Burlington girls basketball’s Kiyarra Williams owns 3rd quarter in big win over Limon

COLORADO SPRINGS – Having missed the first game against rival Limon, Burlington’s Kiyarra Williams was excited to get on the court and compete.

When the excitement waned away, it was replaced by domination. The sophomore scored 15 of her game-high 27 points in the third quarter to lead the Cougars to a 58-50 win over Limon to advance to the Class 2A District 8 girls basketball championship game.

“I didn’t get the opportunity to do this the first time we played them,” she said. “I just felt like I owed it to my team and to everyone.”

The game felt clunky at times with a high foul count in the first half that forced Reagan Simpson and Trinitee Holmes to the bench with three apiece. To make matters worse, Williams looked a little out of sorts as she made just three field goals and connected on two free throw attempts.

The Badgers (15-6 overall) looked way more at ease in the second quarter. They were in the bonus early and took advantage by getting to the charity stripe nine times in the quarter. They took an eight-point lead into halftime.

Williams erased it almost instantly. She looked far more efficient in the post and got good support around her as Holmes scored nine of her 14 points in the third.

The Cougars (16-4) played at a high enough level at that point of the game that it’s not difficult to ponder the potential of what they can do over the course of the next couple of weeks.

“I think we’re capable of winning it all,” coach Keenan Williams said. “That’s been the goal since those those early morning weight room sessions. They don’t want to see Coach, they want to be focusing on other things. To be there and put in that works is a sacrifice. With sacrifice comes great reward.”

The next phase of that goal comes on Saturday when the Cougars take on Simla in the district championship game at James Irwin High School.

After that, the stakes get higher as they’ll head to regionals where it’s win or go home.

“It’s either do or don’t,” Kiyarra said. “This our chance and you don’t get a chance like this all the time.”

Burlington currently sits at No. 6 in the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index and Simla comes in one spot better at No. 5.

Simla runs away from Byers

A 27-point first quarter set the tone for the Simla girls basketball team. The Cubs used that fast start to roll to a 63-27 win over Byers in the district semifinals.

They’ll be back on the floor Saturday to take on Burlington for the district championship. Burlington won the regular season showdown 63-58.

Ryann Eurich scored a game-high 15 points while Kylie Maranville added 14 and Killian Nipple finished with 11.

The Cubs connected on five. 3-pointers in the first half which was instrumental in building that lead. Long range shooting could be a viable weapon as the Cubs look leave Colorado Springs with a district title in hand.