PUEBLO — Riding high with a perfect 25-0 record entering the game, the Kim Mustangs pressured the Wiley Panthers into numerous mistakes Saturday and rolled to a 51-32 victory.
The Denver Post tournament MVP Danielle Lewis scored 10 of her game-high 18 points in the second quarter, when Kim forced Wiley into 11 turnovers.
Kim’s victory produced the first girls state basketball championship for the Mustangs, who fell short by one point last year.
The final teams are in the Southeastern League and had played each other twice, with Kim dominating both games, 61-21 and 52-24.
Kim coach Curt Lewis decided to throw a small wrinkle at Wiley. Before the game, he said the Mustangs were going to double-team Jodi States on the inbounds pass and in their full-court press.
The plan came to fruition in the second quarter. Seven of Wiley’s first eight possessions resulted in turnovers, the other an airball.
“The defense paid off,” Lewis said. “We knew we could get into some passing lanes and put some pressure on them. We thought they’d get a little rattled, and they did.”
Wiley (22-5) used the turnovers to go on an 11-0 run to open the quarter, upping the lead to 22-4. Down 30-12 at halftime, the Panthers made adjustments. They were able to break the press more easily and outscored the Mustangs 12-8 in the third quarter.
The Mustangs shot just 2-for-13 in the quarter, both baskets in the first minute of play. Wiley closed the lead to 12 to open the fourth quarter, but never got closer.
The fun the Mustangs were having was evident. When two girls were battling for a ball and it bounced off a Mustang player’s head, the player and a teammate started laughing, all while still battling for the loose ball.
“We just have fun,” Danielle Lewis said. “We’re always having fun, on and off the court. . . . It’s not a big school so we’re just constantly play basketball.”
Haley Sheldon and Bailey McFerren played well for Kim, scoring 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Sandra Morales led the way for the Panthers with 12 points, but the Mustangs limited her opportunities by getting in the passing lanes.
Wiley 4 8 12 8 — 32 Kim11 19 8 13 — 51
Wiley — Campbell 0 4-8 4, Parmely 1 2-2 4, Spitzer 3 1-1 7, Morales 4 4-6 12, Ragland 0 0-0 0, Johnson 1 0-0 2, States 0 3-6 3, States 0 0-0 0, Cruz 0 0-0 0, McDougal 0 0-0 0, Perdue 0 0-0 0, Edmond 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 14-23 32.
Kim — Feemster 1 1-2 3, Ambler 0 0-0 0, Sheldon 4 4-6 12, Lewis 8 2-2 18, Butler 0 0-1 0, Goodrich 3 0-0 7, McFerren 3 5-6 11, Nittler 0 0-0 0, Tichenor 0 0-0 0, Hollingsworth 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 13-17 51.
3-pt. goal: Goodrich.
1A girls all-tournament team
Adele Cass, Pawnee, So.
Samantha Cure, Idalia, Sr.
Danielle Lewis, Kim, Sr.
Sandra Morales, Wiley, Sr.
Haley Sheldon, Kim, Sr.
MVP: Danielle Lewis
