CSCS has two shots at state crowns

Colorado Springs Christian School will vie for two 3A state basketball championships starting today when the Lions boys and girls teams play in the quarterfinals in Fort Collins.

The Ellicott girls also advanced to the top eight but are cast in the role of underdog, opening against Faith Christian (22-2).

The CSCS boys (21-3) play Kent Denver (18-6) at 1:15 p.m. The Sun Devils beat CSCS 42-41 in their only meeting this season. Lions coach Alan Karg hopes for a different result.

"We are a much more mature team than we were earlier this season," Karg said. "In that first game we made some mistakes and missed some free throws that cost us the game."

Led by 6-foot-7 post Taylor Broekhuis (17.7 points per game), CSCS is on a ninegame win streak.

"We are going to need to have phenomenal defense and turn our defense into offense to be successful in a bracket this loaded," Karg said.

Faith Christian's boys (23-1) are the favorite after winning by an average of 30 points. Faith Christian's only loss was to defending state champion Eaton (22-1) which also is in the field.

"Faith and Eaton are both amazing teams, but it will take an almost perfect effort for any team to beat Faith," Kent Denver coach Todd Schayes said. "Faith is just an incredible team in every facet of the game; they are so good they could do some damage in the 4A or 5A tournament this season."

In the girls tournament, CSCS (22-2) faces Basalt (21-3) at 11:45 a.m.

"We will have to be extremely focused on our defense and make sure we take care of the ball if we want to win," CSCS coach Lisa Guhl said.

"We will also need to take advantage of our height and use our post players effectively."

Guhl will rely on Bethany Beck (15.3 ppg) and LeeAnn Routt (14.4 ppg).

"These two girls have many years of state experience and if we're going to win they will lead us," Guhl said.

The Ellicott girls (15-10) will look to pull off the upset behind post player Ashley Miller, (16.6 ppg) and guard Brittney Bunker, who scored 30 points in Saturday's regional game.

"If we can play strong defensively we will have a great chance," Ellicott coach Ray Shorette said. "Our girls have worked so hard to get here and we've got nothing to lose. Faith Christian is quick and they are a very good team, but we've scouted them and we are going to play our best."