HIGHLANDS RANCH — Bad news for the rest of Colorado’s Class 5A girls basketball: Highlands Ranch is getting it together.
The three-time defending state champion Falcons are noticeably improved, as evidenced by their 67-41 whipping of crosstown rival ThunderRidge on Friday night, annually one of the must-see games.
The host Falcons, ranked No. 1 in The Denver Post/9News 5A poll, moved to 19-2 overall, 9-0 in league, and left their home floor feeling good about their game.
“We’re learning how to play together, not being selfish and passing the ball,” Highlands Ranch coach Caryn Jarocki said. “We’re getting there, our break is, too.
“We’re building up towards another run, playing our best in the state tournament.”
But first things first — the Falcons lead the Continental by a game with two to play next week. One victory clinches at least a tie, two means another league crown.
Senior guard Meagan Fulps led the Falcons with 23 points and looks forward to the two games to prepare to defend another title. Highlands Ranch has six over the past nine seasons.
“Our whole key was defense and rebounding,” Fulps said. “It led to our offense. We lost a lot of talent from last year, but we’ve gained so much from our newer players.”
The Falcons weathered an early move by the No. 4 Grizzlies (18-3, 7-2), then another after halftime.
However, the pattern was the same.
Back and forth they went early, before the Falcons rolled to a 28-17 halftime lead.
And after ThunderRidge climbed within 30-24 in the third quarter, the Falcons calmly went on a 9-0 run and scored 13 of the game’s next 14 points.
As usual, Fulps had help from a sound roster. Katelyn McDaniel added 13 points and Jenessa Burke 12. More important, during Highlands Ranch’s decisive run, the Falcons limited the Grizzlies to one shot on seven consecutive possessions. Their rebounding and defense were there when needed, notably in another big game.
“I love this crowd, I love everything about this,” Fulps said.
On the other side, ThunderRidge was coming off a rough week. The Grizzlies lost to Regis on Tuesday, part of the gauntlet that is the Continental.
“It’s almost like we got a little frightened, a little bit timid,” Grizzlies coach Bill Bradley said. “A charge here, a foul there, and all of a sudden, it’s like, OK, what are we supposed to do now as opposed to continuing to play?”
Sophomore Carlie Needles led ThunderRidge with 16 points.
ThunderRidge10 7 10 14 — 41
Highlands Ranch12 16 17 22 — 67
ThunderRidge — Needles 5 5-6 18, McBain 0 0-0 0, Jelniker 3 0-0 6, Messer 4 2-2 10, Peterson 0 3-7 3, Ludwig 1 0-1 3, Langas 0 0-0 0, Chase 0 0-0 0, Koslosky 0 0-0 0, Rusk 0 0-0 0, Brady 0 1-2 1. Totals 13 11-18 41.
Highlands Ranch — Fulps 8 7-9 23, Mallon 0 0-0 0, Burke 5 1-2 12, Hawkins 3 2-2 9, Li. Heap 2 0-0 4, Baker 0 0-0 0, McDaniel 5 3-4 13, Flournoy 0 0-0 0, Shumpert 1 2-4 4, Gill 0 0-0 0, Stark 1 0-0 2, Neuhaus 0 0-0 0, La. Heap 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 15-21 67.
3-point goals — Needles 3, Ludwig; Burke, Hawkins. Total fouls — ThunderRidge 22, Highlands Ranch 13. Fouled out — Ludwig. Technicals — None.
