PARKER — Life in the Continental League, primarily based in south metropolitan Denver, is tough for girls basketballers, even for Highlands Ranch. The league has produced the past nine big school champions, six by the Falcons, including the past three, but they were taxed again Tuesday before handling host Chaparral 53-46.
Top-ranked in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, Highlands Ranch improved to 14-2 overall, 4-0 in league, and was grateful to escape with another Continental victory.
“They always play us tough,” Falcons coach Caryn Jarocki said of the No. 5 Wolverines (12-4, 2-2).
Chaparral led for most of the first half before the Falcons grabbed the lead. Highlands Ranch had to rally again in the third quarter, mostly through backcourt pressure from their trapping zone that bothered the Wolverines. The Falcons, who shot poorly early and had to overcome turnover problems, finally got it going and were able to answer all of Chaparral’s moves.
Meagan Fulps (16 points), Melissa Stark (nine), and Jenessa Burke and Caitlin Hawkins (eight each) gave the Falcons just enough.
“We came in here and got what we wanted, a W,” Fulps said.
As for junior-dominated Chaparral, Sam Martin scored a game-high 19, rebounded and defended well, and will need to continue — the Wolverines, who fell to ThunderRidge the past Friday, next get Regis, then Heritage and Ponderosa, the state’s toughest stretch against ranked teams.
“That’s what this league is,” coach Tony Speights said.
Highlands Ranch 13 13 15 12 — 53
Chaparral 13 12 9 12 — 46
Highlands Ranch — Fulps 6 3-4 16, Burke 4 0-2 8, Hawkins 4 0-0 8, Heap 0 1-1 1, McDaniel 3 1-2 7, Shumpert 2 0-1 4, Gill 0 0-0 0, Stark 3 2-2 9. Totals 22 7-12 53.
Chaparral — Martin 8 2-2 19, Shepherd 2 0-0 5, Pavlich 1 0-0 3, Laboda 3 3-4 10, Baker 0 3-4 3, Gallo 2 0-0 6, Ray 0 0-0 0, Paul 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 8-10 46.
3-point goals — Fulps, Stark; Gallo 2, Laboda, Martin, Shepherd, Parlich. Total fouls — Highlands Ranch 12, Chaparral 15. Fouled out — McDaniel. Technicals — None.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
