Third-seeded Lewis-Palmer knocked off No. 2 seed Glenwood Springs and top seed Windsor last week to advance in the Class 4A boys’ basketball playoffs. Junior Kyle Englehardt scored 23 points in each game to lead the Rangers (19-7) back to the state semifinals for the first time since 2001. They will meet Metro League rival Sierra on Thursday. The teams split their two meetings during the season.

How big are the victories over the top two regional seeds?They are huge. Earlier on, we hoped we could make it this far and we knew we had some of the components, but nothing’s certain in the playoffs. We’re playing really well and our coach is real proud of us.

To what do you attribute this season’s playoff success?Our coaching staff … they pushed us so much this year and that combined with all the efforts the guys have put in and pushing each other. There’s a lot of desire from the coaches and that is contagious.

Next up is Metro League rival Sierra. How big is this game?We’re excited for this game. We’ve lost to them once and beat them once. Both games were really scrappy. It’s going to be tough, especially in a playoff atmosphere. It’s going to be really exciting.

How will you and your teammates prepare for the Stallions?We’re probably going to prepare the same way we did the last time we played them. We know they’re going to be physical and aggressive. We know we’re going to have to step it up on the defensive end. We’re going to have to rebound well and we’re probably going to push the ball. We can’t back down to them even though they’re big and strong athletes.

What do you think having two Metro League teams in the final four tells people about the quality of basketball in this area of the state?It’s definitely a big indicator of how competitive it is around here and having Mitchell in the elite eight and Cheyenne Mountain in the sweet 16. I think people didn’t really realize how competitive it is and that there are some tough teams down here in the CSML.

What comes to mind when you hear the name Pat Garrity (Lewis-Palmer graduate who played in the NBA)?I think of a pretty solid all-around player, a great rebounder and great all-around scorer. It brings me some pride because he went to Lewis-Palmer and I hope to represent the school the way he did.

Has he inspired you to succeed on the basketball court?My neighbors, they actually played with him. He played on the court next door and when I found that out it inspired me.

Does anyone else inspire you, drive you to be your best?

The 2000 and 2001 teams that made it to the final four. Ever since we saw them we wanted to be like them, to be competitive and have success.

You still have one more year of high school basketball to play. What, if any, goals have you set for your senior season?Always a goal is to improve and to be competitive. Seeing how successful we’ve been I’m hoping to become one of the best players in the state.

Do you play basketball year-round?I play golf in the fall and baseball in the spring. During golf, I kind of get ready for basketball. In the spring, I kind of take a break from basketball. There’s probably about two months a year I don’t play basketball.

What positions to do you play in baseball?I’ll pitch, I’ll play some shortstop and I’ll play some center field.

Lewis-Palmer has a pretty good baseball team. How do you think the team will do this season?Coach (Chuck) Milo has always got the players ready. I haven’t been around the baseball team much yet, but always coach Milo has the team ready and I think we’ll be competitive and have some success.

Do you plan on playing college basketball?That’s definitely a goal of mine, to play basketball somewhere. I’m not particular where. It’s a goal of mine to get a good education. I’m not really sure of the future yet, but I’m excited about it.

Kyle Engelhardt also plays golf and baseball Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette