In its first eight years of existence, Twin Peaks girls basketball never experienced a winning record.
That may change this year.
After making the move to the Class 3A/2A Foothills League from the Mile High League, the Timberwolves are not just winning games. They’re stringing together victorious streaks fit to make most teams jealous.
“This league is really more accustomed to our skill level at this point. A lot of the schools are newer like Golden View (Classical Academy),” head coach Jim Schauer said. “It’s a lot of building programs and we’re still building. This is our ninth year and you kind of see some of the same struggles that other teams have that we have.”
Prior to Monday night’s contest against GVCA, the Timberwolves had enjoyed an 8-4 record and led their league at 2-0. They won eight of 10 games to get there following an 0-2 skid to begin with. They had never won more than seven games before, dating back to the 2016-17 season, but surpassed that mark on Saturday when they dropped Liberty Tree Academy, 44-10.
They still have four games left in the regular season.
The Timberwolves’ 32-22 home loss on Monday night served as a microcosm not just of their season, but the program’s entire existence. The first time the two teams met, in the second game of the 2022 portion of their slate, the Sentinels claimed a 49-20 victory.
Nine weeks later, that gap shrunk from 29 to 10 to further illuminate the team’s growth in a short period of time. Schauer credits his team’s defensive acumen, which was inspired by Colorado’s top team.
“I love the Denver Nuggets, and I like coach (Michael) Malone,” Schauer said. “One thing he always talks about is stay connected, stay connected, stay connected. On defense, you can see our skill level. There’s some bit to be desired, right, in some players versus some others. … but you see a willingness. If Lizzie (Anglund) is struggling with (an opponent) and she gets around her, Kaleigh (Van Pelt) comes over and just jumps her. If Hanna (Palomo) gets beat up top, you see Hanna jump out.”
His daughter, junior guard/forward Ella Schauer, has been a major boon to the team’s offense and defense, as she entered the game averaging 10.6 points and eight rebounds. Against the Sentinels, she netted 18 from every spot on the floor.
She believes the team’s footwork and camaraderie has helped lead it toward success.
“When I was a freshman, we started with like five players and most of our games, we played with like six,” Ella said. “I think we’ve done a few things over the summer that got a lot more kids interested and I think our team is just so team-oriented.
“We go out in the middle of nowhere and play a bunch of really good teams and we kind of get kicked around a little bit. I think having that experience and knowing what that feels like, we have tried our best to not feel like that again and I think that really helps.”
More than anything, coach Schauer noted the joy and selflessness this team has displayed, and hopes that can carry them forward to even more success as the season winds down. Now 8-5, they’re ready to do a little more damage.
