D’Evelyn sinks a dozen 3-pointers to beat Golden in girls hoops

D’Evelyn sophomore Aubrey Sotolongo, middle, reaches for a loose ball between Golden junior Alex Ambrozic, left, and senior Haley Blodgett during a Class 4A Jeffco League game Tuesday night at Golden High School. D’Evelyn pulled out a 65-39 victory. (Dennis Pleuss

GOLDEN — It was a bit of a throwback game for D’Evelyn’s girls basketball team Tuesday night.

The Jaguars have been know for their outstanding 3-point shooting ability that propelled them to appearances back-to-back Class 4A state championship games in 2012 and 2013. D’Evelyn’s long-range shooting amassed a dozen 3-pointers in a 65-39 road victory against Golden.

D’Evelyn senior Malia Shappell sets up for a 3-pointer during the first half Tuesday night. The Jaguars knocked down a dozen from long distance to help them to a 65-39 victory. (Dennis Pleuss

“We’ve kind of struggled with that this year. We just haven’t shot the ball as well,” D’Evelyn coach Chris Olson said. “I think we shared the ball well today. We made the extra pass and found the open person.”

The Demons (10-10, 6-5 in 4A Jeffco League) scored first with a buck from senior Jessica King. It would literally be all D’Evelyn for the remainder of the first quarter.

Seniors Malia Shappell, Emily Garnier and Katie Cunniff did all the scoring for the Jaguars in the first quarter. D’Evelyn (15-4, 10-1) went on a 19-0 run over the final six minutes of the first.

“I hit some shots early and then my teammates got going,” said Shappell, who finished with a game-high 21 points, including three 3-pointers. “It was a team effort.”

Garnier (eight points) and Cunniff (nine points) gave way to senior Rachel Olson in the second quarter. Olson poured in a trio of 3-pointers in the second quarter. She finished with 14 points.

D’Evelyn, ranked No. 9 in this week’s CHSAANow.com 4A girls basketball poll, built its lead to 40-14 at halftime. Its biggest lead was 34 points late in the third quarter before Golden made a little run.

“We didn’t guard (D’Evelyn) as well as we did last time,” Golden coach Shea Scarlett said. “Today they worked the ball better. They got the open shots and they knocked them down.”

Seniors Jessica King (12 points) and Haley Blodgett (10 points) led the Demons, who gave D’Evelyn a good test in their first league meeting last month. The Jaguars had to squeeze out a 34-27 win at home.

It’s highly likely the 4A Jeffco League title will be decided Thursday, Feb. 13. Green Mountain (17-3, 10-1) will host D’Evelyn at 7 p.m. The winner should come away with the conference crown, baring a major upset during the final week of the regular season.

Golden senior Haley Blodgett blocks the shot of D’Evelyn senior Emily Lusk on Tuesday night. (Dennis Pleuss

“I love it. These are the type of games you want to play in,” Coach Olson said of the showdown with the Rams. “We are ready for it and I know Green Mountain will be ready for it.”

The Jaguars are attempting to win their third straight conference title.

D’Evelyn had its 38-game league-winning streak snapped last Friday with a 61-57 loss to Evergreen. The previous conference loss was more than three years ago when the Jaguars lost to Wheat Ridge on Jan. 21, 2011.

“We responded well tonight,” Coach Olson said. “I was really proud of the girls for that.”

D’Evelyn is scheduled to finish out its league schedule next week against Wheat Ridge and Arvada. The Jaguars will have one final tune-up before the state tournament begins Tuesday, Feb. 25. D’Evelyn hosts Rock Canyon on Friday, Feb. 21.

Golden has league games against Evergreen, Arvada and rival Wheat Ridge before heading to the postseason.

“First, we have to forget about this one and get ready for Evergreen in two days,” Scarlett said. “It’s a quick turnaround, which is a good thing.”

Golden senior Jessica King, middle, rips down a rebound between D’Evelyn senior Emily Garnier, left, and sophomore Lexi Reed on Tuesday night. King had a team-high 12 points for the Demons. (Dennis Pleuss