Class 3A

Holy Family 45, Colorado Springs Christian 29

FORT COLLINS — Three times a champion.

Holy Family coach Ron Rossi's coaching philosophy preaches hard work, discipline and a never-say-die mentality that shows in the way his girls play for him.

The Tigers, who won for an emotional Rossi in 2008 — his first in a 30-plus-year coaching career — then again last year, capped off No. 3 with an emotional victory over Colorado Springs Christian on Saturday in the championship game at Moby Arena.

"We talked last year about scoops of ice cream, and we've done the banana split, because that takes three scoops," Rossi said. "This one is just as sweet as the first two."

The cherry on top for the Tigers (26-1) was the fact this came against the one team that not only beat them during the regular season, but won their tournament in December.

C.S. Christian erased a 24-12 halftime deficit and clawed back within 32-25 going to the fourth quarter, but any momentum the Lions thought they had was quickly erased by Taylor Helbig, who hit the first of long back-to-back 3-pointers to stretch the lead back to double digits.

Sarah Talamantes, who missed the first game against Colorado Springs Christian, finished with a game-high 13 points.

The Lions (26-1) were led by Brianne Vande Griend's nine points.

Class 2A

Paonia 43, Akron 39

PUEBLO — Jordyn Rienks and Johanna Reed combined to score seven points in the final 90 seconds, vaulting Paonia to its first-ever basketball title for either boys or schools Saturday night at Colorado State University-Pueblo's Massari Arena.

"This was just a special group of girls, and when they needed to come through in a close game, they did," said Paonia coach Scott Rienks, who is Jordyn's father. "They didn't let the pressure get to them, and this is just a very sweet victory."

The Eagles, who finished the season with a 25-1 record, lost to Wray 46-35 in last year's state final. Akron, which has just one senior on its squad, finished the season 21-5.

When Rochelle Boyce, who had a game-high 19 points, made two free throws at the 3:49 mark of the fourth quarter, Akron went up 36-28. Paonia countered with a frantic run and took a 39-38 lead when Jordyn Rienks converted a three-point play.

After Akron's Sydney Clarkson missed a jumper in the lane with 53 seconds left, Paonia took possession and Reed was fouled by Akron's Sidney Merrill with 33.3 seconds showing.

With her team up by one, Reed made one of two free throws, giving Paonia a 40-38 edge.

Boyce was fouled on Akron's next possession, but she made just one of two shots from the charity stripe, cutting the deficit to 40-39 with 30.8 seconds on the clock. Akron immediately forced a turnover, but Reed returned the favor with a steal of her own, and she was fouled with 14.3 seconds left. This time Reed made both her free throws, putting Paonia up 42-39.

Clarkson tried to tie the game with a 3-pointer moments later, but it was off the mark and Rienks snared the rebound and was fouled. Rienks made her first free throw with 3.7 seconds left to seal the win.

"This is an amazing feeling," Jordyn Rienks said. "The eight seniors on this team have been dreaming about winning state since we were like 2 years old, and it finally came true."

Class 1A

Kim 51, Wiley 32

PUEBLO — The Kim Mustangs won their first-ever state championship, thanks in large part to a strong second quarter, when they outscored the Wiley Panthers 19-8. The Mustangs cruised the rest of the way.

Last year, Kim lost in the championship game to McClave by one and the year before.

Danielle Lewis led the way with 18 points for the Mustangs.

This was Kim's third win of the year over Wiley. Their first two games finished in blowouts of 61-21 and 52-24.