Grandview battles back to beat Monarch and claim 6A girls basketball title

DENVER – The Grandview girls basketball team is back on top of Colorado’s largest classification.

On Saturday at the Denver Coliseum, Wolves completed their bid to go back-to-back with a 38-28 victory over Monarch in the Class 6A state championship game. Not only did the Wolves defend their long-awaited Class 5A title from 2022, they are now the first 6A state champions in Colorado since Boulder won in the classification in 1994.

“I think improbable is probably the best way to say it,” Grandview coach Josh Ulitzky said. “I can’t credit these kids enough. Just how far they’ve all come and they’ve worked so hard and they’ve given us everything they had. They’ve been a privilege to coach, they just all get along and all they want to do is be around each other.

“Last year’s group earned it and now this year’s team has earned it. That was a totally different team with a totally different dynamic, so I’m ecstatic and elated for this group that they’ve got their own experience and they’ve accomplished this amazing feat.”

No. 4 Monarch (26-2) led 16-15 at halftime, but the No. 11 Wolves (19-9) reclaimed the lead in the third quarter and were ahead 25-23 to start the fourth. Grandview led by seven points with two minutes left in the game and held the Coyotes to a lone free throw until the final buzzer. playing the title game for the sixth time in the past seven seasons, the Wolves allowed Monarch to score just five points in the quarter.

“I think it’s amazing,” Isa Dillehay said. “I work so hard for my teammates, I love every single one of them and I just give my heart and soul and I really do give all of myself into these games. I just love my teammates and this sport so much.”

Grandview’s Sienna Betts, the 2023 Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year, led the Wolves with a game-high 22 points and 20 rebounds with her older sister and former two-time Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year, Lauren Betts, watching in the front row. Dillehay had five points and Deija Roberson scored four.

Grandview won a nailbiter over Centennial League rival Cherry Creek in the Final Four to reach the championship game. Saturday’s title was the fourth for the Grandview program in its history.

Senior Natalie Guanella scored a team-high 14 points for the Coyotes, who finished 5A runners-up in 2009 and 2012 but are still chasing their first girls basketball title.

“You don’t go 26-2 by accident,” Ulitzky said. “They’re skilled and well coached, and they’re a really tough opponent. We were fortunate enough to pull it out. We showed composure and I think our tough schedule paid dividends.”