BROOMFIELD — The roar from the Monarch bus Friday night had the unmistakable quality of an improbable feat freshly pulled off.
Perhaps that description isn’t giving the No. 3 Coyotes’ 60-59 win against No. 2 Legacy enough credit.
In a contest that decided the Class 5A Front Range League title and likely the second overall seed for the state tournament, Monarch led for only 26 seconds — but it was the final 26 after Ashton Davis’ 3-pointer capped a big comeback.
“If there was a player who you wanted to hit the 3, it was her,” Monarch coach Gail Hook said. “She’s a kid who doesn’t always get in the headlines.”
Monarch’s headliners were all out of the game.
Standout point guard Eliza Normen (torn ACL) is out for the rest of the season; starting forward Katie O’Brien was at a volleyball tournament; and starting center Alexus John-son fouled out with 1:41 remaining after appearing to give the Coyotes a 58-57 lead but being whistled for a charge.
“I was sweating bricks. I’m not going to lie,” said Johnson, who registered 19 points and 11 rebounds.
After Davis’ 3, Legacy (20-3, 14-2) worked the ball to center Sade Akindele, whose good look in the post missed with about seven seconds to go. After an ensuing scramble, possession went to Monarch (20-3, 15-1).
The Lightning, which received 23 points from Kailey Edwards, had an eight-point advantage entering the fourth after jumping to an 11-0 lead to begin the game.
“We discussed that it’s not the end of the world,” Legacy coach Craig Van Patten said. “We have tomorrow to go out and correct our mistakes.”
Davis scored 12 of her 15 points in the second half for the Coyotes, who lost 64-53 to Legacy last month with a full squad.
“I knew we needed a shot to get ahead,” Davis said. “I got open, put it up and it just kind of happened. We wanted redemption from the final four last year.”
That redemption appeared to have little hope after Johnson fouled out.
“When I fouled out, it was heartbreaking,” Johnson said. “Then when Ashton hit that shot, it was the greatest feeling in the world.”
Monarch 12 14 15 19 — 60
Legacy 17 14 16 10 — 59
Monarch — Richmond 4 3-3 11, Stanford 1 3-4 6, Davis 5 4-5 15, Malcolm-Peck 3 0-0 8, Johnson 8 2-2 19, H. Stimac 0 1-2 1, B. Stimac 0 0-0 0, Williams 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 13-16 60.
Legacy — Glen 3 0-0 9, Archuleta 1 1-2 3, Edwards 7 7-8 23, Dunahay 3 0-1 6, Akindele 4 0-0 8, Eisler 1 0-0 2, Torrez 2 0-2 5, Salaz 1 0-0 3. Totals 22 8-12 59.
3-pt. goals — Malcolm-Peck 2, Stanford, Davis, Johnson; Glen 3, Edwards 2, Torrez, Salaz. Total fouls — Monarch 15, Legacy 14. Fouled out — Johnson. Technical fouls — Legacy bench.
