Broomfield – Melissa Jones of Legacy is arguably the most skilled female prep basketball player in the state. But the Baylor-bound senior also has an eye for talent, and she likes what she sees in freshman teammate Quincey Noonan.
Jones sunk two clutch free throws at the end of regulation to force overtime, and Noonan took over in the extra period, scoring eight of her 16 points, as the Lightning dispatched of Monarch 64-54 in a Class 5A Front Range League contest Tuesday night at Legacy.
“(Noonan) is a tremendous player. She is one to look out for,” Jones said. “People usually think freshmen aren’t (that good), but she is different. She is one of those players that will step up at any given time.”
Jones, who is averaging more than 20 points this season, hit two free throws with 1.8 seconds left in the game, even shrugging off a Monarch timeout between shots.
“I don’t remember what I was thinking,” Jones said. “I just remember stepping up to the line and praying about it.”
Those free throws tied the game at 50 after the lead changed hands throughout the game. The Coyotes led 14-10 after the first quarter, but Legacy went on a 12-0 run to start the second quarter to take the lead before halftime.
Monarch seniors Sydney Grubich, who was hot shooting from the floor all night, and Stephanie Louden pushed the Coyotes back into the game, tying the game at 48 with 1:20 left to play.
Grubich delivered a beautiful dish into the paint to Louden, whose layup gave Monarch a two-point lead with 7.2 seconds left. Then Jones was fouled trying to drive to the basket.
After her free throws, all the momentum shifted to No. 9 Legacy (7-2 overall, 2-0 Front Range).
“I think we just let down,” Louden said. “Our heart was in it, but it was almost like we weren’t ready in overtime.”
In overtime, Louden and Jones combined for the initial eight points, and Legacy would go on to outscore the visitors 14-4.
Jones finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds and five steals. For Monarch (5-4, 1-2), Louden scored a team-high 18 points to go with 11 rebounds, Grubich hit two 3-pointers for 17 points and Emily McMahon ended with 10 points and six rebounds.
Monarch 14 12 9 15 4 – 54
Legacy 10 18 11 11 14 – 64
Monarch – Grubich 7 1-1 17, Nehring 1 0-0 2, Louden 7 4-6 18, Wood 1 0-0 2, McMahon 4 2-3 10, Chestnut 0 0-0 0, Lynch 1 0-0 2, Pavelich 0 0-0 0, Contro 0 1-2 1, England 0 2-2 2, VanDore 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 10-14 54.
Legacy – Jones 8 7-8 25, Noonan 6 3-4 16, Cosgrove 4 0-0 8, Mathews 2 1-5 5, Long 2 0-0 6, Babcock 1 0-0 2, Wittkop 0 2-2 2. Totals 23 13-19 64.
3-point goals – Grubich 2; Jones 2, Long 2, Noonan. Total fouls – Monarch 14, Legacy 12. Fouled out – None. Technicals – None.
