(Katie Pickrell/CHSAANow.com)
DENVER – Mark Engesser was at a loss for words Thursday afternoon.
The Colorado Springs Christian girls basketball coach had just watched his team rally from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime. From there, the Lions held Manitou Springs scoreless on their way a 38-32 victory in the Great 8 of the Class 3A state tournament at Hamilton Gymnasium on the University of Denver campus.
Engesser was already thinking about what his postgame speech might sound like after CSCS entered the fourth quarter trailing 31-23. But the Lions (23-2) outscored the Mustangs 15-1 in the fourth quarter and overtime combined to advance to Friday night’s semifinals against top-seeded Sterling.
“I didn’t see that coming at all,” said Engesser, whose team defeated Manitou Springs for a third time this season. “Maybe some of the girls just got in a better rhythm and got used to the fans. I can’t describe how that happened, I really can’t. That was amazing.”
Megan Engesser scored 13 points, pouring in six points during a fourth-quarter flurry that tied the game up. Manitou Springs (16-9) opted to hold the ball for the final three minutes to gain the final shot, but the Lions’ stifling defense didn’t allow Mustangs senior Shelby Megyeri to get off a good attempt.
“I was scared to death to go man. We switched to man, full-court, and our girls showed they could do that,” Mark Engesser said. “Katie Hildenbrand, just an amazing defensive effort on Shelby Megyeri.”
In overtime, Katie McGrath and Rachel Ingram knocked down buckets. Madison Mackie put the game away with two free throws.
“I never thought that we were going to lose,” Megan Engesser said. “I wanted to give everything I had tonight. I was praying the whole time.”
Ariana Olson scored 10 points to lead Manitou Springs.
(1) Sterling 44, (9) St. Mary’s 38
The top-seeded Tigers finally broke through with a big fourth quarter to stave off the upset bid from No. 9 St. Mary’s.
Sterling (25-0) struggled from the floor for much of the night, trailing by as many as five points in the third quarter. But the Tigers regained the lead for good early in the fourth quarter and outscored the Pirates 13-6 down the stretch.
Brooke Polenz scored a game-high 21 points for Sterling. For the Pirates (21-4), Makenna Bodette led the way with 17 points.
(3) Lamar 43, (11) Pagosa Springs 42 (OT)
3A girls: Lamar hits these two free throws with 1.9 seconds left to beat Pagosa Springs in OT. #copreps pic.twitter.com/OyiHFj4iSq
— Colo. HS Basketball (@ColoHSHoops) March 9, 2017
After 11th-seeded Pagosa Springs rallied in the fourth quarter to force overtime, No. 3 Lamar did just enough to advance to Friday’s semifinals against Centauri.
Cali Clark scored a game-high 16 points and nine rebounds before fouling out to pace the Savages (23-2). Cassie Forgue added 13 points.
Lamar led 34-25 in the third quarter, but managed only 12 points in the second half.
Morgan Lewis led Pagosa Springs (18-5) with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Megan Farrah chipped in with 10 points for the Pirates.
(2) Centauri 41, (10) Liberty Common 37
(Katie Pickrell/CHSAANow.com)
Centauri rode a strong third quarter to a four-point victory in the quarterfinals, advancing to play Lamar in Friday’s semifinals.
The No. 10 Eagles held a one-point lead at halftime, but the Falcons (23-1) outscored Liberty Common (21-4) by six points in the third quarter.
Ember Canty scored 11 points and had a game-high 16 rebounds for Centauri, and Melissa Wilson added 10 points. Caroline Van Berkum grabbed 10 rebounds.
Halley Miklos led Liberty Common with 17 points and 13 rebounds and Hannah Kohl added 10 points.