Air Academy girls basketball breaks tourney trend

For six seasons, the Regis Holiday Hoop Classic belonged to one of two girls basketball teams. The host Regis Jesuit (Aurora) Raiders had won it three times, as had ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch).

This time, Air Academy (U.S. Air Force Academy) broke the mold by beating each of them. The Kadets, who moved down to Class 4A this season, upended ThunderRidge 65-61 in the semifinals – despite 33 points from Grizzlies Florida-bound senior Carlie Needles – then outlasted Regis Jesuit 53-49 in Saturday's title contest.

"This is just what's going to carry on for the rest of the year," said Air Academy's Miranda Beal, who was named tournament MVP. "It's just a little preview of what we're going to see for the rest of the season."

The Kadets entered the tournament 3-4 and underwent an in-season coaching change when Bob Wingett replaced Ivan Chambers, but they've since won four straight.

"It was nice to beat (Regis Jesuit) in their own gym, because they beat us in the quarterfinals last year," Beal said. "It was good to get some redemption."

SHEPARD LOSES COURT CASE
Former Chaparral guard Katie Shepard, who will play at Sacred Heart next season, won't play at all this season. Shepard transferred to Highlands Ranch this season, but was deemed ineligible because of a new stipulation in CHSAA's transfer rule. Shepard played over the summer for Highlands Ranch coach Caryn Jarocki, and the rule states that one may not transfer to a club coach's school.

Shepard's case to be reinstated was denied in Douglas County this week. The grounds on which the Shepards were appealing were unclear.

COOPER GIVES MONTBELLO A LAST-SECOND WIN
Isiah Cooper hit a baseline floater as time expired Tuesday night, sending Montbello to a dramatic 74-73 win against Rock Canyon. Cooper scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, offsetting a 30-point outing from the Jaguars' Matt Hopper. Hopper doubles as Rock Canyon's quarterback in the fall.

Cooper scored 34 points Saturday in Montbello's 78-72 win against Campbell County, Wyo.

MONARCH GIRLS ON THE RISE
With several Division I prospects, including Arizona State signee Eliza Norman, the Monarch girls basketball team is as nationally recognized as it has ever been. The Coyotes (7-2) have jumped in the top 70 of MaxPreps' national rankings and are as high as No. 10 in one publication (which seems a bit generous despite the Coyotes' talent).

"Defensively, we've got to get better," Monarch coach Gail Hook said. "We have to get back to basics."

Monarch improved to 7-2 on Tuesday night with a 57-50 win against Fairview. Both of the Coyotes' losses came against upper-tier competition in the Nike Tournament of Champions. Monarch will soon get a boost when Horizon-transfer Jac Malcom-Peck becomes eligible after sitting out the first half of the season.

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