Columbine girls hoops improves to 4-0 after edging defending 5A state champ

LITTLETON — The sum of Columbine’s parts were greater than Mullen junior Makenzie Jones in girls basketball action Tuesday night at Columbine High School.

Jones poured in a game-high 28 points for the Mustangs, but it wasn’t enough as Columbine had eight different players score in the Rebels’ 52-48 victory.

“The Jones girl is one heck of a player,” Columbine coach Keegan Bell said of the junior who helped lead Mullen to its eight girls basketball state title in school history a year ago. “She is an exciting player and I can’t wait to see what she does in the future.”

The future is now for Columbine. The senior-laded squad is off to a 4-0 start to the season with victories over Rocky Mountain, Fossil Ridge, Poudre and now Mullen.

“I’m really excited about this team,” said Bell of his squad that features 10 seniors. “It is still a new team so we are kind of getting those kinks together a little bit. We want to be playing our best basketball in February.”

Columbine had a 18-7 record a year ago. The Rebels finished third in the 6A Jeffco League behind powerhouse Valor Christian and Arvada West.

“We just have to want it more,” Columbine senior Kortny Brock said of the 6A Jeffco League games coming up after Winter Break. “As long as we keep working hard at practice every day and playing together we can do it.”

Brock was key in the second half to keep the Rebels a step ahead of Mullen. The senior scored 13 of her team-high 18 points after halftime. She made four 3-pointers to help Columbine stay undefeated on the season.

“I think Kortny is one heck of a player,” Bell said. “From Day 1 when I took this job and saw here in the gym I thought she was a superstar in the making. She has had a tremendous year so far.”

Senior Taylor Speir had 9 points for the Rebels. Her bucket to start the fourth quarter gave Columbine its first double-digit lead of the game at 44-33.

Mullen did go on an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter, but a 3-pointer from senior Mason Abraham ended the run with 3:30 left in the fourth quarter. Abraham came off the bench to score 9 points all on three 3-pointers.

“The funny thing is everyone gets so concerned with starting line-up and this and that. I’m also like, ‘That stuff really doesn’t matter’,” Bell said. “What a selfless player she (Abraham) has been. She has been coming off the bench for us this year and has been tremendous.”

Abraham — state softball champion for Columbine in 2022 and future softball player at the University of Northern Colorado — brings that competitive edge and veteran experience for the Rebels.

Columbine’s depth will allow Bell to play aggressive on defense. Mullen was held to just four points in the opening quarter Tuesday.

“I always say that I want to bring that ‘Alabama Heat’ being from ’Bama,” Bell said of his pressure defense. “We like to get after it and make things chaotic. When we do that I think it gives us a chance to be successful.”

Columbine is back in action on the road against Kennedy (1-0) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. Mullen will attempt to bounce back when it faces Riverdale Ridge and its University of Texas commit Brihanna Crittendon on Friday, Dec. 12.