SANFORD – Sanford High School’s Avery Koenig made a jump shot with 11 seconds remaining to lead the third-ranked Mustangs to a 24-23 win over Buena Vista Tuesday at the SHS Gym.
“It was a good, close game,” said Sanford coach Keith. Caldon. “We had a fun time. Buena Vista played really well, I was proud of our girls. We hard and just kept battling even though a lot of out shots weren’t falling. We just kept battling.”
Claire Crowther scored in the paint to give Sanford an early 2-0 lead. Liz Molitor scored to tie the score, but Crowther drained a 3-point shot.
Macy Reavis also made a three to tie the score at 5-5. Jewel Caldon made a layup to give the lead back to the Mustangs, but Molitor made a free throw to bring the Demons within 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
Reavis buried a trey to open the second quarter to give Buena Vista its first lead at 9-7. Alex Baird then made a layup to increase the lead to 11-7.
Crowther knocked down a jumper, and Brinlyn Smith made a 3-pointer to give Sanford a 12-11 edge at halftime.
Baird put the Demons back into the lead early in the third quarter, and Daisy Lubbers split at the line for a 14-12 Buena Vista lead.
Smith made her second three to put Sanford back in front. Koenig then made a layup to push the lead to 17-14.
Molitor made one of two from the line to cut the lead to 17-15 at the end of the third quarter.
Makynlee Faucette made two free throws, and Koenig made a trey to give the Mustangs their largest lead of the game at 22-15. But Buena Vista started to chip at the lead and got back into the ball game.
First Adeline Smith made a jumper and Lubbers split at the line. Adeline Smith then drained a three to bring the Demons within 22-21.
Molitor split at the free throw line with 1:37 remaining to tie the score at 22-22. She did the same thing with 45 seconds to play to give the Demons a 23-22 lead.
Koenig knocked down the game-winner with 11 seconds left. Molitor had a chance to put Buena Vista back in front with two free throws. However, she missed both shots.
The Demons got the offensive rebound and Reavis had a chance to win the game, however, her 3-point shot was off target.
Koenig and Crowther led the Mustangs in scoring with seven points each and Brinlyn Smith was right behind with six.
Molitor and Reavis led Buena Vista with six points apiece.
Sanford (10-0, 1-0) played at Fowler on Friday. It will be in Westcliffe to face Custer County today.
“It will be a fun trip,” coach Caldon said. “It will be a challenge. Fowler always has a rich history of good athletics, and Custer is always fun to go to as well. It will be good weekend.”
Sanford 24, Buena Vista 23
Buena Vista – Smith 2 0-0 5, Reavis 2 0-0 6, Lubbers 0 2-6 2, Molitor 1 4-10 6, Baird 2 0-3 4, McWhirter 0 0-0 0, Bearss 0 0-0 0, Speckman 0 0-0 0. Total 7 6-19 23.
3-point goals – Reavis 2, Smith 1. Total 3.
Sanford – Smith 2 0-0 6, Koenig 3 0-4 7, Crowther 3 0-0 7, Je. Caldon 1 0-2 2, Faucette 0 2-4 2, H. Peterson 0 0-0 0, J. Peterson 0 0-0 0, Ruggles 0 0-0 0. Total 9 2-10 24.
3-point goals – Smith 2, Crowther 1, Koenig 1. Total 4.
Buena Vista 6 5 4 8 – 23
Sanford 7 5 5 6 – 24
Fouls – Buena Vista 14, Sanford 17.