Forgive two prominent programs with new looks in the 2009-10 season for leaving the court Saturday night feeling that it didn’t have to end the way it did.
Highlands Ranch inexplicably found itself in its first in-state fight. Regis Jesuit experienced more of its current same old, same old.
Ultimately, Highlands Ranch held off the host Raiders 70-63 in a Class 5A Continental League opener in front of a full house, and it proved to be a struggle. But there was a lot that went on, such as the winner flirting with squandering an 18-point lead; defending 5A champion Regis Jesuit coming close to winning the game despite scoring just four points in the second quarter; and both teams seemingly nervous wrecks at the end after turnovers and missed free throws in the closing minutes.
“It was a struggle down the stretch,” Falcons coach Caryn Jarocki said.
Basically, Highlands Ranch, 10-3 overall and ranked No. 2 in The Denver Post/9News 5A poll, held a 21-19 lead after a quarter, moved it to 37-23 at halftime, then led 53-35 early in the fourth quarter behind Katelyn McDaniel (16 points), Sendy Valles (15) and Shanti Smith (10), who each also defended and rebounded.
However, No. 5 Regis Jesuit (7-6), still going through the growing pains of replacing every starter and most of its bench from a year ago, came alive. The Raiders’ pressure bothered the Falcons and, despite missing seven free throws in a key stretch, cut their deficit to four points with 1:05 to play.
The Falcons sealed it as Tierra Shumpert was 10-of-14 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, 11-of-16 for the game. It was enough to offset Raiders sophomore Marquelle Dent’s 15 points over the final 8 minutes, 23 for the game. She had support from Katie Heckman (17), but the Raiders’ up-and-down play is frustrating coach Carl Mattei.
“It’s youth and inexperience, we’re not valuing time and possession,” he said. “But that’s a great (Falcons) team, and you can’t bury yourself against them.”
Highlands Ranch 21 16 14 19—70
Regis Jesuit 19 4 12 28—63
Highlands Ranch — Mallon 2 0-1 5, Valles 5 4-8 15, Baker 0 0-0 0, McDaniel 6 4-7 16, Shumpert 0 11-16 11, Neuhaus 2 0-0 6, Heap 3 0-2 7, Smith 3 4-4 10, Floyd 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 23-37 70.
Regis Jesuit — O’Neil 3 2-4 8, Dent 6 11-14 23, St. John 0 0-0 0, Heckman 8 1-7 17, Ward 0 0-0 0, Hall 0 0-0 0, Montgomery 0 0-0 0, Kershisnik 0 0-0 0, Revels 3 3-5 9, Rooney 1 4-5 6. Totals 21 21-35 63.
3-point goals: Highlands Ranch — Neuhaus 2, Mallon, Valles, Heap.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
