(Kelsey Lowry/CHSAANow.com)
COLORADO SPRINGS — Chloe Welch’s start power is only rising with each playoff game.
The Mesa Ridge senior helped the No.8 Grizzlies beat No. 9 Thomas Jefferson 72-49 Tuesday night to advance in the Class 4A state tournament.
While scoring over 70 points would give the appearance that the Grizzlies were all offense, it was actually the defense that gave them the momentum to pull through.
Both teams got off to a slow start and struggled from the field. Thomas Jefferson first got on the board with two free throws from Kharial Clark. Welch got the energy started with a drive that put Mesa Ridge on the board. The first quarter finished with Mesa Ridge holding a slim 13-9 lead.
The second quarter started with a drive from Thomas Jefferson’s Sydney Thompson that put them within two points of Mesa Ridge, but that would be the closest the Spartans would get to catching the Grizzlies. With a jumper from Ashley Bowen and two free throws from Welch, the Mesa Ridge Girls headed into halftime with a 37-21 lead over the Spartans.
“With our tough game and win over Littleton last week, we knew we would have to come into this game with good defense and rebounds,” Mesa Ridge coach Jeff Beatty said. “All of our girls came out and scored and played defensively, which helped us to carry the momentum to play a great game.”
With stellar defense, Mesa Ridge limited Thomas Jefferson’s offensive output and outworked them on the glass.
Welch finished the game with 18 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds. Bowen added 15 points, going with 11 rebounds and Serin Dunne scored up 10.
“Winning this game is very exciting,” Welch said. “We really played as a team tonight and played really well.”
(Kelsey Lowry/CHSAANow.com)
Sydney Thompson had 12 points to lead Thomas Jefferson and Zaya Robbins finished with 10 points and a notable 16 rebounds. The Thomas Jefferson girls finished the season with a 22-3 overall record.
The Mesa Ridge girls will advance to the Great 8 and face No. 1 Pueblo West on Friday. The game will provide the Mesa Ridge Girls with a shot of redemption after losing to Pueblo West in last years tournament.
“It’s going to be a tough game, but our girls are familiar with them and they know what to expect,” Beatty said. “We may have to reach into our bag of tricks for the game, but our girls are ready to go out and get the win.”