Win gives Doherty an edge

Rarely does a game this early in the conference season mean as much as Friday night's girls basketball contest between Coronado and Doherty.

But when the winner of the last five season series has gone on to win the Colorado Springs 5A Metro League title, Doherty's 47-33 victory more than likely will go along ways to deciding the league champion.

"This was a very big win for us because of the rivalry and it was our first league game on the road," Doherty coach Phil Johnson said.

"This now puts us in the driver's seat for league because it is usually Coronado or Doherty who wins it."

Johnson's counterpart, Jamie Risberg, echoed the sentiment.

"This was probably the conference championship because the last four or five years, the winner of this game also has won the conference championship," she said.

"The best we can hope for now is a split."

Playing in front of a near capacity crowd that was buzzing with excitement for the girls and boys varsity double-header, Coronado (5- 6, 1-1) and Doherty (9-1, 1-0) got off to a quiet start, scoring only a combined 15 points in the opening period.

Things got a bit more exciting in the second quarter with Doherty holding a 11-8 lead. Coronado guard Nikki Stratton hit a 3-pointer and teammate Ami Nunn added a 2-pointer to give their team its first and only lead of the game.

"They were doing a good job keying on Ambrosia (Anderson) but Julie (Richards) and Alisha (Godette) picked it up for us down low," Johnson said.

Ambrosia Anderson, Doherty's leading scorer, was held to six points.

Richards, who finished with a game-high 14 points and seven rebounds, said having a good game against a league opponent boosted her confidence.

"I think I got more confident in the second half and my shot was on, so I tried to shoot every time I was open," Richards said. "It was really important to win this game because of the rivalry."

- Kurt Eilmes may be reached at 636-0250 or keilmes@gazette.com

Girls basketball

Doherty 47

Coronado 33

HIGHLIGHT: Julie Richards has 14 points and seven rebounds for Doherty.

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