On Saturday, Jenessa Burke left basketball on her own terms.
The former Highlands Ranch star, who won championships, hit big shots, attracted attention from colleges and passed on an athletic scholarship, played her last organized game at the Pepsi Center.
A senior, Burke scored a game-high 16 points as she led the White team to an 83-73 victory in a meeting of in-state schoolgirl standouts. She was named MVP.
“This is a good way to end it,” Burke said.
A member of the Highlands Ranch dynasty that has won six Class 5A championships this decade, Burke, then the Falcons’ first player off the bench, hit what amounted to the winning shot, a 3-pointer against Regis, to clinch the 2008 title.
In January, her 3-pointer in the closing moments downed the Raiders again — it sent the Falcons to another Continental League championship.
Burke, who had earlier agreed to play at the University of Denver, then passed to attend college as a student, had a bad taste left in her mouth when the Falcons unexpectedly went down two weeks ago in the semifinals.
But her three 3-pointers and spirited, loose play Saturday gave her something to remember.
“It was fun playing with all these girls,” Burke said. “It was good to redeem it. I had fun.”
A who’s who of girls players, most headed to the Division I level, enjoyed their final flings.
Broomfield’s Anna Prins (Iowa State), a 6-foot-6 center, made a 3-pointer. Meagan Fulps (Highlands Ranch) displayed her perimeter prowess. And the two juniors in the game, Amy Kame (Central G.J.) and Sam Martin (Chaparral), combined for 16 points and showed off their size and athleticism.
“The girls had a good time, and that’s what this is all about,” said Mullen coach Frank Cawley, who headed the White team. “There was no coaching involved at all, and you let them go play. And I had a great time. I had a front-row seat. First time I’ve ever had one.”
Amanda Hughes (Gateway) led the Blue with 13 points, and Burke led all in memories.
“No regrets at all,” she said.
Blue 18 23 15 17 — 73
White 23 14 22 24 — 83
Blue — Prins (Broomfield) 4 3-4 12, Jeffery (Sierra) 3 1-2 8, B. Malcom-Peck (Horizon) 1 2-2 4, Sewell (Broomfield) 4 1-2 9, Post (Wray) 1 6-6 8, Kame (Central G.J.) 2 1-4 6, Messer (ThunderRidge) 0 0-0 0, Hughes (Gateway) 4 4-4 13, Gills (Holy Family) 2 2-2 6, M. Malcolm-Peck (Horizon) 2 3-3 7. Totals 23 23-29 73.
White — Williams (Regis) 5 0-0 10, Fulps (Highlands Ranch) 4 5-6 15, Shealy (Regis) 2 1-3 5, Palmere (Mullen) 1 0-0 2, Martin (Chaparral) 5 0-0 10, Hicks (Lakewood) 2 2-3 7, Purdy (Deer Trail) 3 2-2 8, Burke (Highlands Ranch) 6 1-2 16, Hilbig (Douglas County) 4 2-2 10. Totals 32 13-18 83.
3-pt. goals — Hughes, Jeffery, Kame, Prins; Burke 3, Fulps 2, Hicks.
