Air Academy freshman Kylee Blacksten didn’t think too much of her two late steals on Friday night, but it may go a long way in deciding the Pikes Peak Athletic Conference.

Katelin Gallegos and Mary Parchinski each had 11 points, and Blacksten and Liza Louthan forced three of Discovery Canyon’s four turnovers in the final minute as the Kadets held on to beat the Thunder 37-34 in a battle of top PPAC teams.

Clinging to a 35-34 lead, Blacksten raised her hands to snag Brianna Smith’s pass with 27 seconds remaining. After she was fouled and hit a pair of free throws, the freshman came down with another steal with 11 seconds to go as Air Academy held on for its 14th straight win.

“I just had my hands in the right place,” Blacksten said softly.

Maybe more exciting: The Kadets (15-2, 8-0 5A/4A PPAC) extended their lead in the league standings to two games over second-place Discovery Canyon (10-7, 6-2) with six games remaining.

This year may bring a new PPAC champion after Sand Creek (7-9, 3-5) won it in the league’s first four seasons.

“That was huge tonight,” Air Academy coach Phil Roiko said. “We talked to the girls and said if we can get this one and get a little cushion that would be huge for us.”

Emma List scored 18 points for the Thunder, who dropped to 5-1 with the Pine Creek-transfer in the lineup. List has averaged 16 points for her new team since returning to the court following a mandatory half-season sit period.

“I have total confidence in my team that we will be in the postseason and hopefully see them again,” List said. “One game does not show who we are.”

Air Academy scored seven straight points to take a 35-31 lead midway through the fourth but List went 1 of 2 from the line to cut the deficit to one with 1:03 remaining.

The Thunder had four turnovers on their last four possessions, and dropped to 0-12 against the Kadets in all-time matchups.

“When it comes down to close games we’re still figuring out how to convert that win with the personnel you have on the floor,” said Discovery Canyon coach Danelle Rivera, whose team acquired four transfers this season.

“That’s a big advantage when you have teams that can play together four years, three years.”

Early on, Louthan and Brooke Sulski nailed 3-pointers as Air Academy ran out to a 11-6 lead.

The Thunder rallied back and had five straight points from List to take a 21-16 lead in the third. Gallegos gave Air Academy back the lead for good when her free throw made it 32-31 with 5 minutes remaining.

Air Academy freshman Kylee Blacksten didn’t think too much of her two late steals on Friday night, but it may go a long way in deciding the Pikes Peak Athletic Conference.

Katelin Gallegos and Mary Parchinski each had 11 points, and Blacksten and Liza Louthan forced three of Discovery Canyon’s four turnovers in the final minute as the Kadets held on to beat the Thunder 37-34 in a battle of top PPAC teams.

Clinging to a 35-34 lead, Blacksten raised her hands to snag Brianna Smith’s pass with 27 seconds remaining. After she was fouled and hit a pair of free throws, the freshman came down with another steal with 11 seconds to go as Air Academy held on for its 14th straight win.

“I just had my hands in the right place,” Blacksten said softly.

Maybe more exciting: The Kadets (15-2, 8-0 5A/4A PPAC) extended their lead in the league standings to two games over second-place Discovery Canyon (10-7, 6-2) with six games remaining.

This year may bring a new PPAC champion after Sand Creek (7-9, 3-5) won it in the league’s first four seasons.

“That was huge tonight,” Air Academy coach Phil Roiko said. “We talked to the girls and said if we can get this one and get a little cushion that would be huge for us.”

Emma List scored 18 points for the Thunder, who dropped to 5-1 with the Pine Creek-transfer in the lineup. List has averaged 16 points for her new team since returning to the court following a mandatory half-season sit period.

“I have total confidence in my team that we will be in the postseason and hopefully see them again,” List said. “One game does not show who we are.”

Air Academy scored seven straight points to take a 35-31 lead midway through the fourth but List went 1 of 2 from the line to cut the deficit to one with 1:03 remaining.

The Thunder had four turnovers on their last four possessions, and dropped to 0-12 against the Kadets in all-time matchups.

“When it comes down to close games we’re still figuring out how to convert that win with the personnel you have on the floor,” said Discovery Canyon coach Danelle Rivera, whose team acquired four transfers this season.

“That’s a big advantage when you have teams that can play together four years, three years.”

Early on, Louthan and Brooke Sulski nailed 3-pointers as Air Academy ran out to a 11-6 lead.

The Thunder rallied back and had five straight points from List to take a 21-16 lead in the third. Gallegos gave Air Academy back the lead for good when her free throw made it 32-31 with 5 minutes remaining.