BOULDER — File this one under: “We didn’t see it coming.”
Monarch’s stunning 78-63 victory over three-time defending Class 5A girls champion Highlands Ranch at the Coors Events Center on Wednesday will go down as one of the biggest upsets in state history.
“These are the reason why you coach,” said Monarch coach Gail Hook, who won a title with Centaurus in 1991. “No one knows anything about us. Some people think we’re pretty good. We came together and we’re playing the best basketball at the right time.”
Monarch (21-6), which beat ThunderRidge in the Great 8, will try for the Continental League triple Friday against Regis for the 5A championship.
“Hey, Highlands Ranch has done it,” Monarch senior Emily Wood said of the Falcons beating ThunderRidge and Regis this season. “We know we can do it.”
Making the Coyotes’ victory all the more remarkable: They were routed 93-66 by Highlands Ranch this season.
A quick start sparked by Wood and Alex Evans helped Monarch build a 9-3 lead. The Coyotes patiently moved the ball effectively against a Highlands Ranch defense that was content to double team the Monarch guards.
“They were hot early, and we weren’t playing very good defense. And then we couldn’t score,” said Highlands Ranch (24-3) coach Caryn Jarocki. “It’s hard to come all that way back, but we tried.”
Monarch led 59-37 after the third quarter, but Highlands Ranch trailed 63-55 midway through the fourth quarter.
Monarch 18 23 18 19 — 78
Highlands Ranch 9 14 14 26 — 63
Monarch — Cowley 3 0-0 7, Wood 6 1-2 15, Evans 8 4-4 21, Norman 3 4-4 10, Harder 4 1-2 9, Richmond 3 4-8 10, Bolyard 0 0-0 0, O’Brien 0 0-0 0, Prestesater 0 0-0 0, Houck 0 0-2 0, Johnson 3 0-2 6. Totals 30 14-24 78.
Highlands Ranch — Fulps 9 6-7 27, Hawkins 0 0-0 0, Gill 3 0-0 6, Stark 2 0-0 4, Burke 5 0-1 12, Heap 2 0-0 4, McDaniel 2 6-6 10, Flournoy 0 0-0 0, Shumpert 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 12-14 63.
3-point goals — Wood 2, Cowley, Evans; Fulps 3, Burke 2. Total fouls — Monarch 15, Highlands Ranch 19. Fouled out — Burke. Technicals — None.
