By Luke Loftus The Johnstown Breeze
2026-02-05 06:00 AM
The Riders boys’ basketball team continues to make great strides during league play. They played three games in the last two weeks. January 20 at Timnath, January 23 at home against Thompson Valley and one more road game, at Wellington, on January 30. The boys went into these games with a 9-3 overall record and 6-1 in league play.
On the road at Timnath, the boys played a close game against the Cubs, who are 150 and 9-0 in league play. The Riders would unfortunately drop this game by a score of 55-58. But that’s a solid basketball team in Timnath, and the Riders kept it close and had chances to win, taking a 39-37 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but would be outscored 16-21 in the final frame. Senior big man Brody Burke had 17 points, going a perfect 8-8 from the field with nine rebounds as well.
The Riders got back on track at home against Thompson Valley, winning 76-53. Led by junior guard Noah Lucero with 17 points and second on the team with six rebounds. Once again Burke had 17 points and 11 rebounds securing another double-double on the season. The team got after it defensively, only allowing Thompson Valley to shoot 33 percent from the field, and forcing them into 18 turnovers.
They got a well-deserved rest, only playing one game last week, which was on the road against Wellington. Defensively, they didn’t take a break, only allowing Wellington to score 38 points in this one. Winning this game by a score of 64-38. Led by senior Brooks Reckard putting in a team-high 22 points. The boys moved the ball around well in this game, assisting on 17 of their 26 field goals. Improving their overall record to 11-4 and their league record to 7-2.
When boys basketball head coach Tom Ervin was asked about how he felt his team was doing to this point in the year, he said, “I feel like we have done a great job at this point in the year, and all the credit goes to how hard the kids have worked on a daily basis. As far as meeting or exceeding expectations, that is something we try not to get caught up in, instead turning that focus to what we need to do better every game and every practice in order for us to have continued success and continue to improve. However, as a whole, I can confidently say that we are not shocked with where we are at. Internally we knew we had the pieces and work ethic to be a good team this year.
“By far the thing I am most proud of is how good of teammates everyone has been,” Ervin went on to say. “There is not one selfish, not one bad attitude and not one kid on this team who is above being coached. I am a firm believer that until that kind of stuff is set in stone, it’s near impossible for a team to grow and continue to get better over the duration of a long season. I love these guys. I love this team.”
Asked if the team is on track to make a run at state this year, Ervin said, “As a program we feel like we have the tools and mentality to win in the post season. It’s important to not get ahead of ourselves though and continue to learn and grow in all areas of the game. We are all on the same page that if we don’t take advantage of this last month, if we don’t get better during this last stretch of the season, it will drastically minimize our chances of post-season success because there are teams that will do so.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Lady Riders played one more game than the boys did this week, the only added game was an out-of-league game at home against Mullen.
They continued their improvements in league play, adding another win at Timnath, 47-43. Led by senior Kyla Lin Hollier in this one, scoring 21 points and also grabbing 11 rebounds. Junior Ava Grosboll continues her good season as well, scoring 13 and grabbing 14 rebounds.
The ladies dropped a tough one at home against Thompson Valley, losing 72-73. Despite Hollier putting in 46 points.
But they quickly got back on track with a win over Wellington with a score of 59-35. Once again with double-doubles from the duo of Hollier and Grosboll. Hollier with 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Grosboll with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
On the second night of a back-to-back with non-league opponent Mullen, they would drop this game by a score of 40-38.
The girls overall record is 8-7 while being 7-2 in league play.
Both teams continue games this week, February 3 at home against Northridge, on the road at Greeley Central on February 5.
The boys have a nonleague game at home against Pueblo East on February 7.