Flatirons Academy girls basketball could hardly have asked for a better 2021-22 season.
Following a dominant tear through their regular-season slate, the Bison entered the postseason like a wrecking ball and subsequently knocked down every team in their path. Their run reached its final acme when they defeated Briggsdale 52-43 for the Class 1A state title, avenging one of their two losses earlier in the season.
“It was super fun to play that high of a level of competition in the championship game,” junior Emma Cox said. “We went in at halftime, not knowing. We were like, ‘Dang, this is a really close game.’ So it was fun to be that high-intensity.”
The Bison, who finished the season with a 23-2 record, weren’t used to that level of pushback. Briggsdale made them earn each and every point, just as any championship matchup warrants. The win took on a more special meaning after COVID robbed the Bison of celebrating their first championship with fans during the 2020-21 season.
“It was so awesome, especially (compared to) the first year,” senior guard/forward Kenlee Durrill said. “We won (during) COVID. It wasn’t as surrounding and it was just so much more fun.”
Unfortunately for the rest of the 1A competition, the Bison look to be even more dangerous this year. They didn’t graduate a single senior, meaning they’ll be returning a roster one year older and wiser and without the state tournament nerves.
They’ve already played their way to the top two years in a row. They know what it takes. And their schedule, which is comprised mostly of 2A, 3A and 4A opponents, will make them even more treacherous when the postseason rolls around.
They’re ready for the challenge.
“We had that talk last year,” first-year head coach Eric Rakers said. “… Yes, we did some great things last year. This is a new season, we have high expectations. Coming in this year, we haven’t lost anybody, didn’t have any seniors last year so it’s the same thing again with high expectations. But you have to earn it and you play the games for that reason.”