Heartbreak for Grand Valley girls basketball in Great 8 showdown
Taylor Cramer/Glenwood Springs Post Independent
In a matchup that ended in disappointment for the No. 3 Grand Valley High School girls basketball team, the Cardinals fell to the No. 6-seeded St. Mary’s Pirates, 40-35, in the Great 8 of the Class 3A state basketball playoffs on Thursday at the University of Denver. The loss was particularly stinging as the Cardinals, boasting an undefeated record of 24-0 entering the game, were eyeing their first state championship appearance since 2008.
The game started off close, with Grand Valley holding a slim 6-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, a costly turnover by Grand Valley senior Kaylae Medina allowed St. Mary’s to snatch a two-pointer at the buzzer, turning the tide. By halftime, St. Mary’s had extended its lead to 25-15, putting the Cardinals in a challenging position.
Undeterred, Grand Valley came out strong in the second half, embarking on an 8-0 run to close the gap to 25-23. Senior Chloe Williams hit a crucial 3-pointer, giving Grand Valley a brief 26-25 lead. Despite their efforts, the Cardinals trailed 31-28 heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the intensity escalated. After St. Mary’s expanded its lead to 40-29, GVHS senior Aryaa Turner and sophomore Taylor Pittman tried to ignite a comeback for Grand Valley with a number of steals. Turner’s and-one opportunity and Medina’s late floater brought hope, but time was not on their side.
“The team played their hearts out the entire game, but you could tell in the final minutes how much these girls wanted this win,” Grand Valley coach Kermit Spencer said in reference to his team. “We had our opportunities and unfortunately just made some mistakes, but I couldn’t be more proud.”
In the final minute, St. Mary’s missed key free throws, missing four in a row, yet the Cardinals couldn’t capitalize. Chloe Gronewoller’s free throw in the last seconds to close the gap within five wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit. Final efforts to turn the game around fell short, concluding Grand Valley’s quest for a state title.
“St. Mary’s was the better team tonight,” Spencer said. “The girls did more than I think they imagined. I came into this season as a first-year coach for this team not knowing what to expect, and this team exceeded my expectations, but we just couldn’t get it done tonight.”
The Cardinals end their season with a 24-1 record.
Heartbreak for Grand Valley girls basketball in Great 8 showdown
The Cardinals fell to the No. 6-seeded St. Mary’s Pirates, 40-35, in the Great 8 of the Class 3A state basketball playoffs on Thursday.
