Unbeaten CSCS routs St. Mary's in 3A girls' state quarterfinals

FORT COLLINS – Despite facing the pressure that accompanies a Class 3A state quarterfinal, Colorado Springs Christian School calmly went about its business Thursday morning at Moby Arena.

The Lions asserted their dominance early against Tri-Peaks rival St. Mary’s and easily advanced to Friday’s semifinals with a 47-27 victory.

Senior Brianne VandeGriend posted a double-double for CSCS with 18 points and 11 rebounds while classmate Becca Bultje added 12 points.

“We just played like it was a home game,” Bultje said. “We have played on this court before, and we weren’t nervous at all.”

The top-seeded Lions improved to 25-0 by shutting down Christina Whitelaw – something that almost no other 3A team has done this season. The Pirates senior star scored a season-low three points.

“Our main focus was to shut Whitelaw down because she is a playmaker,” VandeGriend said. “We were always looking for her and making sure we knew where she was on the court at all times.”

St. Mary’s (21-4) shot 3-of-22 from the floor in the first half as CSCS went to the break with a 26-7 advantage. Things didn’t get much better for the ninth-seeded Pirates in the second half as no player finished with more than five points.

“I thought everybody played really solid,” Lions coach Lisa Guhl said. “We came out poised and it was nice. St. Mary’s is a great team and this was out of character for them.”

Playing softly at the top of its zone defense, CSCS prevented Whitelaw and the other Pirate guards from penetrating and kicking the ball out for open shots.

“They have a drive-and-dish game, and it was important we help each other out and not let them get open shots,” post player Erika Heckman said.

The Lions will play No. 4 Pagosa Springs (22-2), a 54-49 winner over No. 5 Estes Park (21-4) later, at 4 p.m. today with a berth in the state title game on the line.

“I’m stoked to be moving on, and we’re ready for whichever team we play tomorrow,” VandeGriend said.