Redfern leads Longhorns

In another “typical” performance for the Lady Longhorns’ Lauren Redfern, the multidimensional senior scored 22 points and hauled down 11 boards as Basalt rolled to 10-0 in league play with an 18-point win over rival Aspen last night at the BHS Bighouse.

The 5-foot-10 Redfern, who has averaged 22 points per game over the last 10 outings, scored from inside and out to lead the Lady ‘Horns in their continuing hunt for a fourth consecutive Class 3A Western Slope League Championship.

Basalt led 30-21 at halftime and doubled their advantage, 59-41, after four quarters to improve to 13-2 overall. Aspen dropped to 3-7 in league and 5-10 overall.

With four games remaining on Basalt’s regular-season schedule, Redfern and her teammates are well aware that they control their own destiny.

They demonstrated that much last night.

“We always have pressure on us, we’ve always been the ones to catch, but we’re feeling really good about our teamwork right now,” Redfern said. “I think we have great chemistry, even in comparison to years past.”

Redfern and senior classmates Brittany Pollock, Rochelle Moebius and Amanda Schmitt ” it should be reiterated ” have never not claimed a league championship. Judging from the foursome’s effort Tuesday, they don’t intend for that to change.

Pollock knocked down three 3-pointers, finishing with 15 points, and Moebius added 10. Redfern, who scored 11 points in the first quarter alone, also had five steals.

“Typical game,” Basalt coach Terry Kappeli said of Redfern’s performance. “She’s capable of playing anywhere and that’s a luxury to have on any team.”

Said Aspen coach Lance Finkbeiner, “Lauren’s probably the best player in the league. But she beat us mostly on the boards this time, going back up strong to the hoop.”

Sophomore Corie Thompson and junior Liz Floyd led Aspen with 10 points each. Senior Leandra Sivess added seven points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

“We missed a lot of shots and they shot the ball really well,” Finkbeiner added, “so I gotta give credit to them. We’re inexperienced in these big games and it’s showing, but we’re going to keep on fighting.”

For both Basalt and Aspen, four regular-season games remain.

While taking it one game at a time, according to Basalt’s Kappeli, Roaring Fork looks as if it will shape up to be an epic showdown. Basalt dealt Roaring Fork (9-1 in league) its only league loss, but that was at the Bighouse. Next time, Feb. 20, in both squads’ season finale, Basalt travels to Carbondale.

“We have to go undefeated to win the league,” Kappeli said, “and that’s our goal.”

In the meantime, the Lady Longhorns travel to Cedaredge on Friday.

The Aspen girls host Eagle Valley on Friday. Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m.