L-P teams dominate in first round

MONUMENT - Both Lewis-Palmer basketball teams won decisively at home Tuesday night to advance to the second round of the Class 4A state tournament.

The first-seeded Lewis-Palmer boys outplayed Skyview 66-48, improving their record to 23-0, one game away from the school record for consecutive wins in a season.

The No.8 Ranger girls beat No.25 Montezuma-Cortez 62-37 after they figured out how to stop the Panthers' top scorer, Stefanie Allison.

Allison scored 16 points, almost half of the Cortez total. In the first quarter, she took the Rangers by surprise. She scored seven points to keep the score close at 15-14. But after the Lewis-Palmer girls figured out how to stop her, they were able to pull away.

Ranger coach Russ Smith could be heard from the sideline: "Find 44! There she is! Go get her!" And they did, sticking forward Lindsey Laband on her man-to-man.

Allison had only two field goals the rest of the game.

Post player Amy Bladow led Lewis-Palmer with 21 points. The offense also opened up outside shots for guard Krista Rosebush, who finished with 17.

In the boys game, Lewis-Palmer dominated with defense, speed, talent and offensive movement. Although Skyview made a comeback with 26 points in the fourth quarter - more than they had in the first three combined - the Rangers always seemed to be in the right spot.

Will Stingley led L-P with 21 points, and four players had between eight and 11.

"We've been playing together since third grade," Stingley said. "We know each other really well and where we're going to be."

Both Lewis-Palmer teams play Friday at home for the right to advance to the state quarterfinals. The boys play No.17 Niwot (15- 8); the girls play No.24 Thomas Jefferson (14-8) or No.9 Montrose (17- 5).

- Brian Cook may be reached at 636-0250 or gtsports@gazette.com

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