Broomfield – Before stepping on the court for the opening game of the Tiger Tip-off, the only competition the Colorado Springs Christian girls basketball team had faced so far this season was itself.
Forgoing any exhibition games or scrimmages, the Lions needed a couple of quarters to knock off the rust. But they eventually got rolling, fending off a late rally by Denver Christian for a 49-45 victory Thursday at Holy Family High School in a game that featured two of the top three-ranked Class 3A teams in the state.
“It was ugly. It was ugly for both teams, and I’m sure neither of us are going to walk away and say that’s the best we can play,” Lions coach Andy Parks said. “This was our first game and it’s early for them, too. It’s fun to get the ‘W’ when that happens.”
Steph Friesen led Colorado Springs Christian (1-0), No. 2 in The Denver Post/9News 3A poll, with 14 points. Bethany Beck put up 10 points before fouling out, and Katey Young scored all of her eight points in the pivotal fourth quarter.
For No. 3 Denver Christian (2-1), Chelsea LeFebre finished with 14 points and Caitlin Matthies had 13.
The three-day, eight-team tournament features four of the top 10 3A teams as well as contenders Holy Family and Roosevelt. The championship game will be played at 6 p.m. Saturday.
After a sloppy first quarter that saw the Lions take a 10-4 lead, Denver Christian slowly whittled the deficit, and Matthies’ 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer made it 28-28.
But Colorado Springs Christian outscored the Denver team 21-17 in the final period.
“I think one of our strongest points as a team is the ability to come back,” Friesen said. “We are a second-half team, and we really kick it into gear after halftime.”
Denver Christian followed suit, and two free throws by LeFebre gave the Crusaders a 34-33 lead. The lead changed hands until Lindsay Hestermann’s basket put the Lions ahead 42-41 with 2 minutes left.
Crusaders coach Becky Mudd said free throws hurt her team.
“In my book, it comes down to shooting 9-for-21 from the line,” Mudd said.
Colorado Springs Christian 10 8 10 21 – 49
Denver Christian 4 9 15 17 – 45
Colorado Springs Christian – Routt 2 2-2 7, Friesen 6 0-0 14, Young 1 5-6 8, Beck 5 0-1 10, Broekhuis 1 2-2 4, Hestermann 2 0-2 4, Kenney 0 0-0 0, Vandegriend 0 0-0 0, Beach 0 2-2 2. Totals 17 11-15 49.
Denver Christian – C. LeFebre 5 4-12 14, Baity 4 1-1 9, VanDenend 0 0-0 0, Bell 0 1-2 1, Matthies 5 1-2 13, Landhuis 0 1-2 1, Rosendale 0 0-0 0, Singleton 1 0-0 2, K. LeFebre 0 0-0 0, Draayer 2 1-2 5, Humbargar 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 9-21 45.
3-pt. goals – Friesen 2, Routt, Young; Matthies 2. Fouls – CSCS 6-12 – 18; Denver Christian 8-10 – 18. Fouled out – Beck. Technicals – None.
