WESTMINSTER — Monarch is hoping one of its easiest wins doesn’t result in its biggest loss.
Late in the first quarter of the No. 4 Coyotes’ 57-29 victory at Mountain Range on Friday night, senior point guard Eliza Normen crumpled to the hardwood.
The talented team leader, bound for Arizona State, suffered an injury to her right knee and had to be helped off the floor. Trainers wrapped the knee immediately, and Normen watched the rest of the Class 5A Front Range League contest from the bench.
“The trainer thinks I just hyperextended it,” said Normen, doing her best to remain upbeat. “But we’ll see how it is in the morning.”
Monarch (14-3, 10-1) already was ahead 19-3 when Normen was injured with 2:11 remaining in the first quarter. The Coyotes coasted from there, but it was evident their minds were on their fallen teammate.
“We all know Eliza’s tough,” Coyotes guard Rebecca Richmond said. “I think we’re all going to try to get our rest and come back tomorrow and hope she’s good. If not, we’ll pull through and do what we have to do.”
Alexus Johnson and Katie O’Brien combined for 26 points in the post for Monarch, while Richmond seemed to inherit Normen’s leadership role en route to a game-high 15.
“I’m so happy she plays for Monarch,” Coyotes coach Gail Hook said of Richmond.
Mountain Range (8-10, 5-6) fell into an immediate 15-1 crater less than three minutes in (it ballooned to 19-1), but coach Chyrisse Domenico has the Mustangs taking steps to become competitive in the rugged league. The Mustangs are still a few players away from being a legit factor, however.
Normen’s presence has propelled Monarch into a few national polls this season. Now the Coyotes will cross their fingers that they’ll have her for the rest of it.
“First thing I thought was, ‘Oh, my gosh, get up!’ ” Richmond said. “But after awhile we were able to get in a rhythm. We were able to keep it strong.”
Monarch 21 6 17 13 — 57
Mountain Range 5 8 12 4 — 29
Monarch — Richmond 4 5-6 15, Davis 2 4-4 8, O’Brien 5 2-2 12, Normen 1 2-3 4, Johnson 6 1-1 14, Dietz 1 0-0 2, Fitzgerald 1 0-0 2, Malcolm-Peck 0 0-0 0, B. Stimac 0 0-0 0, Williams 0 0-0 0, Cendali 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 14-16 57.
Mountain Range — Ward 1 1-2 3, Schell 2 0-0 6, Rollins 2 2-2 6, Craig 1 2-2 4, Tyus 1 2-2 5, Hatfield 0 2-2 2, Dappen 0 0-2 0, Atencio 1 0-0 3, Schwien 0 0-0 0. Totals 8 9-12 29.
3-point goals — Richmond 2, Johnson. Total fouls — Monarch 13, Mountain Range 14. Fouled out — None. Technical fouls — None.
