CLASS 4A
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Air Academy (25-2) vs. D’Evelyn (23-3)
Tipoff: 6 p.m. today
Where: Coors Events Center, Boulder
Coaches: Bob Wingett, Air Academy; Chris Olson, D’Evelyn
Key players: Air Academy — Brittany Hernandez, Sr.; Kate Louthan, Sr.; Miranda Beal, Sr.; D’Evelyn — Madalyn Neely, Sr., G; Laura Tyree, Jr., G; Rachel Olson, So. G.
Outlook: These teams didn’t meet during the regular season. … Two No. 1 seeds. … This is the first girls basketball final for both schools. Air Academy lost in last season’s semifinals. … D’Evelyn had never been past the round of 32. … D’Evelyn has never won a team state title. … Air Academy went 14-0 en route to a Colorado Springs Metro League championship. … D’Evelyn captured the Jeffco League by going 10-0. … Brittany Hernandez asserted herself in Air Academy’s 49-36 win over Pueblo West in the semifinals with 17 points and 12 rebounds. … D’Evelyn defeated previously unbeaten Pueblo South in the semis, 57-53. Holly Reinke had 17 points in leading the comeback.
Ryan Casey, The Denver Post
CLASS 5A
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Legacy (23-4) vs. Monarch (22-5)
Tipoff: 8 p.m. tonight
Where: Coors Events Center, Boulder
Coaches: Craig Van Patten, Legacy; Gail Hook, Monarch Key players: Legacy — Kailey Edwards, Sr., G; Emily Glen, Sr., G; Caitlin Smith, Jr. F; Courtney Smith, Fr., C; Monarch — Ashton Davis, Sr., G; Alexus Johnson, Sr., F; Rebecca Richmond, Sr. G; Mae Williams, Sr., F.
Outlook: Monarch won the two regular-season meetings, 65-58 on the road on Jan. 17 and 66-54 at home on Feb. 17. … Neither team has won a state title, but each has been in the final in recent years: Legacy lost to East in 2010 and Monarch to Regis Jesuit in 2009. … Both are in the Front Range League, which was captured by Monarch. … The Front Range is assured of its first big-school champion since Horizon (in 6A), featuring Katie Cronin, won in 1993. Current member Boulder won a year later, but was in the Centennial. … Johnson, a rare Colorado signee with Grambling State, went off in the semifinals against Regis Jesuit, piling up 26 points, 14 in the fourth quarter, including three big 3-pointers during the decisive run.
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
