Columbine High School’s girls basketball team delivered a strong offensive performance on Monday night, defeating Golden 82-29. The Rebels made 15 three-pointers in the first three quarters and had five players finish with double-digit points.
Coach Keegan Bell addressed the team’s recovery after their only loss of the season to Valor Christian, where they failed to make any three-point shots. “The other league night (versus Valor) we were 0-for-25 from 3s,” 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 now holds a 14-1 overall record and is second in the Class 6A Jeffco League standings with a 3-1 conference record, trailing Valor Christian, which remains undefeated in league play.
Senior Jordyn Washington led Columbine with 19 points, including three three-pointers. Senior Taylor Speir added 18 points and four three-pointers, while seniors Kortny Brock and Mason Abraham contributed 12 and 10 points respectively, each making two three-pointers. Sophomore Abigail Allison scored eight points, and freshman Kaylee Yoder added ten; both came off the bench to hit two three-pointers each in the first half.
Washington noted the importance of starting the week well as Columbine faces a busy schedule: “We have a big week,” she said. “We wanted to start the week off strong with a strong team win with everyone getting some.” She also commented on playing games with less pressure before more league matchups: “It is good to have a game in between (league) that is a little more fun. A little less pressure where we can get in our flow before more league games.”
Golden entered the matchup after winning three straight games but was limited to its lowest point total of the season. Senior Ashlyn Bates led Golden with eight points.
Looking ahead, Golden will return to conference play against Littleton on Wednesday at Golden High School. Columbine will travel to Lakewood for its next game before facing rival Chatfield later in the week.
Coach Bell emphasized the competitiveness of their league: “I said it last year, ‘If anyone wants to see some good basketball come see our league.’ You’ve got really good players on each team. It’s a lot of fun and the league is really tough.” He also highlighted this season’s competitive atmosphere: “This year I think there is a little more competitive edge with everyone wanting to be on top and it up for grabs.”
Valor Christian remains favored for an eighth consecutive league title, having won 31 straight league games since the start of the 2022-23 season.
Columbine will face Valor again on February 7 at home. Washington spoke about facing opponents twice during conference play: “It is great that we get to play everyone twice,” she said. “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.”
