The Coal Ridge Titans varsity boys basketball team has been steamrolling through its 2024-25 schedule, and Delta was just another obstacle in the way Friday night.

The Panthers and their cheer squad made the lengthy trip to Coal Ridge High School, but the Titans’ suffocating defense and efficient offense quickly silenced the visiting crowd as Coal Ridge rolled to a 65-25 home victory.

It marked the Titans’ eighth consecutive win, solidifying their spot at No. 2 in the 4A Western Slope League.

“I can’t begin to explain how grateful I am to see and hear the fans,” Titans senior Ben Simons said. “The team, the bench always keeps the enthusiasm flowing no matter the score, and the crowd only adds to that.”

The first four minutes didn’t foreshadow what was to come. Delta took its first timeout with three minutes left in the first quarter to regroup after a physical and gritty start.

With Coal Ridge holding a slim 10-6 lead, the Titans erupted after the inbound, closing the quarter on a 10-0 run. They didn’t allow another Panthers basket until five minutes remained in the first half.

“We knew it would be a physical game,” Titans head coach Paul Harvey said. “We have some strong kids, and I thought we stood up well. We got the loose balls and hit the timely shots. It was pretty cool to see. I knew we were due for an offensive breakout.”

By halftime, nearly everything the Titans touched turned to gold, and the scoreboard reflected it. Coal Ridge led 38-11 at the break, and the gap only widened from there. By the end of the third, the Titans nearly doubled Delta’s total, finishing the night with a 40-point margin.

“My love for my team keeps me fighting,” Simons said. “If I go down and smoke a wide-open layup, I know my teammates will be right behind me ready to back me up. We play for one another, and I try to bring my best effort forward no matter the situation.”

Friday’s win was Coal Ridge’s eighth straight and ninth since the new year. Harvey credited the streak to a recent defensive adjustment.

“It starts with the defense,” he said. “We recommitted to our press a little over a month ago, and it gets us going. When we take it off, it seems like we don’t play as hard in the half-court.”

The Titans followed up Friday’s performace with a 58-45 victory over Basalt on Saturday to improve to 14-4 on the season. The Coal Ridge boys will next host Rifle on Thursday.