Colfax wins 2B title
Bulldogs repeat as state champs, Johnson as MVP
Kayla and Colfax did it again.
Kayla Johnson repeated as MVP, helping Colfax repeat as champion of the State 2B girls basketball tournament.
Johnson had 19 points and the Bulldogs handled La Salle’s pressure defense until the closing moments for an easier-than-expected 52-43 win at the Arena Saturday night.
“It’s so awesome,” Johnson said. “I’ve been so blessed with play amazing teams my whole career.”
It was the seventh state title in volleyball, basketball and track for Colfax with Johnson as a part of the team.
“Every state championship is awesome,” she said. “But it’s better your senior year.”
The key to winning was staying composed against the Lightning defense and Colfax did just that until the closing minutes. Colfax led 50-27, but La Salle closed out the game with a 16-2 run.
Before that the Bulldogs (26-3) shot well and limited their turnovers. Until the final rush, which included eight turnovers, Colfax had 13 turnovers but those didn’t translate into the easy baskets the Lightning (23-3) usually generate.
“We told the kids, ‘Control the ball, control the game,’ ” Colfax coach Corey Baerlocher said. “We don’t have the luxury to face run and jump (defenses) at all. We told the kid if we can get it in a half-court game our odds improve. In order to do that we need to slow down and control the tempo of the game.”
With Johnson scoring nine points the Bulldogs raced to a 20-6 lead in the first quarter. Fouls were also an issue for the aggressive Lightning, with top scorer Savannah Bonny and Alicia Ashby picking up two apiece. Johnson also picked up a second foul in the first quarter but with a big lead her teammates were able to stick to the game plan.
Working for good shots, the Bulldogs shot 57.9 percent in the first half and made 12 of 14 free throws.
La Salle never really got untracked, shooting just 26.9 percent for the game, including 3 of 22 from 3-point range. The Lightning ended up 12 of 19 from the foul line but made just 2 of 6 in the decisive first half.
Colfax also controlled the inside with 6-foot-1 Kayleigh Maltone and 6-foot Shaina Simonson.
“When it comes to the state tournament you have to step up,” said Maltone, who had 12 points, double her season average, and a game-high nine rebounds as the Bulldogs were plus 12 on the boards.
“They didn’t have the size to control Meltone and Simonson,” Baerlocher said. “We played a lot of kids and they all contributed.”
Colfax shot 48.7 percent for the game, including a 2-for-7 fourth quarter.
Bonny finished with 17 points but seven came during the closing run.