LAKEWOOD — Green Mountain freshman Jayda Maves has officially arrived.
Maves scored a season-high 26 points, including scoring 14 straight points for the Rams in the second half down the stretch in a close game against Class 5A Broomfield.
“Her shot is beautiful and the thing I love about Jayda is she is selfless, very humble and wants to be in the right place at the right time,” Green Mountain coach Darren Pitzner said after his freshman came off the bench to make six 3-pointers. “She takes what comes to here. She doesn’t force. She has a great future.”
Green Mountain sophomore Shea Murphy, right, drives past Broomfield senior Jessica Hoffman during the non-league game Wednesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Green Mountain — No. 6 in the CHSAANow.com Class 4A girls basketball rankings this week — grabbed a 54-46 victory in a non-league game against the history rich Broomfield program led by coach Mike Croell, who guided the Eagles to six state titles during his 20-plus years at Broomfield.
The scoring barrage by Maves started with back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Rams a 40-35 lead late in the third quarter, along with a third straight field goal to close out quarter.
“I just felt really confident,” Maves said of her 14-point run in the second half. “All my teammates were really hyping me up and I just felt confident with my shot. All the practice has paid off.”
After a 7-0 run by Broomfield (5-4), Maves got hot again. She hit back-to-back 3-pointers again with under 3 minutes to play to regain the lead again for the Rams.
Free throws by Maves, junior Courtney Hank, along with seniors Kasey Klocek and Riley Shoemaker in the final minute sealed the victory.
“Definitely a signature win for the program,” Pitzner said after the Rams’ record improved to 6-1 on the season. “The girls know when you play together anyone on this team any given night anybody can step up. Tonight it was Jayda that was on fire.”
Broomfield junior Emma Rich had 10 points for the Eagles on Wednesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
The Rams came into the game with no player averaging double-digit points, but five — Maves, Hank, senior Maddie Phillips, along with sophomores Shea Murphy and Avery Oaster — all averaging between 7 and 9 points per game.
“It’s not really about that top scorer,” Pitzner said. “It’s about the energy. It’s about our Level 3 and JV cheering us on. That’s what I love to see the program moving in the right direction and kids having fun along the way.”
Pitzner is pleased with the chemistry so far this season. The mix of seniors to freshmen contributing on the court this early in the season has expectations high for Green Mountain.
“I love of our seniors. They were really steady under pressure tonight. Then to mix in our youth,” Pitzner said. “If the girls keep up this kind of energy and keep being selfless like they have been … it could be a memorable season.”
The Rams finished second in the Class 4A Jeffco League to Evergreen last season. It’s been awhile since Green Mountain has captured a conference title. The last girls basketball league title for the Rams was back in the 1993-94 season, but that could all change this year.
“I definitely think we are the team to beat,” Maves said when asked about 4A Jeffco League play that starts up after Winter Break.
Green Mountain junior Courtney Hank (33) tries to find an open teammate while being double-teamed by Broomfield junior Courtney Wristen (10) and senior Lauren Felknor (14) during the Rams’ 54-46 home victory over the Eagles on Wednesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)