GOLDEN — Evergreen’s girls basketball team scored a season-high 61 points Friday night at Golden High School.
The Cougars were locked in a defensive battle with the Demons through the first half, but Evergreen (3-1, 2-0 in Class 4A Jeffco) turned it on offensively in the second half to take an eventual 61-42 victory.
Evergreen senior Myla Stewart, left, looks for a way around Golden junior Anna Kennedy (25) on Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“I think it really was important when they went out of their zone defense. It definitely was causing us a bit of an issue,” Evergreen sophomore Jameson Mott said after the Cougars had back-to-back 19-point third and fourth quarters Friday night. “When we are driving and kicking it out we play better.”
The Demons (1-4, 1-2) were hanging midway through the third quarter, but when Golden tried to put more defensive pressure with man-on-man defense the Cougars took advantage. Evergreen went on a 15-2 run to end the third quarter to push its lead to 42-24.
Mott led all scorers with 23 points, including three 3-pointers and going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Senior Nicole Levine poured in 18 points for the Cougars. Sophomore Bella Reece came off the bench to contribute 10 points.
“We wanted them to go man (defense),” Evergreen coach Maddie Hornecker said. “It exposes so much with Nicole and Jameson. Then, Bella scored 10 points when we were able to push the ball and get layups. That was huge to that run.”
Golden did make a few pushes in an attempt to cut the lead to single-digits in the fourth quarter. Senior Erika Dowell led the Demons with 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Natalie Phillips, Mia Howe and Anna Kennedy combined for 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to pull off the win.
“We have really been focusing on teamwork,” Mott said. “Without a crowd it’s much easier to hear people talk and communicate.”
The Cougars’ lone loss so far this season was a defeat against 5A Jeffco’s Chatfield.
Evergreen sophomore Bella Reece (13) races up the floor with Golden senior Elin Phillips (15) during the Class 4A Jeffco League game Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Evergreen is back on the road at Wheat Ridge next Monday to face the Farmers. The Cougars get a shot at No. 2 ranked and the defending 4A Jeffco League champs — Green Mountain — on Wednesday, Feb. 10.
“It’s a psychological battle sometimes,” Hornecker said of facing Green Mountain. “We want to play our game. It’s still a basketball game. How can we attack? Make the most out of it and maybe come out of there with a win.”
Green Mountain (5-0, 3-0) has been on a tear so far this season with double-digit victories against every opponent, including a 95-6 victory Friday night against Alameda International.
The Rams went 12-0 in conference play last season on their way to advancing to the 4A state semifinals. Interestingly, Green Mountain last league loss came against Evergreen back on Jan. 16, 2019.
“I don’t think we should be nervous at all,” Mott said about squaring off against Green Mountain next Wednesday night in Evergreen. “I don’t think we should psych ourselves out or anything. We are ready to battle. We just have to play together, play as a team, play as a family and we’ll get it.”
Golden in back in action with a road game against Littleton on Monday night followed up by a home game against Wheat Ridge on Wednesday.
Evergreen junior Cat Beccaccio, left, and Golden sophomore Madison Bates battle for a loose ball on the baseline during the first half Friday night at Golden High School. The Cougars wrestled away with a 61-42 victory. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)