After cramming up to 14 games in a six-week regular season, and four rounds of playoffs into the last two weeks, the finish line is in site for all five classifications of girls basketball. All championship contests will be played over the weekend at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs.
CLASS 1A GIRLS
#4 FLATIRONS ACADEMY BISON (13-4)
Coach: Mike Durrill
5280 champions
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
First Round: Bye
Sweet 16: Beat #13 Merino 82-39
Quarterfinals: Beat #5 Kim/Branson 56-30
Semifinals: Beat #1 Briggsdale 76-56
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD (0-0)
First ever visit to the finals
#6 FLEMING WILDCATS (12-3)
Coach: Randy Kirkwood
Finished 2nd in North Central
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
First Round: Bye
Sweet 16: Beat #11 Simla 54-49
Quarterfinals: Beat #3 Sangre De Cristo 41-34
Semifinals: Beat #2 Kit Carson 55-48
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD (1-4)
2017: Lost to Kit Carson 55-35
2011: Lost to Simla 40-37
1983: Lost to Norwood 33-31
1982: Lost to Ridgway 63-44
1981: Beat Ridgway 61-59
There is no shortage of story lines in the 1A girls title game. Flatirons Academy seeks its first-ever state championship in the sport. Fleming looks to end a four-game skid in championship games and win the first title for the program in 40 years. Flatirons Academy attempts to avenge an earlier loss to the Wildcats.The Bison nearly made the state field last season, but they were upended by Shining Mountain in the regional finals. They’ve used that experience to claim another 5280 championship and make it to the state championship contest for the first time in program history. Along the way, the Bison avenged a 65-60 overtime loss to Briggsdale by knocking out the top overall seed 76-56 in the semifinals. They are looking for one more measure of revenge, as Fleming handed them a 60-53 defeat in the final week of the regular season.
Fleming used a 16-7 second quarter to grab a double-digit halftime advantage in that meeting and the Wildcats held on for the seven-point victory. Both sides hit eight three-pointers in the game, with Kenlee Durrill knocking home three for Flatirons Academy, and Whitney Chintala drilling four for Fleming. Durrill had 24 points for the Bison, a total matched by Kendyl Kirkwood for the Wildcats.
On the season, Durrill paces the Bison with 16.3 points, 5.3 steals, and 4.5 assists a night. The sophomore standout is also second on the team with right at five rebounds a game. Freshman Emma Cox scores just short of 15 points a game and grabs close to 10 rebounds. Emily DeHaan (11.3 points) and Savana Kascak (11.1 points) are the top outside shooters on the team, as they’ve combined for 46 made threes this season, 32 by Kascak.
Fleming was home for the Sweet 16 and then had to go on the road for games against the #3 and #2 seeds. The Wildcats won all three of their postseason games by single digits and they are 6-2 in games decided by fewer than 10 points. They’ve won eight straight since a five-point loss to Briggsdale.
The Wildcats are led by the dynamic duo of Kendyl Kirkwood and Chintala. Kirkwood averages a double-double of 18.5 points and 13.4 rebounds, while Chintala posts 13.9 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.5 steals. They combined for 33 points in the semifinal win over Kit Carson. Kally Kirkwood, who missed five games with a knee injury, chips in eight points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Madi Serrato adds just under seven points.
Flatirons and Fleming take the floor at 10am on Sunday.
CLASS 2A GIRLS
#8 WRAY EAGLES (13-3)
Coach: David Reed
Finished 3rd in Lower Platte
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
First Round: Bye
Sweet 16: Beat #9 Sedgwick County 74-67
Quarterfinals: Beat #1 Holyoke 65-58
Semifinals: Beat #4 Rye 76-68
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD (7-3)
2017: Lost to Paonia 59-42
2009: Beat Paonia 46-35
2008: Beat Grand Valley 48-47
2007: Lost to Limon 65-58 (2 OT)
1985: Beat Fowler 51-49
1981: Lost to Machebeuf 69-56
1979: Beat Burlington 47-40
1978: Beat Windsor 60-58
1977: Beat Weld Central 48-27
1976: Beat Palisade 47-29
#10 LIMON BADGERS (15-3)
Coach: Bart O’Dwyer
Union Pacific champions
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
First Round: Beat #23 Gilpin County 77-47
Sweet 16: Beat #7 Heritage Christian 51-46
Quarterfinals: Beat #2 Cedaredge 41-35
Semifinals: Beat #3 Sanford 47-43
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD (5-0)
2007: Beat Wray 65-58 (2 OT)
2006: Beat Holyoke 55-46
2005: Beat Las Animas 58-54 (OT)
2003: Beat North Park 46-40
2002: Beat Fowler 54-45
Just as the 1A final is a regular season rematch, so is the 2A title game. Wray went to Limon in late February and dominated the Badgers, handing them a 69-44 defeat. Wray avenged two regular season losses earlier in the postseason, knocking out Sedgwick County and top-seed Holyoke. The Eagles faced nine postseason qualifiers during the regular season, posting a 6-3 mark.
