As the embers from AJ Mannering’s junior season faded, the Peyton senior received a spark to reignite her flame in the 2023 season finale.

The Panthers lost in the second round of the Class 3A girls state basketball playoffs by two points to Buena Vista, ending a 22-game win streak for the Panthers and dashing their championship hopes.

For Mannering, this week’s Peak Performer, the loss transformed her from a juggernaut in 2023 to a monolith this year as she continues to demolish any opposition attempting to stymie Peyton’s title shot.

“It was disappointing for awhile, but we used that loss as fuel for this year,” Mannering said. “We had potential to go far but unfortunately, we didn’t. But we’re improved this year.”

Mannering tore her ACL and meniscus in her left knee as a freshman but returned as a sophomore to help the Panthers to a 19-7 record.

The Panthers emerged as favorites to win the championship in Mannering’s junior season and, along with grabbing 3A’s No. 1 seed, started the year 22-0.

But that 22nd game exacted a heavy toll on Mannering. The Panthers faced Prospect Ridge Academy in the opening round and won 53-33.

“After that I was physically drained, and I wasn’t mentally in the game the next night,” Mannering said. “We didn’t play to the best of our abilities the night before, and my (left) knee was bothering me against Buena Vista. It was a tough night.”

Although it’s a painful memory coaches and players wish to leave in the past, coach Brian Green said players gained insight from the Panthers’ lone loss of 2023.

“We can give you all the knowledge we can, but until you experience some things in life, you don’t have wisdom,” Green said. “It’s been painful for the past nine to 10 months thinking back to that game, but I sense a different purpose, focus and resolve in our kids. I think it’s because they have the knowledge from that experience to lean on.”

Mannering briefly dwelled on the loss but swiftly began to retool her game for her final season.

Mannering spent the offseason playing club ball for Rockies where her coach, Kaitlyn Mileto, built her confidence and then helped the Panther rejuvenate her game.

Mileto, who graduated from Mesa Ridge in 2011, owns several scoring accolades from her prep career, including the Grizzlies’ career points record (2,042) and single-season scoring mark (710).

The former Grizzly played Division I hoops at Wyoming and averaged a career-best 13.7 points as a junior.

One lesson that Mileto taught Mannering early and often was to let it fly.

“She told me don’t get down on yourself, because shooters always shoot,” Mannering said. “We usually start our games slow, but she taught me to start fast and pick one or two things you want to get in the opening minutes and focus on that.”

Mannering finished her junior season with 21.1 points per game, 7.4 steals, 5.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds.

In her curtain call, Mannering averages 30.5 points per game, which leads all Colorado girls and is tied for 20th in the nation, and shoots 70%.

The Panthers senior had a career-high 44 points in a 93-15 win against Swallows Charter Academy on Jan. 22.

Mannering hasn’t lost her focus on defense and averages 4.8 steals per contest, which is 10th in 3A.

“As good as she is on offense, she’s probably even better on defense,” Green said. “That goes a long way for her teammates. When they see the best player working that hard defensively … it really lifts the team up and inspires her teammates and it helps us win games.”

Besides Mannering’s efficiency from the field, Green doesn’t mind her taking shots because she’s a “hunter on defense.”

Green knows the senior’s work ethic and scoring ability can lead the Panthers to the title game, and Mannering has the experience and belief to bring those dreams to fruition.

“We weren’t too experienced with close games before what happened last year, and I think that gave us wisdom,” Mannering said. “That gave us what we needed to make it to state, and what we do in practice this season will bleed into the games. So we have to work hard to get it done.”