Looking Back: Highlands Ranch at Regis Jesuit
Tuesday night proved to be a thriller as the Regis Jesuit Raiders (18-4, 9-0) defeated the Highlands Ranch Falcons (17-5, 8-1) by a final score of 37-35 in overtime thanks to freshman guard Savitri Jackson. She was the hero for…
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Continue ReadingTuesday night proved to be a thriller as the Regis Jesuit Raiders (18-4, 9-0) defeated the Highlands Ranch Falcons (17-5, 8-1) by a final score of 37-35 in overtime thanks to freshman guard Savitri Jackson. She was the hero for the Raiders as she layed-up the game-winning shot as time expired, not only giving Regis Jesuit the win but securing the Continental League title.
Looking back, here are three takeaways from Tuesday’s overtime thriller.
Small ball pays off
Coming off a year in which both the Raiders and Falcons relied heavily on their strong, athletic forwards, Tuesday night’s game was a clear indication these teams can adapt. Small ball was pivotal as the Raiders played smothering defense disrupting the high-flying Falcons’ offense all game long.
Junior Gracie Weigand (G/F) controls the ball up courtRegis Jesuit head coach Carl Mattei tasked junior Gracie Weigand and Jackson to lockdown Highlands
Ranch’s junior guard Payton Muma. The paid did just that preventing Muma from setting up her offense and finding a rhythm.
In the paint Raiders’ junior forward Samantha Jones was the only big to make a significant impact on the game. Jones sent away multiple shots and was a rebounding machine on both ends of the court. Her presence in the paint completely overshadowed the play of Highlands Ranch’s breakout forward Taylor Ray.
Avery Vansickle is clutch
Vansickle was the epitome of an offensive maestro Tuesday night. Not only did she deliver a dime to Jackson for the eventual game-winner, but Vansickle played with a fire all night.
Avery Vansickle gets the shot off with a hand in her face during Tuesday night’s victory over Highlands RanchThe first half came to an end with the home crowd on their feet following an incredible isolation move by Vansickle. At the top of the key, she displayed great quickness and hand-eye coordination pulling off a crossover to step-back move for a clean look at the basket.
Situational awareness needs to be addressed as well for Vansickle. Following a late lead by Highlands Ranch, it was Vansickle who recognized her squad’s foul total and Highlands Ranch playing keep away to hold the Raiders at bay.
“We can only stop them if we foul,” shouted Vansickle with a little over two minutes remaining in the game.
The awareness by Vansickle was pivotal as the Raiders continued to foul until the Falcons were in the bonus. Despite the chance of connecting on the one-and-one attempts, Vansickle recognized it was the only way for Regis Jesuit to regain possession of the ball. Doing just that, the Raiders regained possession and sent the game to overtime.
Potential playoff nightmares
No matter where Regis Jesuit and Highlands Ranch are ranked nor the bracket they are in, both will be a force come playoff time. The teams have a long-standing history in the playoffs and have shown they can continue to play at the high level they have over the last three years.
Despite losing key pieces to their prior playoff experience, respectively, the Raiders and Falcons have tremendous coaches and returning players to make up for what they lost. All teams in the state should be concerned facing either team in the coming weeks as they make a push for a state title.