STERLING - The Belleview Christian girls team scored 13 unanswered points in overtime to top Pawnee on Saturday in the Class 1A regional tournament to advance to the state tournament.
The Bruins, who were outscored 8-2 in the fourth quarter, had to use the extra period to beat the Coyotes 35-22 to escape from the regional tourney.
Belleview Christian was led by Sydney Ahaneku, who had 11 points and nine blocks. Senior MacKenzie Woods had nine points and 10 boards for the Bruins.
The road won’t get easier for Belleview Christian (20-3 overall) in the state tourney, Belleview Christian, which is the No. 5 seed, opens the tournament against Wiley (20-2) on Thursday at the First Bank Center.
The Final Four will be played on Friday, while the state title is scheduled for Saturday.
JAGUARS LOSE IN OPENING ROUND
No. 28 Jefferson Academy fell 53-40 to No. 5 Moffat County in the opening round of the 3A girls state basketball tournament.
Alyson Thimsen scored 11 points to lead the Jaguars, who finished the season 10-13 overall.
PINNACLE FALLS TO COLORADO ACADEMY
The No. 18 Pinnacle Timberwolves had their season come to a disappointing end Friday, falling to Colorado Academy 62-49 in the opening round of the 3A boys state basketball tournament.
Colorado Academy was paced by Jack Buckmelter, the Timberwolves finished the season 14-9 overall and won the Frontier League after going 12-0 in the league.
ACADEMY SQUADS SWEPT IN FIRST ROUND
The Wildcat girls lost to No. 6 Pagosa Springs 49-23 on Friday.
The Academy, which was the No. 27 seed, was led by
Falagrady, who had six points. Brittany Watts grabbed a team-high seven boards.
The Wildcats finished the season 11-13 overall and 6-5 in the Frontier League.
The Academy boys also were ousted in the first round, falling to Colorado Springs Christian 52-39 on Friday.
The Wildcats couldn’t overcome a slow start, being outscored 9-2 in the opening period and falling behind 24-14 at halftime.
The Academy boys finished the season 14-9 overall and 10-2 in the Frontier League.
