By Stephanie Zwick
Photos by Teresa O’Dwyer
https://limonsports.smugmug.com/2025-2026-Basketeball/2026-BBB-UPL-Tourn-vs-Akron
limonsports.smugmug.com/2025-2026-Basketeball/2026-UPL-Tourn-BBB-vs-Byers
https://limonsports.smugmug.com/2025-2026-Basketeball/BBB-vs-Merino
The UP/LP League Tournament is a major stepping stone for high school basketball teams in our region, serving as the final hurdle before the state playoffs. Success here means a shot at competing against the best in the state, making each game high-stakes and full of energy. For the Limon Badgers, a team that’s been on a hot winning streak since February 7th, this tournament was both a test of their progress and a chance to prove they belong among Colorado’s elite.
The Badgers kicked off their tournament on Tuesday, February 24th, facing off against the Akron Rams, a team known for their outside shooting. Limon’s roster features standout players like Drey Tacha, the team’s leading scorer and a relentless offensive threat; Aiden Kollath, a versatile guard who excels at both ends of the floor; and Jacob Jaklich, a key contributor in both scoring and defense. The Badgers came out aggressive, setting their usual fast tempo. Drey Tacha sparked the offense with a sharp three-pointer, added two free throws, and sank a basket. Kollath and Camdyn Tacha each scored, while Daniel Forristall, a reliable presence in the paint, chipped in two baskets. By the end of the first quarter, the Badgers led 15-14, but the Rams stayed close by hitting four three-pointers—a reminder of their perimeter firepower.
In the second quarter, Limon’s defense stepped up. Joe White and Keagan Mellott each scored two baskets, while Kollath was perfect from the free throw line, hitting all four of his attempts. The Badgers added 12 points in the quarter and held Akron to just five, taking a solid 27-19 lead into halftime. Their defensive adjustments were working, and the team’s energy was palpable.
Coming out of the break, the Badgers continued to share the ball and find open looks. Kollath Brooks Scherrer, Forristall, and Camdyn Tacha all contributed baskets, and Limon added eight points in the third quarter. The Rams, however, kept the pressure on, scoring nine points—including another three-pointer and some clutch free throws.
In the final period, the Badgers’ offense was relentless. Drey Tacha scored on a basket and two out of three free throws. Aiden Kollath hit four more free throws, Brody Scherrer made three out of four, and Forristall added a basket plus two free throws. Mellott also scored, helping the Badgers tally 16 points in the fourth. While the Rams managed to connect on another three-pointer and added 10 points, Limon’s balanced attack proved too much. The Badgers closed out the game with a 52-38 victory, securing their spot in the next round.
Next up were the Byers Bulldogs, a strong opponent in the league and familiar rivals for the Badgers. The two teams had faced off earlier in the month, with Limon narrowly winning 55-52. This rematch, held on Friday, February 27th, promised another intense battle.
Limon wasted no time, with Drey Tacha, Aiden Kollath, and Daniel Forristall combining for nine points in the opening quarter. The Bulldogs, however, matched their energy and kept the score tied at 9-9. The second quarter saw the Badgers turn up the heat from beyond the arc. Kollath, Brody Scherrer, and Camdyn Tacha each hit a three-pointer, and with help from Keagan Mellott, Jacob Jaklich, and Aiden Kollath at the free throw line, Limon posted 18 points in the quarter. By halftime, the Badgers held a 27-21 lead, thanks to their sharp shooting and team defense.
The Bulldogs fought back in the third, using frequent trips to the free throw line to narrow the gap. Limon stayed composed, with Kollath nailing another three-pointer, Mellott scoring five points inside, and John Bee adding two. Jacob Jaklich and Kollath also contributed with a basket each, and Tacha made one of two from the line. The Badgers scored 15 points, but Byers managed 16, shrinking Limon’s lead to 42-37.
The final quarter was tense. Kollath hit his third three-pointer of the game, while Forristall found the basket twice and Mellott scored inside. Kollath and Drey Tacha added four more free throws. The Badgers’ defense held Byers to just 10 points in the period. In the end, Limon’s quick decision-making and crisp ball movement made the difference, as they secured a hard-fought 55-47 victory and a spot in the championship game.
The final game pitted the Badgers against the Marino Rams, a team they were eager to face again after a tough 38-48 loss on January 24th. The Rams are notorious for their three-point shooting and had bested Limon from beyond the arc in their previous meeting.
This championship match started at a furious pace. Kolath, Forristall, and Mellott worked together to put up 10 points early, but Marino’s shooters responded with four three-pointers and two free throws, giving the Rams a 14-10 lead after the first quarter.
The second quarter saw the Badgers tighten their defense, but Marino still managed three more threes, two baskets, and a free throw, adding up to 14 points. Joe White, a dependable shooter, hit a three for Limon, while Forristall and Mellott contributed inside. The Badgers put up nine points, trailing 28-19 at halftime but knowing they were still in the fight.
Limon’s defense shifted to more man-to-man coverage in the third quarter, limiting Marino to just one three-pointer for their only three points scored in the whole quarter. This gave the Badgers a chance to close the gap—Forristall scored four, C.Tacha added two, and Mellott went one-for-two from the free throw line. By the end of the third, Limon was down by just four points.
The fourth quarter would decide everything. The Badgers kept attacking, but their shots just wouldn’t fall. Kollath and Forristall scored, and Kollath was sent to the free throw line three times, making four of six. Brooks Scherrer and Joe White also contributed at the line, with Scherrer hitting both and White going one-for-one. In a final burst, Scherrer hit a last-second three-pointer, bringing the Badgers to 40 points. Despite their relentless effort, Limon fell 52-40 to the Rams ending the Badgers 6 game winning streak.
With their strong performance in the UP/LP League Tournament, the Badgers have shown they’re a team on the rise. Now, they await word on whether they’ll host a regional game or hit the road for the next round of postseason play. The stakes are higher than ever, as every game from here on out determines who will represent the region at the state tournament. Win or lose, the Badgers have made their community proud—and they aren’t finished yet.