Gilpin hoopsters split double-header against Crusaders

By Scott Fuller

2/10/2005 - Both the Gilpin County boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams realized prior to their respective games against visiting Maranatha Christian Academy Friday night at Gilpin County High School that, in some fashion, the outcome might greatly influence the remainder of their seasons.

  More so, one might say, for the girls than the boys; as the Lady Crusaders and Lady Eagles were practically tied for fourth place in 2A’s District 7 prior to their meeting Friday. Both teams will likely host the first games of their respective postseasons, but in what can be a long and arduous march to the state tournament, every little advantage counts for a lot.

  The Gilpin boys, meanwhile, might well have resigned themselves to the fact that they will finish last in their own league before even tipping with the Crusaders. Even so, just two or three wins between now and the season-ender on Feb. 17 might make the difference between traveling to Jefferson Academy (a consensus state contender) and a second seed like Alexander Dawson or Jefferson Academy.

  As it turned out, only one Gilpin team would get its wish and it was business as usual for fans present at G.C.H.S Friday. The Lady Eagles won a hotly-contested 37-27 decision over visiting Maranatha, while the boys in black and gold were on the wrong end of a 57-26 outcome in the nightcap against their Crusader counterparts.

  Trying to shake what could be considered a recent scoring slump, Gilpin center Andrea Galanski dropped five field goals and shot 4-of-9 from the free throw line for 14 points. Each and every point turned out to be necessary, as the Crusaders were sparked by the surprising inside-outside ability of Maranatha senior center Adrienne Gothard. The big power forward scored a game-high 19 on 11 field goals, including four in the form of three-pointers.

  Gilpin head coach Jeff Schuessler once again showed his blackboard superiority in formulating a defense which was able to isolate the rest of the team while essentially allowing Gothard to score. Just two other Lady Crusaders scored points in the loss, combining for a mere eight.

  Galanski’s offensive effort was enough to nudge her up a single spot in the state’s scoring leader board. She now ranks 24^th with 12.6 points per game, just behind Shandi Allen of Fowler (13.1 PPG). The state’s leader is Lindsey Wood of Evangelical Christians, who has scored 24.5 points per game.

  The road ahead for the Lady Eagles seems unsure, as they will match up with perennial contenders which have drastically under-achieved this season. Gilpin’s remaining five opponents have combined for a record of 27-42, and none is ranked higher than 7^th in the league (Resurrection Christian).

  The effort on the boy’s side Friday was nearly as intense, but as the game wore on, it was clear to all that Gilpin was simply outmatched.

  Two Maranatha starters scored in double figures, and eight on the roster of 12 contributed with at least a field goal, and the Crusaders routed Gilpin County for just their second win in five tries.

  Gilpin County played an inspired first quarter, trailing by only three at the first break, but a 20-4 Maranatha second frame set the pace of the game for the remaining half. Trailing 29-10 at halftime, the Eagles would find a way to more than double their offensive output in the second half. Even so, Maranatha pulled away, scoring 28 as a team in the game’s final quarters to win walking away.

  Junior Shane Vaughn led the Eagle scoring sheet with seven, and classmates Jose Garcia and Eric Quintana combined for another nine. Senior Neal Gillivan, the team’s high scorer, was held to a mere two points on one field goal.