Grandview closer to extending reign

Since last season, when Grandview ran the table to its first state championship in girls basketball, the formula for beating the Wolves has remained steadfast. It requires continuous haymakers, not occasional bursts; it takes four full quarters of physical basketball, plus a knockout blow, in order to take them down.

In the Class 5A semifinals at the Denver Coliseum on Thursday, Fossil Ridge came out with the energy and, it appeared, the will to stick to that formula in order to pull off the upset.

But Grandview leveraged its physicality, depth and transition scoring to overcome a slow start and beat the Sabercats 54-38 to advance to Saturday’s championship game.

It was the Sabercats who went up early, jumping out to a 7-2 lead amid uncharacteristic Grandview turnovers and poor shot selection. But the Wolves responded with a 10-3 run to close the first quarter with a 14-12 lead and momentum.

And when Fossil Ridge senior captain Katey Guzman had to be helped off the floor early in the second quarter with an ankle injury — she did not return to the game — Grandview leveraged the absence to cut down on Fossil Ridge’s effectiveness from long distance and take a 30-23 lead.

In the third, Grandview dominated the glass and padded its advantage as senior Leilah Vigil (16 points), junior Alisha Davis (11) and freshman Addison O’Grady (nine) capitalized on plenty of second-chance opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Sabercats couldn’t get anything going on offense, going cold from the perimeter while also having an array of inside attempts blocked by Vigil and O’Grady. Fossil Ridge was paced by 13 points from junior point guard Ashley Steffeck.

The No. 4-seeded Wolves improved to 24-3, while the No. 8 Sabercats finished 20-6. Junior forward Fran Belibi scored 14 points as the Raiders turned a tight game at halftime into a big win.

Lakewood was paced by 12 points from Jessica Woodhead.

Regis Jesuit (24-3, Continental League champion) owned the third quarter to take control of the game, while the Jeffco League champion Tigers finished 23-4.

Prep basketball Final Four

at Denver Coliseum 5A BOYS

Friday

• No. 2 ThunderRidge vs. No. 6 Grandview, 7 p.m.

• No. 1 Rock Canyon vs. No. 5 George Washington, 8:30 p.m. Saturday

• Championship, 8:30 p.m. 4A BOYS

Friday

• No. 2 Lewis-Palmer vs. No. 6 Pueblo West, 4 p.m.

• No. 1 Pueblo South vs. No. 5 Longmont, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday

• Championship, 3 p.m. 5A GIRLS

Thursday

• No. 4 Grandview 54,

vs. No. 8 Fossil Ridge 38 • No. 6 Regis Jesuit 47,

No. 2 Lakewood 34 Saturday

• Championship: Grandview vs. Regis Jesuit, 6:30 p.m. 4A GIRLS

Thursday

• No. 12 Pueblo South 74,

No. 8 Mesa Ridge 62 • No. 6 Evergreen 48,

vs. No. 15 Widefield 32 Saturday

• Championship: Pueblo South vs. Evergreen, 1 p.m.