GOLDEN — It took four tries, but Pagosa Springs is finally bringing home a girls state basketball title.
In a game between the top two teams in Class 3A, No. 2 seed Pagosa Springs battled through to claim a narrow 39-36 win over No. 1 Sterling for the state championship Saturday at Lockridge Arena.
“I don’t know if words can describe it,” Pagosa Springs coach Wes Lewis said. “We worked so hard for this for so many years.”
Pagosa Springs junior Taylor Lee-Hammer caught fire in the final quarter, scoring 10 of her 15 points — including two 3-pointers — to lift the Pirates’ offense.
“She’s a great shooter,” Lewis said. “We freed her up a couple times, and she hit some big 3’s. Boy did we need them.”
It was a defensive battle though the first three quarters with Sterling leading 20-19 entering the fourth. Pagosa Springs entered the game allowing just 23.3 points a game, while Sterling allowed 32.
“The defense was outstanding for both teams. It came down to plays for this team or that team, and fortunately for us the ball bounced our way,” Lewis said.
Pagosa Springs finished with its first undefeated season at 26-0. Sterling ended 26-1.
CLASS 2A
Akron led by dynamic duo. AJ Miller scored 23 points and Jordan Baer scored 21 as Akron defended its state title with a 53-48 victory over Yuma at Colorado State-Pueblo in a rematch of the 2013 title game. It was Akron’s third state title in four seasons, while Yuma now has lost in the finals three consecutive years. Yuma was led by Katrina Terrell’s 15 points.
CLASS 1A
First crown for Wolves. Idalia went on an 11-2 run in the last 2:53 to defeat Sangre de Cristo 59-50 at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland and win its first state championship in girls basketball.
