Columbine girls basketball sinks 15 3-pointers in win against Golden

LITTLETON — Those swishes you might have heard Monday night might have been coming from Columbine High School’s gymnasium.

Columbine’s girls basketball team put on a shooting clinic in a 82-29 victory over Golden. The Rebels had 77 points, including 15 made 3-pointers through the first three quarters.

The offensive performance showed that the poor shooting night the Rebels had in their lone loss this season — 57-34 to Valor Christian on Jan. 14 — was hopefully an anomaly. 

“The other league night (versus Valor) we were 0-for-25 from 3s,” Columbine coach Keegan Bell said. “I’ve been really proud of the girls with their bounce back. Our girls didn’t let that game get us into some long shooting slump. We’ve just come back. Every day we are going to chop wood.”

Columbine (14-1 record, 3-1 in Class 6A Jeffco League) have one three straight since the loss to Valor. The Rebels sit in second place in the conference standings behind Valor (11-3, 5-0).

“We have a big week,” Columbine senior Jordyn Washington said of the Rebels playing three games this week. “We wanted to start the week off strong with a strong team win with everyone getting some.”

The Rebels had five players finish in double-digit points. Washington led the way with 19 points, including three 3-pointers. Senior Taylor Speir (18 points, including four 3-pointers) got everything going with a 3-pointer just seconds into the game against Golden (15-2, 2-1 in 5A/4A/3A Jeffco League).

Seniors Kortny Brock (12 points) and Mason Abraham (10 points) each had a pair of 3-pointers. Sophomore Abigail Allison (8 points) and freshman Kaylee Yoder (10) both came off the bench and hit a pair of 3-pointers for the Rebels in the first half.

“It is good to have a game in between (league) that is a little more fun,” Washington said. “A little less pressure where we can get in our flow before more league games.”

Golden was coming off a 3-game winning streak after suffering its first loss of the season against Green Mountain on Jan. 17 at Ball Arena. The Demons were held to a season-low 29 points. Golden senior Ashlyn Bates led the Demons with 8 points in the loss.

The Demons will get back into their conference play against Littleton (8-7, 1-1) on Wednesday night back at Golden High School. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Columbine has a road game against Lakewood on Wednesday night before the big rivalry game at Chatfield on Friday night.

“I said it last year, ‘If anyone wants to see some good basketball come see our league.’” Bell said. “You’ve got really good players on each team. It’s a lot of fun and the league is really tough.”

Valor is clearly the favorite to win its eighth consecutive league title. The Eagles have won 31 straight league games dating back to the 2022-23 season.

“This year I think there is a little more competitive edge with everyone wanting to be on top and it up for grabs,” Bell said.

Columbine will get its second chance against Valor on Saturday, Feb 7, at Columbine High School. 

“It is great that we get to play everyone twice,” Washington said of the twice-around format in conference play. “It doesn’t matter what kind of a game we had the first time we get to see them again no matter what. We want to be playing our best basketball toward the end of league before playoffs.”