No. 2 Green Mountain girls hoops begins playoff journey with win over Battle Mountain

Green Mountain senior Courtney Hank (33) scored eight points in the final 2 and 1/2 minutes of the first half to extend the Rams’ lead to 39-11 at halftime over Battle Mountain. Green Mountain went on to win 55-32 in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics

LAKEWOOD — Green Mountain’s girls basketball knows how to deal with things being taken away from them.

It was pretty clear Tuesday night in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament that No. 31-seeded Battle Mountain wasn’t going to allow the Rams’ inside duo of senior Courtney Hank and junior Avery Oaster to have their way in the paint.

Green Mountain junior Shea Murphy (14) helped get the Rams’ offense going in the first half pouring in a dozen points and three 3-pointers in the first half. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics

“Great job by Battle Mountain to work hard and collapse on the inside and make us beat them from the outside,” Green Mountain coach Darren Pitzner said after the No. 1 Rams took a 55-32 first-round victory over the Huskies. “Luckily we have the kind of balance that can do that. They made us earn it. Congrats to Battle Mountain on a great season.”

Green Mountain (15-0 record) continued it season thanks to some early 3-point shooting by junior Shea Murphy and sophomore Jayda Maves. The two combined for six 3-pointer in the opening half with both pouring in a dozen points by halftime.

“We knew (Battle Mountain) was going to play a 1-3-1 zone defense,” said Maves, who finished with a game-high 15 points. “We were open and we take our shots when we are open.”

Murphy came into Tuesday’s playoff game with just six 3-pointers on the season. She put in a little extra time working on her shooting from long range for the Rams’ playoff run.

“I’ve built more confidence with my shot this season,” Murphy said. “I went and did some shooting on my own to get prepared for the playoffs so I could knock those down.”

Green Mountain junior Avery Oaster (24) is guarded by Battle Mountain senior Gabriela Caballero (14) during the first half Tuesday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics

Hank dropped the hammer on Battle Mountain (8-6) to end the first quarter. Last year’s 4A Jeffco League MVP scored eight straight points in the final 2 and 1/2 minutes of the opening half to extend Green Mountain’s lead to 39-11 at halftime.

“When we are more discipline in our possessions that is when you see those nice inside, outside, cutting and dynamic possessions,” Pitzner said. “When we are rushed we get impatient with our shots.”

The Rams were able to work in some time for their bench in the second half. Green Mountain will have a quick turnaround to face No. 15 Thompson Valley in the round of 16 Thursday night at Green Mountain High School.

“Thompson Valley is very quick getting to the basket,” said Pitzner of the Eagles that defeated Evergreen 42-27 on Tuesday night. “They are a tough match-up.”

While Pitzner had his team zeroed in on Thompson Valley, the Rams can draw from their experience last year when Green Mountain advanced all the way to the 4A state semifinals.

“After what we did last year and saw what it took, this year we are so excited and we know what is there,” Murphy said. “We are excited to do it.”

Green Mountain junior Olivia Sears (2) guards Battle Mountain junior Mia Betts in front of the Warriors’ bench Tuesday night in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics