The Lady Falcons basketball team ended their 2012-13 season with a first round playoff loss at Pueblo County, 49-30, Feb. 26. The girls finished tied for fifth place, with Lewis-Palmer, in the tough eight-team Pikes Peak conference with a 5-9 league record. Overall, the Falcons were 8-16 this year.Highlights of the season included a big road win early in the season at Colorado Springs Christian, 42-39, followed by a 53-45 victory over Pine Creek. Later in the season, after losing at Lewis-Palmer in January, 45-37, the Lady Falcons decisively avenged that loss, one month later at home, by an impressive score of 57-32.Next year, the Falcon girlsí team will miss their five graduating seniors ñ Jessica Jordan, Courtney Deitrick, Nikki Oliphant, Haley Bratton and Amelia Nunn. Oliphant will be especially difficult to replace next season. She was second on the team in scoring, averaging 8 points per game, and Jordan added 6 points per game on average. Oliphant also led the team in steals and was second in rebounding.However, the future looks encouraging for Coach Rick Susakís Falcons. The team was led in scoring this year by a freshman ñ Harmony Pettis, who averaged more than 12 points per game! Pettis was also second on the team in steals. With three more years ahead of her, Pettisí career could be exciting for Falcon fans. Junior Ally Martinez, who led the team in assists and was third in steals, will be expected to provide even more leadership next season. Junior Kelsey Hale, who led the team in rebounds, with more than 100 this season, averaging more than 5 boards per game, will provide the strength and toughness again next year. Although they play in one of the toughest leagues in the state, Coach Susak has many good reasons to remain positive.Vista Ridge girls look to next seasonThe season started off pretty promising for the girlsí basketball team from Vista Ridge. The Lady Wolves opened with three wins in a row, including victories over Wasson and Woodland Park. The Wolves would win just two more games the rest of the season, however, with one over Harrison; and their only league win of the year, over Cheyenne Mountain.Despite the disappointing season, Coach Amelia Tillman is encouraged about the prospects for next season. Three freshman players ñ Alicea Guevara, Nikki Kremer and Kelsie Onexayvieng ñ got a lot of court time and varsity experience playing in one of the toughest conferences in the state. Guevara led the team in rebounds with 124.K.K. Mack, just a sophomore this season, will lead the Wolves attack again next year. Mack led the team in scoring, assists and steals and averaged 7.5 points per game.Sand Creekís great season ends in the Great EightThe Sand Creek girlsí basketball teamís super season came to an end when they met eventual state runners-up DíEvelyn in the 4A girlsí state tournamentís quarterfinal round of the ìGreat Eightî March 9. The Scorpions lost to DíEvelyn, 61-50, but reached the final eight teams by beating Erie, 65-49, and Sierra, 81-56, in the previous rounds of the tournament.In the victory over Erie, the Sand Creek girls were led by two freshmen, Oliana Squires and Liah Davis. The young pair combined for all 16 of the Scorpionsí first quarter points. Squires finished with a game-high 22 points and Davis added 12 more points and pulled down eight rebounds. Late in the first quarter, Squires hit a 3-pointer that sparked a 24-0 run. Sand Creek extended their lead to 32-9 before Erie cut the deficit to 34-20 at halftime. Erie kept rolling in the third quarter, trimming the lead to 45-38. But in the final quarter, the Scorpions turned up the offense again, scoring 20 points, led again by the ìrookies.î Davis hit a 3-pointer and a lay-up with 3:50 left in the game to seal the victory at 56-40. Squires ended the game with two lay-ups in the final minute.The following night, March 2, the Sand Creek girls beat Sierra, 81-56, fueled by their highest offensive performance of the season. The Scorpions were again led by freshman phenom Squires, who scored 23 points, draining four 3-pointers on six attempts. Junior Mikayla Reese contributed 14 points and nine assists. It was a true team victory as 11 players scored, 10 players had at least one rebound, and eight different players had at least one assist. Coach Jamie Carey credited the scoring outburst to the Scorpionsí transition game, which is ignited by their defense, which for Carey is always the key to winning.The DíEvelyn Jaguars then knocked the Scorpions out of the tournament, just as they did last year, also in the quarterfinals. The Scorpions played the Jaguars even for the first half. The game was tied 12-12 at the end of the first quarter and 21-21 at the half. But the taller, bigger Jags outscored the Scorpions by 5 in the third quarter and by 6 in the fourth, to win, 61-50. The Jaguar defense was focused on stopping Reese, but Reese still scored 13 points. Freshman Davis led the Scorpions with 15 points and 13 rebounds. DíEvelyn went on to beat Pueblo West, 61-51, in the semi-final, and then lost to Pueblo South, 66-42, in the state championship game.ìIt was certainly a special season,î said Coach Carey. ìThese girls did everything we asked them to do all year.î The Scorpions, who finished with a 21-5 overall record, will have 12 varsity players returning next year and will have to be considered the favorites for the Pikes Peak League title again. The undefeated 14-0 league champions will have their top two scorers, both freshmen, returning: Squires, who averaged more than 11 points per game, and Davis, who averaged more than 10 points per game. Squires also led the team in steals, and Davis led the team in rebounds. Junior Reese, who led the team in assists, will be back again next year to lead the way.Pikes Peak League girls basketball: final standings
