HIGHLANDS RANCH – Leadership can be displayed in several ways, and
Highlands Ranch senior
Michaela Neuhaus pretty much had them all covered Saturday.
As the leading scorer in Class 5A, Neuhaus, who will play next season at the University of Denver, is regarded as perhaps the best player in the state.
File photo by Patrick MillerMichaela Neuhaus
She looked anything but that, though, for a good stretch of the super showdown between the top-ranked and defending state champion Falcons and
Regis Jesuit (Aurora), which is ranked No. 2 by MaxPreps.
Highlands Ranch eventually won the regular season's most anticipated game 51-45 in overtime, and Neuhaus responded when her team needed her most.
The game was a tale of two distinctly different halves for both teams, as well as for the principal players.
Highlands Ranch struggled mightily offensively early, and Neuhaus epitomized the woeful effort. In the first half she made only two of 15 shots, which helped put the Falcons in a 14-point hole at halftime.
Regis Jesuit was in prime position to beat the Falcons for the first time in eight tries, while also avenging its loss to Highlands Ranch in last season's state championship.
Given the circumstances, lesser players and teams might have sulked. Instead, Neuhaus continued her aggressive offensive approach and buckled down on defense. Her competitiveness buoyed her teammates, and in the end that made all the difference.
"We knew we just had to fight and play harder, and do the little things right," the 5-foot-7 guard said. "Once we regained our composure, we played how we like to play, and that was the difference in the second half."
Spirited defense by Highlands Ranch in the third quarter coincided with Neuhaus regaining her offensive touch. She scored six points in the third, and subsequently the Falcons cut the deficit to 39-32 entering the fourth.
The comeback was complete when Neuhaus gave Highlands Ranch its first lead – 42-41 – on a 3-pointer with 3 minutes, 30 seconds remaining in regulation. It was the first and only trey Neuhaus hit in 10 attempts from behind the arc.
The teams went to overtime tied 43-all, and in the extra session Highlands Ranch scored its eight points on free throws. Neuhaus went 5-for-6 from the stripe in OT to finish with a game-best 22 points, only 1 less than her average. Sixteen of those points came in the second half, somewhat overshadowing her final shooting statistics of 7-for-28 from the field.
"Our shots weren't falling early, but we knew if we kept at it and kept taking it to them that eventually stuff was going to go our way," Neuhaus said. "And I had to have the next-play mentality. I told myself, ‘So, I didn't get that one, but I'm going to get the next one'. I just kept confidence in my shot."
As did teammate
Abriana Lujan, who helped stabilize the Falcons during the rough stretches by adding 14 points.
The reversal by Neuhaus and the Falcons mirrored that of Regis Jesuit and her counterpart
Marquelle Dent.
Dent, a smooth senior guard who has committed to Wyoming, couldn't be stopped early, hitting one jumper after another. She scored half of the Raiders' 34 points in the first half, which included 12 of their 14 in the second quarter.
Highlands Ranch focused its efforts on stopping her after the break, though, and she managed only shot in the second half. Regis Jesuit managed just 11 points after halftime.
"I think me and my team coming out stronger in the second half really helped us overcome her and what she can bring," Neuhaus said.
With the victory, Highlands Ranch remained on top of the Continental League and likely gained the all-important inside edge for the overall No. 1 seed in the postseason, as several members of the state tournament selection committee looked on.
While those in attendance undoubtedly were impressed by the array of talent on both teams, making a rematch seem inevitable, the main reason the Falcons will be the favorites as they pursue their eighth title since 2000 was equally obvious.