[slideshow_deploy id=’12879′]

The girls Varsity basketball team stepped out onto the court at Fossil Ridge High SChool on Friday, January 28 to compete against Broomfield, 2015 state champions. The Lady Sabercats began the game with high intensity, looking for a chance at an upset against defending champions. With Sami Steffeck, Katey Guzman, Ashley Steffeck, Britton Mishak, and Regan Wess starting the game, the Sabercats began the game with a strong start.

The Lady Sabercats played tough defense throughout the whole game but they played the best defense in the first quarter, holding off Broomfield’s fast drives towards the basket. Their tough defense and successful offense ended the quarter with Fossil winning 14-6. The Steffeck sisters led the team in the first half, hitting their first shots of the game.

During the second quarter, Fossil lost some of their intensity which allowed Broomfield to make a comeback. The Sabercats turned the ball over quite a bit, giving Broomfield the chance for fast breaks that resulted in more baskets scored for them. Broomfield wasn’t able to pull ahead off of Fossil’s turnovers, ending the first half 19-17.

Beginning the second half of the game, the Sabercats knew they had to compete more aggressively so they can pull off the win. Wess made some huge plays which gave the team a chance to raise their defensive intensity. The team’s aggressive defense kept Broomfield to only scoring one basket in the first ten minutes of the third quarter with the score; Fossil 24, Broomfield 19. Towards the end of the third quarter, Broomfield tried to catch up and pull ahead, making the game intense and exciting. Fossil still held the lead at the end of the third quarter, 31-27.

With excitement in the air, the Sabercats began the final quarter trying to finish the game strong. Kylie Metcalf showed up to play by putting away many shots for Fossil and also putting the team up 33-32 early in the fourth quarter. With two minutes left in the game, Broomfield tied it up 35-35. The ball went back and forth between the two teams, causing the points to go up on the board slowly. Sami Steffeck was fouled and put on the free throw line with eight seconds left of the game and the team down 39-37. Steffeck made both free throws, causing the Sabercats to tie the game 39-39. Broomfield called a time out to create a play that gave them a chance to win the game. When the teams stepped back onto the court, Broomfield tried for a fast break and their point guard got fouled and put on the free throw line. After she missed the first free throw, the Sabercats had hope that she would miss the second so they could go into overtime. However, the point guard on Broomfield drained her second free throw, winning the game 39-40. It was a devastating loss for the Sabercats but they were proud of the way they competed.