3A WSL district tournament roundup: Roaring Fork girls stay alive with win over Skiers
A fiery Roaring Fork girls basketball team downed visiting Aspen, 55-44, in Thursday’s 3A Western Slope League district tournament consolation game.
The Rams earned a spot in Saturday’s fifth-place game against Hotchkiss at Palisade High School. A win on Saturday would give Roaring Fork the league’s fifth and final berth to the 32-team state playoffs.
“The girls came out with a lot of excitement and fire,” Rams coach Kirk Cheney said.
Cheney’s squad owned a 9-7 lead after the first quarter and then caught fire offensively in the second. Putting up 24 points, Roaring Fork took a 33-22 lead into halftime.
The Rams padded their lead in the third quarter, winning the frame, 12-3.
Aspen made a comeback push with 19 points in the fourth, but came up short.
“The girls are excited,” Cheney said. “This is their first trip to Palisade.”
Hattie Gianinetti’s 12 points led the Rams (13-8). Maddie Nieslanik chipped in with 11 points and Megan Gianinetti 10.
Bailey Everhart paced the Skiers (10-12) with 17 points.
Grand Valley’s boys eked out a 58-54, double-overtime victory over visiting Gunnison in Thursday’s 3A WSL district consolation game to keep their season alive.
The Cardinals had to overcome a slow start to advance. They spotted the Cowboys a 17-9 lead after the first quarter, but came charging back.
“We were just kind of nonchalant with the ball, throwing it, not dribbling well,” Grand Valley coach Jake Higuera said. “In the second quarter, we fixed it.”
The Cardinals cut the deficit to 25-22 at halftime and grabbed a 37-34 lead by the end of the third quarter.
Trever Smith led Grand Valley (13-8) with 19 points. Trent Reidle added 12, Eddie Pena nine and Tyler Scott eight.
Next up for the Cardinals is Saturday’s fifth-place game against Olathe in Palisade. Olathe defeated Hotchkiss, 72-53, on Thursday.
Coal Ridge’s girls lost to visiting Hotchkiss in Thursday’s 3A WSL district tournament consolation game, bringing their season to an end.
The Bulldogs won the game, 39-31.
The Titans finished their season with a 10-11 record.
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