HIGHLANDS RANCH | Tuesday night’s Continental League girls basketball matchup between Regis Jesuit and Highlands Ranch fit perfectly in a season full of twists and turns.
The Raiders and Falcons both have been state powerhouses for quite some time, but even they were subject to the uneven play that has been predominant in a season where the coronavirus pandemic has made everything more difficult.
Visiting Regis Jesuit played a strong opening half, fell down by nearly double digits and then surged again for a 58-53 victory that put it in the drivers seat in the league standings. The Raiders won for only the third time in program history on the Falcons’ home floor according to coach Carl Mattei, whose team improved to 6-0 on the season.
“Both teams were a little bit sloppy, but that’s the type of basketball everybody’s playing this year,” said Mattei, whose team won at Highlands Ranch for the first time since the 2013-14 season and avenged a loss to the Falcons in last season’s Class 5A Great 8.
Senior Samantha Jones scored a game-high 21 points for Regis Jesuit, while junior Jordan Jones contributed 15 and senior Avery VanSickle — in just her second full game back with the team — added 11, including nine in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Colorado Sports Editor. Reach him at [email protected] Twitter: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
(4) REGIS JESUIT 58, (3) HIGHLANDS RANCH 53
Score by quarters:
Regis Jesuit 14 14 11 15 — 58
High. Ranch 12 12 20 9 — 53
REGIS JESUIT (58)
Savitri Jackson 4 0-1 8, Madden McHugh 1 0-0 3, Avery VanSickle 3 3-4 11, Hana Belibi 0 0-0 0, Samantha Jones 8 4-4 21, Jordan Jones 5 5-10 15, Coryn Watts 0 0-0 0, Emily Thomas 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 12-19 58.
HIGHLANDS RANCH (53)
Payton Muma 5 1-2 15, Kara Lyons 3 0-0 8, Gianna Principatto 1 4-4 6, Alex Pirog 3 0-3 6, Tia Slade 5 4-5 15, Katie Johanning 0 2-2 2, Emily Hovasse 0 1-2 1. Totals 17 12-18 53.
3-point field goals — Regis Jesuit (4): Avery VanSickle 2, Samantha Jones, Madden McHugh; Highlands Ranch (7): Payton Muma 4, Kara Lyons 2, Tia Slade. Total fouls — Regis Jesuit 13, Highlands Ranch 13. Fouled out — Regis Jesuit: Jones. Technical fouls — None.
