Doherty boys win a wild, OT struggle over Rampart

By Justin Shaw January 17, 2017 | updated 10 years ago

Doherty's Brevin Brimble is celebrated his teammate, Joseph Golfden, after Brimble scored one of his three pointers during the second quarter of a game. Doherty defeated Rampart 89-87 in overtime at Doherty High School on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

The madness Doherty and Rampart offered up Tuesday night could not be settled in a mere 32 minutes of action.

The 5A powers took turns throwing haymakers at each other, and when overtime was finished, the host Spartans (10-3, 4-0 5A Metro) walked away with an 89-87 victory over the tenacious Rams (9-5, 2-2).

“That game was a lot of fun to play in,” Doherty senior Emmanuel Burleson said. “So many big shots from both sides.”

Burleson had plenty of reasons to be a happy man – seven of them, to be exact. In a career-best game, he hit seven 3-pointers, which was part of Doherty’s barrage of 18 makes from behind the arc.

Both teams saw their stars shine bright, and their role players step up in big moments. Doherty sharpshooter Brevin Brimble led his team with 29 points – 18 of them coming off 3-pointers. He hit a Steph Curry-range bomb with 25 seconds left in regulation, and got fouled, turning a one-point deficit into a three-point lead for Doherty.

“The last practice before this game, E and I stayed after for about an hour and worked on our shooting,” Brimble said of he and Burleson. “I knew early on that we were going to have a big night shooting the ball. The lid came off the rim for us.”

While Burleson played Klay Thompson to Brimble’s Curry, Doherty also got huge contributions from other places. Kyrele Benford finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Duke Carey hit a huge 3-pointer with 55 seconds left in overtime that would put Doherty up for good.

“We’ve had some performances this year where we’ve really struggled, and been pretty bad,” Doherty coach Jarris Krapcha said. “We knew the shots would fall eventually, and they did tonight. You’re talking about a four-year starter in Brevin, and a three-year starter in Emmanuel, and they’re used to stepping up in big games.”

While Doherty filled it up from outside, Rampart pounded the paint with its two talented big men – Jackson Ehrlin and Dawson Carper. The 6-foot-9 Ehrlin scored 29 points, while the 6-11 Carper added 21.

The Rams led 48-46 at the half, but fell behind by as many as nine in the second half, before rallying to make it a tight game.

Cal Zeb Roberson nailed a clutch 3 with just seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 79. However, Doherty’s shooting proved to be just enough to get the crucial victory.

“We need to have better perimeter defense – they made 18 3s, and that’s the most we’ve ever given up while I’ve been at Rampart,” Ehrlin said. “This was a fun game to play in, but they were on fire and played their best game, and we didn’t.”

Rampart coach J’on St. Clair has seen his share of heart-pounding battles against Doherty over the past decade.

“Our kids played hard, and it’s unfortunate that we lost,” he said. “We have to win out now until we see Doherty again – hopefully they don’t shoot that well again next time. They made some big shots, but we didn’t make them uncomfortable.”

All involved hope the sequel – which will take place Feb. 9 at Rampart – is equally electrifying.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper delivers his annual State of the State address to lawmakers and guests, inside the state legislature, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, in Denver. Hickenlooper set his priorities on roads and housing, health care and pot regulation when he addressed the just-convened 2017 Legislature. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Brennan Linsley

Doherty’s Brevin Brimble is celebrated his teammate, Joseph Golfden, after Brimble scored one of his three pointers during the second quarter of a game. Doherty defeated Rampart 89-87 in overtime at Doherty High School on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Rampart’s Dawson Carper talks to Coach J’On St. Clair during a game against Doherty on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. Doherty won the game 79-77 in overtime. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Doherty’s Brevin Brimble controls during a game against Rampart on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Doherty’s Kayden Washington comes down with the as he is defended by Rampart’s Jackson Ehrlin (left) and Isaiah Donis (right) controls during a game on at Doherty High School on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Doherty’s Joseph Golden is defended by Rampart’s Dawson Carper during a game on at Doherty High School on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Doherty’s Kyrele Benford controls during a game against Rampart on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Rampart’s Malik Salley (left) steals the ball from Doherty’s Duke Carey during a game against Rampart on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Rampart’s Malik Salley steals the ball from Doherty’s Duke Carey during a game against Rampart on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

The Rampart faithful JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Doherty’s Kyrele Benford runs into Rampart’s Jackson Ehrlin during a game against Rampart on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Rampart’s Isaiah Chavous controls during a game against Rampart on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE