Welcome to the club, Rock Canyon.

There is a new state champion in Colorado. It’s the Jaguars, who tasted glory at the Denver Coliseum for the first time Saturday with a 68-58 win over Ralston Valley in the Class 6A state title game.

It was a win 14 years in the making for coach Kent Grams, who celebrated with countless former players who made the trip to see the program experience the breakthrough it has been searching for.

“Coaching is such a grind,” Grams said. “It’s all about the kids and the relationships that I have with them. They’re forever lasting. I’m so proud of the resilience they showed throughout the year. When we had our backs against the wall, they always found a way to withstand runs, be resilient and just continue to fight for each other and never stop believing. That’s what it’s about.”

For a moment late in the fourth quarter, it looked like Rock Canyon’s moment was slipping away. The Jaguars controlled their first appearance in a state championship game, leading for over 26 of the 32 minutes. A furious Ralston Valley rally capped off by a putback dunk by senior Zeke Andrews gave the Mustangs a 53-52 lead with under five minutes to play.

Rock Canyon never panicked. The players didn’t need much reminding, but coaches told them in the huddle the moment wasn’t too big for them.

“We prepare for this,” star junior Jacob David said. “In practice, we’re always doing situation drills where we’re down and we have to come back. We’re built for this moment.”

After a layup by Kai Valentine restored the Jags’ lead, David hit the biggest shot of the night when his 3-pointer gave his team a four-point lead and served as the catalyst for the 16-5 run the team closed the game on.

“I finally hit one,” David said with a laugh. “I was struggling a little bit in the first half to make some 3s, but I got it when it mattered and I have full confidence when the ball is in my hands.”

David finished with 16 points despite a difficult shooting night but managed to hit two of the biggest shots as he lived up to the moniker Grams has been putting on him all season.

“Be our guy,” Grams recalled telling David throughout the season. “He’s deferred way too much at times. That’s something we’ve continued to press him (on). Like, ‘You’ve gotta come get the ball.’ I trust Jacob so much with the ball.”

Grams also trusted fellow junior Cooper Ellwood — and his 5-foot-11 frame — to guard Ralston Valley star Caiden Braketa, who had wowed the Coliseum crowd Friday with his stellar performance in a win over Rangeview. But Ellwood and Avery Vasquez helped limit Braketa to 16 points on 16 shot attempts, with Ellwood also chipping in a game-high 21 points offensively.

“He’s such a good player,” David said. “He works so hard. Unseen hours in the gym. I love that dude.”

After the final whistle, the players sprinted over to the student section to celebrate while Grams hugged everyone who came up to him. It’s a day the Rock Canyon community won’t forget anytime soon.

“It’s super special,” Grams said. “I remember my first year with all of those seniors. Every year is special because of the relationships you get to build and the grind, but obviously seeing the perseverance and resilience these kids showed, it’s gotta be the best feeling for them. The relationships and brotherhood we talk about every single day will never go away for the rest of their lives.”

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Full championship results at the Denver Coliseum

4A girls

No. 4 Holy Family 52, No. 1 Kent Denver 46

4A boys

No. 1 Kent Denver 95, No. 10 University 81

6A girls

No. 7 Highlands Ranch 54, No. 5 Northfield 51

6A boys

No. 5 Rock Canyon 68, No. 2 Ralston Valley 58

5A girls

No. 1 Lutheran 33, No. 2 Green Mountain 27

5A boys

No. 10 Lutheran 64, No. 13 Silver Creek 30