For some basketball teams, when the leading scorer and another key player are out, it's time to fold up the tent. For Devyn Harris, it was an opportunity.

Harris starts for Fountain-Fort Carson, and his season scoring average is 4.8 points per game.

But Tuesday, he led the Trojans with 16 points, including six in overtime, in a 60-56 win against Rampart.

Surrounded by a congratulatory coaching staff afterward, Harris downplayed his contributions, saying he benefited from his position in the lane.

"Whatever I got was trash," he said. "Trash and free throws."

The Trojans (12-2 overall, 7-1 Colorado Springs Metro League) were short-handed because of an injury to Martin Thomas and medical issues for Chris Davis. Still, the rest of the team came through and put the Rams one game behind in a tight three-way league race.

A 6-foot-4 junior forward, Harris was one of the early keys Tuesday, getting several baskets as the Trojans took a 14-9 first-

quarter lead.

"He's been solid for us all year," Trojans coach Anthony Ribaudo said. "He's one of those blue-

collar kids who works hard. He hasn't scored as much lately, but he's starting to board a little more."

With the score tied 53-53 and about 2:30 remaining in overtime, Harris made a layup after Herberto Horne's offensive rebound.

Rampart answered with a Jacob Kimsey three-pointer, and the Trojans appeared to be in trouble when Malcolm Thomas (Martin's twin) tried to avoid an over-and-back call at midcourt.

But Thomas got the ball to Harris, who swooped in for the go-ahead layup with less than a minute remaining. Harris then added two free throws with 19.8 seconds remaining.

Rampart (13-2, 6-2) made only 9-of-21 from the free-throw line, going 4-of-7 in overtime.

The Rams, especially 6-4 junior Lance Evans, worked the offensive boards to go ahead 44-41 after three quarters.

But the Trojans ramped up their defense and rebounding.

"It's about maintaining through the run and then responding," Ribaudo said. "Good teams are going to have those runs, and Rampart is a good team."

Evans, who scored a team-high 12 points, collected 10 rebounds (nine on the offensive end) and fouled out on the first play in overtime.

Fountain-Fort Carson's Mitchell Lewis, who is only 5-9, got an offensive rebound and putback to give the Trojans a 53-50 lead. He finished with 10 points. Malcolm Thomas had 14.

Rampart's leading scorer, Alex Koehler, finished with only eight points. He made two three-pointers in the second quarter, but his teammates really didn't look for him after halftime.

Ribaudo is hopeful Martin Thomas can get healthy in time for another big game Thursday against Doherty. Rampart's only previous loss this season was to Doherty, one of three teams sharing the league lead before Tuesday's games.

Rampart9 15 20 6 6 - 56

Fountain-Fort Carson14 16 11 9 10 - 60

R - Chase Hoing 1 2-4 4, Jarian Coleman 1 0-0 2, Devon Grant 1 0-1 2, Reuben Riggs-Russell 2 3-4 8, Devin Mohn 4 1-4 9, Alex Koehler 3 0-0 8, Jacob Kimsey 3 3-8 11, Lance Evans 6 0-0 12. Totals 21 9-21 56.

FFC - Troy Dorsey 1 1-1 3, Harrison Hunter 0 1-2 1, Quincy Davis 4 1-2 11, Malcolm Thomas 5 2-2 14, Stephon Wynn 1 0-0 2, Mitchell Lewis 4 1-2 10, Trent Gorham 1 0-0 2, Herberto Horne 0 1-2 1, Devyn Harris 7 2-2 16. Totals 23 9-13 60.

Three-point goals - R, Riggs-Russell, Koehler 2, Kimsey 2; FFC, Davis 2, Thomas 2, Lewis. Fouled out - R, Evans.

pearcea@RockyMountainNews or 303-954-5352

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