BROOMFIELD —Longmont’s Kaden Rose was full of histrionics at times Wednesday night. Then, complete and utter stillness.
He hollered back down the court after drilling three straight 3s in the opening quarter. Like a reveal, though, it vanished at the free throw line, where he calmly hit again and again.
The senior scored a career-high 22 points, which included going 11 for 13 from the strike, and the 5A No. 9 Trojans beat 4A No. 7 Holy Family 59-47 to sweep the season series.
“When our team is winning and I’m hitting shots I’m always excited,” Rose said. “But you always got to keep your control at the free throw line. You can’t get too excited at the line or too nervous.”
After six lead changes through the first three quarters, Longmont finally pulled away after Rocco Bridges hit a technical free throw to pull the Tigers within 43-42 with 7 minutes remaining.
Rose, leading the way, nailed six straight from the line during a 10-0 run over the next 3:56 to put the Trojans up 53-42. They went on to outscore Holy Family 16-6 in the frame, beating the Tigers for a third straight time dating back to last season.
When Rose came out in the final minute, he was greeted with a standing ovation from the bench and a big hug from assistant coach Cade Kloster. His previous career high in points was 18.
“Kaden Rose does so many little things for us,” head coach Jeff Kloster said. “He plays tremendous defense. He gets the 50-50 ball. He hit 3s tonight. Unconscious from the free throw line.”
Cole Corner added 13 points and Conner Dickey had 11 for Longmont (14-6, 8-3 6A/5A/4A NCAC), which was playing without starter Bau Brush, who was out sick.
A next-man-up mentality is nothing new for the Trojans, though.
A team who’s long been without projected starting point guard Alan Higganbotham as well as 6-foot-7 post player Noah Atherton, who are both out for the season, relied again on its depth.
It went 20 of 26 from the line in the victory.
Holy Family (11-8, 5-6), which was led by Gabe Tafoya’s 12 points, was just 5 of 9.
“We know that we’ve been tested this season,” Holy Family senior point guard Eric Quintana said. “Other teams in 4A, we’re looking at their records and they’re 12-0, 15-0, 12-1. This (kind of game) prepares us to play teams like that, where they haven’t really experienced the hardships we have.”
Holy Family girls coach Ron Rossi said his senior forward, Fiona Snashall, is the most-improved player in the state.
Hard to argue.
Snashall, who has filled the stat sheet on a nightly basis for the Tigers this season, averaging a double-double, scored 15 points in the early game as the 4A No. 2 Tigers cruised past Longmont, 62-36.
Coming into the night, Snashall had more than doubled her production from last season in points (12.6), rebounds (11.3), steals (3.1) and blocks (3.2).
“Where she was last year and where she is now, she’s leading the league in rebounds and leading in blocked shots,” Rossi said. “She’s had a triple-double and nine double-doubles. She is just playing really good.”
Essynce Contreraz led the way for Holy Family in a fourth straight win over the Trojans, scoring all 16 of her points in the opening half.
Gracie Ward added 12 for the Tigers (17-3, 10-1) 6A/5A/4A NCAC), who bounced back from a 72-71 overtime loss to 5A No. 3 Roosevelt Monday.
“I think we’re confident in each other, like we trust each other,” Snashall said. “I know when I’m passing the ball to someone, I’m almost 100% they’re going to pass to someone or they’re going to make their shot, or make a good drive or assist. But I think our confidence is going more uphill as we’ve faced harder teams like we did Monday.”
Savannah Pohl led the way for Longmont (8-12, 2-9), scoring 11. Janiah Wright added 10.
Holy Family’s boys and girls are at Mead Friday. The Trojans are both at Greeley West.
