Boys basketball: Trojans hammer Steamboat Springs in first state tourney contest

LONGMONT — The grim truth is there for all to see on a banner in the Longmont High School gym. The Trojans’ last state championship in boys basketball came during World War II, in 1942.

But the 2009-10 LHS team fully intends to end that 68-year title drought this season, and if Friday night is any indication, the Trojans could very well do it.

Longmont, one of the four No. 1 seeds in the Class 4A bracket, made quick work of its first state playoff opponent, routing Steamboat Springs 63-39 in the second round after earning a first-round bye. The Trojans built a 32-7 lead by the early third quarter, then substituted liberally in punching their ticket to the Sweet 16.

“It’s been a goal to win the state championship since the beginning of the season,”  said senior Syd Donaldson, who scored 15 points Friday.   “We’ll take things one game at a time, but that’s what we’re out to achieve.”

Longmont, 22-2 after its 14th consecutive victory, will have a quick turnaround as it will host Montrose (18-7) tonight at 7 in the round of 16. The Indians, seeded fifth in the Shavlik Region, defeated Prairie View 65-57 in Friday’s first game at LHS.

The Trojans also beat Steamboat in the second round of last year’s state tournament, but their run ended in the Elite Eight. They’re confident this year will be different.

“I think we really can go father than last year,”  said junior Cade Kloster, who finished with a game-high 18 points Friday.  “We have good chemistry and we’re sharing the ball. We’re really playing for each other. We’ve got it rolling right now, and it feels good.”

Indeed, Longmont’s crisp passing and overplaying defense proved far too formidable for Steamboat in round 2. The Trojans held the Sailors to six points on 1-for-12 field goal shooting in the first half.

“Our intensity on the defensive end was tremendous,”  coach Jeff Kloster said.