Wray jumped all over Limon in their first meeting, grabbing a 16-6 first quarter advantage that was up to 58-27 heading into the final frame. Karly Godsey was one of four Eagles in double figures, leading the team with 20 points. Taby Jones added 18. Trista Marx had a game-high 21 for the Badgers.
Godsey leads Wray with a scoring average of 15.6 points, while also grabbing close to six boards. Jones is a stat sheet stuffer, averaging 14.9 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and more than a block a game. Larissa Salmans adds nine points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Limon leans quite heavily on Marx, who posts 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, five steals, and more than a block a night. No one else scores more than six points on a regular basis. However, six players are between four and 5.6 points a game. That group includes Jaley Schubarth, Michiah Leeper, Jentri Marx, Paige Hutsell, Jordyn Tacha, and Bree Bandy.
When the two teams hit the hardwood at 10am Sunday, it will be the second time they will have clashed for the title. Limon won the previous meeting in 2007, in overtime.
CLASS 3A GIRLS
#3 PLATTE VALLEY BRONCOS (15-1)
Coach: Tonya Schissler
Patriot Champions
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
First Round: Bye
Sweet 16: Beat #19 Sterling 59-28
Quarterfinals: Beat #6 Eaton 54-32
Semifinals: Beat #7 University 60-49
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD (3-0)
2004: Beat Lamar 85-77
2001: Beat Eaton 54-44
1987: Beat Lamar 44-38
#4 LUTHERAN LIONS (15-1)
Coach: Mark Duitsman
Metro champions
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
First Round: Bye
Sweet 16: Beat #13 Resurrection Christian 69-31
Quarterfinals: Beat #5 Delta 52-36
Semifinals: Beat #1 Vanguard 48-40
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD (5-2)
2016: Beat Manitou Springs 52-44
2014: Beat Yuma 47-35
2012: Lost to Akron 57-49
1998: Beat Pagosa Springs 33-30
1996: Beat Platte Canyon 39-32
1985: Beat University 57-38
1984: Lost to Roaring Fork 34-24
Platte Valley did not have to look outside of its own game library to scout its first three postseason opponents, as the Broncos faced three rivals from the Patriot League. They ran through Sterling, Eaton, and University, beating all three by wider margins than they did during the regular season. The Broncos enter the title game on a 13-game winning streak. They nearly had a chance to avenge their lone loss (Vanguard) but Lutheran knocked out the Coursers in the semifinals.
The Broncos get great balance out of their starting five, as all average at least seven points a game. Cora Schissler leads the unit at 12.8 points, with Bree Bunting adding 11.9 points, followed by Brooke Bunting (9.8 points), Andi Schissler (9.1 points), and Cassie Ridings (7.1 points). All five are underclassmen.
Lutheran has picked up nine straight wins since suffering its only loss on Feb. 13th, when the Lions stepped up and pushed 5A Chaparral before falling 56-50. Chaparral made the Great 8. Since that loss, Lutheran has only had one game decided by fewer than 15 points, and that was their 48-40 victory over Vanguard in the semifinals.
Stephanie Schultz turns defense into off for the Lions. She leads the team with 3.4 steals, and is also the top scorer at 18.1 points a game. The senior went over the 1000 career point mark early in the season, and goes into her final game with more than 1200 points, 250+ rebounds, 200+ assists, and is just two steals away from 250 in her career. Raelyn Kelty chips in 12.3 points, and is tops on the team with 7.1 points and 4.2 assists.
Platte Valley will be looking to stay perfect in championship games, while Lutheran is gunning for its sixth title in program history. They square off at 3pm on Saturday.
CLASS 4A GIRLS
#3 WINDSOR WIZARDS (16-1)
Coach: Karin Nicholls
Finished 2nd in Northern
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
First Round: Beat #30 Pueblo County 89-22
Sweet 16: Beat #14 Northridge 75-41
Quarterfinals: Beat #6 George Washington 75-35
Semifinals: Beat #2 Green Mountain 70-44
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD (1-1)
1994: Beat Lamar 69-53
1978: Lost to Wray 60-58
#4 MULLEN MUSTANGS (16-2)
Coach: Frank Cawley
Finished 2nd in 5A Centennial
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
First Round: Beat #29 Durango 89-30
Sweet 16: Beat #13 Canon City 69-22
Quarterfinals: Beat #5 Falcon 87-53
Semifinals: Beat #1 Holy Family 75-50
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD (5-2)
2019: Beat Pueblo South 63-44
2009: Lost to Broomfield 49-47
2006: Beat Regis 37-36
2004: Lost to Skyline 45-43
2002: Beat Broomfield 53-51
2001: Beat Widefield 46-36
2000: Beat Broomfield 48-32
Also reached final in 2020 (game w/Holy Family canceled)
Last season, Windsor made it to the second round of the 5A tournament before being bounced and finishing the year 13-12. Now, in the 4A field, the Wizards matched that win total during the regular season and they find themselves in the championship game for the first time since 1994. Things worked out well that year, as the program claimed its first title.
