Chaparral Boys Basketball Eyes Class 6A State Title

Wolverines led by four impact players, including two juniors averaging nearly 20 points per game

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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The Chaparral boys basketball team is determined to win its first state title since 2012, when star Josh Adams made a legendary tip-in at the buzzer to beat Arapahoe. Led by a quartet of standout players, including junior guards Christian Williams and Luke Howery, the Wolverines are the No. 1 seed in the Class 6A tournament bracket and are primed for a deep playoff run.

Why it matters

Chaparral has been a perennial playoff contender under head coach Nate Rohnert, but the program has yet to return to the championship game since its 2012 title. This year's Wolverines team, with its array of playmakers, believes it can create its own legacy and bring home another state championship.

The details

Chaparral's one-two scoring punch of Christian Williams (19.7 ppg) and Luke Howery (19.6 ppg) are best friends who have played club basketball together since middle school. The Wolverines also feature 6-foot-10 senior center Luke Williams (10.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg) and rising sophomore guard Champ Spears (12.7 ppg, 3.3 apg). This quartet has led Chaparral to a 22-2 record and Continental League championship, despite a difficult schedule that has the team primed for a deep playoff run.

  • Chaparral won the Class 5A state title in 2012.
  • The Wolverines have made the Great 8 in five of the six seasons under head coach Nate Rohnert.
  • Chaparral beat Fairview 66-33 in their second-round playoff opener on Friday.
  • The Wolverines posted a comeback win over Mountain Vista 57-56 to close the regular season.

The players

Nate Rohnert

Head coach of the Chaparral boys basketball team and a Wolverines alumnus.

Josh Adams

Former Chaparral star who made the legendary tip-in at the buzzer to win the 2012 state title, and is now the head coach at nearby Lutheran High School.

Christian Williams

Chaparral junior guard who is one of the state's best pure scorers, averaging 19.7 points per game.

Luke Howery

Chaparral junior guard and CSU commit who is also averaging nearly 20 points per game.

Luke Williams

Chaparral senior center who is averaging a near double-double with 10.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody who has played basketball at Chaparral has seen that crazy moment (by Adams) — it's electrifying, it's inspiring. This year, we're just trying to find a new way to get the job done. Whether we win by 15, or five, or two at the buzzer — we just want to be the last team standing at the end with our own identity.”

— Christian Williams, Chaparral junior guard (Denver Post)

“We had a team meeting at the beginning of this year and committed to making some changes and playing unselfishly, with the understanding that every game is not going to be everyone's night to shine. It's a we over me mindset, and that's been on our (locker room) white board all season. Everybody is buying into that and that's what has brought us our success.”

— Luke Howery, Chaparral junior guard, CSU commit (Denver Post)

“I pray before every game, and ask him to watch over me. Every game, I think of him.”

— Luke Williams, Chaparral senior center (Denver Post)

What’s next

Chaparral takes on Brighton at home in the Sweet 16 on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This Chaparral team is determined to create its own legacy and win the school's first state title since 2012, led by a balanced attack of four standout players who have bought into an unselfish, team-first mentality. The Wolverines' strength of schedule has them primed for a deep playoff run as the No. 1 seed in Class 6A.