Gratitude was on Jordyn Rollins’ mind despite the adversity on Thursday morning.  

The Colorado Springs Christian senior’s season came to an end after the sixth-seeded Lions’ girls basketball team fell in the 3A state quarterfinals 31-27 in a gritty battle against third-seeded Yuma at the University of Denver. 

She was part of state championship-winning teams her freshman and sophomore seasons and helped the Lions place third last year. 

“I don’t just have to say, ‘Oh yeah, I played basketball in high school. I loved basketball in high school. I loved my team, I love my coaches, and they shaped me into the woman I am,” she said. “To be able to walk away after a tough loss or a great win, a gutsy win and to run into the arms of my teammates and run into the arms of my family, it’s a blessing. It’s more than just high school basketball to me.”

Colorado Springs Christian (21-5) had some struggles on defense on Thursday, but the game was lost on offense. 

“We didn’t take care of the ball well, we didn’t shoot it well,” Lions coach Mark Engesser said. “We just weren’t able to overcome it. Twenty-seven points isn’t enough to win. Our defense, even though we had some breakdowns, 30 points, you should be able to win if you only give up 30 points.”

The Lions averaged more than 50 points a game entering the contest but on Thursday, they were down 19-14 at the half. CSCS trailed by as many as nine midway into the second quarter, but a 3-pointer from junior Capri Simpson sparked a 10-6 run for the Lions. CSCS junior and leading scorer Rose Ross followed Simpson’s bucket with a score in transition, added a second basket, and converted a late “And-1” chance as part of a seven-point quarter. 

CSCS maintained that offensive rhythm in the third. Rollins made a contested shot and went to the line for the foul. On an ensuing possession, she found sophomore teammate Anna Glojek for the close-range bucket. To end the quarter, Ross made three consecutive free throws after being fouled on a 3-pointer to tie the game at 25. 

The effort quieted the Yuma crowd momentarily, but the Outlaws gave them reason to cheer again. They went on a 5-0 run to begin the fourth quarter, two off free throws and leading scorer Berkley Nighswonger hit a corner 3-pointer to punctuate the start.

Following the big shot, Yuma tried to run down the clock with frequent passes but the Lions forced turnovers. Unfortunately for Colorado Springs Christian, the steals didn’t result in points. 

“They were just pressuring us a little. We just turned it over too much,” Engesser said. “We just had too many turnovers there when the game was tied and if you’re not going to get shots at the basket, it’s tough to win when you’re passing to the other team. The shots we did get, they just weren’t falling in the fourth. It could have been legs. I didn’t sub maybe as much as I could. He subbed a lot which is credit to him.”

Ross led the Lions in points with 11 on the day, Rollins added six. Yuma’s Taryn Sheffield finished with a game-high 14 points.