The Wizards have won eight straight games since suffering a 65-63 OT loss to Holy Family. Coming into the finals, they have more than doubled up their opponents on the season, holding a 1330-655 advantage. The Wizards have scored 70 or more points 11 times, and scored a season-high 108 about three weeks ago.
Kylie Sanger is the leading scorer at 15.9 points per outing, and the senior has a team-leading 35 three-pointers on the season. Junior Olivia Reed averages a double-double, pumping in 14.7 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Jolie Jiricek (10.5 points), Mykaela Moore (9.6 points, 3.9 steals), and Alexis Backhaus (8.2 points) give Windsor five talented scorers.
Mullen was the last team to take home the 4A championship trophy, as the Mustangs earned the title in 2019. They had reached the championship contest last season, but the season was canceled before they had the chance to defend the crown.
They come in having won 10 straight games since dropping a 63-47 contest to Grandview. The Mustangs have shown themselves to be very adept at scoring, just like their counterparts. Mullen has outscored its opposition 1277-621 this season, and has scored at least 80 points six times.
Gracie Gallegos powers the attack with 16.4 points a game. The junior is joined in double figures by senior Megan Pohs, who adds 12.6 points a night. Alexa Dominguez chips in nine points and six boards.
The 4A title game is set for a 3pm tip on Sunday.
CLASS 5A GIRLS
#1 VALOR CHRISTIAN EAGLES
Coach: Jessika Caldwell
Finished 1st in Jeffco
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
First Round: Beat #32 Westminster 75-14
Sweet 16: Beat #17 Castle View 68-35
Quarterfinals: Beat #8 Rangeview 80-55
Semifinals: Beat #4 Highlands Ranch 65-45
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD (2-0)
2016: Beat Evergreen 55-40
2015: Beat Sand Creek 73-47
Both titles in Class 4A – first visit to 5A Final
#2 REGIS RAIDERS (15-1)
Coach: Carl Mattei
Continental champions
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
First Round: Beat #31 Eaglecrest 62-25
Sweet 16: Beat #15 Fruita Monument 74-25
Quarterfinals: Beat #10 Arapahoe 69-57
Semifinals: Beat #3 Grandview 73-69
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD (2-5)
2018: Lost to Grandview 67-61
2014: Beat Fossil Ridge 60-34
2013: Beat Highlands Ranch 53-46
2011: Lost to Highlands Ranch 67-50
2009: Lost to Horizon 63-44
2008: Lost to Highlands Ranch 59-54
2006: Lost to Mullen 37-36
Valor Christian avoided the #1 jinx, as the Eagles are the only top seed to make the finals in any bracket on the girls’ side. The Eagles have only had two games decided by fewer than 20 points, and both of those were very early in the season. Since grabbing a 65-63 win over Ralston Valley on Feb. 3rd, no one has been closer than 22 points in a game against Valor Christian, who has outscored opponents 1172-601.
This is the first appearance in the 5A finals for the Eagles, who won consecutive crowns in 4A in 2015 and 2016. Four players average double figures in points for Valor Christian this season, led by Haley Huard (12.8) and Macey Huard (11.2). They each pull down just short of five rebounds a night. Kindyll Wetta fills the stat book with 10.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 4.8 steals. Jenna Siebert rounds out the quartet at 10.1 points a game.
For Regis, the championship game will provide an opportunity to avenge a 67-45 defeat at the hands of the Eagles during the regular season. That was the only loss for the Raiders, who have strung together six consecutive victories since that contest. On the year, they have posted a 991-559 scoring advantage over their opponents.
The Raiders have two seniors leading the way on a nightly basis. Avery VanSickle (13.7 points, 2.7 assists), and Samantha Jones (12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 steals) are the lone players who average double figures in scoring, but Regis also gets good production from a trio of underclassmen. Jordan Jones (9.1 points, 5.5 rebounds), Savitri Jackson (8.1 points), and Hana Belibi (8.0 points, 5.9 rebounds) give the team good depth.
In the first meeting between the two this season, Valor held a narrow 13-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, and then continually added to the cushion the rest of the way. Haley Huard led four Eagles in double figures with 15 points, while VanSickle matched that total for Regis.
The rematch will close out the basketball season, as the teams take the court at 8pm on Sunday.
