Despite her immeasurable talent and three stellar seasons at Legacy, many presumed Melissa Jones was going to be a standout player on an average team during her senior season.

In the preseason, neither major newspaper ranked the Lightning, a team that never had escaped the second round of the state tournament, in the top 10.

But Jones' game ascended to even greater levels, as did her supporting cast, and suddenly, Legacy was in the thick of things. The Lightning beat Front Range League rival Horizon for the first time and earned a share of the league title with the Hawks.

Then Jones and the Lightning did the unthinkable and knocked off vaunted Regis in the Class 5A semifinals. Regis entered the contest 21-0 in in-state games and was the tournament's No. 1 overall seed.

Legacy's Jones-led run didn't end in similar storybook fashion as the Lightning lost to Highlands Ranch in the title game.

But Jones, the All-Colorado player of the year, undoubtedly secured her legacy.

"We got a good freshman with Quincey (Noonan) and actually a good freshman class as a whole," said Jones, a playmaking guard who will play at Baylor next season.

"It just seemed like there was a whole different atmosphere for what our intentions were to do on the court this year."

Jones, who averaged 22.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.1 steals, was at her best when it mattered most. She averaged 29 points in five state tournament games and recorded four of her five 30-point performances in Legacy's final eight contests.

"Knowing that this is the last bit of your high school career, you want to go out and do the best you can," she said. "We did achieve some goals that we wanted and we did better than a lot of people expected."

The only thing standing in the way of Jones' perfect season was Highlands Ranch, which beat Legacy 69-54 to claim the 5A crown. The Falcons landed two players on the All-Colorado squad in senior point guard Jaclyn Thoman and junior forward Alyssa Fressle.

Thoman, a second-time selection, averaged 15.9 points and hopes to be remembered for more than her scoring and playmaking.

"Just as an ultimate player," said Thoman, who will play at Boston College. "I have a great leadership role, I think. I make people want to play basketball, want to be better, want to accomplish goals. . . .

"(Being a leader) helps people who struggle, who are too cocky, who get down on themselves too hard. To have someone positive there, always reinforcing their goal, I think that helps out a lot."

Highlands Ranch won its second consecutive title and will be seeking its second threepeat since the turn of the century. The multifaceted Fressle, who averaged 17 points this season, believes it's possible.

"I definitely think we have the talent to repeat," said Fressle, the lone junior selected. "It's going to be tough just like it was this year, but right now, I'm just happy with this year's win."

Joining Thoman as a repeat All-Colorado selection is Hannah Tuomi of Horizon.

Tuomi and the Hawks advanced to two championship games and the semifinals in her final three seasons, with Tuomi's monster rebounding and fierce inside play leading the way.

Tuomi, who will play at Vanderbilt, said she will not leave her high school career lamenting that the Hawks never captured a state crown.

"A title would have been great, but I think whenever you make a goal, the journey is more important," said Tuomi, who averaged 20 points and 11.2 rebounds. "It was more about how much fun I had and all the great relationships I made with my teammates. I think that was more worthwhile."

Another forward, Mindy Nielson of Regis, is a first-time selection after averaging 13.8 points and 7.7 rebounds. Nielson, who will play at Brigham Young next season, was the veteran leader on a Raiders squad largely made up of sophomores.

Nielson helped Regis to three final fours in its first three seasons as a program and the Raiders won the Continental League this season in their initial campaign as a 5A squad.

Coach of the year is Mike Croell of Broomfield, whose Class 4A Eagles won their first state title.

The All-Colorado team represents the top five players in the state, regardless of class or school size, and is selected by the Rocky Mountain News staff with input from coaches statewide.

All-Colorado girls basketball

Player School Height Year Average

Alyssa Fressle Highlands Ranch 5-10 Jr. 17.0

Melissa Jones Legacy 5-10 Sr. 22.1

Mindy Nielson Regis 5-11 Sr. 13.8

Jaclyn Thoman Highlands Ranch 5-9 Sr. 15.9

Hannah Tuomi Horizon 6-1 Sr. 20.0

• Player of the year: Melissa Jones, Legacy.

• Coach of the year: Mike Croell, Broomfield.

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