(Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
GREENWOOD VILLAGE – For the first time in a decade, Cherry Creek’s girls basketball team has found its way into the Great 8.
Backed by a monster first-half effort from senior Mikaela Eppard, combined with a strong showing in the second half by junior post Molly Rohrer, the Bruins held off Rock Canyon 59-43 in the Class 5A state playoffs Tuesday night at Cherry Creek High School.
After faltering in the Sweet 16 the past two years, Cherry Creek (22-3) — the top seed in the Alice Barron Region — meets No. 2 Poudre on Thursday at the Denver Coliseum.
“This was one of our big goals, to make it to the Coliseum,” Eppard said. “We’ve kind of gotten stuck at the Sweet 16 the past couple years.”
Cherry Creek hadn’t advanced to the quarterfinals since 2004, according to coach Chris Curneen. The squad accomplished the feat this time behind a combined 43 points from Eppard and Rohrer — Eppard went for 17 of her game-high 24 points in the first half, and Rohrer notched 13 of her 19 points in the second half.
Rock Canyon (17-8) could get no closer than seven points in the second half. The Jaguars struggled from the field and led only once in the game.
Cherry Creek’s defense prevented Rock Canyon from settling into an early rhythm, and senior Lexy Thorderson — who averages 18 points a game — was limited to only 11 on the night.
Thorderson didn’t knock down her first field goal until three minutes, 45 seconds remained in the third quarter.
“Lexy is a great shooter, but they can all shoot the ball,” Eppard said. “We had to make sure that we were getting a hand in everyone’s face.”
“We try to play inside-out on offense. On defense we try and make people not be able to penetrate and not be able to get in the post where they like to,” Curneen added. “Kind of push them out a little bit so they have to shoot shots they’re not comfortable with.”
Despite controlling the first half, the Bruins found themselves in a fight midway through the third quarter. Rock Canyon’s full-court press created six turnovers in the quarter, and a pair of Thorderson free throws cut the lead to 37-30.
On the ensuing possession, the Bruins broke the press and Eppard found freshman Lauren McMillen for a bucket to up the lead to nine. McMillen scored again on the next possession, and Eppard then made it 43-30.
“She’s done that all year. We don’t run a single play for her, but she’s a ball magnet,” Curneen said of McMillen. “She always finds the ball and she always finds it at the right time and she finishes when she gets it.”
With the Jaguars fouling down the stretch, Cherry Creek went to the free-throw line 16 times in the final four minutes.
Curneen said his biggest challenge Thursday will be making sure his players aren’t rattled by playing in the Coliseum.
“It’s a huge step for us. Now, by the same token, none of these girls have ever been to the Coliseum either,” Curneen said. “We’ve got to calm them down and get them to play just like it’s another game.
Erin McClarie finished with 10 points and four steals for Rock Canyon and Morgan Roos added 10 points as well. The Jaguars will graduate four seniors.