3A GIRLS: Lowry defense too rugged for Boulder City

It’s not that the Boulder City girls basketball team came into its Class 3A state semifinal unfamiliar with facing a man-to-man defense.

The Eagles just hadn’t met an opponent that played it well for an entire game — until Friday.

Lowry held Boulder City to single-digit scoring until more than 12 minutes had elapsed and kept the Eagles to only 14 points by halftime. The Buckaroos went on to a 49-41 win at Desert Oasis.

“We were as prepared as we thought we could be,” Boulder City coach Brian Lemmel said. “We just didn’t see anybody play man-to-man that hard all season long with that much talent.”

Lowry (18-12), the No. 2 seed from the North, advanced to meet North No. 1 Spring Creek in the state title game at 6:40 p.m. Saturday at the Orleans Arena.

Boulder City (11-11) rode a four-game winning streak into only its second state tournament berth this decade.

But the Eagles were smothered early and often by the Buckaroos’ man-to-man scheme, falling behind 29-11 in the second quarter.

In her final game before heading to Division II Colorado State-Pueblo, Boulder City forward Caiti Forrester had 23 points, six assists, five rebounds, four steals and three blocks.

Forrester shot 7-for-21 from the floor, including 5-for-12 on 3-pointers.

But no one else scored in double figures for the Eagles, who fell two wins short of their first state title since 1991.

“I know that (Forrester) could never accept anything but a state championship,” Lemmel said. “We just couldn’t put it together for her.”

Lowry jumped to a 20-7 lead entering the second quarter.

“We came out and didn’t play our basketball game,” Lemmel said. “In the first half, it was not us. We knew it wasn’t us.”

Amaya Criswell scored 13 points and Morgen Thacker 12 for Lowry.

Boulder City pulled within 38-32 early in the fourth quarter, but Lowry responded with a 7-0 run to end the threat.

The Eagles will lose three seniors to graduation, including Forrester.

“Really what speaks to (Forrester’s) character is the amount of time that she spends in the offseason year after year to make herself better,” Lemmel said.

Spring Creek 67, Virgin Valley 45 — Noelle Laffoon scored 18 points to lead the Spartans past the Bulldogs.

Mary Suing added 14 points and Lacy Rider 13 for Spring Creek (27-1), the No. 1 seed from the North.

The Spartans never trailed after the first quarter and opened a 22-point lead as early as the third period.

Rachel Morris and Shelby Brotherson scored 13 points each for Virgin Valley (21-9).

“Our game plan coming in was to try not to give them inside shots and try to push the ball,” Virgin Valley coach Brent Leavitt said. “We did well for moments, but we just couldn’t maintain it.”

A layup by Morris pulled the Bulldogs within 42-31 midway through the third quarter, but the Spartans closed the game on a 25-14 run.

Eleven players scored for Spring Creek, which will carry a 25-game winning streak into the state title game.

Virgin Valley will lose five seniors to graduation, including starters Ellie Biasi, Lisa Henderson and Stacy Avalos.

“The biggest thing I’ll miss is the team unity,” Leavitt said. “These girls love each other as a team unit.

“They had shirts made that said, 'Band of Sisters,’ and that’s pretty much how we felt.”