The Roaring Fork High School girls basketball team has played its way into third place in the 3A Western Slope League standings with three straight wins over Cedaredge (62-45), Meeker (64-48) and Aspen (49-30), with two crucial games coming up this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Rams boys suffered two losses over the weekend to Cedaredge (46-58) and Meeker (55-71), knocking them into fourth place; but still with a shot at the postseason as the regular season comes to a close next week.
Against Aspen on Tuesday night, the girls team dominated over the Skiers, who are winless in league play. But it came at a cost, as junior Lexi Sanchez and freshman Riley Bevington both suffered injuries, according to head coach Mike Vidakovich.
That means the team could be a bit short-handed this weekend when Roaring Fork (7-3 in league, 10-5 overall) plays host to Olathe (8-3, 10-5) on Friday, and Gunnison (3-8, 5-10) on Saturday.
Sophomore Carly Crownhart had 14 points in the Aspen win, and twin sister Erica had 11 points, with senior Lelaney Gardesani contributing 10 points and leading the team with eight rebounds.
Friday’s win over Cedaredge was a thriller, as the Rams and Bruins played a close one through halftime, before Roaring Fork took control of the game with tough defensive pressure that produced 22 steals, led by Carly Crownhart’s 10 swipes.
Bevington had 23 points and sophomore Nikki Tardif had 15, with Carly Crownhart knocking home 13 and Erica Crownhart 11.
Roaring Fork then got a key win over Meeker, which had bested the Rams in their first meeting of the season, as Carly Crownhart poured in 29 points, Tardif 12 and Bevington 11. Bevington and Tardif also had double figures in rebounding.
Boys look to rebound
The Roaring Fork boys were positioned to win it heading into the final quarter of play against Cedaredge on Friday, but couldn’t quite overcome the hot hand of Bruins senior Logan Tullis who scored four from beyond the 3-point arc. Cedaredge as a team had seven 3-pointers, and the Rams failed to convert on several layups and second-chance shots, contributing to the loss.
On a positive note, the team had balanced scoring against both Cedaredge and Meeker when the ball did fall through the cylinder. Sophomore Logan Carballeira led the way Friday with 15, senior Noel Richardson had 14 and sophomore Kiko Pena had 15.
In the loss against league-leading Meeker (9-0, 14-1), Richardson had 14, Pena 10 and Carballeira nine.
Roaring Fork (5-4, 6-10) will need wins this weekend against Olathe (1-9, 3-13) and Gunnison (2-6, 2-12) to remain in the top 32 teams for state playoff consideration.
Varsity game times Friday are 5:30pm for the girls and 7pm for the boys, and on Saturday are 12:30pm for the girls and 2pm for the boys.
Both Rams teams close out the regular season at home on Friday, Feb. 16 against Grand Valley.
Girls state swimming preview
Colorado Rocky Mountain School senior Amelie Ogilby leads a group of Glenwood Springs High School swimmers to the 3A State Swimming and Diving Championships this weekend, where she looks to defend her state title in the 500 Freestyle event and is the top qualifier in the 200 Individual Medley.
The Demons as a team defended their league championship in Grand Junction last weekend, with Ogilby winning the 500 Free and 200 IM, and contributing to team relay wins in the 200 Medley and 400 Freestyle. Both relay teams are headed to state, along with the 200 Freestyle team and numerous individual qualifiers for the Demons swim team. Among them are two other CRMS students, sophomore Rowan Wolfson in the 50 Free and 100 Butterfly, and freshman Laia Ogilby in the 100 Backstroke.