lakewood defenders hanging on him the senior had the sense to shovel the ball to teammate Julian Claussen.
“That was an amazing pass,” said Claussen, who made the only field goal during overtime off Lucero’s assist. “I didn’t even see it coming. That was a great pass by him.”

Claussen’s bucket gave the Farmers a 70-68 lead was just more than a minute to play in the first overtime period at Lakewood High School. Wheat Ridge was able to hang for a 73-69 victory thanks to a pair of free throws by Lucero and one by sophomore Dominic Cross in the final minute.

“It was perfect timing,” Lucero said of the key offensive rebound and assist. “I looked up and saw Julian.”

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1) Wheat Ridge senior Blair McVicker (2) drives past Lakewood senior Omar Vargas (0) and sophomore Michael Bennett (3) on his way to a layup in the third quarter. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics). 2) Lakewood sophomore Michael Bennett (3) tries to get past Wheat Ridge junior Ethan Sitzman during the first half Wednesday night at Lakewood High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics). 3) Lakewood senior Pierce Holley, left, takes a jumper over Wheat Ridge senior Julian Claussen on Wednesday night at Lakewood High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics).