PUEBLO – There were some tense moments for sure, but in the end Hoehne’s girls basketball team did enough to win Thursday night.
Cydney Kreutzer scored a team-best 16 points as the Farmers held on to beat Ellicott 42-34 in a Class 2A state quarterfinal game at Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Massari Arena.
“We were a little nervous when we should not have been, but a win is a win at this point in the season,” said Hoehne coach Beth Kreutzer, who also is Cydney’s mother.
With the victory, Hoehne (26-0) remained unbeaten and advances to play Akron (23-2) in the semifinals at 4 p.m. Friday. The Rams won state in 2012 and 2013.
“I watched them (Akron) play and I think they are a lot different team than we are in the sense that they are bigger, and we are more of a run and go team,” coach Kreutzer said. “We are looking forward to the challenge and we just have to play our best.”
The Farmers seemed to have a handle on the game against Ellicott, leading 33-27 heading into the fourth quarter. Ellicott, however, had other ideas.
The Thunderhawks clawed back into the game and cut the deficit to 35-34 following Dakota Dornbrack’s traditional 3-point play with 4:09 remaining.
“I wasn’t really worried,” Cydney said about her team only having a one-point lead. “I knew we could get the win, we just had to get our composure back.”
Actually neither team took control in the next couple of minutes as the score remained 35-34 until Hoehne’s Sophie Anderson hit a jumper with 1:44 on the clock to put the Farmers up 37-34.
From that point, Hoehne tightened up its defense, allowing no points, and the Farmers made just enough free throws to seal the victory. Hoehne was 11-for-21 from the line for the game, and 5-of-10 in the fourth quarter.
“I thought the whole game at times we weren’t the settled, controlled team I had seen all year,” coach Kreutzer said. “But, they are at that point when they know they have to win and I feel like we did some really good things at times and there are things we can improve on. The key for us is we play hard all the time and we’re excited for (Friday).”
Melanie D’Amour had 16 points the Thunderhawks’ loss.
(1) Peyton 53, (8) Del Norte 46
Top-seeded Peyton received balanced scoring from Sarah Lugar (17 points), Darielle Evans (14) and Emily Green (10) to edge Del Norte.
Peyton improved to 24-0 and advances to play Yuma (20-4) at 7 p.m. today in the semifinals.
Peyton held a 27-17 halftime advantage and was able to hold on for the win. Bailey Jones (15 points) and Kaitlin Martinez (13) paced Del Norte in the loss.
(4) Yuma 49, (5) Paonia 30
Peighton Roth poured in four treys and Logan Hixon added three of her own from long distance, powering the Indians.
Yuma improved to 20-4 and advanced to the semifinals. Paonia, which was making its second appearance in a row at the 2A state tourney, saw its record drop to 19-5.
Roth, who scored seven of her team’s 15 points in the quarter, including two 3-pointers. Roth finished with 12 points and Hixon (11). Katrina Terrell, who had a team-high 13 points, had the team’s other trey.
Paonia’s Morgan Hartigan was the only Eagle in double-figures, finishing with 11 points.
(3) Akron 68, (6) Cedaredge 46
Jordan Baer had a game-high 26 points propelling the Rams to a convincing win.
Akron upped its record to 23-2 and extended its winning streak to 13 games. The Rams won state in 2012 and 2013.
Baer (6 points) and Lizzie Haltorf (5 points) fueled the Rams’ second-quarter 21-10 charge that broke the game open.
Nellie Freeman was the only Bruin in double-figures with 17 points.