Rams shut down Mitchell

Rampart played three games in the last four days and senior Nikki Kinzer said the Rams' improvement has been dramatic. She was especially pleased with her team's effort in Thursday's 42-27 victory at Mitchell.

"Gateway beat us Monday, but we've taken huge steps in both games since then," the 6-foot-2 senior said. "Our offense has gotten better and our defense has really improved. Our defense was great tonight."

Pikes Peak No. 4 Rampart (2-1) limited No. 5 Mitchell (0-2) to just 20 percent shooting (9 of 44).

"Every time we play Rampart it's a struggle," Mitchell girls basketball coach Chris Earls said. "They beat us in the rebounding game and attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line, almost every phase we value."

New Rampart coach Patrick Simpson said losing the opener to Gateway 51-33 was a blessing in disguise.

"It showed the girls what we needed to work on and how far we had to go," he said. "It's been really exciting to see each day since then how much they're getting better."

The Rams beat Kennedy 50-46 on Wednesday.

Junior Kelly Hillick led Rampart with 14 points, including 8 of 10 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Mitchell got within 25-22 early in the final quarter before the Rams regained control and stretched their lead to 18.

Kinzer (eight points, 10 rebounds) controlled the lane along with senior Kelsey Bradley (five and nine) and senior Kristen Brassard (eight and six).

Rampart owned a 42-21 edge in rebounds and held Mitchell standout Brianna Johnson to four points.

"Katie and Kelsey did a great job on Johnson and that was the key to the game," Simpson said. "We put a lot of emphasis on her. She's quick and she can handle the ball and drive, so we were real concerned with her."

Johnson collected eight rebounds and six steals but shot just 2 of 11. Topping the Marauders with five points each were senior Carlee Groves, junior Cassandra Fernandez and sophomore Brinkley Myers.

"We had opportunities but we struggled to get in the flow of our offense," Earls said. "It was a sloppy game. But I know we're a better team than that."

Hillick, who scored all six of Rampart's points in the second quarter, said the Rams were also frustrated.

"We started playing better as a team and our offense improved," Hillick said. "But defense won this game."

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