Most figured that by Saturday night, many would be congratulating East on a season well played and showing well against Class 5A’s top seed.
The Angels were receiving congratulations, all right, but for earning their first-ever trip to the final four after a 62-51 shocker against Highlands Ranch. The Falcons (22-4) had yet to lose to an in-state team this season, and it seemed only the Angels believed they had a chance.
“I think so; well, us and our city,” East point guard Samantha Sanders said.
The Angels (21-5) took a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter, but Lindsay Mallon of Highlands Ranch tied it at 47 on a 3-pointer with 2:34 to play. East’s Shae Kelley countered with a three-point play inside to put the Angels ahead for good.
“Shae Kelley made a statement that she is the player of the year in the state,” East coach Dwight Berry said. “She at least made herself a candidate.”
Kelley scored 10 of her team-best 15 in the fourth. Teammate Chelsea Small produced 13 points and 10 rebounds. Katelyn McDaniel led Highlands Ranch with 15 points and 12 boards.
“We got outplayed and outhustled, and our shooting percentage was horrendous,” Falcons coach Caryn Jarocki said. “We can’t win shooting 20 percent.”
The Falcons actually shot 27.3 percent. They had 19 more field-goal attempts than the Angels but made three fewer.
Paul Willis, Special to The Denver Post
Heritage 58, Chaparral 48.
Trailing 8-1 was no reason to panic for the Eagles in their Continental League rematch against the Wolverines.
So Heritage used its savvy and patience acquired from the demanding league — the south-metropolitan area group has accounted for every big-school state crown in the 2000s — to run past Chaparral.
It will be the first trip to the final four (Wednesday in Boulder) for Heritage (20-5) in six seasons, an Eagles badge of honor. Ask Kim Lockridge, who had 19 points and 15 rebounds.
“We know we can do it and believe in ourselves,” she said.
The Eagles took over in the third quarter with superior inside play mixed with outside shooting by Lauren Huggins.
Heritage limited the Wolverines (19-7) to 26 percent shooting from the field.
“We couldn’t buy one,” coach Tony Speights said of his team that shot just 11 free throws.
Huggins added 15 points.
“We didn’t panic (early). The game’s 32 minutes long,” Eagles coach Ron McClurg said.
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
Legacy 69, Fountain-Fort Carson 45.
Afterward, Kailey Edwards had a tissue stuck up her left nostril and a Band-Aid across her chin. The Lightning sophomore guard had showed her finesse by making five 3-pointers on the way to a game-high 22 points, so why not show her toughness too?
“I was just happy I was making them,” she said after Legacy (25-1) ran past the Trojans for its 12th consecutive victory.
The Lightning was sharp passing and rebounding, and put forth the kind of defensive effort coach Jamie Carey requires. Legacy held Fountain-Fort Carson to two points in the third quarter. The Trojans went 0-for-14 from the field and had 14 turnovers over exactly 10 minutes after halftime as the Lightning built a 27-point margin.
“We had to put our foot down,” Carey said.
Carli Moreland was a big force inside with 18 points and 18 rebounds, and Quincey Noonan contributed 11 points.
Fountain-Fort Carson’s (21-5) first trip to 5A’s Great 8 was a thrill even if D’Shara Strange was held to 14 points.
“It was a great season, and we’ve never been this far,” coach Harry Knight said.
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
