BOULDER – No nail biting, court rushing or edge of your seat madness on the first Wednesday of March.

Instead for Air Academy, it was the fulfillment of a season goal.

The 25-2 Kadets, who never trailed, beat Pueblo West 49-36 in the 4A state girls’ basketball semifinals at the University of Colorado Coors Event Center – the same spot where they lost last year.

“It was the motivation of the year,” said Air Academy coach Bob Wingett, whose team lost last year to Broomfield in the semifinals. “It was to get to this day and not let the same thing happen to us.”

Thanks to its defense, it didn’t.

Air Academy’s man-to-man pressure made Pueblo West’s offense look like it was dribbling on trampolines for most of the game. The Kadets recorded eight steals out of the Cyclones’ 22 turnovers. Pueblo West, 23-4, shot 35 percent and went just 4-for-9 from the line.

Air Academy made the most of it on the other end where it shot 41 percent and hit 12 of its 19 free throws.

“We were never like nervous, nervous,” said 5-foot-10 senior Miranda Beal who had two of Air Academy’s three 3s. “Instead we were excited, nervous.”

The Kadets will face the winner of the next game between Pueblo South (26-0) and D’Evelyn (22-3) at 6 p.m. Friday in the final (TV: ROOT Sports).

Air Academy coach Bob Wingett celebrates with players after the Kadets beat Pueblo West 49-36 Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at the Coors Event Center in Boulder. Air Academy advances to the State Championship game. Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

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