(Brie Thomas/CHSAANow.com)
BROOMFIELD — It took a whole team effort for Broomfield girls basketball to put up 34 first-half points over Ralston Valley. That effort continued throughout the whole game.
For fifth-ranked Broomfield it was something of a Brenna show, with both Brenna Chase and Brenna Fankell combining to score 22 of Broomfield’s first half points, and 31 points by the game’s end.
Ultimately, it led to a 62-55 Broomfield win in the Class 5A top-10 matchup.
No. 6 Ralston Valley found itself shooting 3-pointers almost every possession as Broomfield had a hard time with their weak side defensive. The Mustangs attempted 11 threes in the first half converting on five.
“When a shooter is feeling it, she starts getting in that zone you’ve gotta close the gap on her, and get high hands and we did that at times, and understanding and trusting your teammates,” Broomfield coach Derek Seifried said.
Unable to keep the ball under control, Ralston Valley was plagued with turnovers. The Mustangs’ nine turnovers in the first half gave Broomfield the momentum throughout the whole game as they led almost the entire night.
Going into halftime, Ralston Valley knew it had to make some changes, not only on offense but defense as well after Broomfield’s impressive first half.
But the third quarter didn’t start off as the Mustangs were anticipating. The Eagles went on a 6-0 run giving them a 40-28 lead, their biggest lead of the game.
After Fankell picked up her fourth foul during the third quarter the Mustangs found their opportunity to strike, as Sarah Bevington was sent to the free-throw line. She hit one to cut the lead to 40-31.
Soon after, Ralston Valley found itself headed to the line on almost every offense possession. As the free throws were falling, Ralston Valley went on an 8-0 run, narrowing the margin to three at 42-39.
Broomfield realized that something needed to be done in order to regain control of the game. A timeout was pivotal for the Eagles as they regained their composure when Chase dropped in an easy layup.
Chase had 17 points in the game, with six of those coming in the third quarter. Her counterpart Fankell rattled off 14 points.
“The whole team kind of contributes to that, like them moving around and getting us the ball,” Chase on her and Fankell’s points. “Opening up lanes, getting our shots and getting theirs, helps both of us open up and get our layups and our shots off.”
As Broomfield crept into foul trouble, the Mustangs were able to battle back from a 12 point deficit cutting the lead to one. Though small one point difference was cut short, as Delaynie Byrne knocked down a crucial three.
Throughout the game Broomfield wasn’t afraid of the full court press and they used it efficiently throughout the whole game.
With under five minutes to go the Mustangs got impatient and inbounded the ball, giving Chase a chance to steal and make an easy layup, while also getting fouled. Chase knocked down her and-one free throw, raising the lead to seven.
After pulling so close to taking the lead, the Mustangs were unable to regain any momentum to push them closer. That was until Makela Shaklee came off the bench for the Mustangs.
The effort she had was running through her veins as she hit a jumper with 3:40 left to cut Broomfield’s lead to 57-55.
Ralston Valley had no choice but to foul Broomfield as soon as they crossed halfcourt, sending Taylor Gilmore to the line three different times. This ultimately iced the game for the Eagles, giving them their eighth win at home and extending their win streak to 11.
“One thing that the Broomfield community does really well, is on big games like this, they come out and support their teams,” Seifried said. “It was nice to have that home court advantage tonight.”
Broomfield will take on Loveland on Feb. 12, while Ralston Valley will play Lakewood on Wednesday night.