Littleton – There wasn’t a winning shot or game plan that decided the outcome of this one.
The cross-classification showdown between Jefferson County League teams Columbine and Golden was all about adjustments. Each team varied its tactics, over and over again, and each side came up with the clutch shots.
In the end it was fundamentals, along with some senior experience, that led to Columbine’s 79-74 overtime victory Wednesday night in a girls basketball tournament that features Jeffco and Denver Prep League teams.
The 5A Rebels (8-3) found plenty of room in the paint and 6-foot sophomore Randee Hayes took advantage.
Hayes had a number of uncontested shots down low and finished with a team-high 23 points, and teammate Breanna Williams added 21.
“We were able to find Randee inside and she just dunked them in for us,” Columbine’s Molly Ramirez said. “She was key.”
Golden, 8-3 and ranked sixth in The Denver Post/9News 4A poll, had its own offensive weapons.
Cassie Lambrecht, 4A’s leading scorer at 25.1 points a game, scored 27 points. But it was Lambrecht’s ability to find the open shooter – namely Samantha Neal (12 points) and Katja Jacobs (10) – that confounded the Rebels.
Still, Columbine did not trail until the final minute of regulation, and the Rebels took a nine-point lead shortly before halftime. Golden adjusted, however, first by isolating Hayes under the basket and putting her into foul trouble, and then by increasing the pressure on defense.
Before long the game was tied, as Neal hit a 3-pointer to tie the score at 61 with three minutes remaining. Points were traded before Emily Wareham made two free throws to give the Demons their first lead of the game, 65-63 with 32 seconds remaining.
But Columbine’s lone senior, Ashlee Williams, finished a beautiful assist from Breanna Williams with a baseline jumper to send the game into overtime.
Golden outscored Columbine 8-4 from the floor in overtime, but the Rebels made it to the free-throw line and made their shots once there, sinking 10-of-12 in the extra quarter.
Golden 15 15 13 22 9 – 74
Columbine 16 21 8 20 14 – 79
Golden – Lambrecht 12 2-2 27, Jacobs 4 1-3 10, Neal 5 0-0 12, Wareham 3 3-4 9, Drexler 3 5-8 11, Ekberg 2 0-0 5, Nelson 0 0-0 0, Otero 0 0-0 0, Hanggi 0 0-0 0. Totals 29 11-17 74.
Columbine – A. Williams 3 3-3 9, B. Williams 6 8-9 21, Maccan 1 3-4 5, Ramirez 5 0-1 10, Hayes 11 1-3 23, O’Leary 0 0-0 0, Miller 0 0-0 0, Estrada 3 5-6 11, Apergis 0 0-0 0. Totals 29 20-26 79.
3-pt. goals – Neal 2, Lambrecht, Jacobs, Ekberg; B. Williams. Total fouls – Golden 19; Columbine 12. Fouled out – None. Technicals – Golden bench.
