Mead girls and boys basketball both played their elite eight matchups this Friday. Both games had an amazing atmosphere and really showed what both teams can do in front of a wide audience such as the Elite Eight playoffs. Mead boys basketball sadly fell to Northfield with a final score of 61-52. However, the boys played an amazing game and had the lead on the number one seed throughout three of the four quarters. It was a heartbreaking loss for the Mavericks, but it really showed what the boys basketball team can do when they put their mind to it.
Northfield was the number one seed in the division of 5A varsity basketball in Colorado, with an overall record of 24-2. Being undefeated in their league and their non-league play. Mead was the ninth seed going into the playoffs with an overall record of 19-7 and a record of 10-4 in league play. Being the underdogs, the Mavericks still lead the Northfield basketball team for most of the game. Players on the Mavericks, consisting heavily of Dominic McLawrence (‘24), Mason Willyard (‘24), and Matthew Angelo (‘25), lead the offensive charge and would help out significantly on defense as well. Despite their efforts, Northfield would still take home the win after outscoring the Mavericks in the fourth quarter. For Northfield, number 23 senior, Justus Michael (‘24) was definitely their key player. Michael (‘24) was a bigger, more physical player at 6’2″ and 185 pounds. Michael was definitely an unstoppable force towards the end of the game. His size gave him the edge and allowed him to get off layups really easily.
Although the boys suffered a heartbreaking loss in the elite eight, the girls won their game against Standley Lake and will be moving onto the final four.
The girls, who have a record of 22-4, would face off against Standley Lake, who have a record of 21-5. The girls basketball team dominated the whole game, maintaining the lead for most of it. The girl started out in the first quarter, taking the lead 28-12, and the remainder of the game seemed effortless.
The Mavericks did a really great job of scoring from range, which helped them keep the lead. The Mavericks defense was also really good and picked off a lot of passes, taking the ball the other way upon intercepting a pass or obtaining a rebound. Players such as Gianna Wurth (‘24), Caroline Kron (‘25), Emmy Tecu (‘26), Darby Haley (‘25), and Lexi Van Dyke (‘25) really led the charge for the Mavericks. Caroline Kron (‘25) and Gianna Wurth (‘24) did a really good job of draining three-pointers the whole game. Lexi Van Dyke (‘25) played a good game, getting back on defense and driving the ball back up the court whenever she got the chance. After four quarters of dominance from the Mavericks, the girls would get their elite eight trophy and punch their ticket to the final four in their 54-41 win over Standley Lake.
Throughout both games, Mead showed its Maverick pride both on the court and in the student section. Mead High students showing their support was really cool, as students could not get the day off from school but still showed up to the Denver Coliseum to support their fellow Mavericks. The girls will play their final four-matchup against Roosevelt at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, at the Denver Coliseum.
