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GREENWOOD VILLAGE — Cali Clark got into foul trouble early and Jana Van Gytenbeek struggled to make shots. But Cherry Creek still no problem showing the depth of its girls basketball team.
In rare battle of the top-ranked teams in Class 5A and 4A, it was the Bruins getting the 58-38 win on Wednesday night.
Although it would be an indicator that defending 5A champions are starting to peak, coach Clint Evans was well aware of his team’s shortcomings, even in such a dominating win.
“We’re not (playing our best basketball),” Evans said. “We missed a bunch of shots at the rim and we’re always searching for that perfect defensive game. I think we had five times where we lost track of someone and gave (Elaina) Martinez an open look or (Megan) Pohs an open look.”
The Bruins (9-1 overall, 3-0 Centennial League) may not have been perfect defensively, but they were pretty good. Creek forced 18 turnovers on the night and after taking a 32-15 lead at halftime, held the Mustangs (8-4, 2-1) scoreless more than four minutes into the third quarter.
Clark scored six quick points in the first quarter but foul trouble kept her off the floor for all of the second. So it would make sense that Van Gytenbeek would assume control of the scoring responsibilities, but her shots just weren’t falling.
But Abby Wrede’s were. She scored nine of her 15 points on the night in the second quarter.
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“It doesn’t matter who’s scoring each night,” Wrede said. “We’re always able to find each other.”
Once Clark got back on the floor, she again became the focal point of the offense. She scored a game-high 17 while playing just over two and a half quarters.
And it’s not like it was happening against a struggling team. The only in-state loss for Mullen heading into Wednesday was against 5A No. 5 Regis Jesuit.
The majority of the Mustangs are back from last year’s state title team and there is not a single senior on the roster. But the Bruins were effective in disrupting Mullen’s offensive rhythm. Imani Perez and Pohs combined for 13 points. Normally the duo is good for 20.
Even with a 20-point win, Wednesday was a game that gives Cherry Creek both confidence and momentum heading into the meat of league play.
“Every game is significant,” Clark said. “Beating a Mullen team that won state last year gives us a ton of confidence. That’s a really good team.”
The Bruins will see Arapahoe and Eaglecrest before a big state championship rematch with Grandview on Jan. 24. A big advantage that Bruins were able to show on Wednesday is that it doesn’t matter if Van Gytenbeek gets her shot back by then or if Clark has to come off the floor.
The way the team thrives together, anyone can step up and any night and provide a spark.
“They don’t care who scores the most points,” Evans said. “I had no idea Jana only had seven or Cali had 17. They don’t act like that.”
The only thing that matters to them is that their team’s total score is higher than the other’s.
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