Boulder – Anna Prins seemingly stood as tall as one of the nearby Flatirons on Wednesday in Class 4A’s Final Four.
Broomfield’s sophomore, 6-feet-5, a big hitter and L-O-O-O-N-G, also cast a big shadow on Berthoud with 12 of her game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter as the Eagles handled Berthoud 56-43 at the Coors Events Center.
The Eagles (26-1), who won their 25th game in a row, next will play Harrison on Friday night in the championship game.
It was very much a struggle with the Spartans (23-4) through three quarters, with Berthoud well within range at 37-31.
However, Prins consistently established position near the basket down the stretch, Eagles teammates fed her regularly, and Broomfield won going away. Prins scored eight of her team’s first 10 points in the quarter to settle it.
“It just feels really good to play again,” said Prins, who missed the latter part of the previous season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. “And my teammates threw me some really good passes.”
Feeding her also satisfied some of Broomfield’s hunger – the Eagles shot the ball well (21-of-40, and 9-of-11 by Prins) despite turnover issues and getting into the flow.
“We weren’t setting picks, moving or passing,” Broomfield coach Mike Croell said.
Until Prins, who also grabbed 12 rebounds, got going, Chaundra Sewell (16 points) and Katie Calderwood (12) kept the Eagles ahead. They used an 11-point binge early to erase a four-point deficit and remained ahead.
Berthoud didn’t quit and had its chances, mainly behind Brittany Fiske (17 points) and Maggie Murtagh (10), but the Spartans never managed a serious run and eventually had major problems keeping Prins away from the basket.
Plus, they had 20 turnovers and shot only 17-of-51 from the floor.
“Usually, we match up well and don’t need help,” Berthoud coach Randy Earl said of his team’s defense.
The Eagles are in their third title game under Croell and seeking their first championship.
Berthoud 8 8 15 12 – 43
Broomfield 11 11 15 19 – 56
Berthoud – Heronema 1 0-0 2, Haubert 2 2-4 6, Fiske 8 0-0 17, Cervantes 2 2-4 6, Murtagh 3 2-4 10, Allen 0 0-0 0, Stoesz 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 6-12 43.
Broomfield – Calderwood 4 3-4 12, Rhodes 0 2-6 2, Stem 0 0-1 0, Sewell 7 1-4 16, Prins 9 4-4 22, Snow 0 0-0 0, Biegner 1 0-0 2, Davies 0 2-2 2. Totals 21 12-21 56.
3-pt. goals – Murtagh 2, Fiske; Calderwood, Sewell. Total fouls – Berthoud 16, Broomfield 16. Fouled out – Murtagh. Technicals – None.
