CENTENNIAL — Senior Maddie Matthews saved her best high school performance for when it mattered most, pouring in a career-high 29 points to will No. 15 Arapahoe past No. 18 Chaparral 49-42 in a back-and-forth playoff battle at Sitting Eagle Gymnasium on Friday night.
The second-round bout was reminiscent of when the two teams met Dec. 15, a game in which the Warriors squeaked out a 48-47 victory after erasing a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit. Free throws were pivotal in Arapahoe’s triumph this time, as the Warriors shot 73 percent at the line, with Matthews sinking 13-of-14.
Senior point guard Macy Ziegler added nine points for the Warriors, who advanced to their second straight Sweet 16 and must travel to face No. 2 Grandview (23-1) on Tuesday. Chaparral was paced by senior point guard Reagan Chiaverini’s 15 points and sophomore center Sydney Speights’ 14 points.
Results from other notable games around the area:
CLASS 5A
No. 3 Horizon 76, No. 35 Eaglecrest 38: Horizon jumped out to a 43-11 lead by halftime and cruised, as senior point guard Kylie Jimenez (16 points) and the Hawks (21-3, 12-0 Front Range) appear to be peaking at the perfect time. Horizon hosts No. 19 Loveland on Tuesday.
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No. 13 Pine Creek 47, No. 20 Poudre 27: The Eagles (18-6, 10-2 Colorado Springs Metro) defeated a scrappy Impalas team thanks to clutch performances from two seniors, as small forward Spencer Lindsey and point guard Gabi O’Connor both had 13 points in the victory. Pine Creek plays at No. 4 Ralston Valley on Tuesday.
CLASS 4A
No. 8 Holy Family 48, No. 25 Mullen 37: Holy Family coach Ron Rossi, who is tied for the most all-time state championship wins at six, added to his Hall of Fame pedigree as the Tigers (19-5, 13-1 Tri Valley) leaned on the ball distributing abilities of junior point guard Izzy Hren to advance to the Sweet 16. Holy Family plays at No. 9 Golden on Tuesday.
No. 11 George Washington 55, No. 22 Thomas Jefferson 48: In a rematch of the Feb. 6 meeting between the two Denver Prep League foes — a game the Lady Patriots won 54-38 — George Washington again emerged victorious, with senior captains Davenport Brantley and Jendaya Jefferson stepping up to topple the Spartans. George Washington plays at No. 6 Valor Christian on Tuesday.