The following is results from Class 5A and Class 4A girls basketball Great 8 action on Friday. The Final Four for both classes is March 9 at the Denver Coliseum.
CLASS 5A
No. 12 56, No, 4 39: The third time against the Mustangs was the charm for Cherry Creek, which twice lost by double digits to Ralston Valley during the regular season. Junior captain Sydney Mech dropped a career-high 27 points for Cherry Creek, while senior Lauren McMillen dominated the glass with 15 rebounds.
No. 9 Lakewood 61, No. 1 49:In a shocking yet decisive victory, junior forward Camilla Emsbo posted a double-double (21 points, 14 rebounds) to send the top-seeded Falcons home for the winter. Lakewood used a 9-0 run to end the half with a 28-21 lead and didn’t look back en route to the program’s first Final Four berth.
No. 2 Grandview 88, No. 7 Doherty 46: Grandview used 27-2 second-quarter run—as well as foul trouble by Doherty—to take a 26-point lead into halftime. Junior guard Jaiden Galloway paced Grandview with 29 points and senior star Michaela Onyenwere also went over the 20-point mark for the Wolves, who have won every in-state game this season by double digits.
No. 11 Regis Jesuit 55, No. 3 Horizon 46: Fran Belibi soaked up much of the type for Regis Jesuit up to this point, but it was the likes of sophomore forward Sidney Weigand, junior guard Emma Wrede and senior do-everything Korynne Chaney that earned the rising Raiders the win over the potent Hawks.
CLASS 4A
No. 1 50, No. 9 Golden 47: The surging Demons came up just short against the top-ranked Colts, as Pueblo South’s balanced offense led by junior Maya Austin brought coach Shannan Lane one step closer to another state championship.
No. 5 Windsor 56, No. 13 Rifle 43: The Wizards booked their first Final Four showing since 1995 thanks to tough defense as well as the leadership and scoring of senior guard Michaela Moran, who led the Wizards with 22 points. Junior Elly Walters had 20 points for the Bears.
No. 3 Evergreen 59, No. 6 40:The Cougars emerged victorious in the third and final meeting this season between the Jeffco League rivals, as the combination of sophomore Claudia Dillon and junior Baylee Galan-Browne propelled Evergreen past the two-time defending champions.
No. 2 58, No. 7 48:The Cyclones earned their fourth trip to the Final Four in the last six seasons with big nights from junior Olivia Lough and freshman Hannah Simental, as well as intimidating post play from senior Hailey Geier.
FINAL FOUR PAIRINGS
March 9, Denver Coliseum
Class 5A
No. 9 Lakewood vs. No. 12 Cherry Creek
No. 2 Grandview vs No. 11 Regis Jesuit
Class 4A
No. 2 Pueblo West vs. No. 3 Evergreen
No. 1 Pueblo South vs. No. 5 Windsor
