Undefeated Fairview wrapped up its first Front Range League basketball title Tuesday, showcasing its usual dominance in a 73-48 victory against Legacy.

The top-ranked Knights, along with Boulder, moved from the Centennial League and have beaten up all challengers. Legacy was a surprising 9-1 in the Front Range before playing Fairview but still was swamped by the Knights' now expected third-

quarter blitz.

Fairview overwhelmed the Lightning 19-3 in the quarter. That followed a pattern established earlier this season, with a 22-2 run against Rocky Mountain and 20-4 against Fort Collins.

"I think our bench was significant in what happened in the third quarter," Knights coach Frank Lee said. "We were pretty fresh coming out (in the second half)."

Lee substituted liberally throughout the first half and Legacy played even with the Knights in the second quarter. The Lightning made some sharp passes far downcourt to break the press, too quickly to be affected by the

double-teaming.

But Fairview's quick start and overall talent still gave the Knights a sizable halftime lead.

"I thought we controlled a lot of what we wanted to do, and it's still 41-29," Lightning coach Darren Clemenhagen said.

Still, Legacy's competitiveness in the second quarter made its third quarter downfall all the more dramatic.

"The third quarter just happens to be our quarter," senior center Jonathan Morse said. "We always come out with a lot of fire after halftime. It's just what we do."

The Knights also were at full strength for the first time in the past four games as point guard Beau Gamble returned from a sprained ankle.

Gamble has concentrated on being a playmaker this season, feeding Travis Shepherd and Morse, but still made two three-pointers in the third quarter.

"I was open tonight, so I let it fly," Gamble said.

Shepherd, who averages about 19 points a game, started with 11 points in the first quarter on four baskets. Morse took over in the second with six points, then it was Gamble's turn.

In the final totals, Shepherd scored 15 points, Morse 12 and Gamble nine. Fairview improved to 22-0 overall, 10-0 in league and only has Loveland left to play before the playoffs.

The Lightning's passes lacked some zip in the second half, and Fairview defenders were able to get their hands on them and deflect them. Legacy's turnovers total climbed from three in each of the first two quarters to 12 in the third quarter.

Legacy (13-6, 9-2) can lock up second place Friday in its regular- season finale against last-place Horizon.

The Lightning was led by Jade Roberts, who scored 11 points, and Walter Cooper, who had 10.

Legacy had a 12-game winning streak this season and still could get a decent seed in Sunday's state tournament bracket unveiling at the Doubletree Hotel in Aurora, a show open to the public.

Fairview23 18 19 13 - 73

Legacy11 18 3 16 - 48

F - Darragh O'Neill 2 1-4 6, Michael Grant 2 2-5 6, Steven Cartwright 3 0-0 6, Beau Gamble 3 0-0 9, Greg Schoeninger 2 2-2 7, Tyler Branham 1 1-2 3, Jon Giehl 1 0-0 2, Michael Melillo 3 0-0 7, Travis Shepherd 6 0-0 15, Jonathan Morse 5 2-4 12. Totals 28 8-17 73.

L - Bob May 0 2-2 2, Nick Noffsinger 2 0-0 5, Casey Hall 1 0-0 2, Mercudin Durmisevic 2 4-4 9, Semir Porobic 1 2-3 4, Brett Gioia 1 1-1 3, Jade Roberts 5 0-0 11, Walter Cooper 3 2-4 10, Ryan Paulson 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 11-14 48.

Three-point goals - F, O'Neill, Gamble 3, Schoeninger, Melillo, Shepherd 3; L, Noffsinger, Durmisevic, Roberts, Cooper 2.

pearcea@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5352

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