CLASS 3A
At Moby Arena, Fort Collins
C.S. Christian 46, Pagosa Springs 40
Despite foul trouble that kept Brianne Vande Griend on the bench for most of the game, the Colorado Springs Christian Lions had plenty of other weapons to overcome, notably Erika Heckman.
The 6-foot-1 senior poured in a game-high 16 points in a 46-40 victory over Pagosa Springs and has the Lions (26-0) back in the title game against either Holy Family or Olathe in search of their first title since 2002.
Top-seeded C.S. Christian never really pulled away and always seemed to have an answer for any sort of Pirates run. VandeGriend, who finished with six points, and Becca Bultje (8 points) hit big shots for the Lions in the final eight minutes.
Pagosa Springs (22-3) got 15 from Mary Brinton, 13 from Breezy Bryant and 10 from Megan Bryant.
CSC will face Holy Family in today’s championship game. Holy Family beat Olathe 68-34 in the other semifinal.
Holy Family 68, Olathe 34
The Holy Family girls are on a mission. Just read their warm-up shirts: BELI3VE.
The Tigers’ quest for a third consecutive Class 3A girls title has one last stop after Friday night’s dismantling of previously undefeated Western Slope League champion Olathe at Moby Arena.
Holy Family (25-1), whose only loss of the year was to title game foe Colorado Springs Christian in December in the Tiger Tip-Off Classic semifinals, will get another shot at the Lions tonight.
“We owe them one, they won our tournament,” Holy Family coach Ron Rossi said. “We are looking forward to another chance to play them.”
Holy Family’s press was unlike any the Pirates (25-1) had seen all season and forced turnover after turnover, and easy point for the Tigers. It was 20-2 after one quarter and 40-15 at the half.
Holy Family had 10 players score, led by Taylor Helbigs’ 14. Sarah Talamantes, who didn’t play in the first game against C.S. Christian, added 10.
Olathe junior Morgan Stansberry paced the Pirates with 14 points.
— Jon E. Yunt
CLASS 2A
At CSU-Pueblo
Paonia 36, Sange de Cristo 32
Sangre de Cristro’s Kaily Yarbrough hit a jumper in the lane with 29 seconds left to get the Thunderbirds within 35-32. Sangre then caused a turnover with 27.3 seconds left, but the Thunderbirds’ wasted the opportunity by throwing away the inbounds pass.
On the next possession, Paonia’s Johanna Reed was fouled and she made one of two free throws, putting the Eagles ahead 36-32 with 14.4 ticks remaining. Sangre’s Megan Beiriger launched to treys in the waning seconds, but both were off the mark, securing Paonia’s victory.
Akron 52, Kiowa 39
Akron had answer for everthing that Kiowa did Friday. The Rams made clutch shots and plenty of free throws to beat Kiowa 52-39 in a Class 2A semifinal game at the Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Massari Arena.
Akron (21-4) advances to play Paonia in the title game at 5:15 p.m. Saturday. Kiowa dropped to 23-3.
Taylor Castillo scored an inside bucket getting Kiowa within 43-33 with 3:16 remaining.
Akron’s Rochelle Boyce nailed a 3-pointer, putting Akron up 37-26 at 1:02 of third.
Akron’s Sydney Clark picked up her fourth foul at 3:04 of the third quarter. Kiowa’s Taylor Castillo picked up her fourth foul at 3:01 of third.
Sydney Clarkson and Katie Alonso-Holtorf added key buckets to give Akron the 25-22 halftime lead.
Taylor Castillo did have a follow shot late in the second quarter for Kiowa, but she still has three fouls.
— Tracy Renck
CLASS 1A
At Pueblo State Fair Events Center
Wiley 37, Briggsdale 34
An uneventful first half saw Briggsdale leading 13-12 at the half. They weren’t able to hold it, though, as Wiley prevailed 37-34 to advance to the girls’ 1A state championship game against top-seeded Kim at 5:15 p.m. Saturday.
Although Briggsdale never found a rhythm in the first, they led thanks to a three-point play by Katie Schaeffer and a three-point make by Kaitlyn Hill both coming late in the second quarter.
Sandra Morales got in foul trouble early and had to spend much time on the bench. The missing inside presence wasn’t taken advantage of, though, as Briggsdale settled for outside, low percentage shots. The Falcons shot just 15 percent from the field through the first three quarters. They raised that to 30 percent after a strong fourth quarter that almost led them back to a win.
Wiley didn’t light it up from the floor, but fared much better hitting 34 percent of its shots.
Kim 61, Pawnee 27
Anyone who showed up late for the semifinal game Friday night only had to glance at the scoreboard to see which team was the No. 1-seeded Kim Mustangs. The 25-0 Mustangs were on pace to touch the century mark, as they led 25-3 after the first quarter.
Kim was led in the first quarter by Danielle Lewis, who had seven points. But after the rough first quarter, Pawnee outscored Kim 13-9 in the second quarter.
The pace for 100 didn’t last long, but the lead was never in jeopardy.
— Brandon Hopper
