When it took Highlands Ranch all of four seconds to win the opening tip, make a swift pass and an easy layup, it was evident that the Falcons wouldn’t have much trouble against Grandview in the Class 5A girls Great 8 on Saturday.
Indeed, top seed and defending champion Highlands Ranch made quick work of the No. 3 Wolves in a 70-47 win. The Falcon had five players score in double figures.
“That’s what we always want,” said Highlands Ranch coach Caryn Jarocki.
Aided by 63.6 percent shooting, Grandview hung tough in the first half. Still, Highlands Ranch — which was intent on pushing the pace — led 40-35 at the break, thanks largely to second-chance points.
In the locker room, Jarocki implored her team to contest shots and play better defense. It worked. Grandview scored just two points in the third quarter, and shot 20 percent (4-of-20) in the second half.
“In the first half, we were just really fueling their offense,” said Highlands Ranch senior Michaele Neuhaus, who had a game-high 18 points, “but the in second half, we just really buckled down and stopped whatever was working for them.”
Grandview was unable to keep pace with Highlands Ranch, and looked winded even in the second quarter. By the time the fourth quarter came around — Highlands Ranch was up 52-37 at that point — the Wolves had no gas left.
“That’s always our goal,” Jarocki said. “Sometimes we can’t do that to a team until the third quarter, sometimes fourth quarter, sometimes second, but we just keep running. And eventually they run out.”
Adaeze Obinnah, Grandview’s star of the Sweet 16, again led her team with 16 points.
Jayln Yates and Ciera Morgan each had 12 points for Highlands Ranch. Shelby Hickey added 11, and Kelsey Wainright had 10.
Highlands Ranch finished with a 40-22 edge in rebounding, a total that included 19 offensive boards.
Ryan Casey: 303-954-1983 or rcasey@denverpost.com
