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Photo by Hans Hallgren

Moffat County High School's Jorgiea Raftopoulos scores late in the game against Greeley West on Friday in the 4A girls basketball playoffs in Longmont. The Bulldogs held the Spartans to a season-low 21 points.

Photo by Hans Hallgren

MCHS girls basketball coach Craig Mortensen barks out a play Friday night. Mortensen's squad eliminated the No. 3 seed Spartans for the second consecutive year.

Denver — Defense.

The constant for Moffat County High School girls basketball coach Craig Mortensen throughout the year when referring to his team has been defense.

The Bulldogs proved Friday night they've been listening.

Moffat County (22-3 overall, 13-1 Western Slope League) held Greeley West to two points in the first quarter Friday, riding the defensive pressure to a 45-21, "Sweet 16" victory, knocking the Spartans from the 4A state championships for the second consecutive year.

The Bulldogs bounced the Spartans, 60-42, last year and held Greeley West to a season-low 21 points this year.

"We set a nice tempo early," Mortensen said. "Everyone did a great job defensively. We were very effective doing what we normally do.

"We took them out of their offense because of our defense."

The Spartans (19-6 overall, 12-2 Northern League - East division) went on a 4-0 run to begin the second quarter behind the aggressive play of senior Kari Ameling.

But, when Ameling went to the bench with 3:45 left before the half, the Spartans offense went with her.

Moffat County broke open a 10-6 lead with a 12-4 scoring run to end the first half with a 22-10 lead.

The lead ballooned to 19 points at the end of the third quarter and ended in a 24-point Spartans loss.

"We had a lot of good shots. They just didn't fall," Spartans coach Tory Hanson said. "We got down, and the girls pushed the panic button. "Unfortunately for us, at this stage, it's win or go home, and we didn't win."

Greeley West went on a 6-0 run midway through the third quarter, pulling within 15 points at 31-16, but the Bulldogs clamped down defensively again.

Moffat County held the Spartans to five points throughout the last 10 minutes, and 40 seconds of the game.

Markie Workman led the Moffat County offense, scoring 10 points while hauling in 11 rebounds. Angie Charchalis chipped in with nine points.

Desirae Pearcey scored 10, as well.

"We focus on defense all the time, no matter who we are playing," Workman said. "Our defense set the tone for us."

Greeley West's top two scorers, Kari Ameling (16.6 ppg) and Lauren Dusin (15.7 ppg), were held to four and eights points, respectively.

"Mort told us we were supposed to cover number 25 (Dusin) and number 10" Ameling, Charchalis said said. "We always focus on defense, and tonight was no different."

Ameling, playing her last game in a Greeley West uniform, was sad the season is now over.

"It feels weird to be done," the Spartan senior said. "I guess we needed to come out stronger. But, hey, they are a really good team."

Moffat County, the No. 2 seed in the Lou Piel Region, faces off with Silver Creek, the No. 1 seed, today at 1 p.m. in the 4A "Great 8" regional championship.

Silver Creek (23-2) knocked out Pueblo West (17-9), 59-46, to advance to today's championship.

"They're good," Mortensen said. "We are going to have to play well to beat them."

John Vandelinder can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 211, or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com