Del Norte thrills BEC crowd, will pursue third place

LOVELAND—Able to take a one-point lead late in the third quarter and maintain it for a good portion of the fourth, the Del Norte Lady Tigers’ run towards the Class 2A State Championship game came to an unfortunate end in Friday evening’s semifinals inside the Budweiser Events Center.

Getting three three-pointers and 24 points from Colorado Mesa University recruit Sophia Anderson, Paonia remained undefeated at DNHS’ expense—by a solitary point, 49 to 48.

Kendra Parra (14), Bailey Jones (13) and Lacie Jones (12) all scored in double figures for Del Norte (22-3), and the squad also got a strong six-point effort off the bench from sophomore Emily Gallegos before time expired with the Lady Tigers applying full-court pressure to PHS’ final inbounds pass.

With junior McKenna Palmer contributing 11 points off the bench, the Lady Eagles improved to 24-0 and will play Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. for the season’s ultimate prize.

Class 2A Girls’ “Final Four”—No. 3 DEL NORTE 48, at No. 2 Paonia 49:

DEL NORTE (5-12-19-12) 48: B.Jones 4 4-6 13, L.Jones 5 1-2 12, K.Martinez 0 0-0 0, K.Parra 4 4-7 14, D.Dallas 1 1-2 3, E.Gallegos 3 0-0 6, K.Pacheco 0 0-0 0, K.Madrid 0 0-0 0, K.Atencio 0 0-0 0, E.Haefeli 0 0-0 0, R.Velasquez 0 0-0 0, S.McConnell 0 0-0 0.  TOTALS: 17 10-17 48.  3-POINTERS: L.Jones, Parra 2, B.Jones.  FOULED OUT: None.  RECORD: 22-3.  UP NEXT: Sat., 3/11 (12:00 p.m.), 3rd-Place Game vs. #1 Yuma/#4 Wray (late Friday night) loser in Loveland.