HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), May 7, 1999

And then there was one.

The Colorado Springs area's two top girls singles players had mixed results Thursday in state tournament play.

Lewis-Palmer's Brandi Watts advanced to the Class 4A state semifinals Thursday, but Cheyenne Mountain's Ann Scott was defeated in the quarterfinals.

No. 1 singles play took center stage in Pueblo, and Lewis-Palmer coach Alan Duhon said there were no real shockers.

Rangers senior Watts struggled to beat Liberty's Kelly O'Bryant 6- 4, 7-6 but breezed past Aspen freshman Laura Gordon in her quarterfinal match, 6-1, 6-1. She'll face Kent Denver ace Stephanie Cook in today's semis. Mullen's Christy Roth will battle Montrose's Stacy Kneese in the other match.

Kneese delivered the knockout blow to Scott, Cheyenne Mountain's freshman star. Scott ousted Harrison's Nicole Torres in two sets to start the day but fell 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Kneese.

Watts, a senior, found the going rougher in her rematch with O'Bryant, Duhon said.

"Kelly played a lot stronger than last time," Duhon said. "But that worked out well for Brandi, because she did much better in her second match."

Lewis-Palmer's freshman No. 4 doubles team of Emily Harbart/Cara Taylor defeated Mitchell's Katie Walsh/Jessica Funderberg.

Kelli Cole and Julie Erin both advanced at singles for Cheyenne Mountain.

Boys lacrosse

Air Academy coach Bill O'Neill knew his team would have its hands full against Arapahoe in Thursday's state playoff contest.

But he was hoping it would be a little closer than the 14-3 result.

"We knew that if we expected to be in it, we had to jump on them early, but we didn't," O'Neill said.

The area's other state playoff entry, Fountain Valley, also went down, 13-6 to Heritage.

Air Academy finished 6-5 and played well late in the season after adjusting to O'Neill's system.

"This wasn't my team, because the seniors have been through three different coaches," O'Neill said. "It took us a time to learn each other's personalities. Half our team was seniors, and the other half was young. I wish I had them all back."

In Thursday's loss, Brad Ginnett scored twice and Brad Ashely added the third goal. Goaltender Jessie Lyon (17 saves) played valiantly in defeat, O'Neill said.

"He should be the goalie of the year in the Colorado Springs area," O'Neill said.

Fountain Valley (5-5) played "the best we have all year," said coach Mac Acree, despite having star attacker Aaron Bennett at less than full strength due to a deep thigh bruise.

"They beat us in the transition game," Acree said. "They must have scored at least four goals off faceoffs. They'd win the faceoff and just take off.

"But for a school our size in its first state game ever, I have to be pretty proud of the way our kids played."

Ed Sales scored twice for the Danes, and senior defender Bill Peters netted his first career goal in his final game for Fountain Valley.

Baseball

Colorado Springs Christian scored five runs in the seventh inning to force extra innings before edging St. Mary's, 9-8, in the eighth.

The contest was a pigtail game to determine the final district qualifier from the Tri-Peaks league, which was won by Falcon. District play for these Class3A teams begins today in Salida.

John Caughlin went 3 for 4 for St. Mary's.

Girls lacrosse

What a way to start the state playoffs, knowing that Cherry Creek will be your opening opponent. Air Academy fell, 14-1, and ended its season with a 5-5 record, in a game played Tuesday night in Denver.

Kadets coach Missy Hirsh wasn't disheartened, noting it was just another example of Colorado Springs girls programs in the growing stages.

- Frank Bourke, The Gazette