BOULDER — The volume reached its season peak in the latter stages Tuesday night, and for host Fairview, that was a bad thing.
The Knights had seemingly put away Mountain Range in a Class 5A Sweet 16 contest, but as the final minute ticked off, spectators’ voices were raised to a level befitting only a tight, tense finish.
The Knights indeed held on, staving off their Front Range League rivals 49-46, but not before the Mustangs nearly erased all of an 11-point lead (which included an eight- point cushion with under three minutes to play).
“It was a little nerve-racking because they had to take some really tough shots — and they were making them,” said Fairview’s Hannah Hyde, who led all scorers with 18 points.
Mountain Range (13-13) trailed 43-35 late, but consecutive 3-pointers by Sarah Schell and Courtney Tyus trimmed the deficit to two. The Mustangs had two chances to tie, but twice missed open shots, allowing Hyde and Carlee Lough to close it out at the free-throw line.
“We played some really tough games early in the season, and I think that taught our team composure,” Lough said. “That helped us take care of the ball and not push it too much.”
While Fairview (17-8) will take on Highlands Ranch on Friday at the Denver Coliseum, emotional Mountain Range was left to reflect on its best season ever.
“It’s tough, but it was amazing to be in an atmosphere like this,” senior Kristen Ward said. “Our fans, we just recently got them to come to our games.”
Paul Willis, Special to The Post
Monarch 64, Pine Creek 50
LOUISVILLE — The Coyotes are just a win away from making their third consecutive trip to the Class 5A final four. Alexus Johnson scored 17 points to lead Monarch (22-3).
Fort Collins 68, Boulder 46
FORT COLLINS — The host Lambkins (18-7) jumped out to a 15-6 first-quarter lead and never looked back against their Front Range League rivals.
Rachael Rudel poured in a game-high 24 points. ThunderRidge 55, Chaparral 42
HIGHLANDS RANCH — Just a day after scoring 41 points against Rangeview, Carlie Needles poured in 34 against the Wolverines.
Highlands Ranch 52, Heritage 33
HIGHLANDS RANCH — Coach Caryn Jarocki’s Falcons (22-3) shook off whatever first-quarter jitters may have been hanging around and ended Heritage’s season in the Sweet 16.
Katelyn McDaniel led three Falcons in double figures with 19 points. Michaela Neuhaus had 15 and Liza Heap added 10.
Grand Junction 48, Palmer 41
COLORADO SPRINGS — The Tigers (18-7) made a 29-14 halftime lead hold up against the Colorado Springs Metro League champions to advance to the Great Eight
Legacy 50, Doherty 26
BROOMFIELD — Legacy’s defense held the Spartans to just nine second-half points en route to the 24-point rout. Kailey Edwards had 19 points and Sade Akindele chipped in 12 to do the offensive damage for the Lightning (22-3).
Compiled by Jon E. Yunt, The Post
