Golden is so intent on scoring baskets as quickly as possible that the Demons didn't even slow down with a seven-point, fourth-quarter lead against their toughest rival Friday night.

While Golden's hasty shooting helped Wheat Ridge trim all but two points off its lead, the ninth-ranked Demons had enough left to hang on for a 67-63 victory.

"We did let them back in the game," Golden coach John Anderson said. "I would have liked to take more time off the clock, but I've got kids who are going to try to score the whole game."

Anderson was willing to overlook such minor problems, as the win clinched the Class 4A Jefferson County League championship for the visiting Demons and stopped a nine-game Farmers winning streak.

Golden (17-6 overall, 13-1 league) has won five consecutive games and, with some losses to good 5A Jeffco teams, should get a high seed for the state tournament.

Demons forward Alex Miller scored the winning points on a layup after a good setup from guard Ryan Stokes. In fact, Miller scored Golden's final seven points of the game and led his team with 22.

He showed quite a bit of inside production for a player who stands only 6-foot- 1.

"I just keep working," Miller said. " 'Coach A' gets me the ball where I like it."

Wheat Ridge front-liners Charlie Land (27 points) and Eric Achatz (13) did have an impact against the Demons, but Golden's 6-4 sophomore, Trevor Evanson (12 points), and Miller were able to respond.

"We play big for how big we are," Stokes said.

Stokes did a great job of finding Miller, and he also did notable work handling Wheat Ridge's pressure when the Farmers applied their press after halftime.

"We knew they would come after us. We just had to keep calm against the press," Stokes said. "Not a team has been able to stay with us for the entire game."

Wheat Ridge (13-10, 11-3) actually had an opportunity to tie it in the last dozen seconds. Point guard Parker Orms had the ball after the Farmers rebounded Travis Fossett's missed free throw.

Orms took the ball all the way up the court and drove for a clean layup attempt but missed. The sequence was reminiscent of his incredible 56-yard touchdown run that won Wheat Ridge the 4A state football title last fall, but this time, he fell just short.

"He was bumped a bit but got a good look," Wheat Ridge coach Tom Dowd said. "He's disappointed, but I wanted the ball in Parker's hands because he's a kid who will win it for you."

Anderson said that Golden was able to overcome a 35-33 halftime deficit with a better defensive effort.

"We have only three players back from last year, and nobody thought we'd be very good," Anderson said.

Golden16 17 14 20 - 67

Wheat Ridge19 16 12 16 - 63

G - Trevor Evanson 5 2-4 12, Keaton Dille 2 0-0 5, Ryan Stokes 4 2-2 11, Alex Miller 5 11-16 22, Rhett Nebeker 3 1-2 7, Patrick Hart 1 1-2 3, Matt Bonesio 1 0-0 3, Travis Fossett 2 0-0 4. Totals 23 17-26 67.

WR - Brendan Marvel 1 3-3 6, Eric Shannon 2 0-4 4, Parker Orms 2 1-3 5, Kyle Shannon 1 0-0 2, Eric Achatz 5 3-5 13, Charlie Land 9 5-6 27, Jacob Nelson 1 3-4 6. Totals 21 15-22 63.

Three-point goals - G, Dille, Stokes, Miller, Bonesio; WR, Marvel, Land 4, Nelson. Fouled out - G, Dille, Nebeker.