St. Mary’s girls’ basketball coach Mike Burkett enjoyed his annual end-of-season retreat to a family cabin in Grand Lake more than usual this spring.

After seemingly finishing everywhere but first at the state tournament over the past 19 seasons, Burkett and the Pirates summited the Class 3A ranks in 2018, finishing 26-1.

The lone loss came by a point to Colorado Springs Christian in a district final, but St. Mary’s rebounded March 10 in Denver, beating the Lions 44-38 for the elusive state title and earning Burkett Gazette Preps 2017-18 Class 3A-1A Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.

“Everybody was on the same page and we were all focused on making this the kind of year we hoped it would be,” Burkett said from the cabin.

Senior Makenna Bodette led the Lions with 15 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game and finished second on the team in scoring with 13.2 points per game. Sophomore Josephine Howery’s 13.9 scoring average led the Pirates, while Seneca Hackley, the team’s defensive stopper, and senior Mary Cummings added 9.7 and 8.4 points per game, respectively.

While St. Mary’s had a talented, balanced and deep roster, that wasn’t the only thing that set the Pirates apart this season.

“This group prepared like no other,” Burkett said. “They were dedicated. They had a sense of purpose. Since the moment we lost to Sterling last year, they were ready to go.”

After falling in the quarterfinals a year ago, the Pirates rolled through most of the season, winning all but four of their games by double digits. One of those games was the state championship when the Pirates needed four straight free throws from Howery to create some breathing room in the final minute. Burkett easily recites the details of the game after about 15 viewings of the championship game tape.

“I know how it comes out so I can watch it,” the St. Mary’s coach said.

By comparison, the 2013 championship game where the Pirates saw a six-point lead disappear late, has collected some dust

Burkett called his son/assistant coach Kyle Burkett the Pirates’ “mastermind,” while Don Mersman, Sean Mersman and the other St. Mary’s assistants take additional responsibilities off his plate.

“None of this happens for me without them,” Burkett said.

Even though the Pirates celebrated a state title, participated in a St. Patrick’s Day parade and met the mayor in the past couple of weeks, the coach was still spending a couple of days at the cabin reviewing the season past and starting preparations for the next one.

It’s just a little more enjoyable than previous retreats.

“It’s been a fun ride,” Burkett said. “It’s been a different ride.”

St. Mary’s girls’ basketball coach Mike Burkett enjoyed his annual end-of-season retreat to a family cabin in Grand Lake more than usual this spring.

After seemingly finishing everywhere but first at the state tournament over the past 19 seasons, Burkett and the Pirates summited the Class 3A ranks in 2018, finishing 26-1.

The lone loss came by a point to Colorado Springs Christian in a district final, but St. Mary’s rebounded March 10 in Denver, beating the Lions 44-38 for the elusive state title and earning Burkett Gazette Preps 2017-18 Class 3A-1A Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.

“Everybody was on the same page and we were all focused on making this the kind of year we hoped it would be,” Burkett said from the cabin.

Senior Makenna Bodette led the Lions with 15 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game and finished second on the team in scoring with 13.2 points per game. Sophomore Josephine Howery’s 13.9 scoring average led the Pirates, while Seneca Hackley, the team’s defensive stopper, and senior Mary Cummings added 9.7 and 8.4 points per game, respectively.

While St. Mary’s had a talented, balanced and deep roster, that wasn’t the only thing that set the Pirates apart this season.

“This group prepared like no other,” Burkett said. “They were dedicated. They had a sense of purpose. Since the moment we lost to Sterling last year, they were ready to go.”

After falling in the quarterfinals a year ago, the Pirates rolled through most of the season, winning all but four of their games by double digits. One of those games was the state championship when the Pirates needed four straight free throws from Howery to create some breathing room in the final minute. Burkett easily recites the details of the game after about 15 viewings of the championship game tape.

“I know how it comes out so I can watch it,” the St. Mary’s coach said.

By comparison, the 2013 championship game where the Pirates saw a six-point lead disappear late, has collected some dust

Burkett called his son/assistant coach Kyle Burkett the Pirates’ “mastermind,” while Don Mersman, Sean Mersman and the other St. Mary’s assistants take additional responsibilities off his plate.

“None of this happens for me without them,” Burkett said.

Even though the Pirates celebrated a state title, participated in a St. Patrick’s Day parade and met the mayor in the past couple of weeks, the coach was still spending a couple of days at the cabin reviewing the season past and starting preparations for the next one.

It’s just a little more enjoyable than previous retreats.

“It’s been a fun ride,” Burkett said. “It’s been a different ride.”