Archive for Sunday, March 9, 2008
Thomas Kimmell/special to the steamboat pilot & today
Colby Kostur, No. 20, of the Sailors gets fouled by No. 35 Chaz Vaughn of Pueblo West during action Friday in the Class 4A State Basketball Playoffs at Widefield High School in Colorado Springs. Pueblo West won, 67-61.
Brothers on and off the court
Steamboat Springs boys basketball team formed lasting chemistry
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Steamboat Springs — When Steamboat Springs High School senior basketball player Colby Kostur looks back on his four years, a lot of numbers pop up.
Kostur and his fellow seniors won more than 50 Western Slope League games in their four years - including a record 30 straight league wins. The 2007-08 seniors were part of three undefeated league teams.
But moments after falling to Pueblo West in the Class 4A playoffs Friday night, none of those things were what Kostur remembered.
"There's too many things to remember. I just love being around all the guys," Kostur said. "Our chemistry together - even off the court - all the guys I hang out with are the guys I play basketball with."
Kostur's stories and memories aren't that different from those of any of the other five seniors. Ask any of them and they'll tell you the teammates they had the past four years are going to be friends they'll have for life.
"I'll always remember how much fun we had together," said senior Michael Vandahl, who led the Sailors with 24 points Friday. "All the chemistry, just the friendships we built and all of that."
Despite playing just five good minutes of basketball Friday, Steamboat still nearly pulled out a victory. The Sailors trailed the Cyclones 53-45 entering the fourth quarter. Even with a triangle-and-two defense aimed at taking Vandahl and Aaron Calkins out of the game, Steamboat found a way to fight back.
It started with two deep 3-pointers from Vandahl and continued with a putback layup by junior Alex Wood. A free throw by Calkins tied the game at 54.
Although the Sailors couldn't finish the job, coach Kelly Meek said the comeback - especially on a night when Steamboat was playing worse than the team had all season - was a prime example of how this team and the seniors were able to interact.
"I just appreciate these kids and their parents. It's just the way they are," Meek said after Friday's game. "We had a team dinner at the Vandahl's Wednesday, and it was just a neat affair. It's just that interaction. I'll miss that tremendously."
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