DENVER — Neither Highlands Ranch nor Regis Jesuit had made it past the final four last year in the girls basketball state tournament. When the brackets placed them against each other in the great eight, it was clear only one would have a chance to redeem their 2019 fates.
The six-seed Highlands Ranch Falcons took down Regis Jesuit 51-44 on Friday night, behind a powerful first quarter surge. The Falcons led 18-5 after the first frame, and needed every bit of that lead in the final three.
The Raiders out-scored the Falcons 14-8 in the second quarter, behind two 3PT field goals from Jada Moore.
Junior captain Avery Van Sickle kept her Raiders in the game with her game-high 22 points. She was 8/17 from the field, 4/6 3PT.
The star of the show, however, was Payton Muma from Highlands Ranch. She only shot 5/15 from the field, but nailed 8/10 free throws late in the game to give her Falcons the 15-9 fourth quarter advantage and put the game on ice.