Big win for NHS girls basketball at Skyline

In their last nine games, all losses, Niwot High School girls basketball has only scored at least 30 points two times, the most recent being a 47-37 loss to Skyline High School on Feb. 1, a game they Cougars led at halftime 25-16

On Monday, Feb. 12, that changed as Niwot sprinted past 30 to score 50 points and beat Skyline on the Falcons' court. It was a big win that Cougars' Coach Todd Trobaugh likely saw coming.

In an interview before the Feb. 12 game,Trobaugh said that despite the score, "The team played hard against Mountain View," and he saw the game as a "step forward." He added, "The kids were fired up for Skyline."

Apparently so, as Niwot came out fast. Ella Zechman drained a three from deep in the corner and the Cougars ran to a quick 7-0 lead just 90 seconds into the game. They were playing with confidence and moving the ball well when Chloe Mitchell was fouled while shooting, made the shot and then converted the "and one" free throw. The Niwot fans went crazy and the Cougars went into the second period up 18-8.

Just 1:15 into the second period, Skyline had cut the lead to 18-14 and Coach Trobaugh called a time-out to stress effort, fundamentals and patience. Thalia Almaraz and Jiselle Sales responded by playing even harder than they had in the first period.

With just a little over a minute left in the second period, Almaraz made a big bucket to help the Cougars trade baskets with Skyline. It can only be described as a leaning, stretching, off-balance, spinning off her pivot foot type of shot that would be the envy of most anyone who has ever played competitive basketball. The first half ended with Niwot up 24-17.

Both teams came out playing hard in the third period, but the shots weren't falling for either side. That changed when Almaraz drained a three with about 6 minutes to go that brought all the Niwot fans to their feet. Almaraz finished her strong nine-point third quarter with a buzzer beater to take the Cougars into the last period with a 37-27 lead over the Falcons.

With two minutes gone in the last period, Niwot was ahead 38-33. Whether because of the weight of their losing streak or stronger play by Skyline to start the quarter, things started to get tighter for the Cougars. The teams traded baskets before Zechman sank another three from the deepest part of the corner with 4:07 to play. It was a beauty that had the Niwot supporters cheering loudly.

With a minute to go, Niwot was up 47-41 when Skyline scored two and promptly took a timeout to draw up plays. Niwot saw their lead shrink to just four points, 48-44.

With just 4.4 seconds to go, Madison Ackerman stepped up to the line for Niwot and despite the pressure, drained both ends of a one-and-one, to put the game out of reach. The final score was Niwot 50, Skyline 47.

Almaraz led all scorers with 16 points and Niwot busted out of their scoring slump with points coming from Mitchell (10), Zechman (9), Sales (6), Ackerman (5), Johnson (3) and Adams (1).

Coach Trobaugh has been telling his team three things since the middle of January: "You're a young team, keep competing and working hard and if you do these things, good stuff will happen."

Good stuff happened on Monday at Skyline, and the Cougars hope it will continue when Niwot next plays Feb. 13 at home against Ft. Morgan High School, a team they beat earlier in the season on the road.