BOULDER — Why should it have been easy? “I know,” a thrilled Mike Croell said. “And it wasn’t.” Broomfield’s Eagles sent out their coach a winner. After 20 seasons, Croell is retiring, and his final game won’t be one he soon forgets.
The Eagles knocked off ThunderRidge, which had given Broomfield its only two losses of the season back in December, 47-42 on Saturday for the Class 5A championship at the University of Colorado’s Coors Events Center.
Broomfield finished 26-2 in its first season in 5A and won its final 22 games. The Eagles gave Croell a wildly impressive 457-69 mark, with six titles (five in 4A from 2008-12), and every one of his teams made at least the state quarterfinals. Croell’s career total is one of the best on state record.
“It’s just great,” Croell said while standing among a thrilled group of Broomfield players and followers.
The Eagles’ had to rally behind their front-liners, no one more important than senior Callie Kaiser, who’s headed to Colorado State and said she couldn’t have ended her prep career any better.
PHOTOS:
“I don’t think so,” she said.
Quiet early, she scored nine points in the second quarter, including three in style when she suckered the Grizzlies’ defense into fouling her a few steps inside half court with just 0.2 of a second remaining. She made all three free throws to tie it at 21.
And in the closing minutes, she made four free throws, caused a steal and led by example to seal it.
“I don’t even know,” she replied when asked how she turned it on. “My teammates picked me up.”
True. Junior guard Brenna Chase overcame free-throw problems (just 3-of-8) to score eight points, run the offense and turn in another top defensive effort. Junior center Brenna Fankell had foul trouble but produced nine points, seven rebounds and made two key free throws late. And freshman Delaynie Byrne scored 10 points, made two big 3-pointers and contributed a vital steal.
Plus, Kaiser ended with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
For ThunderRidge (25-3), which led 19-9 in the first half, its 17-game winning streak ended, as did its aspirations to have boys-girls champions as in its 2003 groups. However, the Grizzlies didn’t protect, turned cold from the floor in the final possessions and experienced turnover issues. They shot 13-of-44, 29.5 percent.
Taylor Rusk led the Grizzlies with 15 points. Alyssa Martinez and Jaz’Myne Snipes each scored 10.
But Broomfield and Kaiser couldn’t have had a better ending.
“I would say so,” Kaiser said.
Said Croell, “It’s really special to go out with this group of girls.
Broomfield 7 14 13 13 — 47
ThunderRidge 9 12 11 10 — 42
Broomfield — Kaiser 4-10 9-11 17, Reed 0-1 0-0 0, Kern 0-4 0-0 0, Lehrer 1-4 1-2 3, Chase 2-9 3-8 8, Fankell 3-5 3-3 9, Byrne 4-4 0-0 10. Totals 14-37 16-24 47.
ThunderRidge — Ward 0-3 3-4 3, Rusk 6-17 1-2 15, Birdsey 0-0 0-0 0, Snipes 3-8 4-5 10, Lohrenz 0-0 0-0 0, Martinez 3-8 2-2 10, Petties 0-1 0-0 0, Zweifel 1-7 2-2 4. Totals 13-44 12-15 42.
3-pt. goals — Byrne 2, Chase; Martinez 2, Rusk 2. Fouled out — Snipes, Rusk. Technicals — None.
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or
All-tournament team
Brenna Chase, Broomfield, Jr.
Brenna Fankell, Broomfield Jr.
Callie Kaiser, Broomfield, Sr.
Taylor Rusk, ThunderRidge, Jr.
Jaz’Myne Snipes, ThunderRidge, Jr.
MVP: Callie Kaiser
